Robert T. Enos published a collection of original poems and photos inspired by various literary works. The poems explore themes of nature, perspective, purpose, community, memory, and change. Each poem is 1-4 stanzas and references the work that inspired it, including authors like Ernest Gaines, Robert Coover, Willa Cather, and Ernest Hemingway. The collection suggests everything is in a state of flux yet also expresses the comfort found in memories and traditions.

1. Original Poems & Photos
by
Robert T. Enos

2. Cold Air Falling
The sky is gray
The river is gray
Color
cold
air
falling
Now, question everything.
And, for you, the wind may be pink
The grass, black
Inspired by Ernest J. Gaines’ “The Sky Is Gray”.

3. The Adytum
A fractured parade
Through unbroken verse
An alternate point of view
From stand around rain
And those left behind
An adytum rises new
Inspired by
Robert Coover’s
“The Brother”.

4. The Design of Things
The noise and pageantry
are but a sleep and a forgetting
like the homilies of the world.
Underneath, the iron blossoms in leagues of blue infinity
Hidden by purpose and point.
Within, there is no desire to show different from the surroundings
nor to question the trip.
And the end is also the beginning, as long as you have a ticket.
Inspired by Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case”.

5. Untitled
I harbor a secret meanness
To those who live in a jungle of doubt
Stepping over the cracks through which they have fallen
along with the gravel and the grout.
The ripple of selective charity
washes guilt through the gutter.
Awareness lies fallow, but reminds me still
that tomorrow could find me like the other
Inspired by William Sydney Porter’s “A Madison Square Arabian Night”

6. Untitled
How do you feel?
As you work the Earth
Done under the sun
When water is no longer good for thirst
Where the zephyr reunites the misled with the muse
And the passion is left unbroken, unuttered and undone?
Inspired by Tomás Rivera’s
“…And The Earth Did Not Part”

7. The Call to Rise
A sobering sound is this call to rise
To favor or forsake, but one is true
And nothing is the fear held by older eyes
The shadows of the leaves rise there too
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”.

8. Vale Sideribus Solstitialis
Perhaps it’s time to bid so long to nights of wine, wont and song
To leave the fool in pilgrim’s pool who hides from the storm
And sense absence fills the rate while the hour doth grow late
A secret swoon in empty room does tender heart deform
--Inspired by
John Cheever’s “The Swimmer”

9. Untitled
It is soothing to have learned
when communicating across that Vast Expanse
it matters not the language, style or form
nor if the message was received,
but that it was sent.
Inspired by Donald Barthelme’s “Margins”.

10. A Better Tear
The world waits for a better tear
From hardened haze chimeras hear
While hearts sound below icy froth
And passions hide in covert cloth
Inspired by Guy Clark’s “The Randall Knife”

11. Untitled
Upon the mossy steps I rose
Limbs grew worn without repose
My eyes beheld an olive tree
Limbs hung low reminded me
Though orbs of tender we do eat
Life is not all bitter meat
And since we shared our great goodbyes
Joy is there when my heart cries

12. The Torch
It’s been so long
And the torch still glows
No matter what
I hold it close
You’d think I’d tire
And let it go
But the pain is my friend
It told me so

13. Untitled
I'm teetering on the thin line
Of obsession and nostalgia
Holding on to memories like aging does with dust
To keep my head and lose the crutch
Of obsession or nostalgia
Let them go, I know I must