LADLE

Hand like a ladle
dips into the pool
to hold a cool drink
in its’ crooked palm
only to spill most
through the sieve
fingers that areas matchstick columns
resting before reach-
ing the dry mouth –

Most of the water
running quickly
down from the cracks in the ladle
of a cupped palm
and into the lake
that waits always
for a concave and
supine dip meant
to slake the thirst.



John Tustin’s poetry has appeared in many disparate literary journals since 2009. Visit fritzware.com/johntustinpoetry for links to his published poetry online.