Thanks guys, for all comments. This is just to say I've opened a thread for Front Page selection, on the discussions board, so you can post your relevant opinions on that there.

Cheers

milner

Glad someone else shared my high opinion of this piece.

I could not endorse a better pick for the Front Page.  The title alone does it for me.

Congrats, Milner.

Tim

Thanks Jay, Tim, and all others who've complimented this poem; my respect for the contrary opinions. The latter prove the site's strength. Don't know when I've had such a divided camp over a poem - may be better than I'd thought ;)

Cheers

milner

Oh golly, oh gee. EB I neglected to reveal my delight at your wonderful post.

Thanks, thanks.

milner

Ola, mi amigo! Have finally landed in front of a puter with time to read.

Made a few suggestions below for you to mull over, Mil.

Loved your use of sorcerror to set up expectation.
When I got to the end I had the image of Mickey Mouse from Fantasia
"dancing" in my head.

Maggie






in the store
of juan el brujo

dust
is reverenced * Love this, Milner.

left to spread
its power
over offerings
hung
from rusted nails

spears of agave
dead mice
cicadas rattling snakes
garlic cloves and juniper sprigs
all powder dressed

jars of humbugs
jugs of mescal
the only things
wiped  clean
to shine

he stops
his weekly sweeping
of the floor
Juan does

to watch
dust’s magic
dancing
out the door

Yes, EB's post delighted me too.

Thanks, Maggie. Will enter mull mode later in the day, or night, or when the muse enwraps me with perfumes stolen from undiscovered flowers, sprinkled with the dust of rainbows and passing comets, or I drop dead meanwhile from a surfeit of lampreys.

Much cheer

milner

Still in a big mull over this, Maggie. Can't quite fit that 'juan does' into milner speak. But I am going to put a line break into there before resuming my mull.

Cheers

milner

Have been absent for ages here.  I see Milner is continuing to amaze, always.  This is wonderful stuff, the choice of subject daring and rich.  I'm sneezing here and can smelll this place, rolling in the tactile quality of the poem.

 ;)

nm   

Thanks, n.m. Good to see you back, and with such a fine poem as Us.

Cheers

milner