South of My Days
All things conspire—toy trains to a child,
a train journey rattling through drought-year dust,
where Egrets rise from the northern marshes—wild
white ghosts against the legend of sky—in a wind gust.
A dispirited native born in the company of lovers,
warped, bullock shoulders beneath the sun’s gaze,
She watches magpies carve the wind and hovers—
White birds mocking the failure of communion days.
A naked girl drawing herself in the mirror catches the light,
No longer a girl, turning fifty in the old prison of time,
a method drinker—lost in requests during a year of blight,
trapped wild dogs howling through the dark—a byline.
South of my days, in lyric the bull still runs,
killer hoof-beats drumming the papers of earth.
Sisters whisper sonnets to the past, like nuns.
and a surfer waits for the wave to birth.
To a child, in spirit, the world is still wide—
but woman to child, I know too well the cost.
The name squaw is silent now, as I will not abide,
for I remember what we forget, what we lost.
South of My Days
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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