Picture Book Marathon 2011 - Day 16

This is a poem written by my friend Neil Hughes (who doesn't have a blog to link to.)  He brought it to our critique group and told us that he had written a whole bunch of these.  I told him that this poem begs to be illustrated.  To me it felt like an excerpt from a "Where the Sidewalk Ends" for angsty teens.

I think the subject of this poem looks like this.

Forgiveness

by Neil Hughes

After the pain

after the rage

after the ....

The what?

Then the rage.

Again.

Then harsh words.

Then the self loathing,

and rage,

again,

after the ....

The what?

The pain.

After it's simmered

and slowed down

and popped up

then down further

then exploded up

then down to the deepest place

in the minute and smallest vile

at the bottom of the sea

and it sucks in the ocean

and spits out a whale at your face.

And you dodge the whale.

What whale?

Then the giant squid.

What giant squid?

Then the shark.

What shark?

And the sea urchin.

What sea urchin?

Then the slug.

What?  Oh that little thing?

That's nothing.

Then what about the urchin?

It's kind of spiky cute.

And now the shark?

Doesn't he need water?

And the squid?

Yeah.

And the whale?

Yep.

And the ocean?

That's to swim in.

With all my friends.

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So, for today's entry I submit a collection of illustrated poems for angsty teens written by Neil Hughes and illustrated by Will Strong.  It would be great.  I know it.

(If I have time tomorrow then I'll draw a quick illo with the girl and all of the sea creatures.)