A Collage of Chimeras and Phantasms, the 12th publication by Kevin Trent Boswell
A Collage of Chimeras and Phantasms is a
general collection of poems. The material veers wildly in several directions at once. You’ll find stream-of-consciousness pieces, romantic poems, works of heartbreak, dark scalpel slices that reside in the penumbra of horror, and avant-garde bits of absurdism. So, there’s no need to trouble yourself attempting to understand the methodology here—there is none.
216 pages
©️2025 Kevin Trent Boswell
On Saturday, I spent the entire day editing and submitting the manuscript for my new book.
I got it finished and turned in, then treated myself by eating too much pizza.
The author’s proof should be here in a day or two and I can proofread it. Then, it will go live and be available on Amazon.
radial beams
smile sears through
the morass of tedious
normalcy
similar to a sizzling steak
on the grill in the backyard
good feelings spray out
like the water from a
rotating yard sprinkler
hand me a straw
and let me sip
this sugary cocktail
of swirling girlish charm
easy to drink
drunk on the polarity
of what she is
and what I am not
©2025 Kevin Trent Boswell
like a game of
Jenga, or Operation
like the careful restructuring
of a house of cards
how to
delicately slide
the desired shape
out of its current position
and into the one
I choose?
it’s absolutely essential
to have a steady hand,
to avoid upsetting the harmony
must not startle,
or cause alarm
she is nestled ⠀
comfortably
into her little nook, ⠀
her home
if it is indeed possible that
she might be moved by me…
then I must proceed
ever so gently, deftly,
with the greatest
of charm and tact
otherwise, the whole structure
could come tumbling
down
one must be debonair,
unhurried, poised, skilled,
perhaps even a bit
devil-may-care
for a handler of cards,
the appeal of the card
is what strength she brings to his hand
does she make for a
weak pair of twos?
or does she complete his straight flush?
does she make him look and feel
like the winner of the game?
but the card herself,
she is far more impressed
by the manner in which
an adroit dealer is able to
adeptly and confidently ⠀
handle her
expertly positioning her
without her necessarily
noticing
she wants to feel
safely controlled,
lovingly held,
as a crowning
symbol of
fulfillment
and fruition
but if the Queen of Hearts
is yielding…
if she offers some assistance,
some small help
in wiggling her out
of that lonely position
between the Three of Clubs
and the Four of Spades,
then there’s hope
and I will keep that card
always
up under my sleeve,
right next to my skin
©2025 Kevin Trent Boswell
a dapper gentleman in a suit
a prowler lurking near
a kind fellow holding flowers
a sly devil in a trench coat
a maiden has no way of knowing
desiring yet fearing pursuit,
certain words she yearns to hear
to fall into charming powers
a request, a command, a careful note
a glowing smile is telling, showing
a callous beast who cheats and lies
or a happy tear brought by a lover
a spineless, cowering, simpering wimp
or a loyal man who inspires devotion
a rock, a champion to win her heart
someone bold, a little older, wise
a warrior to shield her and cover
caresses that make her weak and limp
to make forever more than a notion
if hurdles may be overcome at the start
©2025 Kevin Trent Boswell
May the eye of her needle
Be passed through by the camel
My beast is ready
And eager to ride⠀
May the comfort of her robes
Cover my animal
The temple of her refuge
Is warm inside⠀
May I sail my vessel
Into her power
And not be tossed
By her storm⠀
May I know the nectar
Of her flower
And be one with the flower
I will be the thorn
⠀
©2025 Kevin Trent Boswell
Kevin Trent Boswell 