“Mixer” by Luigi Coppola

after Untitled (Bar Scene) by Suzanna Watkins

The boy of me loved squash
watered down to water

Later the frizz of cola
the can’s spark

that opened later
to rotting apples

sugar and spirit
crushed barley then

finally to wine
sweet wine

I was a slow alchemist
a plodding, wannabe Jesus

First published in Orbis 157

Luigi Coppola (sites.google.com/view/luigicoppolapoetry) teaches and writes in London, England. Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize twice, he appeared in the Worple Press anthology ‘The Tree Line’ and publications include Acumen, The Frogmore Papers, The High Window, Ink, Sweat and Tears, Iota, Magma, Orbis, Neon, Rattle, The Rialto, THE SHOp and Snakeskin.