Half and Half by R. Gerry Fabian

There are temporary times
When we all need erasure.
Like the old orange and gray,
half pencil erasure – half ink erasure rectangle,
each discovered flaw requires
a precise pressure and temperament.
On the pencil side,
A swift back and forth
can solve mistaken phrases.
The ink side requires
A more delicate touch,
Once set, the ink must be
Skillfully rubbed so as to allow
a subtle retraction
without leaving a damaging hole
in the fragile parchment.
It takes a penitent scribe
to determine the severity.


R. Gerry Fabian is a published poet and novelist. He has published four books of poetry: Parallels, Coming Out of The Atlantic, Electronic Forecasts and Ball on the Mount. In addition, he has published four novels: Getting Lucky (The Story), Memphis Masquerade, Seventh Sense and Ghost Girl. His web page is rgerryfabian.wordpress.com. He lives in Doylestown, PA.