Category: acceptance
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well water
This morning, I remember a dipper full of water from the well that stood in my grandparents’ yard that waited for me to visit, pump into a pail, carry inside and fill the basin that sat under the slant of stairs in their kitchen. I don’t remember discussions of germs on a shared dipper only…
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maybe, I’m ok
When I was young I would page through Playboy for cartoons now I do the same with the New Yorker maybe this is a sign of progress maybe a sign of lower testosterone maybe it is both and I’m okay with that An ant appears from somewhere wanders across the page unafraid maybe it’s a…
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how I became a poet
When I was in fourth grade they tried to teach me violin but I was called a sissy I put down my case and fought When I was seventh grade I wanted to play French horn but trombones were cheaper I knew all the troublemakers and band secrets I’d laugh and would not snitch When…
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Chill
“Some feel the rain. Others just get wet” Bob Marley (and several others) no umbrella no rain coat long way to house hurrying won’t keep you dry no sense in rushing luxuriate in sensations of chill winter rain you will be home soon enough take shoes off at door remove wet clothes feet on the…
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Evolution of an artist
She laid in bed at night and complained , something is wrong with our child; her genetic donor rolled over and muttered, go to sleep tomorrow, we will fix its flaws _____ Norms mutate They don’t know why They just do _____ Grocery shoppers eat the beautiful, avoid bruised fruit Chuck, evolution doesn’t care about…
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Buttered limbs
Today, I go into the wilderness, no armor or weapons. Face monsters and wild beasts. I will not resist their hunger their gnashing and tearing their ravenous devouring. Should I shower first, butter my limbs, flavor skin with spices, sprinkle oregano in my hair? Today, I go into the wilderness, look for me in scat…
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for want of a piece of hose
Years ago, I’d ride a stolen bike across campus to the grounds shed, rake leaves in large piles for a truck to gather and carry away, sit in class, leaf mold and debris on jeans and boots, compete with the leisure class for grades, laugh at sorority girls who’d pull at short skirts if I…
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Submission
This morning, I think maybe, I’m avoiding the ebb and flow of acceptance and rejection and maybe, I should submit more or maybe, I’m just lazy or maybe, it’s the definition of submission Seeing myself in print Is like going out on the town hoping someone notices the cut of my hair the style of…
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Not if, but when
too intent on not dying we do not live death examine etchings on walls of passage gouges and scratches on exit door frame stop, carve your initials with X’s and O’s turn the handle and pass through 9-22-20
My husband's poetry 