I’m tickled to have two poems in The Sunlight Press this week, although “tickled” doesn’t exactly match the tone of the poems. But it’s best to take some sweet with the bitter, right? Warm thanks to Editors Beth Burrell and Rudri Bhatt Patel who were wonderful communicators and cheerleaders. I recommend The Sunlight Press for reading and submitting. Continue reading Poems in The Sunlight Press
BansheeGather round the table dressedwith Granny’s wedding china and Brussels lace cloth,for a banshee has spoken,returning three times in my dreams, her long, russet hair whispered overmy cheeks, her pale eyes held me between purgatoryand heaven. But dreamsare not reality unless given purchase.So eat from the briny breathof the sea, drink from the fruit of sun-kissed grapes, kiss with life-loving lips and pray our charms hold back death. Na/GloPoWriMo day 30 prompt: Today, try writing your own poem that discusses a real or mythical being or profession (demons, firefighters, demonic firefighters) with the same sort of musing yet dispassionate tone. … Continue reading Banshee
Finished Means ForeverThe night has fallen fartherthan I thought possible and Iflail within its void.You could have warned metoo many sighs could alterreality and I’d be left alone with my regrets, as if breath held weight. Na/GloPoWriMo day 21 – Off prompt Continue reading Finished Means Forever
Oak WomanDear Lucille, I treasure your poem as a reminder of all the life that’s left to live in a culture that worships the young. What is a forest but the strongest of bones, what is a blossoming but an awakening of self. The sapling girl is still inside but the Oak woman is stronger & fiercer,still chasing wildness & wonder. You showed us how.Respectfully, your ardent admirer Na/GloPoWriMo day 17 prompt: For today’s challenge, write a poem in which you respond to a favorite poem by another poet.I chose this poem by Lucille Clifton. I love it & have … Continue reading Oak Woman
Cat & I sneezing together in unison wish the beeswould fly all the pollen away Na/GloPoWriMo day 16 – off prompt. I am tired and blockheaded today. Allergies. This is the best I can do. Sigh. Continue reading Untitled Haiku-ish
Early LifeThe small kitchen porchThe morning glory vine that twirled up the porchThe grassy hillThe groundhog that lived on the hill The creek across the road The creek so clear, running with minnows The stone Spring House The jars of canned goods, cool in the Spring House The flower-studded front lawn The rabbits that played on the front lawn at twilight The big country silence The whip-poor-wills that sang out in the silence The bed at the top of the stairs The bed that hugged after a long day of play NaPoWriMo day 15 prompt: Today, we’d like you to … Continue reading Early Life
Beyond & WithinWalk horizonless, gaze curiously,recognize, understand the birds,the trees, the entire sky.It no longer feels impossible,something peaks and it feelslike forever, where a songis not rain, buta delicate wing. Na/GloPoWriMo day 11 prompt: Write an erasure/blackout poem. I chose a page at random from Bird Box by Josh Malerman. Screenshot of the page is below. Continue reading Beyond & Within
Premonition is an Unwanted ThingSometimes when sunlight is trappedwithin clouds & cages, I hearthe hiss & fall of life support, scrubhands that failed to touch.(Why did I turn away? Judgement clouded empathy. Try again. Why did I turn away? Your need was too overwhelming.)Sometimes an Iris blooms whenit’s supposed to sleep. Sometimesa message of peace appearsat your feet. Na/GloPoWriMo day 10 prompt: Today, write your own meditation on grief. Try using Brock’s form as the “container” for your poem: a few short stanzas, with a middle section in which a question is repeated with different answers given. Continue reading Premonition is an Unwanted Thing
Lost Purpose Dancing BackwardsNeeded: amends for an old ghost, some form of recompense.Red light travels the most milesthrough the atmosphere & bitterto no end, we become the red tapewe rue. If we name this in our headsWill it go away? I’m dancing this ghostpen between you and me; I’ll writeyou into a place as your face foldsinto your crane neck. I will returnat night and stare into your eyes.(Your warm spot is not yours; this I know.You live by the fact of the sun; this I know.)Credits:“Local Legends” by Kare Head in Lost on Purpose“There are No Warning Signs” by … Continue reading Lost Purpose Dancing Backwards
My BackyardBirds & squirrels & cats on the prowlTwo dogs running, hear them howlSun & flowers & butterflies galoreAll the things that I adore Na/GloPoWriMo day 7 prompt is to write a sing-songy rhymed poem. I’m not good at rhyming and it’s not a form I particularly like so mine is short today. I didn’t get around to yesterday’s prompt but I really like the example poem. I hope to make it up. Continue reading My Backyard
