tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77097241781453179542024-03-05T03:15:13.207-06:00Discordia ConcorsMaking sense through poetry...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-14300351532204469112012-11-27T07:18:00.002-06:002012-11-27T07:24:42.612-06:00Burns Night in Texas<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They lifted toasts,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">single malt blends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">pretenses of culture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">engraved deep into crystal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">tumblers and silver salvers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They brayed their way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">through alien brogues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">muddled through the Selkirk Grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">pretended to be disappointed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when they had no Haggis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They let their minds wander,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">chasing exploits of ancient warriors,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lifting skirts of lowland lasses,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">replaying holes on the old course,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">dreaming of old days, red roses, crowns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it’s time for auld lang syne,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">they dream of brotherhood,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">tip bottles to honor old times,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">only to find their voices teetering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">alone in a haze of scotch and smoke.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-----------</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieML3p3NXhwwwmz7V6jURoajYdwvinZu_o5sSScEEWBOUXCjg2cc698BvTWae2B4flDiLk6av8hXPQ4wfcouHg2SfxdyIfxZ35wDkC_VH-r0jg5zOpLCeg4k5GK7EyGQTrFNRbJTEMpI0P/s1600/BRR_8_-_medium_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieML3p3NXhwwwmz7V6jURoajYdwvinZu_o5sSScEEWBOUXCjg2cc698BvTWae2B4flDiLk6av8hXPQ4wfcouHg2SfxdyIfxZ35wDkC_VH-r0jg5zOpLCeg4k5GK7EyGQTrFNRbJTEMpI0P/s200/BRR_8_-_medium_2.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First appeared in <a href="http://events.bluerocktexas.com/previous-events/detail/the-blue-rock-review-book-release-viii/" target="_blank"><i>The Blue Rock Review: Vox</i> (Volume 8)</a>, edited by Billy Crockett, Nathan Brown, Don Dorsey, Christopher Everett, and Connie Todd.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-9637742036012464612011-11-15T19:29:00.001-06:002011-11-15T19:33:11.560-06:00Sonoran Monsoon Season<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(July 4, 2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i>“I don’t know why bad ideas<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> spread faster than good ones,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> but they do.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">—David Sedaris<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Folks sip margaritas and beer, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">smoke babyback ribs, gorge themselves<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on sweet corn and watermelon,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">clamoring for the yearly fireworks show,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">patriotic bombs bursting in air<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to celebrate the unalienable rights<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to send aliens back where they came from<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and to treat everyone as an illegal<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">just for breathing the air of liberty<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the land of the free and home of the brave.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Storm clouds build on the mountains,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">gusts whipping through the valley<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shaking ancient saguaro to the roots.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">------------------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy4iJgAH9dn0fJCpLpsheHc1ASjFJq8UydfHeUGqkr_pDjzOx24UTKoxeFxyc5y5T6fPGvMRFxf9sI9l3lb3dydcEiDm1FnW7J6rgj8fG2rD2lN5KCpub7n3lQKQBzOVFUz12Wqy7IgSG/s1600/cover1-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy4iJgAH9dn0fJCpLpsheHc1ASjFJq8UydfHeUGqkr_pDjzOx24UTKoxeFxyc5y5T6fPGvMRFxf9sI9l3lb3dydcEiDm1FnW7J6rgj8fG2rD2lN5KCpub7n3lQKQBzOVFUz12Wqy7IgSG/s200/cover1-600.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First appeared in <em style="text-align: -webkit-left;">Agave, a Celebration of Tequila, </em><span class="Apple-style-span">edited by Nathan and Ashley Brown, published by <a href="http://inkbrushpress.com/" target="_blank">Ink Brush Press</a> available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Cn%3A283155%2Ck%3Aagave%5Cc+a+celebration+of+tequila&keywords=agave%2C+a+celebration+of+tequila&ie=UTF8&qid=1321406936&ajr=0" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-64047077996288434862011-09-14T00:15:00.000-05:002011-09-14T00:15:26.623-05:00Never Ending<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“…he showed a little thing…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> --Julian of Norwich<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Julian handled a universe<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in a hazelnut in her hand<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and saw thrice-fairer faces<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in a showing of God’s <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">making, keeping, loving.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When she saw this world<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">made, kept, loved so well,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">she found her heart in him<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who never stops being<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maker, Keeper, Lover.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-44133005604519477452011-08-18T07:17:00.002-05:002011-08-18T07:17:35.426-05:00The Annual Talent Show<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Junior recited the twelve apostles,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sissy fumbled through the fruit<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of the spirit, Grandma Nell thought <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her mumbles were sure signs,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the gift of tongues, and Uncle Buford<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">strummed an old guitar and hummed<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a ballad about the rise and fall of heroes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Edna read something she called a poem,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">words inspired by her fascination <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with pockets. Blue-haired Ruthie warbled <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">love songs to widowers and bachelors,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">promised hot cobbler and sweet cream<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to lonely hearts and empty stomachs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Violin and mountain dulcimer cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dora fiddles with the microphone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Feedback squelches and squawks,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then the voice of an angel rises above heads<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of hungry penitents, falls like snowflakes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on shoulders, blankets the fallen<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with strains of <i>gloria in excelsis Deo</i>,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">makes for this moment on earth, peace.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-17225747766334000672011-07-18T09:10:00.003-05:002011-07-18T09:11:17.445-05:00Fight or Flight<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> “This may sound like gibberish to you,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> but I think I’m in a tragedy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> --<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stranger than Fiction</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When he reads that the bus comes to squash the boy,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the hero is ready to face his fate, confront the bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He knew he had to die.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He knew his story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But then some sentimental alien<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">toys with him, plays <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deus ex machina</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on his ass and heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">plunges him into comedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And they all know he needed to die<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the fiction to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They all know saving the boy<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and dying in his stead<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is the only way to make great art— <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his knowing choice to give his life,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his love, his world<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to save the innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He rejects the instinct to stay on the curb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He steps out, pushes the child to safety,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">stands in front of the bus,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">willing to die a hero’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The audience and author can’t bear it,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">insist on a tired happy-ever-after ending<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Refuse to fight it. Rewrite. Revise. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They flee greatness in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-51981110087936556422011-07-17T07:48:00.000-05:002011-07-17T07:48:42.612-05:00The Toad and the Beetle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sdl3fjQYOVsW0rsotBsvMOhjy2pCn5FsLQJNj1yCYSbJ7yFi3m6cXMAo4EsmvYTBDZKlO-iApx60MdgjSel_nuOs8XG4Ixc69IIN7r-cruH91nHaefDEhLPPFEL4RjkNaM-iYszLntqi/s1600/DSCN5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sdl3fjQYOVsW0rsotBsvMOhjy2pCn5FsLQJNj1yCYSbJ7yFi3m6cXMAo4EsmvYTBDZKlO-iApx60MdgjSel_nuOs8XG4Ixc69IIN7r-cruH91nHaefDEhLPPFEL4RjkNaM-iYszLntqi/s200/DSCN5252.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Out of the dark rains <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">emerges a Sonoran toad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His skin like an avocado,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">dark, dimpled, thick.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Red dots betray its youth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the patter of raindrops,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">his kind call in the night,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">like muted horns of ships<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">stranded in an ocean of fog.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This toad finds rich feeding<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">beneath the back porch,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">bugs drawn to the dryness,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">clamoring to the light.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This buffet of corn bugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">moths, and roaches suits<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">the hulking green monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">until he eyes a dung beetle<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">big enough to fill him full.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The toad is slow, lumbers<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">toward this boon. The beetle<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">is slower, has no idea he’s<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">about to become Jonah<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">in the belly of a monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One gulp seems sufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The toad swallows him whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The beetle wallows in darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A contest of wills ensues.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The beetle breaks free, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">bursts from the maw,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">sticky from stomach acid,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">reeling from noxious slime.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The surprised toad decides<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">his stomach is bigger <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">than his eyes, tries again<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">to consume the beetle<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">who refuses to be eaten.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The beetle wins a second<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">and third round in this battle,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tickling the throat, slipping past<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">clenched lips, falling to the floor,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">exhausted, stuck in toxic glue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The toad contemplates the stillness,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">seems willing to call it a draw,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">rather than feel scratching claws again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still hungry, he flees his nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-27811984525617127092011-06-30T07:13:00.001-05:002011-06-30T07:14:04.651-05:00Mountain Passes<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I weigh each message,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">consider fragments and moods,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">balance the imperative to<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“watch for falling rocks”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">against the need to eye<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the edges of the winding road. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see evidence of fallen rocks,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">wonder who saw the falling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dash flashes eighty degrees,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but signs in July still caution<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Bridge may ice before road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know oracles hedge their bets,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">satisfy fate and unearth the proud<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with ambiguity. Sans meteors<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and icicles, I dare cross the bridge,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">resume the ascent up the steepening<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">last climb. This final slope<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">abounded with redundancies—<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Slower traffic keep right,”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Left lane for passing only.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Approaching the summit, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I find myself halfway there, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hug the right, cling to life.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-25457230809908617922011-05-25T06:01:00.002-05:002011-05-25T06:01:43.422-05:00Unsettled Estates<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Father died the year </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">her children hunted </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">eggs in snow on Easter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">blues and greens bleeding</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in melted slush, hidden</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in splashes of bluebonnets. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next winter was warm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Outside geraniums </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">bloomed until Christmas, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">bugs thrived past New Year’s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mandated to bring an end </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to this end, she begins </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the dismantling of his house, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sorting attic junk,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">giving Goodwill the goods,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">boxing precious books</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for a two-bit fundraiser.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, touched by dry leather,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">yellowed leaves</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and brittle spines,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a daughter reads pages</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">of ancients, history, philosophy, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and his favorite poetry,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">finding one more hair</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">plucked from his brow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">deep in the gutter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">left like a breadcrumb</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to his presence.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-66772108301647814982011-05-21T08:44:00.001-05:002011-07-04T06:56:29.550-05:00What if...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I actually believed </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">it was finished when he said it was done?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I stopped fussing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">about casseroles, seating arrangements,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">paychecks or job titles, and attended </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">the one thing needful?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I found a mustard seed</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">hidden under the piles of doubt,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">moved mountains, saw oceans </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">as reasons for a daily stroll?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I stopped defending</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">myself against attacks,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">embraced my enemies without plunging </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">daggers in their backs? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I really did the math</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Of forgiveness, learned the grace</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">that makes one greater than seven</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">or seventy times seven?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What if I stopped explaining</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">away my gluttony and greed,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">my wrath and wrongheadedness,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">accepted my ignorance,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">and owned the blessing he called down</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">when he asked his dad to let them off</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">because they simply didn’t know</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">what they were doing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">It was finished when he said it was done.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;">What if I actually believed him?</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-10761012894179874742011-05-15T09:14:00.002-05:002011-05-15T09:22:54.375-05:00Triptych<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(after O’Keeffe’s <i>Red Hills and Bones</i>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7SnqiWZty6V51nFeF_W-R5vwZXwLjGjpOfClV7HxkphgJMhddBxrKKJvKzDWbMXCiS7BDDGlRnxXt3IeNIA-nLAe7O339oJvft7x6n-XW7VlFHfuC53pR3Av3zY0HrU2KNPBe0gcBAt/s1600/redhills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7SnqiWZty6V51nFeF_W-R5vwZXwLjGjpOfClV7HxkphgJMhddBxrKKJvKzDWbMXCiS7BDDGlRnxXt3IeNIA-nLAe7O339oJvft7x6n-XW7VlFHfuC53pR3Av3zY0HrU2KNPBe0gcBAt/s200/redhills.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I. In the beginning</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">were grand projects—</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">light, sky, water, earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">In groundbreaking moments</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">after oceans parted and</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">mountains peaked, then</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">emerged another operation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The dust settled, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">was shaped, was sculpted, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">so much dirt and breath, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">a ghostly gasp, then the urge</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">to ascend jagged peaks,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">beckon stars come closer,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">settle within easy reach.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">II. One man, one woman, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">halfway to sublime,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">could not resist </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">savoring sweet nectar,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the fall blooms, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">flowers into grace </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">for want of a savior.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Erosion cut to the bone. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lines weathered deep,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">until piles of sediment,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">layers of canyon,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">buried the bones,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">pressed bone to stone,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">made dry souls concrete. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">III. Rare rain falls, washes the draws,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">exposes roots and tender veins.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">This spit makes mud,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">creates rivers deep in the gorge. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red clay cakes on the table below,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">awaits the hand to unseal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">sealed lids and eyes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bones in the valley</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">rattle like castanets,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">sing like reeds </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">as the spirit fans</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">the fire within,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">rumble low and humble</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">as flesh fleshes anew.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First published in <a href="http://www.lcsproductions.net/Design/FarawayNrbyPrgm.pdf">Faraway Nearby</a>, edited by Lon Chaffin.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-70010660627123406392011-05-14T08:06:00.002-05:002011-05-14T08:11:07.561-05:00Gravity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL859fKwlVLag-9D3kAJ6ww9xCwtT7Tr5cCKKKsHGI0qr-c02ghVcKHxjt22GzkZzPVhV5pDvMTwMeofUgLdbkjwU0wYOlxpTDDxeKe5cOTZR-nAs8Eq9UAKvq9e_H247tZYQxCJUC8KzP/s1600/1280_wallpaper8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL859fKwlVLag-9D3kAJ6ww9xCwtT7Tr5cCKKKsHGI0qr-c02ghVcKHxjt22GzkZzPVhV5pDvMTwMeofUgLdbkjwU0wYOlxpTDDxeKe5cOTZR-nAs8Eq9UAKvq9e_H247tZYQxCJUC8KzP/s200/1280_wallpaper8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">People pretend</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">science and faith</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">are at odds</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">but even Newton, Einstein,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wittgenstein, Vonnegut</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the Pope</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">knew the first law</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">was for Adam, Eve,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the apple</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to fall </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">at the same</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">rate</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to fall</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">together</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">unchanging</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">until acted</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">upon</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> by another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">First appeared in an Interview with Sorina Higgins at <a href="http://iambicadmonit.blogspot.com/2010/06/interview-with-audell-shelburne.html">Iambic Admonit</a> (June 2010).</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-27437383855088122632011-05-13T12:32:00.001-05:002011-05-13T12:34:08.912-05:00An Old Refrain<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The biggest screens of all stood at the drive-in</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">anchoring the northeast edge of town </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to the Dumas highway, double features </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for three bucks per car, a coke and popcorn </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">swimming in pools of butter for a dollar more, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">then heroes and villains magnified </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">on the forty-foot screen, their tinny voices </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">piped in by metal box speakers that hung </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">suspended from half-down windows.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And the congregation had to wonder</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">when the preacher’s four-year old</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">began to belt out the latest musical, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a singing Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in some odd gold-miner ménage a trois,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">this trio pushing aside the rightful trinity</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">while a little boy sings “who gives a damn”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to the titters of blue-haired ladies </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the chuckles of once-dour deacons.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And when he hit the chorus a second time,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“who gives a damn, who gives a damn</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">we’re on our way,” they knew they were right</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">about their suspicion that these pictures </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">robbed people of their souls, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and they longed for a simpler time</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">when people knew good clean fun </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">without sneaking peeks in the rear-view mirror</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">at the blue movies on screen two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">First appeared in <a href="http://www.lcsproductions.net/Design/FarawayNrbyPrgm.pdf"><i>Faraway Nearby</i></a>, edited by Lon Chaffin.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-37501195083710037652011-05-07T18:39:00.002-05:002011-05-07T20:34:43.886-05:00New Beginnings<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“We die and rise the same…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><span style="font-size: small;">John Donne, <i>The Canonization</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The night before the fall,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">they had no way to know </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">winter would freeze</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">the vines, wither the fruit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">In their joy they had no</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">idea their sin would prompt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">birthdays and funerals,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">holidays and weddings,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">any excuse to turn</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">water to wine, toast fresh starts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">First appeared in <i>Riffs</i> (November 2009). Reprinted in </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Thirty-First Bird</i>, volume 1. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-40637552585556224322011-05-04T21:34:00.001-05:002011-05-04T21:36:32.199-05:00The Second Bar<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thin light skips the waves</div><div class="MsoNormal">as he wades out to the second bar,</div><div class="MsoNormal">a guess to find the flounder or reds</div><div class="MsoNormal">as they run into the bay. Dawn breaks </div><div class="MsoNormal">as a calm surf rolls and swells at intervals </div><div class="MsoNormal">against his stomach, the nascent </div><div class="MsoNormal">pulse of a soul <i>in utero</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Time and flounder pass him by. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The sun climbs high, beats down, and he </div><div class="MsoNormal">reaches for an empty water bottle as it floats off.</div><div class="MsoNormal">A rope stringer leashes three trout to his belt, a swell</div><div class="MsoNormal">morning until the swell of waves laps water at his armpits </div><div class="MsoNormal">with him standing tip-toe on the second bar,</div><div class="MsoNormal">stranded in the ebb and flow of the bay.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And he swims for shore, one arm stroking </div><div class="MsoNormal">the surging sea, the other hand clinging to the reel </div><div class="MsoNormal">he bought for his birthday. He swims, urging the trout </div><div class="MsoNormal">on the stringer to swim with him, not out to sea. He kicks </div><div class="MsoNormal">off his shoes and bobs toward shore, wondering when to ditch </div><div class="MsoNormal">the rod, the reel, the stringer of fish in his fight </div><div class="MsoNormal">to overcome the suck of the undertow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy hour ends just as he bellies up</div><div class="MsoNormal">to the second bar of the night, orders a beer</div><div class="MsoNormal">and makes jokes about anesthesia while the singer </div><div class="MsoNormal">croons jazzy tunes of life and love, melancholia made</div><div class="MsoNormal">sweet and deep. He hums along as dissonance strikes chords </div><div class="MsoNormal">out of reach, churns under-currents from the deep</div><div class="MsoNormal">rift beneath the surface of numbness.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He gulps another longneck, gasps for air, </div><div class="MsoNormal">spills his story of an unknown son or daughter, </div><div class="MsoNormal">a mother’s breathless cries, fruitless labor, ruthless</div><div class="MsoNormal">waves breaking on shoals of grief, rolling on broken hopes.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then last call, bright lights, empty stage, cold room.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sorrow swallows him whole while he drowns </div><div class="MsoNormal">in a sea-sickness of memory and beer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="MsoNormal">First appeared in <i>descant</i>, Volume 48, 2009.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-47692886816935243612011-05-04T20:58:00.002-05:002011-05-04T21:04:01.658-05:00Lux Fiat<div class="MsoNormal">“Nobody’s in the kitchen,” my baby jokes</div><div class="MsoNormal">while staring at the walls and drilling holes </div><div class="MsoNormal">through the cabinets with eyebeams brighter</div><div class="MsoNormal">than blue halogen lamps. A two-year old</div><div class="MsoNormal">can appreciate the feigned surprise, </div><div class="MsoNormal">the sheer audacity of finding nobody </div><div class="MsoNormal">in empty space. When nobody reappears</div><div class="MsoNormal">in the tired pages of <i>Goodnight Moon</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">she titters and giggles, indexing the blank page</div><div class="MsoNormal">with a sideways glance back to the kitchen,</div><div class="MsoNormal">fingering the void and making it something,</div><div class="MsoNormal">naming this nothing and becoming a maker,</div><div class="MsoNormal">a goddess on the brink of being the one</div><div class="MsoNormal">she was made to be, a somebody by fiat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </div>First appeared in <i>Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review</i>, Number 29, Fall/Winter 2007.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7709724178145317954.post-48048845918431798072011-05-03T21:32:00.001-05:002011-05-04T21:04:49.830-05:00Sirens in the Desert<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Ask not for whom the bell tolls…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> —John Donne</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The ambulance calls once or twice each week.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s only natural that people at the pool</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">of the retirement community should ask</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">for whom the sirens sound.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s only inevitable that somebody</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">makes a joke about Hemingway or Donay,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and for someone else to correct the name</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">to Donne, which leads to another round</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">of lame jokes about being done, well done,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or whatever. Still the sirens sound</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and people want to know who has fallen,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">who won’t be getting up tomorrow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And when they hear about a drowned grandson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or a lightning strike, they know sirens call us all.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">First appeared in <i>Di-Verse-City 2011: Austin International Poetry Festival Anthology</i>. Edited by Barbara Youngblood Carr. April 7, 2011.<br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0