Parents Night Emma used to do real good in school her mother tells her new teacher. It’s Parents Night at Ryland Elementary. Mostly mothers in attendance. What’s the problem, her mother asks. Fifth grade shouldn’t be hard for her. Emma’s never had a grade lower than a B, her mother says. Teacher says Emma doesn’t do her homework and talks a lot in class. Her mother can’t believe it. Says her […]
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ON PORPOISE Am I watching the dolphins Or are they watching me, Somersaulting on backfins, While I swim clumsily? At the junction of our worlds Where the land meets the sea, Somewhat shallow for their twirls, I can stand awkwardly. I’m not native to water; They’re not native to land. Still each other we ought to […]
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On Purpose By: Chanacee Ruth-Killgore Not on water do I walk and, it’s true, I’m challenged by dry land. I can do, though, what I can. It is that alone which matters. All else lingers… shiny and superfluous, full of false promises and deception. I can, however, is honest, humble, bold! And I know that which I can is the must […]
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House for Sale in Shady Acres The question isn’t why your little world is suddenly going to hell. The question is what can you do about the black couple touring the house on your block where the sign just went up day before yesterday. The neighbors are calling and everyone’s asking what can be done before they buy it. Old Smitty is barely cold in […]
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Travelogue Voyagers no longer disembark at decayed seaports, piers rotting where sturdy ships once docked delivering the wealthy the hopeful, travel plans replaced by accommodating airlines getting us to destinations so quickly there’s no transition between coming and going, just adaptation to climate change, time change, when we conclude our journey. This poem is part of a collection […]
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DO-OVER (Inspired while watching “United 93,” the one flight that was prevented by its heroic passengers from fulfilling its mission of murder on September 11, 2001) If you could go back To one time and place, Stop accursed attack On the human race, Could you simply choose (Knowing what you know) Holocaust of Jews? Nine-eleven’s blow? […]
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A Stationary Bicycle The doctor tells Phil and his wife he’s in pretty good health for a man his age but he needs to exercise. And Phil says he agrees and then goes on to explain his faith in recliner therapy. He sits in a recliner for hours, watches TV or reads the paper and wiggles his toes at least three […]
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WATER DROP In icy cold of empty space, It hitched a ride on comet’s face, Accelerating toward a star Of recent birth, from distance far. As sun of color yellow grew In field of vision, met with two Enormous spheres of frigid gas That slightly altered comet’s path. Whereas before would swing around The virgin star, […]
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Plain Girl Pretty Rose was a plain girl from a small town. She sang in the choir, never missed Bible study, left for the big city after high school. She worked nights in a shanty diner next to a bar where working men gathered. Depending on how much the men had to drink Rose looked appealing but she ignored […]
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Journey (For My Father) I wish I could say that we are like any other father and daughter. I wish that I could say that we are the best of friends, but it took us a long time to get here. I wish I could say that I could tell you anything, everything, but you still would not understand. […]
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