Illusion hillssmoke signals further visionblanket memory, summer-warmconsciousness dreaminga boulder for a pillowbattling angelsto climb ladderseverything leaves a marklow-rounded, still-sacredsome of those illusionscarry ancient namessome of them carrythe bones of the sky I love how mountains fade into the distance, how it hardly seems real. This poem is the second one I wrote for the polaroidContinue reading “Smokies, 2”
Tag Archives: poetry
Blue Beach
the boy doestricks the woman stands watchingthe sand is too foot-steppedto notice the camera makesthem all silhouettes watchingthe sand is everywhereplaying tricks This poem is a companion piece to the one I published on Tupelo Press’ website today for the August 30/30 Project. You can read the other poem (a villanelle) here: Guess who finallyContinue reading “Blue Beach”
Pinehurst
Golf townsand and spapines and pubscoddled traditions and legendsaround every corner My Grand-merealways spoke of azaleassparkles in her milky eyesand soft hands arounda pottery cup of chicory coffee another timeanother placeanother south This poem is a second one that I wrote for the photo, with the villanelle being shared on Tupelo Press’ website for thisContinue reading “Pinehurst”
Coffin House
Glass-eyed Narcissus hidingtoo tall for me to see himin his past place abiding The summer days go slidinga boat upon the pond skimsglass-eyed Narcissus hiding its deceptive depths, chidingobsession’s inviting grinin its sin-seat abiding What seeking brings is findingwith a cup full to the brimstill spy Narcissus hiding Hours confidently stridingdistances the kith & kinofContinue reading “Coffin House”
Pine
Padded quiet morning, herewhere life has barely thawed outthe birds wait to raise a cheer to summer. Sunshine appearswith warmth, flexing its new cloutin the padded morning. Here and there flying bugs appearbut the earth-dwellers have doubtsand birds wait to sound the cheer. Chased by needling cold fearspine doesn’t worry aboutmuch here, soaks up theContinue reading “Pine”
Shadows
break it down, where the lightfinds the failing fallen,ignited by shadows broken patterns alightwithin the frame’s swollenhollows, flushed with light where geometry’s tightcourse follows peaks and glenswaves will find the shadows in the doorway hope fightsfeeling sorrow takenpast breaking down. The light will flush away the blightburning away brackenigniting the shadows til the fire’s hotContinue reading “Shadows”
Cimmaron
End of the mountains, the end of the line.Dad used to say “the dead center of town.”The old bones resting here have done their time. Now they gaze out at the prairie, the fineendless grasses wave back. A man could drownin those mountains. He has to hold the line until it breaks, then hold onContinue reading “Cimmaron”
Line Dance
Rhythm jivesto consonantpercussionfoot stomp to the letterkeeping timestaying inline with a heeltoe, and somethingin the hipsdon’t forget to breathe syncopated surprisesprying an extrabeat, a kindof additiveslipped in like asqueezeof lime in a cocktailwhen you need a break make it if chanceasks you for a dancetake it Part of the experience of participating in the 30/30Continue reading “Line Dance”
Fundraiser Incentives!
I am back again today to talk about the 30/30 project I’m participating in for Tupelo Press, and to offer incentives for your dear, wonderful, generous donations! The writing is going well so far – in the sense that I am happy with what I’m producing and *also* really enjoying reading the work of myContinue reading “Fundraiser Incentives!”
Summer writing
This summer, in advance of the road trips I went on, I made lists of focus words to help me with my writing. Two of the places I had been to before: Mueller State Park in Colorado and Abiquiu in New Mexico. Since they were familiar to me, I was able to generate a shortContinue reading “Summer writing”
The Poetry Patio 