“A Good Relationship with Fast Food” is included in this anthology from Main Street Rag. Purchase it here.
Goodbye, Latrodectus
she stood holding the hose and I thought I saw a rainbow
prism in the sunlight so I drank from pvc
I wandered in her garden never knowing nutritious food
tall flowers attracted innocent pollinators
unaware they were prey
when years later I ran from the edge of her plot
that which she told me was the earth
my feet crunched a limb on the outskirts as I dashed
held my hands overhead, ducking beneath the sky I'd been taught to fear
I kicked feet free of her web
looking back I saw layers of dirt atop all the broken bodies
as people walked by they saw tall waving blooms
purple, pink, orange, red
her web not visible to the passersby
(originally published in The Birds We Piled Loosely)
This is a tangible intervention. step 1: Put down and turn off the device. Touch printed matter. A book is best, a magazine or newspaper is very good, and some mail will do. The mere act of touch will begin to restore your soul. step 2: Reach for a hug. A loved one or child is best, a pet is very good, and a pillow will do. If you have no possession cross your arms. step 3: Reach for the pants. Put on the pants. step 4: Slip on the shoes. Slip-on shoes are best, as not to impede the necessary flow, shoes with laces are very good, socks or bare feet will do. step 5: Reach for the door. Do not stop until you are outside.
(originally published in Oh Dear Beast)
Exchanging Rain, originally published in Foliate Oak Literary Magazine
“Words of Encouragement for Artists and Writers,” originally published on theartistunleashed.com
Cables, originally published with LED
“I Always Wanted to Write,” originally published at thevoicesproject.org
“A Brief History of Photography and Birds,” and “Seasons are Symbolic in the Soul,” originally published at Thought Collection Issue 5
Control vs Freedom is published at formidablewoman.org Issue 1, Vol.2
Haiku for Poetry in the Prairie published at International Crane Foundation
I’m a contributor to this issue of Ruminate. It can be purchased here.
