...in the hand is worth two...
by Kirsten Wiking
"I wish you'd have given me
this written question
ahead of time
so I could plan for it"
But really. What mistakes?
I've been a good! parent (haven't I?)
Yes, yes, little slip ups, but gah!
What does it matter?
(Hmm, well, yes, that time I marched
into your room because I knew
there were substances of suspect, mass[ively] destructive,
under your mattress, guess that wasn't...) But.
Just think!
Through all your adolescence
how high your allowance has been --
(although, my income has been, er,
not great. It may fall to you to pay off my um,
fiscal mismanagement
*cringe*
once I pass...
But don't think of it!
Think of how much money
money
money you've had now!)
Really, (to tell the truth) the saddest thing
about my years as the
parent
has been that I couldn't...
go for longer runs...oh yes. But
"I'm the decider-see!
I don't need to explain why I do things.
That's the interesting thing
about being
a
parent."
Girls
by Kathryn Pope
Oh wow! says she whose nose is in the air.
Oh wow! I like your look and all your clothes --
the things you think to wear from head to toes.
Oh wow! I see you've even done your hair!
Of course...your socks aren't really quite a pair.
Of course...the store you got your shoes? who knows...
Your pants; I will not even mention those.
About your dirty shirt you must not care...
Of scorn I cannot help but feel the sting.
I watch her turn and march down through the hall --
my heart is racing, I am feeling mad...
until I see a strange ironic thing;
a trip, a stumble, bam! a nasty fall!
And just like that...I guess she's not so bad.
A River's Path
by Katie McDaniel
A raging river runs wild
leaving its womb in the mountain forever.
Rapids develop a maturing child
carving the mountain sides like a sculpture. However,
logs and mud slides incessantly challenge the expedition.
The river keeps with its endeavor.
Desire to merge with the ocean commands great ambition,
Ice clear water morphs -- a muddy mess,
with the sudden collapse of a creek the river's in poor condition.
Voyaging to the finish line causes much stress.
But as the river plunges over a dominant dam,
its trek to the ocean is a mighty success.
Perhaps Time
by Kirsten Wiking
"Perhaps our dreams
are not meant to be more vivid than our memories, but that --
is just how it seems."
Perhaps thought an old woman as she sat
next to a twisted tree under bright noon-day light
on dried and ancient grass that lay so simply flat.
"Perhaps it's not right
to feel as though I stand on a conveyor belt
watching my life move past as though it's blurred by deep twilight.
Perhaps this awareness of half-asleep, numbly-felt,
is only half the deal: perhaps we're able
to wake up and decide how we move through this life we're dealt...
Perhaps I'm just so tired of feeling so desperately...unstable."
Or perhaps she merely wiped her brow
and thought nothing of this Perhaps world and Perhaps heaven and Perhaps fable.
"Perhaps there's no point asking now,"
said she, as her Perhaps life slipped past.
The farmer below trudged mindlessly behind his plow.
|
Be Cool
by Jamie Valle
Cringe; a grotesque boy, the outcast kid
stands still, staring, in hallways.
Don't show your face, keep it hid
or risk exile for days and days.
Why worry when already conte...
"John u fag." Having friendship sure pays.
Or maybe look past an unknown scent,
and send sincerity with a soothing smile.
Spontaneity is all that's meant...
Or is change of heart worth your while,
to discover a person of a different profile?
Lead a social revolution with daring guile.
Or wait... no. No Abercrombie, not the right style.
Stick to your guns, walk on past the "vile"
and creep back into ignorant denial.
His Game, His Girl
by Kelsey Mack
He handles the ball like he does his girl --
gently, carefully, passionately.
On the white she rests. He walks
up to her, awaiting a signal;
a green light, a glance, a noise,
but alas. A referee's whistle starts the game.
He grabs her tightly, wrapping her
in his arms;
attempting
to block all other guys'
efforts to get her. But he
fumbles, slips up,
no longer possesses her warmth.
He loses. Another
player makes a pass.
Disappointed, he steps up to the white line
for a second chance. This time
he goes all out: he clings
to her, and together
they make it...
touchdown!
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