tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13077799444734307902024-03-12T22:39:02.757-05:00Little Eagle's RE / VERSELittle Eagle Press presents poems previously published. Well worth another look, we think.Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comBlogger646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-28446756246000696442016-01-26T00:00:00.000-06:002016-01-26T00:00:25.927-06:00RE / VERSE Fourth Anniversary Post: BLUE IS A FUGITIVE COLOR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3WkjOqb8_E/VqcAC_qQ2OI/AAAAAAAAEP8/aAkB7p1LS6s/s1600/Auberle%2B-%2BStudyInBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3WkjOqb8_E/VqcAC_qQ2OI/AAAAAAAAEP8/aAkB7p1LS6s/s400/Auberle%2B-%2BStudyInBlue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photoart: sharon auberle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">BLUE IS A FUGITIVE COLOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Sharon Auberle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It
is the color of ambiguous depth,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
the heavens and of the abyss at once…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ~
Alexander Theroux<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Do you remember that night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I said I would have to leave?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Under a blue moon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
Clem & Ursie's Bar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">you
asked would I walk toward<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something or away <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> and I said a horizon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">is
what I need, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
road rising to meet me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Dante's </span></b><st1:street><st1:address><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">9th Circle</span></b></st1:address></st1:street><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> of Hell isn't fire <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
ice <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> yet blue light <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">has
the energy to escape ice <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
remain visible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Too
often invisible to you I became <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> blue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">is
a fugitive color <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">fades
quicker than any other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Peninsula Pulse<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-6227585194746345182016-01-20T12:43:00.000-06:002016-01-20T12:43:27.936-06:00The Raven's Croak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk-hCKAiqcI/Vp_UWxAX59I/AAAAAAAAEPs/ipSFLQ4D1Yk/s1600/Canyon%2BRaven%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk-hCKAiqcI/Vp_UWxAX59I/AAAAAAAAEPs/ipSFLQ4D1Yk/s400/Canyon%2BRaven%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Raven’s Croak<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Tom Davis<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hunched
down beside a woodpile, ebony,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In
shadows from the cedars overhead,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The
raven blinked black eyes, its dishabille<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Of
feathers rustling, stirring up a dread<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So
dark it seemed as if it called up from the dead<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">White
wisps of spirits buried in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The
raven hopped on top the woodpile, head<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cocked,
moving like a dancer in a show,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A
shadow’s shadow pantomiming woe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Dawn’s
darkness deepened as the raven leaped<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Into
the sky and hovered as the glow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Of
blood-light saturated earth and seeped<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Into
the raven’s eyes, its dance undone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Until
its beak croaked out the blazing sun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>An Ariel Anthology </i>(Ariel Woods Books)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-8347601870338514212016-01-13T14:23:00.000-06:002016-01-13T14:24:14.249-06:00The Healer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVfBNbaLirM/Vpaxg2HvbvI/AAAAAAAAEPY/upM18n0X_Qg/s1600/prettybigcanyon%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVfBNbaLirM/Vpaxg2HvbvI/AAAAAAAAEPY/upM18n0X_Qg/s400/prettybigcanyon%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Healer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Ethel Mortenson Davis<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You have been yourself at the edge of the </span></i></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Deep</span></i></b></st1:placename><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></i></b><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Canyon</span></i></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <i>and have come back unharmed</i>. ~ An Elder of the </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">San Juan</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pueblo</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I was invisible.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ~ An Asiatic Eskimo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In
the snowy canyons<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">you
came to me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
an eagle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
whispered<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">(in
almost audible sounds)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"the
key to the secret<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
healing. . ."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For
my wounds<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">had
gone beyond wounds<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
had festered<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">into
deep holes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
my sides,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
gangrene had set in,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but,
in a whisper,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">you
came and said,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"you
have the keys within you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
are the stars<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
the starry night.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
are the source<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">at
the mouth of rivers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
have the medicine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
heal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">already
in your bones."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And
my wounds became<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
faint as the sound<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
feathers,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
pale as the ringed moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And
the healer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">came
to me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
the face of the wolf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">She
came<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
nodded to me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
her deep intelligence,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
her eyes told me,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"your
spirit is strength.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Your
force is as great<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
volcanoes,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
your goodness prevails<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">over
the dark;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">your
goodness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">has
brought you out<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
the deep canyon."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And
again the healer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">came
to me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This
time as a bear,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
joyous white bear<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
great white paws,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
she told me,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"you
were invisible,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
now I see you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
have gone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
the edge of the great canyon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
have come back<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">unharmed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"And
now your laughter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">will
become<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">as
mountainous as thunder,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
your tears<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">will
be the tears of glory!"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
have put my ear<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
the great Earth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
have felt your presence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Poetry Cha Cha </i>and in</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <i>I Sleep Between the Moons of </i></span><st1:state><st1:place><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">New Mexico</span></i></st1:place></st1:state><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-87190208927354007522016-01-10T17:45:00.000-06:002016-01-10T17:45:41.505-06:00Sahara Blues X<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRir9otALUM/VpLq96rlQfI/AAAAAAAAEPI/5uJWj2AmWEU/s1600/nigeria%2Bburning%2B-%2Bmurre009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRir9otALUM/VpLq96rlQfI/AAAAAAAAEPI/5uJWj2AmWEU/s400/nigeria%2Bburning%2B-%2Bmurre009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sahara</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;"> Blues X <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Olajide vincent Ajise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We
live in a war zone,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mars’
solitary confinement,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
demons wearing turbans<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">perform
ablutions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
cooked-blood of cherubs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here,
adrenaline rushes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">at
the herald of shrapnel;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">sights
feed on blood-red corpses. Sadism.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We
are now a sod<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">living
under the canopy of grisliness;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
hamlet experiencing hell on earth,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For
the mitochondrion of our glory<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">has
been pilfered by bombs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
fear now writes epitaphs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">on
the nudity of our streets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Help
us, please.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>The Poet Community<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-35122191021205734542016-01-08T13:40:00.000-06:002016-01-08T13:40:20.399-06:00Writer's Trap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pBPl6ZLhJE/VpAPswGPjTI/AAAAAAAAEO4/MMmMlXWpbIg/s1600/matchless%2Bmouse%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pBPl6ZLhJE/VpAPswGPjTI/AAAAAAAAEO4/MMmMlXWpbIg/s400/matchless%2Bmouse%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Writer’s Trap<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Mary Bone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
should be cleaning house,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">But
I sit down to write a thought.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">My
only audience, a mouse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The
one I haven’t caught.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Lucidity, A Journal of Verse </i>(1994)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-56969181901263702112016-01-03T13:50:00.000-06:002016-01-03T13:50:02.297-06:00Watching Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-dHFtwWZFg/Vol6rvSdc2I/AAAAAAAAEOk/dIxHp7bRg7o/s1600/2005-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-dHFtwWZFg/Vol6rvSdc2I/AAAAAAAAEOk/dIxHp7bRg7o/s400/2005-29.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: william marr</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Watching Snow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
William Marr<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As
the footprints in the snow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">get
deeper and deeper<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">they
become harder and harder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
comprehend<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Falling
on the feverish face of <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
homesick boy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
snow melts and turns into <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
warm tropical shower<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A
sudden toll<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
the steeple bell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shakes
down<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
snow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from
the Cross<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Autumn Window</i> (Arbor Hill Press) and <i>Between
Heaven and Earth</i> (PublishAmerica)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-34165700763763398622015-12-29T09:21:00.000-06:002015-12-29T09:21:29.045-06:00Elusive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JvvBRPzB_8/VoKjjPiYBmI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/z3EDG1ZW41U/s1600/searching%2B-%2Bmurre005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JvvBRPzB_8/VoKjjPiYBmI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/z3EDG1ZW41U/s400/searching%2B-%2Bmurre005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Elusive<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Scott Thomas Outlar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We’re
all looking<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
something better<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">than
what we are;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
deeper<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">than
what we’ve felt;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
stronger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">than
what we’ve sensed;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
more honest<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">than
what we’ve<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">been
telling ourselves;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
more steady;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
more calm;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
more real<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">than
what we’ve experienced;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that never<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">winds
up hurting us<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
the end;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
sweet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
isn’t addictive;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
alive<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
doesn’t die on us;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
powerful<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
never loses its grace;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that never runs dry;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that never talks back;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that comforts us<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
we are hurt;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that understands<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
existential pain;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that does not lack<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
the moments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
we need it most;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that is brave<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
we are full of fear;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that fits the bill;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
that naturally<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">smiles
for the camera<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">without
having to fake the cheese;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
rich without pretension;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">something
high without a kite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Dissident Voice<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-32557141752706933822015-12-24T09:06:00.000-06:002015-12-26T12:55:16.649-06:00when your grandmother . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucvvv0ATotc/VnwIAn2tUxI/AAAAAAAAEN8/DC4iEI97WUo/s1600/guess%2Bwho%2527s%2Bcoming%2Bto%2Bdinner%2BIII%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucvvv0ATotc/VnwIAn2tUxI/AAAAAAAAEN8/DC4iEI97WUo/s400/guess%2Bwho%2527s%2Bcoming%2Bto%2Bdinner%2BIII%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">by Marty McConnell ~<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when your grandmother mistakes your
girlfriend for a man, </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
<br />
do not rise up over the dinner table <br />
like a sequin tornado<br />
<br />
or a burning flag. it is Christmas.<br />
though the forks<br />
<br />
curl their tines into tiny silver fists<br />
and the frost-<br />
<br />
rimmed windows blink in embarrassment, <br />
focus on your lover</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">as she clears her throat, extra low, passes the salt<br />
to your grandmother <br />
<br />
who thanks the young man with the strange<br />
haircut and delicate<br />
<br />
hands. this is no time for declarations and no one’s<br />
seemed to notice<br />
<br />
though the milk’s gone solid in the pitcher<br />
and your father<br />
<br />
is suddenly fascinated by the unmoving air<br />
in the other room. <br />
<br />
your mouths do not move, except <br />
to chew. this is family, <br />
<br />
this is holiday, there are no affairs, no<br />
addictions, your family<br />
<br />
crest reads in elaborate embroidery<br />
<i>the less said, </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the better</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. though your father did offer once<br />
to pay for your therapy<br />
<br />
back when no one you knew was in therapy<br />
and there was no way <br />
<br />
you were going to talk to a stranger about things<br />
you’d never say <br /><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">to your mother, even drunk, even on Easter. so<br />
to say something now <br /><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">about what might be a mistake, or just the easiest way<br />
to explain a mohawk<br />
<br />
would be bringing sand to the bank. unprofitable <br />
and a little bit<br />
<br />
insane. you study your lover’s chin. the tweezers wince<br />
under the sink.<br />
<br />
she could be a boy, you think. apocalyptic Christian<br />
emails aside, <br />
<br />
maybe your grandmother is progressive. astute<br />
in her own <br />
<br />
Southern, incidental way. your voice offering her<br />
the butter is a punk band<br />
<br />
playing an abortion clinic. all feedback <br />
and nobody wants you.<br />
<br />
she’s your grandmother. she’s nearly 100. <br />
your uncle<br />
<br />
took thirty years to get sober. your grandfather died<br />
still owning the manual<br />
<br />
to every piece of machinery he’d ever owned. <br />
you still <br />
<br />
don’t know how to make any kind of pie. <br />
there are no <br />
<br />
family recipes. in the far corner of your liver</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">your other grandmother</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">looks up from her patient sectioning </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">of a grapefruit,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">offers you a chunk of your own atrophied</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">tongue, trembling</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
at the edge of her serrated spoon.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ first
published in the <i>Beloit Poetry Journal</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-67077048024311016892015-12-21T21:11:00.000-06:002015-12-21T21:11:48.841-06:00Christmas Night with Ukelele<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYE_7Wr5unw/Vni94VnGkEI/AAAAAAAAENo/Eki5VNfjGhQ/s1600/sortalikeroyinsepia%2B-%2Bmurre002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYE_7Wr5unw/Vni94VnGkEI/AAAAAAAAENo/Eki5VNfjGhQ/s400/sortalikeroyinsepia%2B-%2Bmurre002.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Christmas Night with Ukulele<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
John Sierpinski<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am twelve, sitting in a chair in a new striped <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">polo
shirt, and cuffed, corduroy pants. My <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">hair
is slicked with Vaseline and water, shaped <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
parted like Roy Rogers’. When I smile, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">there
is a gap between my front teeth. The new
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">transistor
radio I unwrapped earlier crackles, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Chestnuts
roasting…” Tinny. The radio <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">is
the size of a brick. Uncle Ted appears<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">at
the top of the basement stairs and says<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christ…” He stumbles,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">swallowed
into the great white, flocked tree.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The color coordinated ornaments and spotlight<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shatter. Crunch.
Are pulverized. At the end<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
remote sick, little bell tinkles. Aunt
Junie, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ted’s wife, curses like some deranged drill<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">instructor. Ted lies on the thick shag, fine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shards
of red and green glass sprinkled in <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">his
graying hair. He attempts to get up —<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
slow motion roll, a shuffle of feet.
“I’m<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">sorry,”
he drones, with a faint smile. Aunt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hilda comes to on the sofa, looks at Ted,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
declares, “Let’s all take our clothes off!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I sneak a glance up her pleated skirt. My <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">mother
catches me (a scolding look). I feel<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">more
and more uneasy, and steal down <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
stairs to the knotty pine, rec. room bar.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">My father is singing, “All is calm…” Uncle <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sy strums four strings, the little woman- <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shaped
body of the ukulele. I ask, “Can we <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">go
now, Dad?” He continues to sing: shot <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">glass
in one hand, lips slack, a lopsided
oval. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I ask again, “Can we go?” I touch his sleeve. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">His hand slaps hot behind my ear, pushes me <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">away. Tears slip from my eyes, the enamel <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">orchid
on the stringed instrument grows fuzzy. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Later, I’m in the backseat of the car. Wheels<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">slide in rapidly falling snow, and my mother <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shouts,
“Be careful, dammit!” The dashboard</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">light
like a match flame, illuminates their bloated <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">faces. The falsetto speaker hums, “I’ll be home</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
Christmas.” I stare out the
window. </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Crystal</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">snowflakes
fall without menace or harm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>North Coast Review<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-20531732819506095902015-12-17T10:12:00.000-06:002015-12-17T12:35:16.085-06:00Mermaid Tattoo Becomes Enmeshed . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HTibLICj-A/VnLdaJ5upVI/AAAAAAAAENY/GaB2xWgViCw/s1600/Seaside%2BDive%2B-%2BMurre001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HTibLICj-A/VnLdaJ5upVI/AAAAAAAAENY/GaB2xWgViCw/s400/Seaside%2BDive%2B-%2BMurre001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Mermaid Tattoo Becomes Enmeshed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 16.0pt;">in Her Relationship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">by
Sylvia Cavanaugh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I
was crafted carefully and with cunning<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">to
link my ink to this relentless red flow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">nailed
down to the pulse <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">like
a seashell ocean’s echo my <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">two
dimensions bend and arch <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">they
ache to the rhythm of his three as <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I’m
plastered flat to a twining twitch <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">of
muscle and deeper down <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I
sense the bone I cannot grasp it makes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">my
stomach turn and yet my<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">tiny
nipples burn I yearn for him<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">trapped
beneath the death of him<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">as
his outer layer flakes away <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">and
I’m the only witness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">we
hover over women with <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">their
open legs like rowboat oars <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">the
wretched separation <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">distantly
they beg for us and <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">gnash
their teeth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">we
heave and sweat <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">the
salty sea and thrash <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">a
flash of scale on <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">spangled
tail<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">'til
his eyes roll back<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia";">and
stare through mine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">~
first published in <i>Peninsula Poets</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-41932667856426720722015-12-14T22:13:00.000-06:002015-12-14T22:13:49.335-06:00The truth is often hidden . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pVxwM-_UOk/Vm-SUFH2ubI/AAAAAAAAENI/95AAnKCrgSY/s1600/0946380B-AF0C-4917-22C1E75507FA33CF_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pVxwM-_UOk/Vm-SUFH2ubI/AAAAAAAAENI/95AAnKCrgSY/s400/0946380B-AF0C-4917-22C1E75507FA33CF_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">purse by turtle ridge studio</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Firestone Feinberg<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The truth is often hidden<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As if it's made of gold —<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although it can't be stolen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Neither bought nor sold<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nor stashed away in purses<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nor kept in wallet fold —<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The truth is — truth is worthless<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Until the thing's been told.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">first published in <i>Verse-Virtual</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-34520535346284516982015-12-07T23:17:00.000-06:002015-12-07T23:17:50.705-06:00Venus de Milo Goes Bowling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WC8tThyCis/VmZmRAA5EiI/AAAAAAAAEMs/05W8PgNuuxg/s1600/Kali%2Band%2BVenus%2BGo%2BTo%2BTown%2BAgain%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8WC8tThyCis/VmZmRAA5EiI/AAAAAAAAEMs/05W8PgNuuxg/s400/Kali%2Band%2BVenus%2BGo%2BTo%2BTown%2BAgain%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Kelley J. White ~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Venus de Milo Goes Bowling <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
you gotta love her, she’s just no good at it,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
she gamely stumps forward, ball pressed <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">between
her chin and breast, and it keeps falling<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">out,
clunk, clunk, and rolling in the gutter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
she’s up against Michelangelo’s David<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
all that long-limbed, lazy power <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">concentrated
in his wrist, looking out <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
half-closed eyes at his own powder blue ball<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
the Discus Thrower, wired tight as a Banzai<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">tree,
all speed and follow-through, and she<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">would
like to drum her fingers, she would like<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
chew her nails, she would like just this once<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
tear her hair out of that classic bun, then<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
doors open on the outside furnace heat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
in comes Kali, on a tongue of white flame,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Kali,
in her Blue Avenger Aspect, and<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Kali
she shifts her face, click, click, serpentine,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
each side of two mudra’d hands, catching <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">our
girl’s eye, with that Ray Harryhausen classic<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">movie
animation motion, then <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">whack
whack whack, whip whip whip, smack smack smack,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">strike,
she rolls a prefect string with the house black<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">ball
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <b> </b><i>Ze -
Books<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-56780842882405975442015-11-28T23:21:00.000-06:002015-11-28T23:21:09.557-06:00A closing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EckqE-T3lNg/VlqKRcWXnjI/AAAAAAAAEMY/taO1CY4ZyBE/s1600/DSC01623%2Bbw%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EckqE-T3lNg/VlqKRcWXnjI/AAAAAAAAEMY/taO1CY4ZyBE/s400/DSC01623%2Bbw%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by rose mary boehm</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">A closing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Rose Mary Boehm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">On
the other side of you<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">there
is a no place,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
silences build<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">bridges
across hidden waters,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
Pirandello’s actors<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">are
searching for a stage,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">lost
for a script.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Concrete
begets concrete,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
the heart can no longer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">accommodate
love, or perhaps<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">it
just dies,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">gently,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
negligence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Ann Arbor Review<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-24576980613289615702015-11-24T23:15:00.000-06:002015-11-24T23:15:19.913-06:00At Bus Stops on Thanksgiving Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GKIuoiW48No/VlVCNFU6gVI/AAAAAAAAEMA/q43DDGiFSqk/s1600/el%2B%2526%2Bbus%2Bchi%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GKIuoiW48No/VlVCNFU6gVI/AAAAAAAAEMA/q43DDGiFSqk/s400/el%2B%2526%2Bbus%2Bchi%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">At Bus Stops on Thanksgiving Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Donal Mahoney<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Before
dawn, people<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">who
work on Thanksgiving Day <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">wait
in the wind for a bus <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
arrive or maybe not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's
too cold to talk <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">so
the people stand <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">like
minutemen and plan <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
revolution that would shock <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">nice
families who drive by later, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">children
tucked in scarves <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
mittens, laughing <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">all
the way to Nana's house <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
turkey, gravy, stuffing <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
later in the day <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
ballerina of whipped cream <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">twirling
on pumpkin pie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Thanksgiving
is the day <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">America</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> asks for seconds<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
sorts its servers <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from
the served.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Eye on Life Magazine</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-39412572013056425782015-11-22T10:15:00.000-06:002015-11-22T10:15:35.292-06:00The Connoisseur of Canoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ibx0iYytKOw/VlHo3_Y8-5I/AAAAAAAAELw/vqE-a3NiNM8/s1600/Can%2BYou%2B-%2BMurre%2B019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ibx0iYytKOw/VlHo3_Y8-5I/AAAAAAAAELw/vqE-a3NiNM8/s400/Can%2BYou%2B-%2BMurre%2B019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Connoisseur of Canoes
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Jimmy Pappas<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nursing
a drink in my right<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">hand,
I enter the boathouse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
wonder how long I can<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">pretend
to be sipping the few<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">drops
I have left. The group<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">forms
a circle shoulder to<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shoulder
in my peripheral<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">vision.
Occasionally, someone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">glances
my way and turns<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">back
quickly to avoid eye<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">contact,
while I stop at a boat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
touch the varnish with<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">one
finger from my left hand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
pretend to be a connoisseur<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
canoes, an aficionado of<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">aquatic
vehicles, all the while<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">wishing
the ice in my glass<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">would
melt faster so I could<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">take
another sip. Until it does,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
stare at my reflection and<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">wonder
if people had it wrong<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">about
Narcissus, that he<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">didn’t
fall in love with<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">himself,
just out of love<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
the rest of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Atticus Review<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-77680903639297317022015-11-16T13:27:00.000-06:002015-11-16T13:27:03.997-06:00Seeing Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGfHJ6nWL4M/VkotDpXsz3I/AAAAAAAAELc/6GsT58JPwHU/s1600/Auberle%2BIMG_2775%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGfHJ6nWL4M/VkotDpXsz3I/AAAAAAAAELc/6GsT58JPwHU/s400/Auberle%2BIMG_2775%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: sharon auberle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
M.J. Iuppa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Seeing Mountains<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
shades of amber, an ecology of ash <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">&
aspens, their expansive reach to a cloud <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">chasing
sky casts a spell over me . . .<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> I look up
into heights I rarely perceive <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from
a farm whose land was once smoothed <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
the press of a glacier’s hand. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
And so, I slide <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">into
the pool of my shadow & sit there quietly<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">waiting
for the windless explosion of monarch <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">wings
or a thousand leaves tumbling like loose <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">coins
tossed into autumn’s sunlight to take<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> my breath away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Blue Heron Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-42742644196769943092015-11-11T11:05:00.000-06:002015-11-11T11:05:26.572-06:00THE CHARACTER OF HATS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhUfKm0agOs/VkN0N0tYZTI/AAAAAAAAELM/qCeP0kw7YB0/s1600/Whitmanesque%2B%2528detail%2529%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhUfKm0agOs/VkN0N0tYZTI/AAAAAAAAELM/qCeP0kw7YB0/s400/Whitmanesque%2B%2528detail%2529%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;">THE CHARACTER OF HATS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Michael L. Newell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A
hat properly aged<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">releases
the fisherman<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">cast
inside a steel worker,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
dancer shimmering<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
an accountant's figures,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
sailor deep<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">inside
a coal miner,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
woodsman wandering<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
a priest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> *****<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A
hat aged properly,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">stiffness
mellowed into character,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">smells
of salt water<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">brine
pickling skin, rain<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">streaming
through Douglas Fir, firewood<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">kindling
friendships, pipes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">lit
from embers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">warming
conversation, contains<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">sun,
earth, tree, fire, rain, and moon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in </span><st1:place><st1:city><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bellowing</span></i></st1:city><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span></i><st1:state><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ark</span></i></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-18339977322194268962015-11-07T12:19:00.000-06:002015-11-07T12:19:03.153-06:00Water Sign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTzgxFR_Mwc/Vj4_njQyZeI/AAAAAAAAEK8/OyzdfC5Rlbc/s1600/Amarillo%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTzgxFR_Mwc/Vj4_njQyZeI/AAAAAAAAEK8/OyzdfC5Rlbc/s400/Amarillo%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Water Sign<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Margaret Hasse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Two-year-old
Charlie loves water,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">loves
the force of water <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
gutters, pipes, the second hose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">bought
to keep peace between brothers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">who
spray tomatoes with the intensity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
fire fighters at a five alarm fire,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">loves
the sources of water: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">faucet,
penis, rain, spit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He
longs like a pilgrim for wet places<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
his worship is <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">complete
submersion: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">bathtub,
swim pool, lake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To
praise water,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">he
secludes himself in the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ascending
a stepping stool to the sink, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">he
opens valves to an endless rush <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
new pressure in copper pipes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So
<i>much</i> water, why not share it? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Give
it away until it seeps <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">through
the floorboards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">showers
into the kitchen,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">fills
the bowls on the table,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">flows
on the heads <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
his amazed mother and brother<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">who
do not immediately recognize <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
grace might descend like this –<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">inconveniently
–<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">from
a complete enthusiast <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">who
needs to be forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
being generous <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
whatever he loves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Milk and Tides</i> (Nodin Press)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-51528484438985061362015-11-01T08:35:00.000-06:002015-11-01T08:35:57.834-06:00So, This is What Living Means<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T96O8qZFfU/VjYhbaTc9bI/AAAAAAAAEKo/PgjOmqqHQzo/s1600/Ronald%2Band%2BFriedrich%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T96O8qZFfU/VjYhbaTc9bI/AAAAAAAAEKo/PgjOmqqHQzo/s400/Ronald%2Band%2BFriedrich%2B-%2BMurre.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork:ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">So, This is What Living Means<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by Angela Consolo Mankiewicz<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">What a relief, to finally know<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">what
living means:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">an
extra skate key<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">stashed
under a garbage can,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">on
the right side of the stoop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Years ago, I tried to ponder all<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
great questions. I read Nietzsche<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
Dostoyevsky and fell in love<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
a bulge-eyed Frenchman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I tried to do what was expected<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
a working class kid in a state college:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">think,
read, talk the big questions;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">prove
your mother right.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">But I was a fake.
Friends read N and D too,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
understood them. They were impressed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
my love for the bulge-eyed Frenchman,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">my
facile quotes delivered with meaningful<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">pauses. They didn't know I yawned through N<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
read D because he told a good story. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Marriage and a real job distracted, just in time. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I had things to do and need not ponder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">what
living means. I stopped reading N<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
fell out of love. But kept D by my
bedside.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Later on, with divorce behind me and poetry on my
mind,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I watched my cat play with a terrified lizard;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I looked at rain; I choked on hot winds scorching<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">my
tomato plants and began to ponder again,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I read N again and the bulge-eyed Frenchman, but I<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">didn't
fall in love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I understood better this time, but I was still<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">shaky
on details and settled down with D<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
forget myself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Why" is a good word, a solid word that
can<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">occupy
a lifetime. But an answer to why isn't
meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Is" is a good word too. Something of substance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Like an extra skate key stashed under a garbage
can,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">on
the right side of the stoop, just in case,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">just
in time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
originally published on <i>AmherstWriters.org</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-42495707489889014452015-10-30T13:51:00.000-05:002015-10-30T13:51:34.936-05:00A Case for Ghosts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Blc38EBSFqE/VjO7Kn7iFNI/AAAAAAAAEKU/aDM8EK9qP-I/s1600/solitaire%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Blc38EBSFqE/VjO7Kn7iFNI/AAAAAAAAEKU/aDM8EK9qP-I/s400/solitaire%2BII.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">digital photoart: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">A Case for Ghosts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Sara Clancy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Though
you think otherwise<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
am aware of an intrusion into the day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
feels like any afternoon in reverse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
conversation is complete<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">recollection
plays the radio<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
we are all present.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To
arrive here you need nothing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">like
faith. Though I believe in memory<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">don't
you? These dubious apparitions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">insist
on clarity, if only the relief<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">of
your forehead glimpsed against<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
steady shade of my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In
the end I will trade the familiar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">cold
spot with all its calibrations of doubt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
evidence of your dazzling absence<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
the instant you cool your coffee,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">your
inexplicable breath<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">warm
and expired.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Houseboat<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-74104665928633085872015-10-26T15:30:00.000-05:002015-10-26T15:37:18.524-05:00Shebang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsVPhHZ4ddg/Vi6MwP0Oh0I/AAAAAAAAEKE/QqkEgxng0T4/s1600/tinshadow%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsVPhHZ4ddg/Vi6MwP0Oh0I/AAAAAAAAEKE/QqkEgxng0T4/s400/tinshadow%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: ralph murre</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Shebang<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Bruce Dethlefsen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
people<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
place<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
time of day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
breeze oh ain’t they sweet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
air to breathe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
sun wet world<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
whole big blue green deal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
then these night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
children moon <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
stars on strings<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
stars<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">these
twang of things<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">teewang<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>Unexpected Shiny Things<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Cow<i>f</i>eather Press<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-64834729577327985562015-10-24T13:32:00.000-05:002015-10-24T13:32:22.356-05:00Recipe for Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3p5uVZ_vjLQ/VivNzxLX7YI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/BsUMOR5t0cg/s1600/Autumn%2Bin%2BOshkosh%2B-%2BMurre013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3p5uVZ_vjLQ/VivNzxLX7YI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/BsUMOR5t0cg/s400/Autumn%2Bin%2BOshkosh%2B-%2BMurre013.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Recipe for Autumn<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Joan Wiese Johannes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
do not need a recipe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">All
you need has gathered<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
your freezer, on your doorstep,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
the bunch of celery, minus<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
thin stalk the cookbook called for,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">begs
you to let it flavor soup.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
do not need to leave home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In
the freezer there are ham hocks boiled<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
the price was low<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
corn on the cob bought from the farmer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">who
crumpled your money<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">into
the pocket of his overalls,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">making
himself richer, making you richer too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
do not need the market.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Use
the potatoes that appeared at the office<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">next
to the sign, <i>Help Yourself</i>,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">tomatoes
from the picnic table<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
your neighbor puts produce<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">she
wants to share,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
purple beans the poet brought you,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
the stray peppers left on your porch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
do not need to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Even
the catsup to thicken and brighten<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">your
broth has settled in the plastic bowl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">where
your husband poured it after he<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">knocked
the bottle off the pantry shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You
do not need a recipe;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">all
you need is here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>Wisconsin Trails</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-8524239155922493622015-10-20T22:56:00.000-05:002015-10-20T22:57:00.966-05:00Cezanne Jelly and Paper Kites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Spo8HaHl60Y/VicL20LD5EI/AAAAAAAAEJk/lvJISA5JaRU/s1600/Cezanne%2B-%2Bafternoon-in-naples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Spo8HaHl60Y/VicL20LD5EI/AAAAAAAAEJk/lvJISA5JaRU/s400/Cezanne%2B-%2Bafternoon-in-naples.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: paul cezanne</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">Cezanne Jelly and Paper Kites<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by
Albert DeGenova<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in
our Cezanne season when reason was treason<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">blue
was the color for days and nights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">jelly
on crackers the Tao of our Zen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the
then of amen again and again<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">undulating
shadows red lava light<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
Cezanne season when reason was treason<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">sunshine
like thunder begun and undone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">purple
and yellow crepe paper kites<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">jelly
on crackers the Tao of our Zen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">you
were the one the one the one<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
bless the black cat with child sight<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">a
Cezanne season when reason was treason<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
painted poems with naked pen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
remember black coffee mornings and nights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">jelly
on crackers the Tao of our Zen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
now our cold toes touch almost like then<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
we danced in crackling firelight<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">that
was our season when reason was treason<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">jelly
on crackers the Tao of our Zen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
previously published in <i>The Blueing Hours</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> (Virtual Artists Collective)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-31603204071803856252015-10-15T11:13:00.000-05:002015-10-15T11:13:54.302-05:00I'M THE FUTURE EX . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_9fUs9LA10/Vh_O_lVlQjI/AAAAAAAAEJI/oMlW8nuir3E/s1600/haunted%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_9fUs9LA10/Vh_O_lVlQjI/AAAAAAAAEJI/oMlW8nuir3E/s400/haunted%2B-%2Bmurre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo and scarecrow by ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>By
Shoshauna Shy </b>---<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">I’M THE FUTURE EX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">BILL MEETS IN <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;">SARATOGA SPRINGS</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">at
a Citgo station. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
am still married <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
neither of us suspects <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
will become my husband’s ex, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">then
Bill’s live-in girlfriend. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Next
I’m his almost-fiancee <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">till
drunken hijinks <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">with
his best friend <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">gets
me pregnant. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As
things go, I miscarry; <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bill
forgives me; we get <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">back
together; we break up. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This
goes on for years <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">while
he travels to </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Key
West</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
dates someone else’s wife. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Meanwhile,
I give birth <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">to
a couple of his kids; <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">we
get a license; <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">we
have a wedding, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
before I know it<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">all
hell breaks loose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
I’m his ex, Bill’s very own ex. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I
figured I was <i>olly olly in free</i> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">but
as Bill says, guy reaches 40, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">he’s
bound to have an ex; <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">maybe
even two. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This
makes for a handy excuse <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">when
my successor, a pretty <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">wanna-be-Mrs
named Alyssa <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">prepares
to present her case. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bill
can shake his head <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and
damn if that’s not all it takes <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">for
her to know she should get real <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">or
get gone - It won’t get <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">any
better than this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~
first published in <i>stoneboat<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1307779944473430790.post-65939486686726489592015-10-09T08:05:00.000-05:002015-10-09T08:05:43.951-05:00Pan's Lament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iOnxDTvhwA/Vhe6uCicjQI/AAAAAAAAEI0/ghc1ZZPUUvs/s1600/Pan%2527s%2BTank%2B-%2BMurre012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iOnxDTvhwA/Vhe6uCicjQI/AAAAAAAAEI0/ghc1ZZPUUvs/s400/Pan%2527s%2BTank%2B-%2BMurre012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">artwork: ralph murre</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16pt;">Pan’s Lament</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">by Rose Mary Boehm</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
Grandmothers wore sadness wrapped in black.<br />
Pan’s <i>duduk</i> no longer moved their feet in dance.<br />
The young wore rape and shame like the end<br />
of a world where their lives had been broken.<br />
Sons and lovers, husbands and brothers,<br />
their blood running over the heavy stones of betrayal.<br />
<br />
When I left my </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Armenia</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> and my mother<br />
like a thief in the night, the outcast, the coward,<br />
I saw my father’s face ripped away by a Turkish bullet<br />
before I stole away, and all I felt was hot pee<br />
running down my stockings, smelling of fear. <br />
I had reached the bottom of my chasm,<br />
the six-year old could not climb up.<br />
<br />
What do I remember? Not my father’s face.<br />
Nor can I recall my mother’s. Pourasdan, my sister,<br />
was full of life, her skirts whirling to Pan’s <br />
enchantment. That was before. The only<br />
one left to receive me, I found an old woman<br />
with dead eyes. Who am I?<br />
<br />
I have climbed to the highest peak around<br />
my village. Across the valley a mountain top has chosen<br />
to be dressed in virgin white. Give us back our innocence,<br />
so we can dance again. Pan’s lament<br />
is floating up on the evening mist, haunting<br />
my memories, weaving bereavement, singing my chasm<br />
where I now find a wistful symmetry.<br />
I will not be sad in this world.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~ first
published in<i> Poetry Quarterly </i>(2011)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ralph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949171899797301924noreply@blogger.com