Tangled Wool
—Photo by Taylor Graham
WOOLGATHERING
—Taylor Graham, Placerville
In the vanity's top drawer,
nothing drew me like her perfume bottle—
emptied long before, not a whiff
of fragrance left—milky glass, topped
with a grinning face,
wide eyes bright, a topknot soft
as wool. Golliwog—not PC, these days.
I'd run my fingers through
its mop of hair silkier than kitty-fur.
I'd never seen a face so pensive.
I put the empty bottle back
before she noticed it was gone,
and sat under the persimmon tree,
watching how shadows
darkened soft as daydream fluff.
Golliwog
—Photo by Taylor Graham
___________________________
THE
ADDICT AND THE DIAMOND
—Patricia Hickerson, Davis
Mom’s
son
watched
the car pull out
now
she’s gone
sped
up the stairs
looked
through her box
pink
satin pouch
reached
for it
pear-shaped
stone sheltered by baguettes
engagement
ring
used
to be Mom’s
now
his
meant
for him
time
of need
the
jeweler offered $1100
done
deal
headed
for sweet oblivion
Happy Mom’s Day!
_______________________
It is often said people nowadays treat their pets like
children
I wish
one could—for
instance say
"hey cats do your share of the work around here
"hey cats do your share of the work around here
Here's a
list of chores that need to be done while I'm gone
And to help cover costs such as your food and vet bills
And to help cover costs such as your food and vet bills
also go
out to find jobs, rather than lie around sunning yourselves
oh yeah
clean up if you puke, cough up a hairball,
or miss the litterbox...
or miss the litterbox...
better yet, learn how to use the toilet (and clean it too,
rather than try to drink from it)"
rather than try to drink from it)"
—Michelle
Kunert, Sacramento
______________________
DRONES
—Michelle Kunert
Drones fly over
fifty countries
where the US
is not even at war.
Pakistan.
Yemen.
Somalia.
Drones kill people
by remote control.
Drones also kill American citizens.
It doesn't matter
to the US military.
No charges, no jury
no judge.
Just a CIA hit list.
Drones will be used in the USA.
Who will they decide to track?
Anyone today can become
a terrorist suspect.
Even those who openly oppose
war.
Don't worry, they say.
They will be used only
to spy.
Eyes in the sky.
Flying bugs will land
silently
to listen to what's in
your own home.
Perhaps detonate!
Right where there are
Children.
Spying and death
by flying robots.
One of the biggest
horrors ever.
Never conceived of,
even by George Orwell.
Drones.
Declared illegal
by the United Nations.
Supermoon
—Photo by Joyce Odam, Sacramento
THE SIGHING OF THE LAWN
—Kim Clyde, Sacramento
Grass jumps up
Reaching for the sky
On this brilliant day
Jubilant!
It has grown 4 inches since the rain
6 in some places
It is the emerald green of an
Irish meadow—
It dreads my coming
In garden boots
With trimmings bin
In tow
I sense that it knows
It’s crew-cut time again.
______________________
Thanks to today's contributors for riffs on our Seed of the Week (Mom's Jewelry Box) and other topics, including our current Form to Fiddle With (see below). Pat Hickerson calls her poem a "downer for Mother's Day, and a true story". And we have another new photo album on Medusa's Facebook page from Michelle Kunert, this one featuring photos from last Monday night's !X performance. Check it out.
You're going to have to make some choices tonight, poetry-reading-wise. Scroll on over to our blue board at the right of this column and see what I mean—it's a very busy night!
_____________________
Today's LittleNip:
CHILES RELLENOS
—Taylor Graham
Deep green poblanos roasted,
peeled and seeded, stuffed
with cheese, then fried in egg-wrap,
served with frijoles
and salsa cruda—
¡riquísi-
mo!
_____________________
—Medusa
Tangled Moon
—Photo by Katy Brown, Davis