Archive for January, 2010
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
“Midwestern Gothic” by Laurie Junkins
Laurie Junkins
MIDWESTERN GOTHIC
That frigid Wichita month hangs
in my history like a smoke-darkened
painting—all tight-lipped Presbyterians
and dormant cornfields frozen beneath
the iron gray slab of January. I was trapped
in a rusty carbuncle of a travel-trailer
stuck like a pimple on someone’s winter
field, a landscape slapped flat by God’s hand.
Each night my father and his wife belted out
’70s pop standards [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Poems by Megan
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
THEN, SOMETHING by Patricia Fargnoli
Review by Lori A. May
THEN, SOMETHING
by Patricia Fargnoli
Tupelo Press
The Eclipse Mill, Loft 305
PO Box 1767
North Adams, MA 01247
ISBN 978-1-932195-79-8
2009, 84 pp., $16.95
http://www.tupelopress.org
I am of the age when parents no longer resemble the friendly supervisors of youth. Now, with each passing year, I watch as the once lively duo slowly fades into a subtle, calm battle [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in E-Reviews by Megan
Friday, January 29th, 2010
“The Famous Outlaw” by David James
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
David James
THE FAMOUS OUTLAW
He rides into town on a retarded horse, falling off five times before reaching the saloon. His horse has a tendency to trip over its own hooves, like steps or bowling balls. The cowboy wears a helmet to safeguard against personal head injuries.
Unknowingly, he ties himself [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Audio, Poems by Tim
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
“The Hour of Our Belief” by Mary Mclaughlin Slechta
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Mary McLaughlin Slechta
THE HOUR OF OUR BELIEF
I want to know who cried for the toy I found out back this afternoon.
Was it the same child who ate a sandwich made from the bread
out of the plastic bag I found last week? So difficult to date plastic.
The toy gas pump [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Audio, Poems, Tributes by Megan
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
“Interference” by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Kimi Cunningham Grant
INTERFERENCE
In March, two Eastern Bluebirds, balanced in an autumn olive
Near the carcass of a deer you shot months back. The flesh now gone
And the ribs stretching upward like the belly of a boat.
Last November, that deer had come to you in the woods. Stumbled
Through a grotto of jack pines further up the hill. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Poems by Megan
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
“For the Man Whose Son My Son Killed” by Gary Earl Ross
Gary Earl Ross
FOR THE MAN WHOSE SON MY SON KILLED
You must understand this: my son
called me after his first firefight,
distraught that he had taken life
when I had taught him to cherish it.
He called me, said he felt weird
and needed to talk to somebody.
Who better than the father who
carried him in a backpack, read
him a bedtime [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Poems, Tributes by Megan
Monday, January 25th, 2010
WILD FLIGHT by Christine Rhein
Review by Mary Harwell Sayler
WILD FLIGHT
by Christine Rhein
Texas Tech University Press
Box 41037
Lubbock, Texas 79409-1037
ISBN-13 978-0896726215
2009, 103 pp., $l6.95
www.ttup.ttu.edu
This first book of poetry by Christine Rhein drew me to write my first poetry book review, unless you count the quickies I sometimes post on Amazon. Other drawing cards included a general interest in narrative verse and, [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in E-Reviews by Megan
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
“A Good Bad Day” by Tony Gloeggler
Tony Gloeggler
A GOOD BAD DAY
John walks slowly up the stairs
to my office every day. Between
four and four-thirty, after the bus
brings him home from day program
and after he uses the bathroom,
he says, “Oh, hello Tony,” as if
he’s surprised to find me
sitting at my desk. He says
he had a good day, stands
by a chair and after six [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Poems by Megan
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
“A Guide for Black and White Crossing” by Katy Richey
Katy Richey
A GUIDE FOR BLACK AND WHITE CROSSING
The hardest part about
being a zebra
is crossing the river.
Quick or slow,
dip a hoof or plunge it in—
the result is the same.
One way is to set yourself at the edge.
Don’t charade or face pose, simply giraffe your neck,
keep your head tortoised and pinching,
flex your haunches and believe.
Believe you are [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Poems, Tributes by Megan
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
“The Cedar Keepsake Box” by Maria Mazziotti Gillan
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Maria Mazziotti Gillan
THE CEDAR KEEPSAKE BOX
What happened to the cedar keepsake box my mother bought
me the only time I ever went to the Jersey shore when I was
growing up? After she told me that I couldn’t have it, too
expensive, my mother bought it for me anyway.
Here, she said, turned [...]
