This is Why I Write
March 24, 2009
This is Why I Write
to save the breath within me
the one that will soon join a company of breaths become
fog voice robin warble the blues
sifting through a cracked kitchen window
I write to savor the breath that is still mine
but borrowed who knows
how deep air’s roots tap
who had it before me
who is holding onto the same tether
holding their breath, too
will I fail to get it all down get it all out exhale to the core
of course I will
will I dream by day
above traffic
within the chaos of children circling my shins
like gullible fish
dream by night
the pillow’s slack-spot cradling a brain
that plots too much
I cannot help but do it
like habit like a good drug
that sustains me no matter that mostly
my breath hovers above
a blank page.
For the VoiceCatcher Collective… for the great creative prompt!
2nd place isn’t so bad!
March 11, 2009
A couple of nice things to annouce…
The 2008 New Letters Readers Award, runner-up in poetry was given to my poem “Ultrasound.”
And The Edible Communities’ 2009 EDDY Award, runner-up for Best Last Page, went to Edible Portland for my poem “Recipe,” which they printed so sweetly with a sprig of dill behind it. (“Recipe” was also published in Alimentum). Edible Portland received 2 first and 6 second place honors… such an amazing and necessary group and publication.
