‘Poetry’ Archives
Love Notes
(written on November 9th, 2016) go about your day, dear ones.write your words and speak your stories.sweep the house and fill the pot with water. there’s no going back, darlings.your life is now the revolution you always sought externally.tidy your closet and turn the burner on. i know you feel tiny, loves.there is no ‘later, later’ anymore, only right now.wipe the table and scoop the grounds. know your strengths, beautiful.things have been unmasked; you have not been blinded. drink your coffee and rebelliously love. Mattie Wong is the editorial layout coordinator for the alley. She has been connected to the Phillips Community for many years through various jobs, projects, and community events.
Campfire of North Woods
By OWEN SAARINEN The campfire knowsthe rotten log,the bending stick, themeal maker’s hands ona pile of dew-droppedkindling. Like a fussybaby, she won’t eat. He nimblycrafts the cabin, then the teepee,then the ring is cleared,and finally, the touchis made from birchbark tosultry wood that startsto hiss. In momentary joy,the tender allows his creationto sputter freely, coaxingair into the concentratedflame and ember. Both know the game, and hemust spoon feed the driestbrush or the agreementwill not hold. The fire tocrackle to life; the pot toboil on a stable grate of wood;the flames to lick high; to besatisfied, satisfied, yes Cooking on the fire is beans andrice and water for tea.Nothing better than black night andwarmed cheeks and knees.The spoon clinks and another stick is fed.Cleaned pot, ashesstomped, now it’s time for bed.
Conundrum
By SHELIA BLAND ConversationCommunicationPeople desperately trying to connect.Trying to escape isolation,The erroneous projection of others.Striving to be seen as one sees oneself–To be understood as one understands oneself.Most times, however, one is confused about one’s own being—Not knowing why,One hatesOr lovesOr tries to hurt another.Often regretting one’s own words and actionsIn real time.Wondering how such words or actions could come from one’s own person.To be projected towards someone so undeserving of mistreatment. So…How to be understood by othersWhen one fails to understand oneself? Conundrum. Shelia Bland lives in Midtown Phillips. She has been writing most of her life to help herself understand the experiences and people in her shared world.
