Don’t reach for that third coconut cookie, fresh from the oven, with its hint of gold on the edges. My eyes grab on to it. Hesitate, girl. Give desire a rest. If I surrender and wait, will it save me from another cookie? Come on, don’t let a little restraint escape. Like patience, it might … Continue reading Try a little restraint by Karen Davidson Seward
Telescoping by Ruth Ann Dandrea
Now…at my age…here…in this world…lifeturns to smaller things.A garden I can weedin one day. A housejust big enough for meand a guest or three. Ayard I can mow withouta motor. A neighbor-hood where people sayhello, help each other,look out for one another’srunaway dogs, bicyclingkids. Mornings like thisI sit on my small patio,beside a tiny triangularwoodland … Continue reading Telescoping by Ruth Ann Dandrea
Letter by Terry Rainey
Dear Son,I remember when I took your tiny finger and put it in my wedding band. Your first step. Your first bicycle ride, into the side of a car. I remember when you shaved your eyebrows. Your first rollercoaster - you were terrified but didn’t want to show that. I wanted to wrap you up … Continue reading Letter by Terry Rainey
Little Black Fly by Edward Pontacoloni
Little black fly who made ya?DoYaNo who made ya?Who set you free mid-morningTo bite me without warning!Tiny, black and hard to see,Yet causing me such misery.Hiking or camping or in a canoeI itch all day because of you!Little black fly who made ya?DoYaNo who made ya?Little black fly, I’ll tell ya,Little black fly, I’ll tell … Continue reading Little Black Fly by Edward Pontacoloni
The Shilling by William Gilbert
We feed the poorest of the poor children at Santa Elena Primary School. When the recess bell rings the children pore out of the ancient yellow and green concrete building and our kids, the twenty or so on ‘the list’, line up for their food.I ask the children “Where are Amelia and Maria?”“Over there” says … Continue reading The Shilling by William Gilbert
My Little Hedgehog by Linda Freedland
A number of years ago I read a book that mesmerized me. It wasn’t a steamy romance or a spine-tingling thriller. It was a novel set in Paris and chronicled the life of an upper-class family and their curmudgeon landlady. Soon I found myself telling everyone about this book. It’s title, "The Elegance of the … Continue reading My Little Hedgehog by Linda Freedland
Buttons by June Kozier
ButtonsButtons areButtons are littleButtons are little worksButtons are little works ofButtons are little works of artButtons are little works of artButtons are little works ofButtons are little worksButtons are littleButtons areButtons
The New Addition by Leslie Sittner
I call you my affection whoreever climbing on my lap for contactlately, my fine-food snob waiting fortoasted croissant flakes placed on your tongue you will do anything for either pleasure propped in my bed, we’re having a cuddlemy arm cradles your soft white fuzzy headtinged with apricot curlsyour eyes close in sybaritic repose you will … Continue reading The New Addition by Leslie Sittner
Ode To My Little Black Pebble by Mary Perrin Scott
You sit perched uponthe kitchen windowsill.Jerusalem outlined behind.Mary and Joseph oneither side. The babyJesus, a small black pebblefrom the beach of sand.There you are, mylittle black Jesus.I hold you in my handstroking your smooth surface.Black lives matter, you say.Jesus, the source of peaceis black in my hand.Jesus, my comforteris black in my hand.The Jesus on … Continue reading Ode To My Little Black Pebble by Mary Perrin Scott
