The Weekly Commuter

Guess what? My poem “Backcountry” will be featured in the 9th issue of Monday Night, an online and print journal of poetry, prose, and other new literature. It will be coming out in summer 2010. Hurray! I can’t believe it. All credit goes to the wonderful Aneesa Davenport for submitting the poem. Thanks Aneesa!!! […]

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I listen to myself
before falling asleep
and the waves
press dark dreams
into my cheeks—
months of rain,
you away—
Only the gulls’
morning calls
pull me awake.

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I’m thrilled to announce that the poem “Beforeglow” has been featured on Ill Seen, Ill Said! Thanks so much Jane, and everyone who left lovely comments! -Joa

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You ought to walk down
to the creek this time
of year, all crisp
and sun-cheeked, fallen leaves
and forest floor
to your knees. A deep pool
waits, with trees
and a shy trout and a crayfish
who never comes out. I think
they are the ones
the framed song
in the library
is about.

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What sun set
the hour we spent
holding young trees aside
to reach
the edge of the cliff
where the ocean
opens? I swear
the same sun
is setting here tonight,
though maybe
I’m seeing it now
from a quieter,
less searing side.

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Why work with clouds that dry?
What day longs
to unchange?
Let your clouds layer
and rearrange. If you pick them out,
they end up feeling all the same.

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He’s up
and left me.
Sighs escape—
the soft seeds
cottonwoods make.
Already, I’ve mistaken
the date,
given whole days
alone away.

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Hang new leaves
against the sky, tempt
the breeze astray, offer us
monarch butterflies,
but we are passing
to the sea
and cannot stay.
Shoulder the coast
along our cove.
We’ll stick to your shade
on the salt walk home.

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I hold small hurts
in the folds
of my skirt.
They fall
when I forget.
The sidewalk’s soft
with feelings
I’ve dropped,
glutted with tender spots.

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Moments trail from our arms
like silk scarves, lightweight,
some lost on the way.
We cut through the blue
in small silver planes, the day
distorted in our wake.
Our vapor messages
a heart…a face…
diffuse into soft shapes
the sky disappears.

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