Tipton Poetry Journal, Summer 2011
Mystical Muse Magazine, February 2013
Ephemera
Mayflies bear a Greek name meaning living a day,
An allusion to their dance before they die
After maturing in the month of May.
Mayflies bear a Greek name meaning living a day
And start as water nymphs that grow to fly
Only to die after mating–a last hooray.
Mayflies bear a Greek name meaning living a day,
An allusion to their dance before they die.
Bliss, MUSE Press Anthology 2013
Potatoes
I’d like to share a villanelle-
What’s the occasion?
Potatoes sprouting sentinels.
Some shaped starfish, some seashell
All forming tubes in great diffusion.
I’d like to share a villanelle.
There seemed no pattern where expelled
as sprouts varied at each compaction-
Where potatoes sprouted sentinels.
Their sack’s brand was Russets Royalle
As from a medieval monk’s dispersion;
I’d like to spin a villanelle.
The potatoes aged having dwelled
Months, a kitchen shelf diversion
When potatoes sprouted sentinels.
So I planted sprouting life with smell
Of earth for a phoenix conversion;
I’d like to spin a villanelle
When potatoes sprouted sentinels.
Lady Ink Magazine December 2011
Sheepshead Review Fall 2011: Vol. 33 No. 1
The Universe
It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I’ve read
so it brings me security to make patchwork quilts at night;
it makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.
“You are not lonely when you sew,” Grandmother often said
as she sewed apron after apron with evident delight;
It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I’ve read.
Other activities most likely should have been my stead:
quilt after quilt I’ve made at night sitting straight, upright:
it makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.
Mixing pattern with plain, varying width until ready for bed,
securing the needle easy to spot on a piece extra bright–
it must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I’ve read.
Fleece, flannel, denim, have made many a patchwork spread
and those who receive them do express thanks forthright:
it makes sense to cut up squares to sew with needle and thread.
I’ve concluded I’ll have no edge or center when I’m dead
and finding security sewing squares is better than fright.
It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I’ve read
it makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.
Third Wednesday Spring 2011
Curio Poetry March 2013
Each Spring
Each spring I say I’ll taste it day by day
and not be surprised by summer’s end
when sand castles are no longer play.
Each spring I say I’ll taste it day by day–
it’s not like I want it served up on a tray,
or say it never happened-or pretend.
Each spring I say I’ll taste it day by day
and not be surprised by summer’s end.
Northern Cardinal Review March 16, 2013
http://northerncardinalreview.wordpress.com/
Lake Niprissing
When I got back, unmistakable lake air greeted me,
a sea gull landed on a pine in heavy fog,
an Icarus who’d tried but could no longer flee.
When I got back, unmistakable lake air greeted me.
The utility lines drooped as if soggy logs
or some boys after an on-the-town spree.
When I got back, unmistakable lake air greeted me;
A sea gull landed on a pine in heavy fog.
Lake Niprissing couldn’t be seen through layered mist
but the cracking of ice was loud and plain–
foghorns and sea gulls joining the annual tryst.
Lake Niprissing couldn’t be seen in the layered mist
as ice crusted limbs snapped, an annual game
littering my lawn in crystal claim.
Lake Niprissing couldn’t be seen through layered mist
but the cracking of ice was loud and plain.
Carol Smallwood’s over four dozen books include Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching, onPoets & Writers Magazine list of Best Books for Writers. Water, Earth, Air, Fire, and Picket Fences is a 2014 collection from Lamar University Press; Divining the Prime Meridian, is forthcoming from WordTech Editions. She’s in such journals as: Drunken Boat; The Writer’s Chronicle; The Main Street Rag; Jelly Bucket; English Journal. Carol has founded and supports humane societies.