The Bluestone Review 2020

The Bluestone Review 2020

Poetry

he pounced on the field mouse in the roadside grass, tearing after meat, his jaws working. I warn you, it is that kind of need. I am returning merciless and starved. Salty Air A song by Dr. Charles Priest Floorboards weathered by the wind and the rain More than once, a hurricane Rusty nails haven’t failed in all these years Sandbar shows as the tide goes out Out to sea you can see the clouds Sailors wait in the harbor for the weather to clear

The channel leads to the way back home Red on right when the daylight’s gone Sit all day in this easy chair Take some time to breathe in the salty air Fishing boats coming back to town Racing now, they’re homeward bound. Island men, homeward from the sea.

Buggies race in the narrow street Pigeons fly in the midday heat Life goes on the way it’s supposed to be. You can see from Tower Hill All that matters and all that will Still be here when the sun comes back around Children run in their sandy feet Family lives on every street Ties that bind keep me anchored to this ground Composition By Audrey Raden (for my colleague Elizabeth, an adjunct forty years who died grading papers)

Such an odd thing, an old woman’s sweat. It chills the outline, even before the shivering begins. I reach for the bedside lamp.

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