“Suspicion” and “Survivor” by Clara Ray Rusinek Klein

Suspicion

In the airport security line they frown,
staring,
whispering.
Ahmed
sighs,
staring
back,
head
high,
staring.
They frown in line, the airport security.

***

Survivor

Grandpa shivers, remembering trains, showers, bodies,
smoke
rising
from
ovens,
smoke
instead
of
people,
smoke.
Remembering trains, showers, bodies, Grandpa shivers.

Clara Ray Rusinek Klein
2/29/16

 

“Run Ragged” and “Querying” by Rachel Geffrey

Run Ragged

it makes me want to
run
like
snagged
stockings
run
need
someone
to
run
to, it makes me want

***

Querying

I have to wonder
why
owls
cry
“Hoo”
Why
ask
“Who,”
not
“Why?”
I have to wonder.

Rachel Geffrey
2/27/16

“Grandmother” by Kristina England

Grandmother

hollows her last breaths,
eyes
orbiting
around
room.
Eyes
no
longer
imposing
eyes,
her last breaths hollow.

Kristina England
2/27/16

“Office Rat Triptych” by Chad Parenteau

Office Rat Work Song

Someone’s doing something
something
odd
too
fast
something
I
wanna
know
something
something someone’s doing.

Office Rat Evening Prayer

to my filth I made that
turning
tables
to
toilets
turning
toilets
to
notepads
turning
to that filth that I made.

Office Rat Farewell Wish

Don’t you remember
human
resources
warnings
think
human
seeking
classified
seeking
human
don’t you remember?

Chad Parenteau
2/23/16