One of my goals as a creative person is to put more of my work out into the world. If writing and art-making gets short shrift in the bigger picture of my life as Bink’s mom and chief advocate—and it does—the amount of time I spend on submissions is barely worth a mention. All writers know, though, that rejection is the norm. Even the most accomplished and prolific artist or writer has received dozens more turndowns than acceptances. Thus, when I send one or two of my little word babies out into the big world and they are received warmly, it feels like a hug from an oft indifferent universe.
Today, I’ve had two poems published in issue six of Auroras and Blossoms Poetry Journal. I share them below, as well as a link should you want to purchase the whole issue.
Hawk, circling
She soars, sharp eyes,
purposeful behind
what looks like ease.
Below, her world
stretches magnificently
in the four directions,
all greens and grays,
mottled brown
and dull blue rivers.
Above, dark clouds,
hints of rain.
Ahead, more colors, blurring
into horizon.
Again, her eyes train
on the earth,
where she hones her vision
to capture the scurrying mouse,
the wee chipmunk.
Does she ever doubt
her wings, her talons,
her vision?
I think not,
for her glide
is at once
easy and strong,
and if she would deign
to speak to me,
she might say
You were born to this world.
Walk sure-footed on ground,
dive into the lakes
with the abandon
that comes
from knowing
if you’re here, you belong.
Mercy
What if we had drills,
not just for disasters, fires
and hurricanes, not just
for active school shooters
and any possible terrorisms
both foreign and domestic,
what if we had rigorous
training in kindnesses:
how to recognize them incoming,
start a volley with the perpetrators.
Imagine preparations
for frequent barrages
of mutual respect,
muscle building
and visual exercises
to increase aim with
arrows of understanding,
rehearsals in how to see
oneself
in another,
and, at last,
commonwealths of decency
brigades of beneficence,
great infantries of amity,
drilling to hone skills
of making, and giving,
and keeping,
peace?
Thanks for reading! I appreciate it more than you know.
-Melinda Coppola