SNAPSHOTS OF THE EPIC

GREGORY LAWLESS

Here the hero tries his eyes

after his winter’s sleep.

Here apple blossoms

pelt the moat

between passing mallards. Here

the hero recites his dreams

into the sink. He knows his fate

by rote.... (2007)

PLUM ISLAND

ANDREW COBURN

They come to fish, semiprofessionally, with no enthusiasm, as if they knew in advance they would catch old fish, sluggish stripers. He comes for other reasons, which I figure out for myself. He comes to brood over the beauty of the place, to study the ancient history of the scroll-like sea, to stand in the pea-green dusk and ponder waves that wear out before reaching shore.... (2006)

LAST LIGHT

KARYNA McGLYNN

Virginia's pulse wings up

through the patio's citronella flame,

some exotic insect: shiny, maroon,

and up from the steam of the river.... (2005)

CONFESSION

PATRICK LOAFMAN

The neighbor’s boy is a cartoon. The doctors said he wouldn’t live past two, but he turns twelve today. He coughs up old newsprint from the twenties, leaves dusty ink footprints from the bedroom to the fridge and back.... (2007)

AFTER SILENCE COMES THE DIRGE

LAURENCE DAVIES

She runs on sand, or dew, or grass, or snow without a trace, and yet she stands broad-shouldered, six feet tall and sees in the dark with incandescent eyes. Sometimes her lips pull back to show her teeth, sharp and bright as well-honed dirks. As she sweeps across the island, her locks fan out behind her, pine boughs blazing in a gale. No gossamer for her; she wears the Bodach plaid. Indeed she is the Bodach Bansidh, doomed to lamentation till the seas go dry.... (2008)

SINGLE LIFE #8

AMY GROSHEK

Out some window then

slipped my hope: dirty captive bird

taking back the perfect sky.... (2008)

PIGEONS

TED FRISBIE

intruders - moving slowly, haltingly in ragged clothes, wilting flowers, pilgrims

to the sinking Iglesia de Guadalupe, kilometer of blood from penitent knees,

short as children, they are easy — lots of time to gather scraps and get out of the way.... (2003)