&

nature preserve
under berry brambles
a blue magic marker

Anna Cates Wilmington, OH

mushrooms
emerging—
the widow lifts her veil

Aidan Breare Portland, OR

my dad’s touch
between thumb and forefinger
fishing line

Tom Painting Atlanta, GA

night snow
smoothing out the creases
in mother’s letters

Elliot Nicely Lakewood, OH

recent layoff —
the weight of the kids
climbing his back

Shiva Bhusal Bellevue, WA

silver mine
a school of minnows
just out of reach

Jeff Hoagland Hopewell, NJ

drifting thistle down
I wait for a word
to choose me

David McKee Madison, WI

at the sea bottom
octopus pots
and their tales

Fay Aoyagi, San Francisco, CA

finding my place
of resurrection—
a cardinal’s song

Nicky Gutierrez Akron, OH