Anne Birkam

Hero

Look through the crack and you can see her, a small brown bird- nothing fancy – with an insignificant chip to make herself known. Or perhaps you will see the eye of a rail, hiding in the rushes or hear the whinny of a sora out in the wetlands, letting you know she is thereContinue reading “Hero”

Water stories : an octet

1. My grandfather slipped into silence for several days at a time. It was a family thing, you see, my grandmother and her sons accepted water from a stranger – he meant no harm. Brother Harry from diphtheria went to a grave in Wyandotte’s ground. Willy he never knew nor do I know of hisContinue reading “Water stories : an octet”

and i sat watching

for a pot of gold for a ripe tomato for prince charming for an end to loneliness for a place of solitude but i didn’t see anything except for a cockroach except for a broken promise except for a worn out shoe except for a paper chain which is strung around my neck and iContinue reading “and i sat watching”

what i’d do

i’d do most things for you i’d swim backstroke through tidal waves pulling me under the under toe i’d do it yes i’d trek upwards on ground dirt bike paths blinding my eyes that sun is but i’d do it eroding my feet to stumps crutching my way along over there i’d go yes i’dContinue reading “what i’d do”

I will not change

I will not change I may get stouter, shorter, grayer, but I will not change. I may move on to other places, situations, heartaches and defeats, but I will not change. I may get lonely, crossed and overlooked – the snake may cross my path dragging me down with him, but I will not change.Continue reading “I will not change”

Saving the Kirtland

This is how it begins – Flip lip lip-lip-tiptip-CHIDIP. Intensify with vocal chords that sweeten the ears of that choosy ground nester and a woman with binoculars around her neck. He perches on top of the world – a little distant but close enough to hear and see and amaze the jack pines that surroundContinue reading “Saving the Kirtland”

Blue

My blue is mute. It sends anonymous postcards through shivering knees, hoarse lips. Fancies whimsical parade this showcase. Only depth perception acknowledges its existence.

Water

It is 60 percent of everything. Living that is. Each molecule needs it, breathes it, dies without it. What comes easily is taken for granted. The sun rising, the moon setting, the earth spinning. My clothes are clean. This machine turns and scrubs and toils so I don’t have to. Not so for the nativeContinue reading “Water”

This nation of immigrants

In the hallowed halls of Washington the quintessential American traitor once was called. That little war with Spain based on lies about the Maine – no Twain did not approve. Aliens and sedition – we all from this unceasing law each immigrant from old clobbered were yes – by freedom’s bell. the Irish from aContinue reading “This nation of immigrants”

Make him go away

Make him go away! This deep blue mourning drags down the lids of these frozen eyes. Sweep it under – gone like the geese of fall no more to fly – arrow formation. Take my roses for your own – steal them leave the thorns be – hind to sweat my blood. Red river rushingContinue reading “Make him go away”