“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” African proverb A duck is not a goose quack, quack. Call it what it is quack, quack. We stood on the old stone steps, my sister and I, steps that watched over Lake Huron and there she was,Continue reading “Malignant normalcy”
Author Archives: Anne Birkam
Channeling Langston Hughes
Exhaustion is my mantra when bullies are deified, and the very word itself is redefined. Let us take a peeler – free the orange from rind, perhaps the hate will dissipate, turning into kind.
I wish I were a mockingbird
I wish I were a mockingbird beyond the reach of human cant – can’t step around the hate of all that is different. So easy is the blackbird life who squawks at me upon the beach – his reach is plain for all to see he has no use for human greed. Newborn babes areContinue reading “I wish I were a mockingbird”
A world of earthly delights
I am close, too close I know when the tree swallow divebombs me – Stay away! Stay away! The click, click, click replaces his usual song. This is how walking goes during the season of nests. You created a monster he told his wife. I am a woman undone by feathers and flying things. IsContinue reading “A world of earthly delights”
Star stuff
On the dike he frolics – an otter captured through the corner of my eye, while the ibis flees, not allowing me to espy a silhouette framed by raindrops. I must be crazy, soaked like these creatures, near relatives by chromosome. Meanwhile a pheasant ventures across the road. Life is good here and now, thisContinue reading “Star stuff”
Favorite things
The eye of a vireo like Dorothy’s ruby red, when I actually see it my grin opens wide. The carpet newly vacuumed, the dishes put away, the sheets when pulled from dryer, the smell of them laying down. My father’s voice resounding with ‘How great thou art’, my mother’s apple pie, no birthday went without.Continue reading “Favorite things”
Cups running over
It has always been the age – hasn’t it, when children are raped and pay for it with a nod to sorrow. The guzzlers then move on with laws that punish vessels. You would think perhaps in the world of new, whether York or Orleans, we could see our way through the rage that strikesContinue reading “Cups running over”
Fly off dark eyed junco
Fly off dark eyed junco fly away home. I’m tired of the snow that sits at April’s door. I want to see the crocuses on my garden floor. Fly away little junco fly away home. Welcome chipping sparrow with the annoying song. Irritate me with your chipping – yes please bring it on. The musicContinue reading “Fly off dark eyed junco”
Even weeds are useful
When vanity rules the world let humility rise like the vapor from old Faithful, let it rise, let it rise. When cruelty runs amok Let kindness be your guide anywhere, anyhow, give everyone your smile. Mister death may wait outside the garden door, the vulture may soar above eying sorrow here below, the mothers mayContinue reading “Even weeds are useful”
Red Yellow Brown
The American beauty rose And a single prick Of blood that flows Marking all the land The male cardinal Everything grand — Sunflower opening And seeking the sun The sun! from Which all living Comes – The canary in The coalmine Will the people Be undone? — A female tweeter Seeking seed The sand BeneathContinue reading “Red Yellow Brown”
Anne's mediocre poetry 