he’s out there now
row 2
forcing tines into the rain-packed crust
beating greedy roots against the fork
shaking loose clumps of soil and stone
salting the earth with his sweat
writing poetry in his head
cursing his balance
reciting his bodily mantra
of
press
push
flex
lift
turn
repeat

as i sit here
writing this
watching the wind pick up
deciding it’s time
to fill his coffee cup
call him home

Selected byNolcha Fox
Image credit:Nastya Kvokka

author bio: Jan Harper

 

Enjoyment of the written word is a gift I've been granted all my life; to have others enjoy what I write is another, more surprising one.

 

When a poet's words are read, minds connect at an infinitely intimate level.

 

My writing has appeared in various print publications, from single pieces to arrangements of 10, plus in numerous spots across the web over the past 20 years.

 

I'm an ex-Brit living in America with my husband, mother-in-law, dog, cats and chickens, plus coyotes, rabbits, deer, possums and other wild critters; when I'm not writing poetry, I can be found with my hands in the dirt, planting and growing a kaleidoscope of produce, or making jams and good meals from the harvest. Painting, knitting, needlecraft and more all express my love of creating.

 

(photo taken with my phone of a little spot near Southend, England, where I once sat and ate burger and chips as I contemplated being a mermaid)