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Knife wounds were rare with pancakes and waffles, but twin boys made anything possible.
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Like a crystal ball it held secrets, but another puff took another tuft.
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I had surmised that Shakespeare was no angel.
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“No folks, that’s what’s called a wild rumor, fiction, not true.
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No pomp, no circumstance. I guess I could play solitaire.
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I have I try to figure out who’s reading. I like to imagine my sister reading an essay I wrote about her.
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Captain’s Log: Stardate, A Day at the Beach Long Ago
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Those horns just sprouted because of you.
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A whistle blew, splash! Chaos.
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The Ugly Step Sister
Ella’s job was to clean the ashes, cook, and sew. Mine was to embroidery and be on the lookout for a husband. I wasn’t supposed to go near the hens and chickens, but I was supposed to sit a horse and ride with the wind in my hair. I couldn’t even climb upon the beast.… Read more
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This Thanksgiving Dinner
I don’t care for turkey, besides, it’s heavy and hard to handle. This year, because I’m not paying two hundred dollars for beef, I’m making pork tenderloin Wellington and smoked turkey leg Wellington experiments. If they go well, I’ll do them again for Christmas. I have one boy home for Thanksgiving, so he’ll be my… Read more
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Eutony
Eutony: n. The pleasantness of a word’s sound.Your words arethe sound of kindness.The quiet of falling leavesflutter and whirl,Orange and red ride the wind and glide to the ground.They have the shove of love behind each one.bright yellow wingedyet crimson when passed under the shade of the othereach one part of your poem.The sound you… Read more
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When Life Gets Weird
I defer to Shakespeare again.All women in their time play all the parts.When time’s struggle hacks away at the core of motherhood, she bloomsSlices of her incognito souls fall around her.She’s protected her child with her promises Surefooted he stands on her love and covers his head, With the hat of awareness.The recognition thatHer powerful… Read more
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Cindora
“What was wrong with the last gentleman caller? He was taller than you and wore a suit of the finest cut. He didn;t even grease his hair like you said you hated.” Cindora’s father, Mr. Weston poured another bourbon in disgust and slumped in his chair. His daughter made him want to pull hanks of… Read more
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The Haunted School
One morning my classroom was unlocked and its door was open, the doorstop jammed tight to hold it open. Everyone else’s in the Penthouse, that’s what we called the third floor of West Side Middle School, was propped open too. It was weird because I always arrived an hour earlier than everyone else and their… Read more
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Knife wounds were rare with pancakes and waffles, but twin boys made anything possible.
-
Like a crystal ball it held secrets, but another puff took another tuft.
-
I had surmised that Shakespeare was no angel.
-
“No folks, that’s what’s called a wild rumor, fiction, not true.
-
No pomp, no circumstance. I guess I could play solitaire.
-
I have I try to figure out who’s reading. I like to imagine my sister reading an essay I wrote about her.
-
Captain’s Log: Stardate, A Day at the Beach Long Ago
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Those horns just sprouted because of you.
-
A whistle blew, splash! Chaos.
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Unspoken Trophy
“I need an introduction to our class.” So, I was asked to lead an exercise, Off the cuff with no tenor and no bass My chest puffed out ever so slight, so wise. Stood taller, looking people in the eye Relax, lean back, let them complete the why As if not wanting to draw attention Wrote poems with the “I am” intentionsTrying…
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Delight Risk
Either you will fall, or will be taught to fly.
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High School Gossip
“I heard they broke up and Tom was going to ask Janeen to the prom,” Becky announced it in Social Studies class. “Betty was all upset about it in English this morning. She was so mad she was crying. I’d hate to be Janeen,” “How do you know that’s why Betty was so mad and…
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Anticipation
Anticipation, sweaty palms shaking; Jittery, bouncing a foot on the floor Trembling legs crossing, uncrossing, twitching Recheck your hair in a makeup mirror Peek out the window, hover by the door Pace — hide your face behind your hands, cover Hover again, then sit quivering A pounding heart, lack of concentration Glances at the clock,…
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Company
Tonight. I am company. I tread lightly in my extended family’s home. I am a guest. I am on good behavior. I tell and listen to the telling from children with wide ears, eyes, and smiles. I am more polite than usual. I have helped the eldest son get an A on an English paper,…
Devonne Brown 