Monthly Archives: November 2013

Listening to O’Carolan

Posted on November 29, 2013 by alicebarrett

Turlough O’Carolan, harpist/ composer, born blind 1670, Co Mead First morning sun pries open the mountain; Her rays sparkle on the pond and disturb the geese. Light rushes across the field, illuminating sheep as it passes. … Straight rays bolt … Continue reading →

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Except

Posted on November 29, 2013 by alicebarrett

I’m a Christian, he wrote, except I’m an eye for an eye kind of guy. Yeah, I’m Leonardo DaVinci, I said, except I can’t draw. I’m Renee Fleming except I can’t sing. I’m a feminist except Poor women are ugly, … Continue reading →

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Today’s Grief

Posted on November 27, 2013 by alicebarrett

there’ll be no crying tonight the cat’s purring in his sleep dog’s running in his dream you murmur as you roll against me the cold rain on the roof sounds far away I’ll hold today’s grief safe until tomorrow

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Skeleton Verse not

Posted on November 26, 2013 by alicebarrett

Skeleton Verse skeleton bones rattle as they roam ’til they come back home. the last time I saw one he. she, or it shone in the sun he, she, or it was having fun, until he, she, or it shouted … Continue reading →

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Death Backed Away

Posted on November 24, 2013 by alicebarrett

Death came near. Death backed away. … She never leaves without a fare-well gift: Scars, fears, memories, A limp, a pain, a tremor. … She never leaves entirely, Like a dimness that never blackens: Whispers, shadows, shades. … She never … Continue reading →

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I’d like

Posted on November 22, 2013 by alicebarrett

I’d like a wind-up watch, they don’t need instructions. I’d like a key that isn’t a card, my Visa won’t open a door. I’d like a tan that comes from the sun, the liquid turns me orange. I’d like a … Continue reading →

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Gratitude in Three Stages of Life

Posted on November 20, 2013 by alicebarrett

Are you sure your friend knows that you like her? She helped you cheat on the history test, She distracted your mother as you went through her purse. Of all birthday gifts, hers was always the best. So take time, … Continue reading →

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Conspiracy Conspiracy

Posted on November 19, 2013 by alicebarrett

I now know the truth, I figured it out. There’s a New Wold Order, LBJ killed JFK, Paul is Dead and Jews conspire to rule. The army shot a plane down over Long Island Sound. The CIA caused 9/11, aliens … Continue reading →

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Poetry for Children

Posted on November 18, 2013 by alicebarrett

I sat down to read some poems for children. I’m shocked how the poets kill ’em: Falling out of their cradles, eating too much string, For laughing as a hearse goes by, Burned alive for telling a lie, Don’t forget … Continue reading →

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Surfeit of Nonsense

Posted on November 12, 2013 by alicebarrett

This morning I woke up with the word “surfeit” in my mind. No idea why. I couldn’t remember whether it meant too many or not enough. So I had fun with a thesaurus. This is a participatory poem. Add your … Continue reading →

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