Category Archives: Literature

What It Is

Posted on June 17, 2015 by alicebarrett

What a Tree Is “Beloved, gaze in thine own heart, The holy tree is growing there….” Yeats Nothing is just what it is. Look at that tree. See centuries of meaning on its bark, Put there by poets since cave … Continue reading →

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The Bridge in the Woodland

Posted on December 23, 2013 by alicebarrett

It came out of nowhere, that bridge, A rusted anomaly in trees that had devoured the fields before Metal bridges began. . Along we come, A rusty Bondo-ed auto that should be a memory, but Lives beyond its time. . … Continue reading →

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Sounds of the Sun

Posted on December 12, 2013 by alicebarrett

Trembling below hearing, we would notice only if it stopped. Startled, we would stop, naked of the sound we wear as skin. Throbbing like the heart of someone we love far away. Low mountains of sound vibrate against the snow. … 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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The Ballad of Ol’ Tom Rat, or The Man Who Lost His Shadow

Posted on November 11, 2013 by alicebarrett

Ol’ man Rat was a foul old man. His children, his grandchildren, his brother and his wife All told him so again and again. … His dog ran away again and again. The catcher caught that dog every single time. … Continue reading →

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