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These poems bridge the end of section 6, The Pantaloon, and section 7, Dementia and Death, of Saltian
Moving on
By Alice Shapiro
Bring on the aphorisms
the diet pills
drape the mirror darkly, in chiffon
to hide a glimpse of aging skin
lusterless, droopy eyes
double chin.
In youth the flesh is weak
near death it’s loose
on shrinking bones,
a gradual warning
meant to ease transition
from faulty flesh to spirit zones.
Oldness is cold to the clinging eye
but warm, knowing that upon selection
one is soon to meet
the Holy Presence
and soon to be
breathing young again.
Carey High School bleachers
By Alice Shapiro
Having descended an inch
from a previous height
to view the football field
eyes must peer atop
a hoard of spectators’ spectacles
to have the widest view …
From bleachers, a grandchild’s grandeur
gets blurred and embittered
by the nonsense of age.
From this oligarchic perch
the old woman
distracted from quarterback, cheerleaders,
pomp and circumstance
follows the hawk up, up.
While a crowd’s roar fades away
she sniffs the joy of new grass
goes back into the cocoon of
faraway youth
coddles her
coddles everyone’s
ageless spirit.
Critique: Responsive writing
Response From a Thirty-Something
By Julie Ellinger Hunt
Glued to solid ground,
I envy the turning aged
from seedling to tree,
to even the falling, wasted wood
where life is somewhat figured
out and not floating with
uncertainties.
In between the new day’s frost
and lunar eclipse,
I hold onto the finest edge
and walk the proverbial
tightrope toward inner peace.
Years can stack up behind me.
I welcome them.
Anything is better than this …
Responsive Art
By Julie Ellinger Hunt
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Julie Ellinger Hunt lives in Northwest New Jersey. After completing her education at the University of Delaware, Hunt went on to publish her poetry in more than 20 journals internationally. Her off-beat, gritty style fused with sentiment and surreal observation is well received by the community. Her first book, Ever Changing (Publish America, 2010), was well regarded by fellow writers and happy readers. Her second book of poetry, In New Jersey, was just released by unbound CONTENT and it is rising up the Amazon charts with a fury. She hopes to continue to grow as a writer and contribute as much as possible while living under the same roof with her two sons and husband (she speculates they may be part alien). Keep up with her at http://jthunt.wordpress.com/.
