Arts & Culture

The Write Stuff (1)

Inspired by everything from Lake Erie to the Grand Canyon, Cleveland Heights’ poets laureate Meredith Holmes, Mary Weems and Loren Weiss share some of their poems included in the new anthology Awake at the End.

Nov. 21, 2008 | 5:00 AM

Saulte Sainte Marie by Meredith Holmes
Saulte Saint Marie deserted by the small
fur-bearing mammals
powerless to prevent the retreat
of the sound-swallowing
coniferous forests
waits like a quiet, large-limbed girl
barefoot on the banks
of the St. Mary’s river
looking down at the wildflowers
wilting in her big, red hand.
 
Erie Rocks and Rolls by Loren Weiss
The lake, like an ocean, stretches out
as far as the eye can see. Northwind howls.
Waves smash against the break wall,
pulverized water sprays toward angular gleaming glass.
Inside the crystal pyramid, silence...
Guitars line walls, hang patiently
in tribute to their legends, await in vain
their turn to be heard above the wind.


Nature Haiku by Mary Weems
Truck Stop. Picnic Table.
Trees stand like giants in drag.
Flock of butterflies.
Styrofoam. Dogs walk
in woods sans owners. Won’t even
take a pee on it.
Grand Canyon is an
open mouth. She whispers
Get out don’t come back.
River lay on her back
an unwilling prostitute.
Pollution, her pimp.

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