by Alan Perry The metal gray time-clockseemed to monitor every movement. Its glassy face never blinkedas it belled interruptions through the day. It knew when I began to workwent home, ate lunch visited the restroom.I had to punch it–not really a punch more like a nudge with a cardinked with my name and clock number–…
by Alan Perry He looked troubled as the requestcame over the intercom.Blind and deaf, he didn’t hearthe flight attendant or see the girlwho pressed the call buttonand said she could sign.His long gray beard was uncuthis hair disheveled and his squinted stareseemed to plead—water? The girl cupped his curled fingersaround hers and began to spellwords…
by Alan Perry Lines on her facetrace the straps she curlsover her ears, tighteningthe medicinal-smelling maskaround her nose, across her cheeksunder her chin. A face shieldtightly banded on her foreheadreflects what lies in front of her.Hard to breathe, harder stillfor her patients, their linesin the hall grow longer each day.More tubing to connect, intubationsto perform,…
Poetry reading at Iron John’s Brewing Company, Tucson, AZ. Click on Exoplanet to view video. Astronomers discover a new star: Trappist-1 and its seven planets–b through h I’m relieved to know there’s hope for me, that a Goldilocks character might inhabit another world. Some water is likely there, not frozen but free to…
Poetry reading at Iron John’s Brewing Company, Tucson, AZ. Click on Departing to view the video. The financial planner points to a chart, says he expects me to die in 2040. I don’t hold it against him— he’s supposed to be actuarial. Though I do take offense when he denotes me as a period on…
The family photo Mother wanted. My parents and five siblings dress in ill-fitting suits, plain black and plaid dresses with little Edna in the smock she loved. My older sisters stand in back, Mother and Father sit stiffly with twins Ella and me held in front. Brother Albert is slumped in a chair…
November 22, 1963 If it had been raining that Friday and a glass bubble covered the convertible or if Air Force One was delayed by threatening weather. If the school book depository near Dealey Plaza had been so tightly secured no interloper could enter no stairwell led upstairs no window could be opened. …
after Rene Magritte’s painting “Golconda” What’s raining outside isn’t human. Umbrella shards of sleet arrow down the sides of buildings like bony fingers pointing out puddles and potholes. Plumbing the depth of those holes, a small man in galoshes sinks deeper through the tarmac past rock and rebar, even…