I am thrilled to share the beautiful cover for my forthcoming poetry collection, Ain't These Sorrows Sweet from Roadside Press. The art was done by the talented Beth Barnett - many thanks to her!
The book is now available for preorder for $15 (USD). Reserve your copy now!
SAMPLE POEM
Things My Uncles Made in Prison
Two out of three sons spent
most of their lives in prison.
Both former altar boys, they
were more devout
when they were inside; they
talked to their mother more,
making collect calls, and
quoting scripture in their letters,
which she kept in a drawer
along with a green plastic rosary,
yet another carceral memento, and Polaroid portraits of them
in their prison blues, taken by inmate photographers.
I think of their hands, holding
the pen, fingering the beads,
growing old before their time,
fashioning objects
that they intended to set
loose, like doves at a funeral.
The gifts arrived, packed
carefully in newspaper and cardboard,
metal folk art made with old
horseshoes, bolts, and washers;
drawings of Christ, ballpoint
on yellow wide-rule;
wooden picture frames carved
with hearts;
pendants on leather cords; a
lighter case because
she still smoked Kools; and a
music box shaped like a piano,
its interior lined in mauve
velvet. She kept the latter
on top of her dresser. Its
steel and brass movement
played a tune I can’t remember.
