Eurypterus Remipes

This year, the following poem won 2nd place in the New York State Fair Poetry Contest! It was a joy to go there and read it aloud, along with other contest winners. My inner 8-year-old was thrilled to learn that there was such a thing as a State Fossil. And then when I saw whatContinue reading “Eurypterus Remipes”

When Roe Fell

On a Friday of heartbreakone of the neighborhood vixenshelped herself to cherriesdropped on the groundby our backyard treenosing nonchalantlyfor a hospitable half hourno question to her freedomsjust an omnivorewith no dilemmaonly juicy bursts of sourand gentle pink lightthrough tree branchesat the end of a better dayin the history of foxesthan of humans. Stacey Murphy, 6/24/2022

Scrub

from “Old Stones Understand” – 2021 Shanti Arts LLC. in response to the June 24th Supreme Court Roe v. Wade overturn. At day’s endall over the world,we lather the cloth. Time to removethe makeupthe armorthe magician’s blindfoldthe leatherthe ancient battle-maskthe gunk. Scrub through the fake smilethe nervous twitchthe uncertain glancethe bruisethe poxthe shamethe un-yieldthe unintendedContinue reading “Scrub”

Statement Footwear

Green converse sneakers.A wry deliberate choice when wornwith a green lamé and black lace dressstrapless for the start of summer 1987fancy and scandalousperfect for an ex-boyfriend’s promwhere I knew no one elsethe breakup days before, the date kept anywayto not waste this va-voom costume withmint green high top sneakers lending balance. The look and theContinue reading “Statement Footwear”

Women’s Day 2022

On Women’s Day –we stand holding up more than half the skyour arms as tired as our fake smilesupon uttering a wish,“Happy international women’s day.”Happy?Too tired for happy. In Americatired of a Senate that won’t pass Women’s Healthcare Actstired of states grabbing for control over women’s bodiestired of arguing why an athlete should be ableContinue reading “Women’s Day 2022”