Among other Journals and Poetry Collections,  Pris Campbell's poetry has been published or accepted for publication in MiPo Publications (print and digital), Blackmail Press, Peshekee River Poetry, Limestone Circle (print), Niederngasse,  Erosha, Short Stuff, Dufus, Mind Fire,  Dakota House, Verse Libre, Woman of the Web Anthology, and her haiga/haiku in several journals, including Simply  Haiku. Her chapbook, Abrasions, can be ordered from Rank Stranger Press. She lives in the greater West Palm Beach, Florida with her husband, one crazy dog and, now, one stray, fixed cat who rode out Hurricane Wilma in her house with four newborn kittens. Formerly a Clinical Psychologist, she's sidelined by CFIDS. Visit her website at www.poeticinspire.com. Photo circa late 70s.

It's that sort of day—the kind when birds
fly straight for the sun, when mice run
in circles till their tails twist into knots,
and squirrels argue endlessly atop telephone poles.

The mercury explodes in Sam Sander's garage
when the temperature roars over 120 degrees
and Mable Jenkins breaks her big toe-
her pot of cold cucumber soup wriggling
and protesting withdrawal from her fridge
till it slips loose from arthritic hands.

It's a day when frustrated lovers lie separate,
panting on sweat-drenched sheets, and long-married
couples grump about old fissures and decide they should
have married their childhood sweethearts, after all.

On such a day, a day ripe for miracles, a day
prime for Gary Cooper to ride in on the twelve o'clock
special, a vagabond appears, tells anybody
who'll listen about dire deeds forgiven
and roads paved in gold, roads leading
anywhere and everywhere but here.
 

Poems © Pris Campbell 2005-2006

www.mipoesias.com © MiPOesias Magazine 2000-2006.
You are reading Volume 20, Issue 1. A Menendez Publication.