Poems from Paternity by Scott Owens
The Word for What Only
4-Year Olds Can See
4-Year Olds Can See
Today my daughter made up a word,
effluctress, to explain why I couldn't see
the rainbow bird outside the window.
Effluctress, she says, are things
that can only be seen by 4-year olds,
soda trees, people with wings,
trains that turn into trucks and drive away.
Not the first words she has made up,
for sure, but the first to contradict
what the world tells her can't be,
dragons and dinosaurs, blueberry towns,
her grandma sitting beside her.
for sure, but the first to contradict
what the world tells her can't be,
dragons and dinosaurs, blueberry towns,
her grandma sitting beside her.
How to Make Okra
Fill left side of sink
with warm water. Toss in
measuring cup, funnel, favorite
spoon. Surround with towels.
Carefully set baby in water.
With hands suddenly free,
think of sitting down,
having a beer. Do neither.
Move quickly. Wash
okra in right side of sink.
Take out cutting board and knife.
Cut off tips and place
in bucket for compost.
Slice into knuckle-
sized pieces. Roll in egg,
cornmeal, salt and pepper.
Drop in hot oil until golden.
Control impatience, anger,
childhood memories, all the while
singing I-N-G-O, I-N-G-O,
stamping feet instead of clapping.
Paternity can be ordered from
Mr. Owens at asowens1@yahoo.com or from www.mainstreetrag.com.
Paternity can be ordered from
Mr. Owens at asowens1@yahoo.com or from www.mainstreetrag.com.
1 comment:
Nancy,
Thank you for posting Scott's book and poetry. When he attended "Coffee With the Poets," I enjoyed his reading a lot.
I like your header. It's really pretty.
We missed you at "Coffee With the Poets" this week. I hope you are doing well.
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