By Roy Ingham Pat the Cowardly Lion on the head. He’ll feel more courageous, And so will you. Tap a tune on the Tin Man. He’ll be happy, And so will you. When you and the Scarecrow are together, help him feel good, about the brain he has. He’ll appreciate it, And so will […]
Readers Write
No Time to Laugh
By James Doran It is not a time to laugh. A fascist in the White House. It never comes all at once. It trickles down slowly and as the American middle class re-emerges we all say, “This ain’t so bad …” While a gnawing voice goes silent, we laugh, “This ain’t so bad …” […]
THANKSGIVING DAY
By Tamara Dicus Hillman Mama in her apron, Daddy in his chair, us kids playing ‘round on wood floors that were bare. Turkey in the oven, smell of pies so sweet, family soon would join us to gobble up the treats. Grandma brought great goodies, the aunts and uncles too came swooping in with food galore— […]
Thirty Mile
By Patrick Johnson Hot, stifling Sound deafening So dark Smoke intense Confusion, panic Running, scared Deploying shelter No time to wait Why are they going up there? Shouting, they do not hear Drawing shelter over Laying on the ground Can’t breathe Will we all die? The screaming But life continues in the Okanogan Patrick […]
Again
Here we are again. Embers falling People falling Looking for the bright spot Of resilience Rain falling, snow flakes falling Be aware. It’s all here What is important Pull deep from inside Thankfulness. This poem was submitted by a Twisp resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
Smoke
By Cynthia Mitchell The curtain of smoke parted for a short while, this morning, bringing relief from burning eyes – not to be confused with relief from burning fires. Suffering immeasurable, devastation widespread. Many beings of mountain forests losing more than humans, whose homes somehow rated more valuable, are built on top of theirs. Tragedy […]
I am a Flash Flood
I am from
houses washed away,
mud, metal,
water, and rocks
coming down on the road.
Trees, cabins,
and hay barns;
other houses are destroyed, too.
And it brought a lot of logs
down to the road.
Bobcat
By Ryan Brennan Snow falls a silent curtain ice turns the world to glass darkness falls suddenly and black shadows become a deep pool he is out there searching for food or for shelter solitary and seldom seen he remains a mystery then the day comes a blinding glare he settles back in his protective […]
The Fog
(With apologies to Carl Sandberg) By Aristides Pappidas The fog comes on elephantine feet. Somnolently looking over the river, with ham-sized thighs it sits where it wants to then reluctantly moves on to visit the next day and the next and the next. Aristides Pappidas lives in Winthrop
Fury of fire
By Ryan Brennan, July 2014
I gaze at the destruction and ruin of the landscape
I can feel the hot breath of smoke beneath my skin
Haunted shapes flutter on the edge of the horizon
Begging us to join their dance of hell
