But first a note from my desk… This villanelle came to me during my first week at a new job on a cold, dark, foggy February morning. With steel toe boots on and a budgeted $7 for travel and lunch in my jean pocket, I search for the bus stop on Harris to catch theContinueContinue reading “My First Villanelle: Towards Harris”
Author Archives: Shannon Laws
Event: Mother’s Day Celebration Big Rock Garden
You’re invited~ Poetry in a park? YES! This year it was my job to gather poets for the 23rd annual Big Rock Mother’s Day event. I’m so thankful to present this stellar list of exceptional poets from the Bellingham area and one fabulous poet-mother from Seattle, Ibtihal Mahmood. Ibtihal is a Chairperson at IMIA -ContinueContinue reading “Event: Mother’s Day Celebration Big Rock Garden”
Poem: the many layers of my lover
the many layers of my lover by Shannon Laws coat vest shirt undershirt slacks skin heart and soul bones hold the universe rich dark pother pour out the eyes shine on my planets bring warmth to those hidden seeds grow a budding forest my river returns your pull drink from the ocean the home ofContinueContinue reading “Poem: the many layers of my lover”
Event: King’s Book Feature
You’re invited~ The City of Tacoma and Puget Sound Poetry Presents “The Distinguished Writer Series” March 11th , 2016 7:00 p.m. Kings Bookstore, 218 St. Helens, Tacoma WA Featured Reader: Shannon P. Laws “To date, this event in Tacoma is the farthest I’ve traveled to feature. Thank you Connie Walle, pugetsoundpoetryconnection.org , for organizing this gathering. I lookContinueContinue reading “Event: King’s Book Feature”
Poem: Tangled
Tangled Inside the foliage a new stalk grows and twists around the fold of each arm You touch me with your spring, embrace me with your summer We rub together, winding in the wood When you leave it is winter’s sun setting too early Bring back your spring to me. Let us lie again inContinueContinue reading “Poem: Tangled”
Poem: This Midnight of Existence
This Midnight of Existence The exhale of a horse steams imagination, relieves the tension in my shoulders as Atlas sets the earth down for dinner. While the busy-squeak of a mouse shuffles the bush night is young and mischief afoot! Trails trip under the network of blackberry roots, an intelligence plays here. ConsiderContinueContinue reading “Poem: This Midnight of Existence”
Poem: Bus Girl
Bus Girl She looks in the glass again to check if the image has changed New headphones, new hair She’s still the same LOOK Eyeliner of lines drawn in the sand Streaks of blonde scream in her hair Lips moist with gloss, pink as a newborn LOOK, again Everything’s the same. She smiles.
Poem: The Riddle
The Riddle I am a net tossed into the sea. Weights in the corner drag me down. One hard jerk secures the catch. Winch and pulley draw me back. Wet and heavy with dinner and debris If I could be used for something different Tablecloth Rug Curtains A net to hold fruit, a wallContinueContinue reading “Poem: The Riddle”
Poem: The Field
The Field Bushes of death-berries near the bus stop begged me to take their picture last week. Branches whip their winter fruit, heavy at the end, as proud as a child holding summer’s vanilla cone. Proud they are plump, ready for the eating, stiff sticks shake nervous in the morning fog— Remember us, this field of us!ContinueContinue reading “Poem: The Field”
Poem: Monday Night and I Missed the Last Bus
Monday Night and I Missed the Last Bus Sure stepping down the long south slope behind the college pitch black out, the on-coming cars blind me, for a long second the sidewalk disappears, each car tests me walking by faith I believe the ground is still there Sideway-rain covers myContinueContinue reading “Poem: Monday Night and I Missed the Last Bus”
shannon p. laws 