Student:The average person gets 432 haircuts in their lifetimeFor you I wonder- too many, or not enough?Regardless, you will not like most of themEvery seven years your skin is completely renewedFrom scalp to toesA new birthday suit is knittedYou will use at least 150 toothbrushesfrom baby teeth or wisdoms,and swallow just as many spidersor so the legend goes…AllContinueContinue reading “Poetry: Graduation”
Author Archives: Shannon Laws
This Side of Paradise
Times change, they always do, it is no surprise- but are you ready for it this time? Since I was 15 I have always been able to find employment. Between 1990 and 1993, however, thanks to a working husband, I was able to stay home and raised my kids. In 1993, when I was looking to returnContinueContinue reading “This Side of Paradise”
Vera Pavlova
“The ovaries of a newborn girl contain up to 400,000 egg cells.” All my poems are already in me.” ~Vera Pavlova About three months ago a friend gave me a copy of the Poetry Foundation’s magazine “Poetry”. The magazine was founded in 1912 by Harriet Monroe. Although it’s been around for a hundred years it’sContinueContinue reading “Vera Pavlova”
9/11 Morning
This summer a short two pager that I wrote will be in a book about Washington State ferries. The story is about what it was like to be on a ferry the morning of 9/11. Here is a little taste:”New flames were emanating out from the south tower. We looked and waited for the personContinueContinue reading “9/11 Morning”
Poetry: Perhaps
It’s Monday and a great day for art and poetry! Every Monday night is Poetry Night open mic in downtown Bellingham. Last week Robert gave out a prompt that I couldn’t resist: What should be done with your body upon your death. All week I’ve been thinking about this. What writer doesn’t enjoy writing orContinueContinue reading “Poetry: Perhaps”
Alberto Rios Poetry
At last night at Chuckanut Sandstone’s open mic, Sandra F. Lucke shared the work of poet Alberto Rios. Carla, the group leader, read his poem “Refugio’s Hair” and the world shook!This wonderful poet makes his home in Sedona, AZ. Ríos is a Regents’ Professor at Arizona State University, where he has taught for over 30 years and where he holdsContinueContinue reading “Alberto Rios Poetry”
Poetry: Gray Braided Gardener
Seeds of joyToss from her fingertipsGreen LIFE yawns awakeon the shady side of NoblesAlways in spring she isRadiating beams of new LIFEKneading it into the earthEverywhere she goesLIFE follows heror does she create it?A goddess tramping through the desertleaving behind her a forest~Dedicated to my special friend Susan who always leaves a forest wherever sheContinueContinue reading “Poetry: Gray Braided Gardener”
Poetry: Universal Love
The 2012 “Phrasings in Word + Dance” is on! Bellingham Repertory Dance presented its sixth annual collaboration with Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater this weekend. What a great three days of art and insight. Carla and the BRD company have outdone themselves, again. This year I was selected, along with 5 other poets, to write a poemContinueContinue reading “Poetry: Universal Love”
Poetry: Guitar Man
Guitar ManTaps his foot to the musicFrayed boot heel wiggles against the floorFingers, as comfortable on fretsAs his legs are in jeansWhat does he sing?What is that sound?History weeping throughOozing out of dry crevassesDays in the sun createdPoems written on wrinkled paperSongs sung to walls of fallen plasterLarge women clap approvalHoping to take a pieceContinueContinue reading “Poetry: Guitar Man”
Kidnapped
Spring always puts me in a sentimental mood. You know, it’s all a part of that inane idea to get rid of the old and bring in the new; spring clean the garage, backyard and the soul. Some projects take up so much time I feel like they’ve kidnapped me! During the tedious task ofContinueContinue reading “Kidnapped”
shannon p. laws 