Editor's note:  Mark has graciously offered to give out free copies of his wonderful and beautifully-printed chapbook,  Appalachian Night...  In his own words, 'Anyone who would like a copy can just email me: chineseplums@gmail.com  The book is free to any who want. Purely a gift.'  

________________________________________________________________________

The Summer I Picked Tomatoes
 

They told me to wipe the dirt off 
and toss the ones with bruises.
I will tell you in that spirit
I didn’t mind much
breaking my back for pennies.
The Mexicans and I
spoke fluently of our dreams,
and still keep in touch.

       -A different version of The Summer I picked Tomatoes appeared in BODY.



To My Daughter Who Joined the Safety Patrol


Ever since you were born
I've worn hope like a badge.

It is even safe 
to praise the snowy, leaking 

stars and the holes 
the earth chews in my shoes.




Santa Liston


The front desk lady says
the ex has left a balance. 
Pay up or no x-rays 
for my injured kid. 

Sonny, it is snowing.
All the lies are white.
I will win and you 
will grace somebody’s chimney.

     -Santa Liston first appeared in an online journal called Walking Is Still Honest.



American Music
        - For Bob Bauer -


A jazz musician too,
the great neglected genius
of the guitar, Danny Gatton,
before he shot himself
was happiest fixing cars.
You handed him a wrench
and grunting soulfully,
laughing, Danny swore,
riffing on a thing 
that might not work. Bob,
to love him was to savor
a melody unresolved.

       -American Music first appeared in Northwind.



Fatalism


The garden toad, grave
as Sitting Bull 
I’d guess

Who also knew in time
the fly would come to him

Says it’s all okay

I thought there might be more,
but he seemed pretty sure,
and I blinked first