Poetics Presents

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Poetics Presents

Liz Shine

Liz Shine resides in California where she teaches high school English and yoga. She is a master of sneaking in time to write and says, "You have to always have paper and pen on you. I once wrote a poem on the back side of pale yellow hall passes while assisting the proctors of the high school exit exam. Being a parent has taught me loads about being creative with time." Long distance running is her preventive approach to writer's block.

Poppies in May

Tall, pale green awkward stems,
one propped up with a stake stretched thin
like an addict,
but ah...the plump oval bud bursts open,
the blood red petals
darkest at the center, edges paler
reveal themselves rice paper thin.
Stamen and petals covered--
fine, soft, yellow dust.

In two days or three the petals will fall;
Beauty lies dormant for another year.

Copyright © 2006 by Liz Shine