Smaple Poems by Carol Smallwood

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The Naming

Who would imagine names the Purslane family of weeds would include
Common Burdock, Horsenettle, Field Pennycress, and many more;
Wild Carrot more widely known as Queen Anne's Lace is in the brood.

Some young leaves like the Dandelion (lion's tooth) are a health food
and English Daisy, Milkweed can be found mentioned in popular lore:
who would imagine names the Purslane family of weeds would include

The family also includes Poison Ivy creating its own kind of mood-
getting too close to this one may end up with a trip to the drugstore.
Wild Carrot more widely known as Queen Anne's Lace is in the brood.

Wild Strawberry, Nimblewill, Orange Hawkweed aren't what you'd
expect and Redroot Pigweed, Purple Deadnettle, are more to look for:
who would imagine names the Purslane family of weeds would include

Silvery Thread Moss, Creeping Speedwell, Chickory, one can conclude
would be fun to identify-Prostrate Pigweed would be hard to ignore:
Wild Carrot more widely known as Queen Anne's Lace is in the brood.

It would have been great to have a chance to name one when viewed
walking on a summer day in a field, deep woods, or open rolling moor;
who would imagine names the Purslane family of weeds would include
Wild Carrot more widely known as Queen Anne's Lace is in the brood.

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I Am Moon

born in the
Big Bang

flung from
whirling Earth
circling Sun

I am Moon
with cycles
each month

I am Moon
claimed by
American Flag

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Shopping Today

While walking around to see which aisle had the strongest overhead fan,
I saw a sign: SALE $7.99 and under: $7.98-so small it was hard to read;
then counted how many there were of Extra Virgin Olive Oil brands
and wondered why I never had any recipes using flour made of flaxseed.

I saw a sign: SALE $7.99 and under: $7.98-so small it was hard to read
while sipping courtesy coffee said to have a nutty taste good with cream
and wondered why I never had any recipes using flour made of flaxseed.
The grocery store wasn't large but unfailingly seemed a familiar dream.

While sipping courtesy coffee said to have a nutty taste good with cream
it was fun to think myself a guest of honor of importance in the crowd:
the grocery store wasn't large but unfailingly seemed a familiar dream
a time to bask among the plastic plates, marshmallows, and feel proud.

It was fun to think myself a guest of honor of importance in the crowd
then counted how many there were of Extra Virgin Olive Oil brands:
a time to bask among the plastic plates, marshmallows, and feel proud
while walking around to see which aisle had the strongest overhead fan.

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Select Moments

There was a time not long ago
Striving to feel the Earth turn
I spread like a child making
Snow angels on summer grass:
Couldn't one see clouds move

I strained to detect movement
Like a forked divining rod
Searching for water despite
Reason saying it would be
Impossible even if rotating
Thousands of miles an hour
and circling the Sun.

Further back in years, I stared
A long time at a particular spot
One night at stars that appeared
Extra close waiting for any
Clues what it was all about.

Surely if I stood tall as possible
Long enough, tried hard enough
there'd come hints, some pattern

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Fast Food Tea

Once the lid's off you see bubbles align
On the plain white cup like Braille,
The water patterns shape no evident design

I lift the styrofoam cup like mulled wine
Or in lost adoration of the Holy Grail-
Once the lid's off you see bubbles align

Copernicus didn't change how the sun shines
Even when his theory wasn't thought a tale:
The water patterns shape no evident design

I pull apart the tea bag longing for a sign
But the string-joined bag leaves no trail...
The water patterns shape no evident design

The bubbles pop after their slow climb
Or hug the sides as if safety rails
While the tea darkens steadily with time

Raising my cup I toast customers in line
Hoping their secret quests do not fail;
Once the lid's off you see bubbles align,
The water patterns shape no evident design