Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

Everybody Likes Puppies

Look, she said, a squirrel.
But I can’t look at squirrels or birds
as they spark & dash into traffic,
toe the power lines & suicide flutter.
Why squirrel?
Why not a cat, a cute kitten
all claws & static electricity,
tiny mews of boredom.
Or a puppy? Everybody likes puppies.
Look, she said, forget I brought it up.
You and your funny ideas.
Thanks. Sorry about that.

Overhead a low transformer buzz
met by a tree sighing. Mailbox yawns.
What do you want for dinner? I ask.
Squirrel.

 

Travis Stephens is a tugboat captain who resides with his family in California. His book of poetry, skeeter bit & still drunk was published by Finishing Line Press.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of Poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.