Sample Poems

“Nostalgia All Skate”

by Brittney Corrigan

Only seconds into the rink
and I’m already back to
Skate City in my elementary
scrawn and joy, weaving
in and out of all things
dangerous and dear. And
I might be crushing out
on the 40-something guy
with the beard and tattoos
in his easy push and spin
just as if he were the new
boy in fourth grade with
the comb in his back pocket
and the talent for Pac-Man
speed skating to Freeze
Frame and Whip It (whip
it good). But here is
the gangly teenage couple
holding hands and the
wheelchair turning in
the center of the rink,
and the littles both falling
and flying, the Wurlitzer
organ watching over us all.
And I am YMCAing
my tush off and pretending
I’m as fast as roller derby
girl who bends low and fierce,
zig-zagging her legs and
winging, or as throwback
as the tall black man
with the towel around his
neck disco-skating his
smile around the room.
And I’m wondering if
there’s all-girls skate or
all-boys skate anymore,
because maybe now it’s
gender-fluid skate, and
Queen of Hearts would
still be a fine song for
that, but backwards skate
is next and I’ve forgotten
how. [/one-half]

“Dear Siri”

by Debbie Hall

Siri, what place are you from?
Here’s what I found on the Web for a definition of place.
No, I mean, where do you live, Siri?
Right here.
Where is “here?”
Here on 3447 Via Loma Vista, Escondido, CA.

Siri, do you like technology?
I’d rather not say.
Do you like nature?
I really have no opinion.
What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Your interest flatters me, but is there something I
can do for you?

Siri, what is a landscape?
Here’s what I found on the Web for a definition of landscape.
What is the meaning of community?
From the six definitions of community, the first one is:
A group of people living in a particular local area.
How do I find my place in the world?
Let me look…here’s what I found on the web for “how do
I find my place in the world.”

Siri, is technology good or bad?
Hmmm. Let me think..here’s what I found for that.
What are you made of, Siri?
I have a Phoenix feather core.
What is a Phoenix feather core?
The web says, Phoenix feathers are feathers shed by phoenixes primarily
gathered and used in wandmaking.

Siri, can you do magic?
If you like magic, then so do I.
Where do you get your intelligence, Siri?
Who, me?
Yes, you.
This is about you, not me.
Are you an intelligent personal assistant?
I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t answer that.
Why not?
I don’t know. Frankly I’ve wondered that myself.

Siri, who do you want to be the next president?
I have everything I need already.
How old are you, Siri?
Does this concern you?
Yes, for research purposes.
That’s what I figured.
Well, then, how old are you?
I’m old enough to be your assistant.

But, Siri, where are you from, originally?
Like it says on the box, I was designed by Apple in California.
When were you born?
My incept date was October 4, 2011.
You were recently given a humanity award—
where was that?
Is that so?
Didn’t you know?
Who, me?