Pine Needle

by Christine Nelson, DeVar Dahl, Michael Dylan Welch, David Ash, Merilyn Peruniak, Inge Uhlemann, Vicki McCullough, Alice Frampton, Karen Sohne, Jessica Tremblay, Helen Baker, and Marshall Hryciuk

last year’s

pine needles

arced in the new grass Christine

            earthworms moving

            across the sidewalk DeVar

third date—

my feet suddenly remember

the steps to the dance Michael

            on the last day of apple-picking

            a cool breeze David

stars all around

I dip my paddle

in the moon Merilyn

            the smell of matsutake

            all through the house Inge

empty rest area—

a rip through the face

of the most-wanted poster Michael

            trying to get closer

            I lend him my sister’s phone Lin

a vodka shot

for every girl he bum-grabbed

stale taxi home Vicki

            ice-cubes floating

            in my bath tub Alice

her bridesmaids

stop fanning her

as the veil is pinned David

            the reading of the will

            in Spanish Michael

caught

the kitten

with the rosary beads Karen

            if Gretzky is coming

            we call them “The Firebirds” Lin

swine flu

does the bacon taste a little off DeVar

            cleaning out the barn

            seeds in the manure Christine

under the trees

lovers picnic

a haze of forget-me-nots Karen

            at the return of Jessica

            his heart thaws David

mountain summit

a man-made

water fountain Jessica

            40 below zero

            I ignore my scratchy underwear Christine

calling mom

to lift the head

of the snowman Jessica

            a week to Christmas

            icicles dipped in sugar dye Michael

thanks for the tip   sweetie Christine

            the taste of strawberries

            on your tongue Michael

slow-dancing to “Telstar”

the diner lights

spark Vicki

            eclipse

            his sunglasses on and off Jessica

underground river

hell hounds strain

against the light Vicki

            Woden’s day

            what are we meant to do? Karen

upside-down plumber

hanging by his belt

waxing crescent David

            the imprint of leaves

            in wet cement Michael

only my face is stiff Lin

            by the back of his head

            I knew him in Moose Jaw Helen

morning birdsong

passes with the clouds

mist mixed with rain Marshall

            tadpoles’ legs

            front and back DeVar

forgetting the combination

to the garden shed . . .

drifting blossoms Michael

            wheeling three horses

            for the win Vicki