Henry McCarthy
The Edge
Mornings I walk by my neighbor's house
She speaks, turns her back, waters her flowers
And pretends not to see
Yesterday while cleaning my gutters
My neighbor (the obtuse one I call her)
Appears at the edge of my yard
Calls to me
"The little fawn - your dog didn't hurt it did she"
"No" I say "she only chases it to the edge of the yard
Never beyond"
"Oh good" she says
And crosses back to the edge of her yard
To pick up her garden hose
My neighbor who loves the gentle fawn
My neighbor - the obtuse one.
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ABOUT THE POET:
Henry McCarthy says, "My reason for writing 'The Edge' is to demonstrate that we often judge people without knowing them. In a society where we do not get to know our neighbors, it is very important to take the time to listen to what is in their hearts."
McCarthy has published poems in the Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts, Clinch Mountain Review, and Lost State Voices. A former Assistant Dean at Appalachian State University, he graduated from East Tennessee State University. He spends his free time riding the Virginia Creeper Trail.
# # #
Flowers in the Park
by Henry McCarthy
"Ah senor, es usted
I shine your shoes, un momento
How you been in the states"
"Muy bien" I say "You are numero uno in the shoeshine business"
The blackened brown hands move
Quickly over my shoes
A quick smile crosses his face
He snaps his cloth to show he's finished
I pay him fifteen pesos
He looks at me, taps me on the shoulder
Says "Later me amigo"
Never have I felt so much warmth
"Later Enrique."
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THERE'S MORE:
Meet the poets featured in the April issue of A! MAGAZINE FOR THE ARTS and read their poetry by following the links below:
-- Lena Cantrell McNicholas
-- Samuel Miller, M.D.
-- Poetry Events
-- Arts All Around: A Day Without Poetry by Barbara-lyn Morris
-- Arts for Youth Spotlight: ETSU Senior Researches Japanese Poet
-- Back to the main story by Rita Quillen
-- Jane Hicks
-- Felicia Mitchell
-- Delilah O'Haynes
-- Neva Bryan
-- Rees Shearer
-- Gretchen McCroskey
-- Benjamin Dugger
-- Warren Meredith Harris
-- David Winship
