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Bewildering Stories

KJ Hannah Greenberg,
Communicated Childbirth Options

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Communicated Childbirth Options

Author: KJ Hannah Greenberg
Publisher: Seashell Books
Date: January 29, 2023
Length: 115 pages
ISBN: 979-8373848398

This collection of 121 poems looks at life through the stages of childbirth; expansion, momentum, secundines, and puerperium. Many of these works criticize interpersonal relationships or society.

Manky Dog

Coupled to telephone pole on Route One.
Soulful eyes inquiring of every passing car
If the way home might be stumbled upon.

Abandoned by his “best friend” in favor
Of a squawking kea, flavor of the month,
(A bright bird for a gowk of an overseer.)

Pup makes ouroboroi from nose to tail,
Self-harming for entertainment. There’s
No food, water, buddies along the road.

Pipet with Panache

That songbird, that pretty passerine, with wheaten wings,
Coal black eyes, tufts of blue tail feathers, lit upon a pook
In my field, at dusk.

‘twas determined to twitter while all manner of proceedings
Betided beneath sheaves. Mice supped, owls glared even as
Voles harvested dinner.

Nearby, tegs and lambs, born offseason, quietly masticated
The year’s last grass. Those bovine reft all remaining stalks
Among the toxic lianas.

For me, our farm’s stream was wai enough for toes’ dipping.
I’d rather July to October. Sunburn’s superior to hoarfrost (I
Prefer warm climes.)

Among pastures, agouti nibble their weight in grain. As well,
My overfilled creel evidences seasonal fish, the profusion of
Tiny schools found in cornfields’ streams.

Simpettes

In Grandma’s day, no sibilant, bra-burning women dared
To make upa over stacked dishes, cigarette-strewn floors,
Much muddy laundry quit as unsorted, ungainly mounds.

Bilious females were censored thru lack of courters, lack
Of hire, lack of happiness. Unless padlocked into casitas,
Those wenches knew no modus of routine contentment.

Thus, they’d hide smarts under hoop skirts, conceal all
Creativity by scouring pans, else bury their inner lights
Thru providing cates, tapestries, extended joy for men.


Copyright © 2023 by KJ Hannah Greenberg

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