The twigs, pliant and young
yielded to his thin fingers
naked and pale the strips
bent in vulnerable curves
wrapping around themselves
and becoming those women
he could not hold, warped
by rougher hands, a bad
piece, never quite good enough
or molding to perfection

I live in Abingdon, Va., the beautiful Appalachian mountains. My poems have appeared in various magazines and journals, The Appalachian Journal, Afternoon, Apples and Oranges International, Poetry, Kota Press, Moondance, and The Layman, to name a few.

My writing career started at ten. I was too shy to talk very much so I enjoyed the strength of words on paper. I have a degree in social work.  I enjoy it immensely and do a little freelance. I also love flowers and dogs, and the imagination of children.

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