How to Write a Story

by

Howie Good

Begin in the middle
with the screams

of something burning,
then insert nightfall

and a trail of bread crumbs
the crows will maliciously eat.

It’s important that there be
lost children, but the search dogs

should be tired, or even better,
dubious, and with no way

to stop the bleeding
in the region of the brain

that controls our tears.

 

 

 

Howie Good, a journalism professor at SUNY New Paltz, is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Death of the Frog Prince (2004) and Heartland (2007), both from FootHills Publishing. His poems have appeared in numerous print and online journals, including Right Hand Pointing, Stirring, Flutter, The Rose & Thorn, 2River View, Prairie Poetry, Misunderstandings Magazine, Juked, ken*again, poormojo’s almanack, and Lily. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have comments you'd like to send the author?
Please e-mail Howie