Cocoon

Finalist, Julia Darling Memorial Poetry Prize 2022.
Honorable mention, Writer’s Digest 2024 Writing Competition, non-rhyming poetry.

GLOBAL PANDEMIC KILLS THREE MILLION PEOPLE
Tony steps from the shower, 
rubs hair dry with a towel, 
massages pain in right shoulder. 
Quiet, so his family stays asleep.

REVOLUTIONARIES CAPTURE 159 HOSTAGES
Pulls on white overalls, fills
water bottle, nestles tuna 
sandwich into his pack, writes
note to his wife and kids.

MIGRANT BOAT CAPSIZES; SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS
Closes side door, gently,
checks lock, walks

STATE HIGHWAY REPAIRS COST BILLIONS
half a mile to Willow
and 37th, waits for his ride,
glances at messages.

CITY HALL FRAUD AND CORRUPTION WIDESPREAD 
Van door slides open. 
‍ ‍Hey, man! 
‍ ‍Tony! 
‍ ‍Hop in, bud! 
‍ ‍Great to see you! 

LEAD DISCOVERED THROUGHOUT CITY’S WATER SUPPLY
Tony crawls over drop cloths, 
tucks into his place behind
Joe, driver & van owner.  

LOCAL SCHOOLS FALL BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE
Buoyant voices bounce around Tony,
words from his homeland. Floor heat
toasts his feet. Tony leans against
cool window glass, eyes close.  

Published in Washington Square Review, Summer 2025