don’t even call it by that name
In the order of things, he took a walk.
The trees were upright. Sticks were on the ground.
His heart pounded, sweat poured. Anything was possible.
A falling was in the air. His partner never showed.
And even so, there were things not to mention.
Predicates were in the brush. His eyes watered.
• • •
Morning Pine
The still lake throws back a forest,
blurred beyond recognition. As a boy,
he did something and walked into
a family myth. He’s reminded of
the latest version as words pile on.
The loons called last night. They left
only vowels, in no hurry for a used story.
• • •
Charles Elin was a student of the late Larry Fagin, who published his chapbook in 2014. Flash fiction pieces have appeared in the Columbia Journal, Corium, Midway and Larry’s Delineator. Charles’ poetry has been published in over a dozen journals, including Rosebud, Forge and California Quarterly. By profession, Charles is a psychiatric social worker in private practice.
