Jessica
I am participating in the August Poetry Postcard Challenge this month. Each day, I send a new postcard with a poem on the back to a recipient on the group list. We began on July 27, but I am posting these a few days late, so that my pen pal can see them first. Enjoy!
Wisconsin, 1885
The misery whip’s teeth sink
in the trunk, teetering
like a drunk. With his silent
partner, Sven begins to saw. Hands frozen,
to the metal handle, he pulls
with all his strength, then surrenders
as his partner pulls him back. Progress
is slow. On both good and bad days,
the misery whip reminds him of his marriage,
the times he must drag her along
like a cord of wood and the times
he must be dragged. Today, he only thinks
of warm coffee and his long walk home.
Sent July 28
