DYAN SANDEFER
Evil Seed

When the seed implanted
in her mind grew,
branching out into her limbs,
she found herself calmly
standing at the local
sporting goods store counter,
trying to buy
the method to her means.
They would not let her
bring home that day
the key that would release
her from the prison of her pain.

Something about tighter gun laws,
they said.
For three more days
she had to live her life,
cooking, cleaning, looking normal.
All the while pondering
the choice
from which she would not waver.

Was there anyone
whose face she etched
upon the wall of her weary mind?
Someone she longed to hold tight,
to tell good-bye, one last time?
Did she neatly
lay out the burial clothes?
Didn't anybody see her grief?

When the call finally came from
the sporting goods store that day,
she rushed on down,
picked up the bullets,
had them show her how
to load the thing,
and quietly paid for her purchase.

Then she went straight home
and pulled the trigger.

MICHAEL REHLING
In Loving Arms

they call them
"arm chairs"
placing yourself
in their grasp...
afghan wrapped
to your neck
you cuddle into
them

as you sleep
chair arms grow
gently
holding you
tight
pressing you
just so...
moving with
your breaths

that gentle

as you wake
the wooden fingers
retract to their
stationary sentinel
selves
as unaware
consciousness
misses the
mystery of your
safe sleep

but while you
sleep you know
those arms are
holding you
tightly