ANN KLAIMAN
In the last year, I’ve returned to writing poetry and found it quite satisfying. As a new member in The Poetry Society of Colorado, I entered several of their contests and netted a couple of prizes. Other Pen Women are also PSC members. Writing poetry probably won’t make me rich (or you, either), but it might keep me sane (you, too). I also rediscovered that, fur sur, writing poetry helps hone skills for writing of all sorts.
I don’t know if the poem below is one of my best, but it’s one I like. When I submitted it to a contest, the judge suggested I look for a stronger ending. Having mulled that over, I still like the ending as is.
Past Offices Held with Denver Branch: Layout and design of Poetry in Motion, 2002, and Poetry to Go, 2005; Vice President 2004-2006; Hospitality Co-Chair 2004-2006; Program Co-Chair 2004-2006; Directory Chair 2006-2008; Secretary, 2006-2010.
Past Work Published/Exhibited/Performed: Book reviews, The Mountain Mail, Salida, ’01-05; interviews for KHEN-106.9fm, Salida, ’03-present; “A Living Legend: Louise,” Wash. Park Profile, ’04; Publishing the Literary Magazine, National Textbook Co. (1st printing), McGraw-Hill (2nd printing). Recognitions/Awards: Highest Award (1985) and Superior Awards (1986 – 1991), NCTC Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines. Professional Memberships: NEA; CEA; JCEA (retired). Interests/Hobbies: Bicycling, hiking, fly fishing, reading, yoga, drumming.
IN AND OUT
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She’s 13, mama’s dream, mean, keen, and
Likes to be obscene.
Big mouth, tough talk.
Got the walk that winds her clock.
Shows the attitude.
My My.
Where did such a girl
Get such a way with
Her own world?
Big earrings, bracelets, and chains
Go clink, clink, clink,
Heels on tile go clickety click.
Tats? Oh, yeah, got that. Is that
Something Celtic… or just satanic?
She’s all hard-edged and hard-minded and
Just plain hard to understand.
By the time she’s 17, she will have
Learned, like, what?
To get along? Get a job? Get a life?
We hope.
For in her mind, inner mind—
Bread of life
Something ticks:
Hope of now
Surge of wow.
Her compass points north, locked on truth,
Though currently she’s lacking couth.
Her insides are older than her outsides,
And,
Pray God,
How will that all work out?
—-Ann E. Klaiman, October 2010, all rights reserved
