Mary Ann Samyn

Mary Ann Samyn's most recent book of poetry is Beauty Breaks In (New Issues, 2009). She teaches in the MFA program at West Virginia University.

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Cautionary

Peeling back the oh look!, there’s more.

—Set that aside.

And set that aside.

…and if, when on your Lenten Journey, you need a friend…

CRASH-BANG!

I learned a long time ago;

cue the ocean; all my small-time hopes wait on a big gesture;

it’s a crawlspace, right?

And read again from The Mystery at Lilac Inn:

“Nancy’s fear gave way to curiosity…”

—the therein contained therein.

Having Come This Far

The loneliness was so old!

I had celebrated all of its birthdays.

Some verbs need helpers, my mother used to say.

Like the strings of an apron at the small of her back.

Today, a bird lay down in the grass.

Just like that, I’m telling myself.

If you knew how I thought of you,

you would say: this is a poem of praise.

It Most Certainly Is Edged in White

The book of birds knew a little about a lot.

I flipped through.

No one said trying harder would be easy.

A dove’s identifying feature

may or may not be peacefulness;

disjunction had been a performance;

I stopped complaining.

Starting now, no prayer goes unanswered.

It’s Been a Lovely October Thus Far

—Got the gist of it down; had another apple from the snack pack,

pre-sliced for my convenience.

The high school band practice drifts my way.

Will I always be lonely in towns with small-time civic pride?

At least I’ve done a good job of not filling the nothingness

with more of the same.

I consider the berries on the ivy: each one a little entrance

or exit.

My strength I learned a long time ago.

Mary Ann Samyn - Poetry