Swim

“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy

Here we are trying out a new feature, poetry! You all love poetry, right? Well, here you go! Poetrywatch is dedicated primarily, but not exclusively, to featuring the works of the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest winners. Readers are encouraged to submit their works to poetry@whatcomwatch.org. Subject matter is unlimited, but poetry featuring or specific to Whatcom County and issues addressed by Whatcom Watch (government, the environment and media) will likely get first preference.

There is a limit of 27 lines including title and blank lines, a limit of 55 characters per line, including letters, spaces and punctuation marks. Send poems as a word document attachment to: poetry@whatcomwatch.org The first day of the month is the deadline. For example, June 1 is the deadline for the July issue.

Please understand that acceptance and final appearance of pieces are subject to space-constraints amd editorial requirements. By submitting, authors give Whatcom Watch express permission for first-time publication rights in paper and electronic editions of current or future volumes of Whatcom Watch.

Swim

by Steve Hood

At over five hundred pounds,
it opens its mouth to scoop
a school of cold mackerel,
young blue fin tuna.

Everyone loves it in a sandwich,
toasted with cheese and a pickle
pinned to the top by a toothpick.

Steel, mechanized ships work
year round, daily, as fish numbers
collapse in a triumph of idiocy,
in deep oceans, empty seas.

I’ll take mine with potato chips
in a small bag, and a chilled soda pop
in a waxed paper cup.

Carry radiation from Japan,
eyes see in salt water dark,
cancer in a can, stacked quickly,
picked by an American.