On Your Marks…, by Jay Brazeau

runner, runner      ready, set, go! baker, baker      ready, set, dough! farmer, farmer      ready, set, hoe! pitcher, pitcher      ready, set, throw! bedbug, bedbug      ready, set, bite! firefly, firefly      ready, set, light! Tyger Tyger,      burning bright,...

The Morning is Quiet, by Robert Schechter

The morning is quiet. There’s nothing I hear. I think there’s a riot of hush in my ear, a growl that is purring, a sleep without snoring, a monster not stirring, a lion not roaring, a shaking that’s steady, a wave that’s not breaking. I’m rested and ready. It’s time...

Indian Cradle Song, by Piu DasGupta

The water begins in the river The river begins in the mountains The mountains begin in an earthquake The earthquake begins in a tremor The tremor begins in the earth’s crust The earth’s crust begins in the ocean The ocean begins in the moon-tides The moon-tides begin...

New Baby, by Paula Thompson

Nine months of waiting – best part of a year. Mum’s belly a beachball; mine swelling with fear. What if they love me less than before?      When our three becomes a four. Our house filling up with mysterious things: monitors, bottles, baby slings. Nappies. A...