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The Sunday Poem: Birdie Jaworski... Found in the City Different

Not all is quaintness and charm in Santa Fe. In the midst of it all, clues to an individual's struggle with life can still be seen.

Birdie Jaworski lived in Santa Fe and Las Vegas, NM before moving to Albuquerque. Her memoir, Don't Shoot I'm Just the Avon Lady!, was nominated for a Pushcart Award.

Found in The City Different

Walking through tin-riddled

canyon squatter homes

I came across a brown paper bag

big enough for one bottle of beer

Flattened bag

pressed into wet ground

hardened to stiff

papyrus by solar indifference

Handwritten in black marker

smudged and bleeding through

was this note to self

To make a living

A way out of this bondage

A dwelling; Roof, Bath Room, 2 Bedrooms

To have access

(in person or in my house)

to Lidia

while she is growing up

Poetry submissions are welcome. Email theditchrider@gmail.com.

1 member likes this

Comment by Margaret Randall on September 18, 2011 at 8:08am: Beautiful poem. Very strong. So often the power of poetry lies in its ability to give a whole sociocultural panorama with a few sure strokes. This poem does just that. We can see the brown paper bag laying on the ground, imagine the street, the surroundings... and then, suddenly, the drama of a life opens up. Thank you, Birdie.

Comment by Sandra Vallie on September 18, 2011 at 8:48am: Beautiful work, Birdie. And wonderful observation. I'm so glad you stopped to pick up that paper bag, that you took the time to read the writing, and that you have the compassion and human spirit to put the person who wrote it in front of us. Its strength comes in large part because you stayed out of the way of what you found. And, I appreciate the commentary we can find in the second stanza: Flattened bag / pressed into wet ground / hardened to stiff / papyrus by solar indifference. Thank you.

Comment by Ben Moffett on September 18, 2011 at 9:17am: Quite touching. Thank you, Birdie.

Comment by Dee Cohen on September 18, 2011 at 12:13pm: Thank you, I enjoyed this poetic glimpse into the struggles of a 'stuck' life. Well put and effective. Dee

Comment by cathyray on September 18, 2011 at 4:15pm: enjoyed this one, thanks!

Comment by Birdie Jaworski on September 19, 2011 at 3:29am: Thank you for the kind comments. I'm excited to connect with Albuquerque poets, writers, and readers. I've been here a year after a long stint in Las Vegas, NM, and am still amazed at the beauty and warmth of this fine city.

Comment by Ben Moffett on September 19, 2011 at 3:46pm: Welcome, Birdie. I'm delighted to add, after seeing your profile photo, that the photo you submitted with your poem really adds to the poem's power.

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