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The new Poet Laureate of Somerville Gloria Mindock writes, “I will serve the Somerville community with regular office hours, hosting a poetry round table open to all writers, workshops and readings for the elderly, poetry with puppets for children, readings and an informative talk about El Salvador’s civil war and the Salvadoran writing today in our community, and the giving away of free books throughout Somerville as part of Read America Read. I look forward to representing the city of Somerville for the next two years.”

Gloria Mindock , the new Poet Laureate of Somerville.

THE CHASE

I am the supervisor of the waves—watching… waiting

for a change. The white caps sparkle, show beauty, and the

violence of the water.

Sometimes my thoughts drift listening to the sound of

the waves hitting against the rocks.

The noise of the seagulls, and feeling the sun on my face, is meditative.

A quiet horizon has a different view of this seeing me,

wondering how I can sit for hours.

Colorful dragon flies approach me, fly away,

approach me again and this continues. Their teasing

is like a lovers chase.

Back and forth like the waves… it’s the ultimate tease.

When I leave, a picture is in my memory of a beautiful day

which coated me with sand, hard to remove.

I rinse off the sand that occupies my skin.

Secretly, I tell the sand I’m sorry for taking it away

from its home and wash it down the drain.

A moment later, emerging with skin clean and awaken,

the proof is here in my house.

I saw God today but didn’t realize it until now.

— Gloria Mindock

“The Chase” appeared in Mediterranean Poetry in Sweden.

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To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu