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Our poet writes: “My name is Lizzie Rutberg. I’m a local artist and sometimes-poet living in Somerville.”

Lizzie Rutberg

learning to jump into cold water

wherever poison ivy grows
you can find her antidote,
the bright jewelweed flower.
anywhere a meadow, a birdhouse.
anywhere a stoplight, a bouquet.
elegies thumbtacked to telephone
poles throughout the town.
the neighbor’s corgi is named Toad.
every time I return to my house he
throws himself against the window and
tears down the blinds. his owner told
me he’s a rescue. he’s afraid of belts.
there was a rock on a high sloping
field, surrounded by goldenrod,
with a perfect view of the sunset
over the berkshires.
I had never seen anyone shine
the way ella shone
sitting on that rock
orange against the empty sky.

— Lizzie Rutberg

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