Several Cries Over Winter in Carlsbad, New Mexico (Third Place - Poetry)

by Tyler Lacy

I.

John Gamble in his cell over his bed of coal.

He never believed in Santa Claus

or that murder was wrong. 

II.

Only crows

are plucked off limbs these days. 

I reach out--

a pecan orchard.

Not to the limbs

of the trees, but to the shaking

hands of poor families,

empty buckets. 

III.

seagulls in the desert

parking lot at the Pecos River

and in winter? 

IV.

Patty Sue and Mattie

because they still miss their families

and we still haven't found a cure. 

They roll over in their tight graves

and open their mouths.

The snow will melt with John's coming down. 

V.

Me because they're too young. 

VI.

Mom in the kitchen

trying to cook supper

but really only

but really only

but real lonely

with a Folger's can after all that snow

gone catching melted tears.