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patterns on water
Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

Poetry | March/April 2022

YALL NEXT

By Sarah Tower Burhop

is what it said
on that fucking snap
just below the name of 
my son's school
and the photo of the guns 
on the bed
with the carefully fluffed pillow
which was a
terrifying juxtaposition 
 
and it scared me
just like it was meant to
but not enough to overlook
the missing apostrophe
in y'all and I tried 
to focus on the terror but 
I found myself wondering 
what kind of person 
doesn't spell-check a death threat
before sending it out 
into the world
 
and I couldn't decide
so I kept him home

4 replies on “YALL NEXT”

Gail Johnsonsays:
March 16, 2022 at 2:29 pm

So powerful!!!

Reply
Nola Turnersays:
March 17, 2022 at 7:00 am

An impressive first. Narrative moves at a clip and a mother’s fears aptly displayed. Loved the use of apostrophes to stress the point.

Hope to read more of your work, Sarah.

Reply
B.L. Pikesays:
March 24, 2022 at 2:21 pm

I so identify with this poem, and especially the mother’s reasoning: what kind of person, indeed! There’s terror here, but also the unexpected warmth of wise motherly logic. Such a breathtakingly intimate moment you’ve shared with us, Sarah. Thank you–it will stay with me.

Reply
Megan Pattersonsays:
March 26, 2022 at 10:35 pm

Powerful and poignant words. Raw, real and relatable. So proud of you my friend!

Reply

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