A Plot to Put Him
Out of His Misery
Out of His Misery
by Rachel Gippetti
Here from the balcony
I see you in the cacti: camouflaged, bristling,
drowning in the sprinkler system.
To think I wouldn’t see you here.
I feel guilty—I mean, sun burnt.
I will let you use my snorkel.
Beautiful water, blue like drain cleaner.
Be wary, the mask leaks.
Use caution, the coral stings.
I tousle your sandy curls.
You swallow your bubbles.
I hold you under.
____________________________
Rachel Gippetti was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Approximately
five years ago, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she completed
a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of Plymouth.
Gippetti’s first children’s book, Time-Travelling Train on the Tamar
Valley Line, was published by the University of Plymouth Press in May
of this year. Her poetry is also forthcoming in The Stinging Fly and
Shearsman Magazine.
◄ Previous page Apple Valley Review, Fall 2011 Home ►
Here from the balcony
I see you in the cacti: camouflaged, bristling,
drowning in the sprinkler system.
To think I wouldn’t see you here.
I feel guilty—I mean, sun burnt.
I will let you use my snorkel.
Beautiful water, blue like drain cleaner.
Be wary, the mask leaks.
Use caution, the coral stings.
I tousle your sandy curls.
You swallow your bubbles.
I hold you under.
____________________________
Rachel Gippetti was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Approximately
five years ago, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she completed
a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of Plymouth.
Gippetti’s first children’s book, Time-Travelling Train on the Tamar
Valley Line, was published by the University of Plymouth Press in May
of this year. Her poetry is also forthcoming in The Stinging Fly and
Shearsman Magazine.
◄ Previous page Apple Valley Review, Fall 2011 Home ►
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Apple Valley Review:
A Journal of Contemporary
Literature
ISSN 1931-3888
Volume 6, Number 2
(Fall 2011)
Copyright © 2011
by Leah Browning, Editor.
All future rights to material
published in the Apple
Valley Review are retained
by the individual authors
and artists.
www.applevalleyreview.com
A Journal of Contemporary
Literature
ISSN 1931-3888
Volume 6, Number 2
(Fall 2011)
Copyright © 2011
by Leah Browning, Editor.
All future rights to material
published in the Apple
Valley Review are retained
by the individual authors
and artists.
www.applevalleyreview.com
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