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Loma Prieta Quake


11.20.14 Posted in today's words by

Jeff Burt’s most recent poem to appear here was I Pray for Arms (October 2014).

Loma Prieta Quake
By Jeff Burt

The quake does not end
with the last shake or tinkle
of glass in the cupboard.
It does not end, this walking on ground
as if stepping onto a small boat
mid-river, or suspended bridge
of wood and rope above ravine.
A truck goes by, the panes rattle,
we reach for ghosts of children
grown and gone for five and seven
years. We close our doors so softly
the lock barely fits in place,
look at age lines in each other’s face
like fear we cannot patch,
like worry worn into mortar.



2 Responses to “Loma Prieta Quake”

  1. Michael D Brown says:

    Excellent, well crafted poem and a joy to read

  2. Sharon Poch says:

    Jeff, it’s a long time since I’ve felt a poem so deeply. Perfect, poignant wording.

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