Poetry By Terri McCord

        Thomas CC



On the Second Day


The world is
                   ending    in a way

this way         
                   and that

switch-backing

The very small red curled
                    leaf is claw-like 

broken branches of birch
                   do remind
of shrapnelled
limbs

This mountain that is vulvular
is also fish-head shaped        on end

gasping for air

Or it is an empty place card holder
                   in this place

or the folded knees
of some giant on their back

Clouds circle the peak
like the hunting dogs
from across the street

The breeze is both crestfallen
                    and like the wagging tails
of the hounds

The want is here

A soft rain begins

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Terri McCord is a 2022 Pushcart nominee and McCray Nickens Fellowship finalist. She has been published in Seneca Review, Southeast Review, Kakalak, Jasper Writes!, Fall Lines, and others. A 2001-2002 recipient of a South Carolina Arts Commission juried literary fellowship, her latest collection of poetry is The Beauts.