Breaking Ground 100 - Poetry Collection
Ryan by David S. Pointer
They called Ryan fast.
They called Ryan to float through safety first minefields.
They called Ryan their “Handicapable Hard Charger.”
They called Ryan their “Special Needs Knight.”
They called Ryan their “Differently-abled Amigo.”
They called Ryan their “Challenged Champion.”
Ryan called them back even when the language
wasn't quite right, and wrenched things up right.
Poet bio: David S. Pointer lives in Murfreesboro with his daughters and kitty cats. David has recently published work in Spitball magazine, and “The 5-2: Poems on Crime,” and has been a regular contributor to Breaking Ground Arts issues.
Stir the coals for me by Jesee Hill
Let’s awaken what once was fragrant
The beauties, the things that made us laugh,
the things that made us sing and dance
Let’s awaken the songs which God shuttled through our souls,
the fibers--in all of their hues--
creating beautiful, unfinished tapestries
Stir the coals for me
When life’s Novembers hinder the springs,
Deferring hopes, expiring dreams--
When I am cold, a barren tree,
Stir the coals for me
When no beauties I can see,
it is your love, the remedy.
My love will warm you in the spring
Please, stir the coals for me
Poet bio: Jesee Hill has cerebral palsy and is a graduate of the Tennessee Partners in Policymaking® 2015-2016 Class. He lives in Watertown.
The Counselor On Vacation by Brian C. McHan
He talked to clients all day
Listening to their problems
He dealt with management
He dealt with staff
He went home and
He dealt with his family
But the next day was vacation day
He went into the woods
And listened to the birds
And the wind
And when night fell
He took pictures of the lightning
When the storm came
And listened to the thunder
He spent a day
No longer listening to men
And listened to God for a while
Whom he will meet
When his time with men is done
Poet bio: Brian C. McHan has been a faithful contributor to “Breaking Ground” Arts issues ever since he graduated from the Tennessee Partners in Policymaking® program in 2002. According to Brian, “This one is about my counselor who has to listen to the things I complain about with my schizophrenia.”