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Marilyn Ashbaugh

Southern Comfort

Sister Lucien speaks with a Southern drawl that belies her northern residence. I try it on a few times in class. It makes my speech slow and lazy as a cat in the sun. My tongue savors the silky feel until Kathy Kilroy shoots me one of her dirty looks and then all I can do is stutter.

changing colors
grease spatters
from a corn pone

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About the Author

Marilyn Ashbaugh is a poet, nature photographer, and organic gardener.  She is widely published in journals and anthologies featuring Japanese short-form poetry.