Routine
Easy for you to assign blame
to the weaker in the clan
your stance sums respect
standardized by elders
no softies get auditions
You Will Never Know
I saw you rowing stealthily
from the pale shore
suspended in purple mist
sent up a prayer—
that’s what big sisters do—
your upswing or your undoing
Cleansed (of excess)
A small empty boat I was
floating in the lake of knowledge
small I return to my home port
but empty I am no more
You Smiled at Me
One more round—
oh, how the years add up
I learn to live without
our visits
In the pocket of the coat
I kept for you
I pull out your favorite lipstick.
Slowly I walk to the mirror and
swipe the stick on my upper lip,
below the Cupid’s bow
I smack my lips together,
tenderly, and watch you smile
back at me in my reflection.
Grief
At the end of the month
is my birthday
mail will arrive, friends will text
by the dozen
but when the landline rings
I will not answer
I already know
who it cannot be
that’s calling
~~~
Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of teaching children ESL. She has been published on Medium, Short Fiction Break, The Poetorium At Starlight, MasticadoresUSA, and Spillwords. In July 2023, she published her debut poetry collection, In The Shadow of Rainbows – EIF Publisher. Selma lives in Japan. This is Selma’s first feature with The Short of It.
If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It in the future,
click here for the submission guidelines.
#TheShortofIt – Vol 1 The Sound of Brilliance and Vol 2 Reflections & Revelations on Amazon
I Write Her 
Lovely to find your blog through Annika. Tried the link but wouldn’t let me comment. Jetpack blues! A very poignant poem beautifully developed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poems, Selma! Beautiful submissions for The Short of It!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Selma is a great talent!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Selma’s poetry draws me in, infuses me with her wise words , each one doused with meaning. The true art of writing short form poetry! ❌️🌹❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Selma! Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A world of gratitude, dear Susi. This couldn’t have come at a better time.
I bless you. Again, thanks.
(seems that my first comment didn’t stick) 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did, but I’ve set up my blog for approval due to spam that I don’t want to slip through, and unfortunately, I just got to it today because I’m entertaining a friend here. Thanks again!
LikeLike
Wow, these are amazing,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Selma’s work, bravo, beautiful poems, and her book is amazing too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susi. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be submitting again. I appreciate your kindness. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Selma, it’s wonderful that you are now a part of the TSI family! Your poetry has found a home! :) Thank you!!!
LikeLike
Beautiful poetry by Selma. Thank you for sharing, Susi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy to! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last poem, about the landline ringing and not answering it . . . I felt that in my entire soul.
I love Selma’s work. She’s so in tune with her surroundings and that comes out perfectly in her writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Selma is a very good poet.
LikeLiked by 1 person