rockpaperpoem

Issue 13

EDITORS’ NOTE

Dear RPP Readers,

Welcome to Issue 13 of RockPaperPoem. It is with a full range of emotions that we present this issue, which arrives during a period of change and growth for our journal. The poems gathered here engage with the realities of aging, loss, and political violence, while also encompassing both the beauty and struggle of everyday life. These are necessary poems for our time, reminding us of how poetry can name and bear witness to the complexities of our lives.

We are especially excited to share “Rehab” by David Graham and “Meditation While Waiting” by Adrian S. Potter, both of which were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. These poems showcase the strength and range of work in this issue.

Issue 13 also reflects ongoing changes within the RockPaperPoem editorial team. Our longtime managing editor, Alan Perry, has stepped down and now serves on the RPP Board as managing editor emeritus. Editorial responsibilities have shifted and expanded, with Valeria Eden and Lisa Higgs recently joining the team, and Pam Sinicrope serving as managing editor. We are currently seeking a new website editor, and we invite you to help spread the word.

Thank you for reading, for your continued support, and meeting these poems with attention and care.

With warm regards,
RPP Editors

Image Credits:

Rehab by David Graham

Image Title: Medieval Renaissance Fair Crowd and Empty Wheelchair with Green Blanket composite 

Artist: Deborah Goschy

Components:

1 Medieval Renaissance Fair Crowd and Empty Wheelchair by Pink Sherbet Photography

Url: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medieval_Renaissance_Fair_Crowd_and_Empty_Wheelchair_(5722826436).jpg

2 Green blanket illustration by Deborah Goschy

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Steering by Lindsay Benster

Image: old truck in countryside

Source: pexels.com by Jean depocas

A Dirty Car Parked on Grass · Free Stock Photo

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Double vision poem by Mark Dunbar

Image: double exposure of a girl

Source: pexels.com, photo by Trarete

Woman Face in Black and White · Free Stock Photo

tching-golden-sunrise.html

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Sweet by Matthew Coonan

Image: tufted timouse eating from a feeder

Source: pexels.com by Jay Brand

Tufted Titmouse at a Rustic Bird Feeder · Free Stock Photo

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With Our Daughter at the End by Cecil Morris

Image Title: Vase of Unopened Tulips (illustration)

Artist: Deborah Goschy

Url: N/A

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Hereinafter by Maggie Wang

Image: metronome

Source: unsplash.com, photo by Angela Pompermaier

White and black space ship toy photo – Free Grey Image on Unsplash

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What you don’t see coming by Mary Ann Griffiths

  1. List

Image Title: Hermit Tarot Card Reverse

Artist: Deborah Goschy

Url: N/A

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Labor Day Weekend by Daniel Romo

Image Title: Elderly man video chatting on smartphone

Artist:  Direct Media 

Url: https://freerangestock.com/photos/163349/elderly-man-video-chatting-on-smartphone.htmlLa

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Eating Crackers with Marmalade at 2AM by Merrill Douglas

Image Title: Red sauce in a glass jar and on a spoon on a wooden board

Artist: Regina Ferraz

Url: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-sauce-in-a-glass-jar-and-on-a-spoon-on-a-wooden-board-6133484/

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Pat, I’d like to eat a vowel

Matthew Coonan

Image: green jello

Source: unsplash.com, photo by Girl with red hat

Yellow and clear plastic container photo – Free Texture Image on Unsplash

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Solo Glow Worm on the 4th of July by Jan Hallman

Image Title: close-up-view-of-a-clear-glass-jar-with-yellow-string-lights

Artist: Kelvin Carris

Url: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-view-of-a-clear-glass-jar-with-yellow-string-lights-5381021/

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Depression Plates by Allison Burris

Image Title: Depression Plate and Cup Composite

Artist: Deborah Goschy

Components

1: Clear Swirled Goblet by Kdm85

Url: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clearswirlgoblet.jpg

2: Clear Squared Plate by Kdm85

Url: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clearsquaredplate.jpg

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Let’s Chase a Tornado by Chris Smith

Image Title: Storm Chasing with The Weather Channel’s Tornado Hunt Team

Artist: Anthony Quintano

Url: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Storm_Chasing_with_The_Weather_
Channel%27s_Tornado_Hunt_Team_%2811232328103%29.jpg

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Rainy afternoon, late June

Jen Hallaman

Image: daughter picking strawberries 

Source: pexels.com by Mihrî

Child Picking Strawberries in Sunlit Garden · Free Stock Photo

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Hind by Sadia Ansari

Image: dandelion blowing

Source: pexels.com, photo by thevibrantmachine

Person Holding Dandelion · Free Stock Photo

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Conversation in Stone poem by Joanne Clarkson

Image: balanced stones with beach in background

Source: pexels.com, photo by Aleksey Kuprikov

Selective Focus Photography of Balanced Rocks · Free Stock Photo

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The Poet stands with the painter by Emma Johnson-Rivard

Image: Hands covered in paint

Source: pexels.com, photo by Gülşah Aydoğan

Hands in Paint · Free Stock Photo

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Meditation While Waiting by Adrian Potter

Image Title: Silhouetted Man Stands on Peak Watching Golden Sunrise 

Artist: Joshua Earle from Freerange Stock

Url: https://freerangestock.com/photos/1762