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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 for meeting these poems with attention and care.
With warm regards,
The EditorsImage 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
2 Green blanket illustration by Deborah Goschy
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What you don’t see coming byMary Ann Griffiths
Image Title: Hermit Tarot Card Reverse
Artist: Deborah Goschy
Url: N/A
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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/176228/silhouetted-man-stands-on-peak-watching-golden-sunrise.html
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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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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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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.html
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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———————–
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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


















