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pre/mo/cognition, optimism is a mutated mule

Poems by kerry rawlinson

Car headlights in poem by Sandra sortwell makau

pre/mo/cognition

there’s something happening that I can’t quite
catch. something hiding, birthing,
like the egg of a maggot, itching
to hatch, quite slight—
barely there—

optimism is a mutated mule


About the Author – Ken Cathers

Kerry Rawlinson

kerry rawlinson is a mental nomad & bloody-minded optimist who wandered west from a Zambian gestation & landed in Canada. Recipient of 2024’s New Millennium Writings & Canterbury Poetry Prizes; 2023’s Princemere Prize and long/shortlisted for others, e.g. HUNGRY HILL Poetry for PoliticsBridport, Foster; Palette, her recent poetry acceptances include: SHINE Poetry Series; League of Canadian PoetsThe Ex-Puritan; Qwerty; PrimeNumber; Pinholelow hanging fruit; filling Station; IceFloe; Grain. kerry wanders barefoot through dislocation & belonging, enthralled with the gore, music, brutality & beauty of the world—and still drinks too much (tea). kerryrawlinson.com @kerryrawli


Keep Reading…

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  • Prologue: Milagros’ Story
    Milagros had never climbed a tree in her life, her father wouldn’t allow it. Just as he had forbidden her from going with her cousin to the concert tonight. She swallowed the lump in her throat and kicked off her sandals to make the climb easier.
  • Cold Comfort
    Mom died on Tuesday. On Friday she returned. I slept until eleven that day (it had been increasingly hard to get out of bed). When I finally shuffled into the kitchen, I saw her.
Meanwhile, at Dreamers…

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