Two poems from Stilled Somewhere Possible by Cheryl Pallant

English Refrains

Pine, ginko, and chestnut complement the land     Talk, discussion
and argument volunteer time     Ask to establish rank   Squirm
Take the first bite     Eliminate the white granules of salt     the iced
green tea   Offer a hug as if noting an irresistible sale on t-shirts

So pleasant to see you
Have a nice day
Weather is good

But look at water pressure     faded signs   octopi arms
in a suction cupped scuffle     invasive clams   mud
slides       bonding chemicals vaporized   The shadow of
artillery and rusting tanks       Judgement
eerily revealed      Stares leave little choice

So pleasant to see you
Have a nice day

Provide a valid excuse      Dodge the trajectory
of a ladder     Sing breathless about ignorance
Drink beer and consume mushrooms     Translate the email
with apologies     Turn down the fruition of evidence

So pleasant to see you

One person’s ignorance      another American pie

Lady’s Night

“Your turn. You decide.”
How about

holding masks in place
debate empty cans

a massive chemical and nuclear arsenal
how many bulbs illuminate the room

the shape of numbers
a balance-challenged novice

antioxidants
the domain of men

an eyebrow rising
rice cakes

flatter and offend in the same
mouthful