M. J. Iuppa, USA
Even in rain’s stinging wind, I
can see a wave of leaves swell
& tumble, like the tide coming in-
to shore with its bits of glamor—
shells & stones, and I try to empty
myself of the agony of meeting
you like this. I am not ready to be
angelic, or swift in my shadow’s
departure. I want a share in this
hour’s slow breath—its cattle-
breathing-steam, pressing
foreheads in sleep’s tight
huddle, and my cold body
wanting to be warm, like
them—more than anything.
M.J. Iuppa is the Director of the Visual and Performing Arts Minor Program, and Lecturer in Creative Writing at St. John Fisher College. Since 2000 to present, she is a part-time lecturer in Creative Writing at The College at Brockport. Since 1986, she has been a teaching artist, working with K-12 students in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding area. Most recently, she was awarded the New York State Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching, 2017. She has four full length poetry collections, This Thirst (Kelsay Books, 2017), Small Worlds Floating (Cherry Grove Collections, 2016) Within Reach (Cherry Grove Collections, 2010) and Night Traveler (Foothills Publishing, 2003), and 5 chapbooks. She lives on a small farm in Hamlin, NY.
