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Suzanne Nielsen  (email)

 

About the Poet:

Suzanne Nielsen, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, teaches writing at Metropolitan State University.  Her poetry, fiction and essays appear in literary journals nationally and internationally; some of these include The Comstock Review, The Copperfield Review, Mid-America Poetry Review, Foliate Oak, Identity Theory, The Pedestal,  Word Riot and 580 Split. So’ham Books released her first collection of poetry titled “East of the River,” in December 2005, a collection of short fiction titled “The Moon Behind the 8-Ball & Other Stories,” in 2007, and will release her new collection of poetry titled “I Thought You Should Know,” in 2008.  Nielsen holds a doctorate in Education from Hamline University.
 

 

The Tale of the Kite

 

Melody takes to kite flying for many reasons:

the flapping of the tail in the wind reminds her

of waves dancing off the Superior shores, an event

she would remove her earplugs for and toss into the water

watching them swirl until swallowed by scavengers. 

 

 

What Lies Clearly at Hand

 

While on her bike ride Marie DDS stopped

at the swamp to listen to frogs sing at dusk. 

Within minutes a political debate broke out

leaving Marie spellbound staring at her cranberry

colored socks while contemplating Puerto Rico’s 55. 

 

 

Listen to the Rocks

 

Shortly before dawn Marianna fed the minnows sardines

too salty for her palette.  She then charged the batteries

for her mini fountain, closed her eyes and listened

to the water trickle off pieces of granite

before bowing her head in recognition

to being pain free, at least for the moment. 

 

 

Form and Manner

 

Clovis Sweeney held her face in place with tan

rubber bands to give her a healthy outdoor look,

but to also play Dueling Banjos off her chin before

going to visit Mme Luigi for her daily advice. 

 

 

Blame the Mystics and the Saints

 

Reverend Timothy Baaken played tugboat

in the kitchen sink while the deacons discussed

ways to break the news.  Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

was what tongue tied the rev’s long wait at the watering hole.