Fall 2008, Volume 5

Poetry by Laura Giannone

The Descent

The globular net
writhing with flocked birds
detaches
floats
away
and they break free
of their sinewy
chains

The birds
cascade
into the sky
bunches
of cut
balloons

White wave
brushes clouds

sweeps the air

breaks over the sun

A windy helix
pulsing towards
the clouds

they twirl
and spiral
stir the sky

A hurricane of birds
the eye
a hole
where all their squealing,
shrieking,
collapses inward

chains

The birds
cascade

Juan Ponce de León en masse

When I grip the pole
Between my legs
Swing upside-down
For a better look,
          Every man's face
      is a man's face.


BIO:  "I am currently a part-time student at LBCC, and am considering a double major in environmental studies and something creative."