by Amanda McLeod
in the cold gutter
in the cold gutter
bite marks all along the painted body
of a screamin’ green pencil
Retired librarian Alan Bern received an M.A. in Creative Writing from Boston University studying with Anne Sexton. Alan has published three books of poetry and a hybrid fictionalized memoir, IN THE PACE OF THE PATH, Uncollected Press (2023). He has hybrid book, Dreams of the return, forthcoming from Old Scratch Press, and a chapbook, because lack, from back room poetry. Recent awards: Longlist, The Bedford Competition (2023); Winner, Saw Palm Poetry Contest (2022). Recent/upcoming writing/photo work in: ArLiPo, Porridge Magazine, and Mercurius. Alan is a published/exhibited photographer and operates the fine press/publisher Lines & Faces with artist/printer Robert Woods, linesandfaces.com. https://www.instagram.com/abobern/ https://twitter.com/AlanBern1/ https://www.facebook.com/alan.bern.1 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bern-6b19448/.
Amanda McLeod writes about nature, culture, and other things that keep her daydreaming or awake in the night. Sometimes she makes art as well. Her work has been published extensively, most recently in the anthology Offerings from Comma Press. Catch her on the socials @AmandaMWrites, at her website amandamcleodwrites.com, or sprawled on the banks of the nearest river.