Words, Words, Words

Words, Words, Words

John Savoie

1. Dire Straits

Their narrow minds ran a rut
right down the middle of the truth.

2. Most Subtle

Even as we pray
for the forgiveness
of trespasses—
yours, mine, theirs—
a lisping hiss,
neither yours nor mine
but surely ours,
slinks from voice to voice.

3. Hallelujah

First and last assonate,
middle syllabs consonate,
final h awed in silence,
the open ah lasting all day.

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John Savoie
Poet & Teacher

John teaches great books at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His poems have appeared in Poetry, Best New Poets and Poetry in Motion. His first collection Sehnsucht has recently won the Prize Americana.

Photography by Roberto Shumski