Neighborhood Nutrition Centers

by Les Kniskern
July 9, 2009
The farmers fear
the terminator gene
suicide seed
genetically altered
to die
after one crop
so future seed
must be
bought
from the giant
corporation
and fertilized
The farmers fear
genetically altered seed
that will only
germinate
and grow
with single-corporate spray
The farmers fear
they’ve lost control
and can only grow
corporate sanctioned
seed
The child answers
questions
about what
he ate
how much
and when
The interviewer
feels sad
about the
young teen
head low,
soft voice,
confidence gone
or never here
Young growing teen
you need [...]

for Margie
by Les Kniskern
June 5, 2009
He dreamed
he sat and dreamed
as he put up
on the wooden footstool
the outside ball of the foot
throbbed, slightly
reaction, ow
pulling out the lath board
and nail from the tennis -shoed foot
ow
throbbing, slightly
The moment came
days or day earlier
when he felt his brain
split in two
assertive and shy
beaten down, not encouraged
throb, throb, throb
he dreamed, slightly
what would [...]