Frank Giampietro’s first book of poems Begin Anywhere was published by Alice James Books in 2008. He is the editor and designer of the online poetry journal, La Fovea, and Poems by Heart. His poetry, flash fiction, nonfiction, and book reviews have appeared in journals including 32 Poems, American Book Review, Barrow Street, Black Warrior Review, Cimarron Review, CutBank, FENCE,Hayden’s Ferry, Poetry Daily, Poetry International, Subtropics, andRain Taxi. Awards for his […]
Me and my paper plate of fried chicken. Me, the hero, un-jamming the big grey copier. Me, the escalator? Me take the steps. Me, and no more fifty-gallon fish tank. Me in my new […]
You eat with your fingers when appropriate. You are a native with an immigrant mind. No one mows the lawn like you do. The blue jays sing from your railing. You drink your coffee black, like a man. Why are your eyeglasses always smudged? Because your sense of smell is so strong, like your neighbor’s […]
I could begin with my father’s strong right arm heaving his shotgun into the lake. This is usually where I begin. Or I could begin with my half-sister standing at the top of the hill looking down at my father’s back as he hurls the gun into the lake—not crying, […]
for Cherie These curious fists of clay I found wedged in the mud at low tide. Or these odd bed-pillows of cement that lie along the bay’s inlet and protect the homes. Or the two gulls barking at each other over a piece of rotten fish while their friends look on—if […]
Dominic and I are playing with a bow and arrow in the back yard. It’s not a regular-sized bow, but it’s big enough. The sticker says, not for children under 12 years of age. I have ignored signs like this before. He is doing well, considering his initial frustration, fingering the […]
This afternoon Frank has Peggy Lee to thank, Peggy & Frank, […]
No more crap about the kids. No more crap about crap. Nothing about my brother, the rich geologist. And don’t try to stop me, I’m leaving. I’m getting down off the couch. Even though I bought a bird—nothing about it. No more angry stuff because I can’t think. No more pulling the hairs from the […]