So much depends
upon
the state test
so variably approached
so ruthlessly applied
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is just to say
I'm sorry you
used the last of
the toilet paper
before I had to get up
in the middle
of the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is just to say--
There are daffodils blooming.
The morning breeze is soft.
New shoots are appearing.
Won't you help me in the garden?

- Judy Gilligan
____________________________________________
DEAR MR. WILLIAMS

This is just to say
I'm not sorry 
I have stolen
your words

Pulled them off
the laundry-line
still dripping wet

Ironed and starched
them into phrases
strung them over a lifeboat 
full of metaphors

I left a note for your wife
that I have eaten 
her poems, too
so sweet 
and so clever
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So much depends
upon
luck
trust

determination
buried under tree trunks

rooted in your mind

- Virginia Schultz
_____________________________________________________________