We lure them, they say,
their thick sweaty necks
crane to hear windsong
hoping we’ll spread our legs.
They steer straight
for the jagged edges, crash,
and mangled bodies
litter our shores.
We have no interest in
the nasty beasts, capisce? We weave,
we plant, we drink the air, care
for crying children. And when we sing
when we sing
we simply sing for the joy of it.
Laura Guli is an Italian American/Mexican American poet and licensed psychologist in private practice in Austin, TX. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and Northern Virginia. Laura is published in numerous literary journals and anthologies, including, Ocotillo Review, The Lyric, and Third Wednesday. Her chapbook, A Fiery Grace, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2010 and was a finalist in the New Women's Voices Chapbook competition. Laura has also appeared as a featured reader at Bookwoman and Malvern Books in Austin, TX. Laura is also the author of an internationally recognized social skills program for children (Social Competence Intervention Program, Research Press, 2008) as well as the playwright and lyricist for the new award-winning musical Sunflower: The Story of Amalie and Vincent, produced in Austin in 2022. Laura has been writing for most of her life, and her poetry is influenced by relationship, spirituality, and nature.