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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “My Homeland” Down in the Dirt, v205 (3/23) Order the paperback book:

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Gentle Reminder

John Zedolik

Not very beachy on this city beach backed
by a wall of somewhat crumbling concrete
scrawled with old and incomplete graffiti

and the graying asphalt basketball courts
close upon the cigaretted sand whose
substance must be in sync with the dead

and scattered ash, a mélange sticking
to the boots’ bottoms, lugs lugging the bits
back to the base within their rubber teeth

as sharp as those of the sharks that do not
swim in this inland sea anyway,
a competition of one against none so

losing grains gradually without a concern
for the loss of first place and private acclaim,
which will continue as long as these steps

stride upon the city and its gritty edges
at the lake’s limen with its respectful waves
reminding any paying attention that the water

still laps and rolls stones to polished marbles
and beads that murmur in the greeting of surf
still pushing up its track and back though not

public transportation in steel and fluorescence
yet transport enough

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