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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “Ice King” Down in the Dirt (v141) (the January 2017 Issue)  You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:  |
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Order this writing in the book Study in Black the Down in the Dirt July-Dec. 2016 collection book |
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get the 418 page Jan.-April 2017 Down in the Dirt issue anthology 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:
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Order this Janet Kuypers writing from her most recent poetry book series: (pheromemes) 2015-2017 poems Order this 6" x 9" ISBN# book today of select poems written mid-2015 - mid-2017 during her first years living in Austin, TX
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| One and Six
Janet Kuypers 12/15/15 Sixteen. Sixteen. Sixteen’s an important number at least that’s what I hear. Sixteen. Sixteen. Sixteen’s when my birthday came, that’s when I cried, alone. Sixteen. Sixteen. And looking back on my home town I wonder what it means — when sixteen... sixteen is the number of bullets that they found in a boy in my home town. Sixteen. Sixteen. It’s become a mantra in my head of justifying death — Sixteen... Sixteen... I saw the video of the first shot that spun the man to the ground. Sixteen, sixteen... They call this the Chicago way while too many people die. # Sixteen. Sixteen. I remembered the sirens loud when I’d lay awake at night, but sixteen... Sixteen... Sixteen’s not a reminder for death — it should be life. Sixteen. Sixteen. I know I complain I had it tough when I turned that fateful age, but sixteen, sixteen. I’ve died a thousand times inside instead of being shot dead. Sixteen. Sixteen. And now I try to count that high when I think of death nearyby. But sixteen. Sixteen bullets made it clear to the world how everyone thinks of you — |
