In Spite of

sterile rooms,

tiled floors,

the scent of antiseptic

in the air,

in spite of tubes

and drains

and hands that turn me

in the dark,

the mountains lie

in giant triangles

just beyond

chilled window panes;

I have seen the glory

of the sun

throwing diamonds

on fresh-fallen snow;

I have inhaled

Balsam firs

and woodsmoke

curled from chimneys;

there was never a trail

too long, too high,

still no trail

too long, too high—

so, day after day

I will rise;

I          will    rise.

Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio and teaches English for Clark State College. She has published poetry, photography, and short stories in numerous presses, including North of Oxford, Rat’s Ass Review, Mudlark, and many others. Her poetry books, The Human Side and This is Life, are available on Amazon. Her third book, Mosaic: A Million Little Pieces was published December 2024. Arvilla’s favorite quote in the whole word is: "It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau. To learn more, visit her website: https://soulpoetry7.com/

The Comeback Triolet

Some said this would be my end

as I lay beneath the snow.

They didn’t know I would mend;

some said this would be my end.

But I had days and days to spend

in growth and gratitude.

Some said this would be my end

as I lay beneath the snow.

Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio and teaches English for Clark State College. She has published poetry, photography, and short stories in numerous presses, including North of Oxford, Rat’s Ass Review, Mudlark, and many others. Her poetry books, The Human Side and This is Life, are available on Amazon. Her third book, Mosaic: A Million Little Pieces was published December 2024. Arvilla’s favorite quote in the whole word is: "It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau. To learn more, visit her website: https://soulpoetry7.com/

Insiders

the little ones wail and moan

as snow swirls through the air

we are bored; what can we do;

there are toys everywhere—

I hold my ears and try to think

of board games, crafts or books

but it will take so much more

judging by the stricken looks

So, I pull out every blanket

and set up every chair

arranging things strategically

in a perfect giant square.

We pitch our quilted tent,

and stock it full of food,

pretzels, cheese, and apple sticks

lift each child’s dreary mood.

We tell a dozen stories,

dressed in hats and coats

pretend we’re on a mountain,

as keepers of the goats.

The sound of little voices

and giggles fill my heart

the making of a day inside

is nothing less than art.

Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio and teaches English for Clark State College. She has published poetry, photography, and short stories in numerous presses, including North of Oxford, Rat’s Ass Review, Mudlark, and many others. Her poetry books, The Human Side and This is Life, are available on Amazon. Her third book, Mosaic: A Million Little Pieces was published December 2024. Arvilla’s favorite quote in the whole word is: "It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau. To learn more, visit her website: https://soulpoetry7.com/