I wore a turquoise donkey bead
on a thong around my neck—
choker, bead and knot resting
in the space between collarbones.
Glass eye facing outward from my wrist
pupil of deep blue defending against malevolence
that wandered high school halls.
Perhaps forgetting to say “Rabbit Rabbits”
before opening eyes on the first day of the month
explained everything.
I have a fitness tracker clipped to my shirt
as if I could outrun the apocalypse
pocket full of dog treats
to throw to the beast.
Untitledby Audrey Hoover on Unsplash.
Alison Hicks’s latest collection of poems is Homing. She was awarded the 2021 Birdy Prize from Meadowlark Press for Knowing Is a Branching Trail. Previous collections are You Who Took the Boat Out and Kiss. Her work has appeared in Gargoyle, Permafrost, Poet Lore, and Smartish Pace. She is founder of Greater Philadelphia Wordshop Studio, which offers community-based writing workshops.
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One thought on “Portrait with Amulets by Alison Hicks”
Sharon
I was your good high school friend and roommate for several years in the early 80s. My sister Beth found you after we got an invitation to our 50th reunion in August. I was thrilled to find you and learn you are an accomplished poet. I am retired from teaching and live in Jacksonville NC. If you are open to it I would love to reconnect. I look forward and hope for your reply.
Susan
Sharon
I was your good high school friend and roommate for several years in the early 80s. My sister Beth found you after we got an invitation to our 50th reunion in August. I was thrilled to find you and learn you are an accomplished poet. I am retired from teaching and live in Jacksonville NC. If you are open to it I would love to reconnect. I look forward and hope for your reply.
Susan