Photograph by Michael Howarth (2022)

While in the window, the neighbor sits and knits, dreams of sparkly scarves, and occasionally shouts—That tomato is organic!—waves bye until next time. Hardly how the florist does it, the block watch captain remarks in coded hostility. The role of the florist will be played by the neighbour. The role of the tomato will be played by the florist. The Greek Chorus, on steroids, will not be deterred. Nor will the singer in the doorway. Nor will the actors on the curb. It's not even a curb. And pantomime, the block watch captain jabs, is exactly what we need at this intersection. Jabs both verb and noun. You are the second caller. Press 2, if you would like to remain unfiltered. Please hold, and a rhythm section will be with you shortly. Cue the excuse man, husband of the singer. Tender salad dressing and a sprinkling of balsamic. It’s been a pleasure—the governor shouted, kicking restrictions to the curb.

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Jeanne Morel is the author of the chapbooks, “I See My Way to Some Partial Results” (Ravenna Press); “Jackpot” (Bottlecap Press); and “That Crossing Is Not Automatic” (Tarpaulin Sky Press). She holds an MFA from Pacific University and has been nominated for a Pushcart in both poetry and fiction. Her recent poems have appeared in Black Sunflowers, Fugue, the Inflectionist Review, Great Weather for MEDIA, and other journals. She lives in Seattle.

Anthony Warnke's poetry has appeared in Cimarron Review, North American Review, Salt Hill, Sentence, Sixth Finch, and Sugar House Review, among other journals. His chapbook "Super Worth It" was released by Newfound Press. He earned his Master’s degree in English from Western Washington University and is currently enrolled in the MFA program in Creative Writing at the University of Washington, Seattle. He teaches writing at Green River College and lives in Seattle.

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