Three Poems by Linda Umans

Rosa Rugosa Provincetown, MA

Originally published in Carbon Culture Review, 2016

Asian roots though rooted here now

invader commonly “first shrub in from coast”

cultivated invited to grow at side of house
domesticated as “Beach Rose”

closely observed on the shore and on my way
to coffee in the morning black and yellow
bees creeping deep into rose-pink buds in
and out round orange hips like solid suns
on the periphery

To be considered more than once in life, a privilege.
Invader. Conquered. Worth all the risk.

Mountain Goat

Originally published in Carbon Culture Review, 2016

This is nothing to me
born to heights and balances.
I stand right-angled on sharp
surfaces, hop facets. Footed, for sure.
Not bragging, but nothing to me
up here in the glory of my navigation.


Now me, mulling at this moment.
What can I say is nothing: trans global
travel living without living with living
within. No parlor trick.
Can it be I am beautiful as you?

Smart Phone

Originally published in Carbon Culture Review, 2018

No games, please.
So much to purge already.

On the home screen
I want osprey nests
in Scotland, hanging
gardens, the Sphinx cam,
my Twitter feed, a GPS
that will walk with me...
This way, my love.

When it's new and coveted
it will be alarmed. If
gazed upon with envy
especially on the subway,
it shrieks, No...No...
until the threat
removes himself.
I am usually a paper woman
and always on the train.
Now I may succumb
with such assurances.

And when it sleeps
it vibrates
like a dying bird.

---

Photograph of Linda Umans

Linda Umans taught for many years in the public schools of New York City where she lives and writes. Recent publications include poems in Spillway, Composite {Arts Magazine}, DIALOGIST, The Maine Review, Gris-Gris, The Broadkill Review, 2 Bridges Review, Queen Mob's Teahouse, Seneca Review, and pieces in Mr. Beller's Neighborhood. 
She can be found on Twitter as linhelen@SednaLin.