“She hangs the gingham apron loose around her neck. Frayed grosgrain ribbons edge three pockets. Sewn in her youth and stored in her hope chest, the apron hangs low over breasts heavy as breadfruit. She pulls wooden clothespins from a pocket. Bites them between her teeth. It is laundry day on the prairie. She hangs her man’s clothes — lets them stiffen on the line. An errant rooster feather clings to his shirt snapping in the wind…” -- From “A Brief History of Two Aprons” by Merna Dyer Skinner Merna Dyer Skinner’s first chapbook A Brief History of Two Aprons (Finishing Line Press) is scheduled for release in March 2016. I cannot wait for the world to read her kick-butt poetry. She is a gifted storyteller and wordsmith. When she isn’t busy working on her poems, Merna helps people overcome their fear of public speaking. Her essays and business articles have appeared in national publications and her poetry in MiOPesias, Star 82 Review, Mojave Review, Silver Birch Press and Squaw Valley Review. -- Devi Laskar, poet of the week |