Opening Lines

I am honored to have one of my poems, “The Red Ribbon”, included in the 2025 edition of MARYLAND BARDS POETRY REVIEW. (Local Gems Press)

THE RED RIBBON

Such a performance –
like a peacock the child struts,
raising a cloud of dust as she dances
past ragged tents and kerosene stoves
where shrouded ghosts with dead eyes
stir gray pots.

A red strip of cloth encircles her black curls,
marking her as precious
in a land where life has little value.

Is it inevitable that she will join
mothers and grandmothers
endlessly coaxing life, like a dying flame,
amidst devastation?

Janice F. Booth

Here’s the feature article on Maryland’s Poets Laureate, Grace Cavalieri – 10th Poet Laureate and Lady Brion – 11th Poet Laureate. I’ve also included a short piece on Maryland’s first Youth Poet Laureate, Tara Prakash.