Childless
She passes the tarpapered
chicken coop on her way back
from the fertility clinic.
Red heat lamp glowing
in the plastic-covered window
like the heart of a preemie
under translucent skin.
The one baby delivered,
but never brought home.
Earlier in the day she counted
two roosters, five hens.
Envious, as she is now,
of their prolific eggs,
the dozing chicks tucked
under ample breasts.
Sunday Morning
The flag shudders
above the schoolyard
as daffodils stand
at attention –
silent trumpets raised
He lies on his side
by the jungle gym
No longer hungry
for the handgun
in his mouth
His hollowed-out skull
slowly succumbing
to light
Biography
Corey D. Cook's seventh chapbook, Passing Cars, was published by Maverick Duck Press in 2023. His work has recently appeared in Cajun Mutt Press, Freshwater Literary Journal, Last Leaves Magazine, One Art, and Stone of Madness Press. Corey works at a hospital in New Hampshire and lives in Vermont.
