Friday, August 22, 2025

Hometown, or Another Just Like It

 By Annwyn Mahoney

The familiar feeling of being an alien back on its home planet floats to the surface, a slow foam I wade into 

reluctantly. 

I know the black dirt wants me, and the rocky shore says 

my name between slaps of short waves. They know me 

because they are me. 

In the city park, an owl’s eyes warn: 

when your heart swells with rainwater, do not let them drink. But really, I know it is only looking at me 

to determine if it could eat me, or I could eat it. 

The maw of the country yawns on its rusted hinges 

to reveal a painted sky over the marsh. 

Beauty. 

It looms. 

Fermented memory brews.

 

 About the Author 

Annwyn Mahoney is a visiting student with 2 degrees from ICC in environmental science and medical laboratory technology. Annwyn has placed in 4 ICC writing contests. She writes free verse poetry with a compulsion to give voice to feelings and experiences not easily articulated. She lives in Peoria with her partner and their dog, 3 cats, 4 fish tanks, hamster, leopard gecko, and hermit crabs.

Featured Post

Table of Contents

Volume IV, Issue 2 August 2025 From the Editor Artwork Home Sweet Home by Timothy Angel The Wounded Man by William Douglas Pet...