To Angela, Who Is Afraid of Clowns

A POEM

By Evelyn Bence | September 1983

Clowns are grandfathers

painted with strokes of laughter

who kiss lollipops

but never lick them.

Save your terror, child,

for snakes who talk of biting fruit

and wolves who scheme of eating girls.

The Final Match

My very breath seems evidence of You.
My pulse throbs with a Spirit not…

To Phoebe*

Phoebe,

Gentle handmaid

Of us all,

Who assisted Paul

And others

Of the early church,

…

The Prodigal Father and His Child

“Well, Father, my share of the farm has

been turned into gold.

I take it…