Nathan is a carpenter/poet living in the mountains of Tennessee. His poems have appeared at Red River Review, Tamafyhr Mountain Poetry, Zafusy, Blue House, Lily and Underground Window.

 

Crossing the Line

 

Friday came fractured

Broken in the box

Like a blue crayon

Unstable when it arrived.

 

We tried to make the most of it

And studied hard our composition

Before the first wax touched paper

Wobbling and crossing the black line

 

We continued to follow course

Broken barriers allowing uniqueness

As another style emerged

Nonconforming in its distinct design,

 

Sharp raps beside the head

Quickly caught our attention

As we were prodded back into conformity

Colors blurring in mind as we were reeled

 

Back into the absence of color

A world of muted chemical gray