Lisa Ericson came to Maine in 1983, moving right up to the County. She taught special ed, but also worked one potato harvest. She now lives in Waterville with daughter Mia,and shares her love of literature and writing with her eighth grade English students at China Middle School.

 

Still Life with High-tops

 

They’ve been hanging there

two years now

mostly forgotten,

except when the street light hits

just right against a lowering sky.

Red, white, blue Converse--

 

laces tied together,

enough length between them

to easily catch

on telephone wires

for dangling over

the quiet intersection.

 

If this were my classroom

I would have to force a frown

of disapproval at

such a disruption to

the general order of things, knowing

how these things can escalate

 

but I am two towns away

from needing to toe that party line.

Instead, I amble under them,

my gaze upturned, noting form, color,

generally appreciating

every angle of this exhibit.