When Several Disgruntled Elves 24 When Sophie And Her Husband’s Gas Station Is Vandalized 25 When Their Plane Crashes In The Mexican Jungle 25 While Most Adolescents Her Age 25 Young Hottie Chef Gavin 25 Zachary Hasn’t Been Doing His Job 25
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgment is made to the following publications for poems, some in earlier versions, which originally appeared in them: The Battered Suitcase: “Beth Feels Blessed To Be Alive Following A Near-Death Experience, “Daniel Is A Reluctant Killer,” “Hank Is Midwestern, Christian And Corn-Fed,” “Left Orphaned By An Accident,” “No One Notices At First That Marissa Is Unraveling Mentally,” “Rita Suffers From A Serious Psychological Diagnosis,” “Two Desperate Truck Drivers,” “What Happens When A Teacher For The Blind.” Blue & Yellow Dog: “Barbara, Supposedly A Sweet Kindergarten School Teacher,” “Nathan Wants Nothing,” “Rebecca Mistakenly Thinks Steven Is Gay,” “When Jamie Receives The Wrong Photos. The Delinquent: “It’s Been Three Years Since The Rock Climbing Accident,” “Marie May Look Like Just Another Down-Home Mom From Alabama,” “When Several Disgruntled Elves.” Heavy Feather Review: “Mia Is On Cloud Nine,” “There’s A Sicko On The Loose,” “What Do You Do.” Milk Sugar: “Brad Is A Hockey Star With A Supersize Ego,” “Megan Unexpectedly Finds Herself,” “Three Generations Of Dallas Lawmen.” Pom-Pom-Pomeranian: “Sunny & Mick.” SPUDgUN: “A Romance Novelist Falls In Love With A Jewel Thief,” “Ingrid Can’t Stand It.” Stanley the Whale: “Tired Of Being Neglected,” “While Most Adolescents Her Age.”