The Wardrobe’s Best Dressed: Julie Maclean’s “Kiss of the Viking”

photo head and shoulders stripe

Moon Rabbit

 

The scrape of a hare is a special thing,
            a hollow scribbled haiku-style

            in the dirt. Calligraphy saved
for another day.

A baby is born with its coat on, eyes open,
            ready for anything.

Deity Japonaise, Sami myth.
            In a Chinese tale the hare

eats the moon, pounds rice cakes
            delighting a child who believed

in the promise of sleigh bells
            on Christmas Eve.

Stars icing a birthday cake
            in a silent sky.

This selection comes from Julie Maclean’s Kiss of the Viking, available from Poetry Salzburg. Purchase your copy here!

Originally from Bristol, UK, Julie Maclean is now based in Australia. She is the author of ‘Kiss of the Viking’ (Poetry Salzburg, 2014), When I saw Jimi’ (Indigo Dreams Publishing, UK, 2013) and e-chapbook ‘You Love You Leave’ (Kind of a Hurricane Press, US, 2014). Her poetry and short fiction features in international journals like Poetry and The Best Australian Poetry (UQP). Blogging at www.juliemacleanwriter.com.

Darren C. Demaree is the author of three poetry collections, As We Refer to Our Bodies (2013, 8th House), Temporary Champions (2014, Main Street Rag), and Not For Art For Prayer (2015, 8th House). He is the recipient of three Pushcart Prize nominations and a Best of the Net nomination. He is also a founding editor of Ovenbird Poetry and AltOhio. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.

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