Talking Earth Anthology: Harold Johnson
Harold Johnson was born in Yakima and is a lifelong resident
of the Pacific Northwest. He graduated with degrees in English
and art from the University of Portland and PSU, and taught English
in high schools, grade schools and colleges. A former editor of Fireweed,
his work is featured in many journals and anthologies, most recently
New Poets of the American West. Now retired, he was an Africa-USA
Fellow of the Ragdale Fondation of Lake Forest Illinois and has recently
completed his first novel. He lives in NW Portland with his wife,
artist-professor Anne Johnson.
Three Poems from Riddle River Pills, by Harold Johnson, 2011
Little Northwest Chant
For Roxanne Ellis & Michelle Abdill
We are a state of emergency
We are a state of shock
We are a state of confusion
Our state is serious
Our state is critical
Our state is grave
Look out, children
Look out, trees
Look out, waters
Look out, salmon
Look out, children
Luvenia
And what on earth
shall I say of my mother:
Darling mudpie
out of which I stood up
washed in the blood
survival her genius.
Gone Song
so long, so long, song
I’m long gone, longlegged gone
been hangin’ round here too long
so long, so long, so long
been hangin’ round without no song
next time you see me, baby
may think I’m crazy but won’t be
nothin’ wrong