Abstract
The Florida School for Boys Allison Elliott (bio) This is No Man’s Land; once they got hereThere couldn’t be a thought of turning back,But it’s still seven miles through scrub, if youSee how I drew it here. That’s where they sayThe snakes will bite and wild dogs will trail you.That wasn’t what tripped them up, though, we know that.Official letter sent to Wendell’s mammaSaid boy got trouble with his kidneys, ma’am,That’s what it said. And no one else can sayNo different, since Joe and Billy G.Aren’t fit for conversation anymore.That’s worst case. Don’t be thinking about all that.You got to keep your mind on better days.This clearing on the right is where we’re headed.This storm will bring on bedlam, like we prayed.Just past the dining hall, then fly aroundThe white and metal crosses by the graves,Then down and through the ditch like we rehearsedAll summer. By the time they call our namesFor counting, we’ll be blazing through that scrubWith nothing save the wind to strike our backs.No raging ’cept the rainfall, if we’re lucky. [End Page 484] Allison Elliott ALLISON ELLIOTT is a communications professional in New York City. She holds an MFA from Emerson College in Boston. Copyright © 2015 Allison Elliott
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
