Third-Place Winner (tied)

Third-place honors (tied) go to Iain Macdonald for his poem “Walking Meditation.” Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Iain Macdonald has earned his bread and beer in a variety of ways, from factory hand to merchant marine officer. He currently lives in Arcata, California, where he works as a high school English teacher. His chapbooks Plotting the Course and Transit Report are published by March Street Press.

Walking Meditation

          by Iain Macdonald

 

My elderly mother

takes my arm,

leaning on me

for support

as we head uphill

toward home.

 

She moves 

very, very slowly,

and I find

I must focus

and breathe

for balance,

her every step

becoming mine.