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Dorothy Morris

contact email: deamorris@yahoo.com
Bio

Since retiring as a Corporate Library Director from a Boston investment firm several years ago, I have devoted my time to my first love, writing. In the past five or so years, I have published 30 poems in the South Boston Literary Gazette and in 2009 won its first prize for a short memoir piece. Additionally, I recently had a poem included in a Canadian anthology, published by McMaster Centre for Gerontological Studies, McMaster University, Ontario.

I am currently marketing a children’s picture book, working on a memoir, and looking for a publisher for a collection of poetry. I have also published two chapbooks of poetry.

For thirteen years, I was a contributor to the travel page of the Quincy Patriot Ledger.

Links: "The Softer Side of Southie" My Neighborhood:Boston BostonFoundation.org

(FATHER) JOE

By Dorothy E. Morris

On the dusty city street
Two neighborhood boys square off
Both eleven.
The taller taunts the other,
Daring him to fight,
And what real boy would say nay.

Joe’s older sisters and two brothers
Come alive, taunting, jeering, chanting,
“Come on, Joe—fight, fight, fight!

Reluctant.
His first fight
Should he, dare he dare?
Hesitant, he takes the fatal step
Toward the other.

A flurry of fists
Dancing feet.
Then Joe sees the opening,
Unthinking, his hand a fist,
He jabs the nose, hard, hard, again.

First blood.
The young crowd cheers—
Laughing, clapping, taunting,
“Again, Joe, again!”

And the other
Nose spurting blood
Down his chin.
Bursts into tears,
And bitterly turns away.

To the victor belong the spoils.
The cheers are all for him;
Joe, the children’s hero.

And all he can feel is shame.