Iowa Writes

JANIE BREGGIN BRAVERMAN
Dark


They are bigger in the dark, spiders and scorpions,
ring-tailed raccoony things, frogs that may actually be toads.

The hammocks creak and sway.
I hear her breathe and there is one thing
That does not diminish by day.
My daughter. Her own self. Her own size.
Asleep in the night.

About Iowa Writes

Since 2006, Iowa Writes has featured the work of Iowa-identified writers (whether they have Iowa roots or live here now) and work published by Iowa journals and publishers on The Daily Palette. Iowa Writes features poetry, fiction, or nonfiction twice a week on the Palette.

In November of 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Iowa City, Iowa, the world's third City of Literature, making the community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Iowa City has joined Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia as UNESCO Cities of Literature.

Find out more about submitting by contacting iowa-writes@uiowa.edu


JANIE BREGGIN BRAVERMAN

This poem was chosen for Poetry in Public 2008, sponsored by the Iowa City Public Art Program. Poetry in Public celebrates Iowa City's rich literary tradition and local writing talent by displaying poems by writers of all ages in city buses, a downtown kiosk, community centers, and the public library.

Iowa City Public Art Program site

This page was first displayed
on July 13, 2008

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