Jason Kahler

Annunciation

My daughter says
“Draw me apple tree,”
and so I do,
on scrap
paper
with a
fading pen,

and though I’m no
artist,

she counts
each apple—
one hers,
one for
each brother—

as I plant
spikey-
haired grass,
float a
fat cloud,

and finally,
when
she grins,
it’s like
applause
in a
silent church.

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Jason Kahler collects first appearances of comic book villains who
later became good guys to remind himself there’s hope for everyone.

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