One Sentence Poems

Al Ortolani Delivering Groceries to the Blind Woman on First Street She listened as if sound could tell how I stacked her cans, green beans on one shelf, fruit cocktail on the other, the drawer with the can opener to the right of the sink, to the left of trust, dove-tailed between Jesus and the […]

Al Ortolani Crossing Missouri Aunt Dee calls about mom’s stroke— in the end   all tears swaying on the phone lines.   Al Ortolani writes and teaches in the Kansas City area where he lives with his wife Sherri.    

Al Ortolani Return Winter morning— patches of old snow littering the schoolyard, the moonlight crunches below my shoes.   Al Ortolani writes and teaches in the Kansas City area where he lives with his wife Sherri.    

Al Ortolani Crow Flight on Tuesday Who knows the way a crow might feel, if in flying through mist, he keeps finding Kansas unfolding to Kansas— all cloud all rain all crow? Al Ortolani writes and teaches in the Kansas City area where he lives with his wife Sherri.

Al Ortolani Waiting in the branches for the clouds to break— crows shrug away the rain like pall bearers—one cold drop at a time. Al Ortolani is a teacher and poet in the Kansas City area.