Gary Grossman
Gary Grossman, Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, has poems, short fiction and essays in over 50 literary reviews. His poetry and short fiction have been nominated for prizes but since he didn’t win—meh, right (g)? For 10 years Gary wrote “Ask Dr. Trout” for American Angler Magazine. Gary’s poetry books Lyrical Years (2023, Kelsay), What I Meant to Say Was… (2023, Impspired Press), and graphic memoir My Life in Fish—One Scientist’s Journey…(2023, Impspired) all available from Amazon or the author. Website: https://www.garygrossman.net/
Tuesday, Late Summer, in the Blue Ridge
As if five hundred forty-six shades
of green existed all at once, on each
Appalachian hillside.
As if the red oak said, I’ll be viridian,
and you be mint, and shagbark hickory
answered no, I prefer dark moss, let
striped maple be mint.
As if the loamy soil conspired with
these trees, arriving at how to pleasure
all five human senses on this twenty-first
day of August.
As if ferns and streams had matched
loins, then birthed an incantation so complex
it had neither odor nor form, existing
only as a slight tickle across your brow,
As if an aphid crawled purposefully through
the blond forest of your left forearm.
As if each and every touch could be not
an annoyance, but a blessing.
