DOSE OF THE SUN by Sulola Imran Abiola

UN BAUME POUR LA JOURNÉE by Jack Bedell

—for Carol Rice

Some days might require a remedy—
            the memory of a field so lush
                        you could sail across it,

and in the distance, the backs
            of horses, noses dipped
                        in bluegrass, steam

rising off their bodies like ghosts
            of family, and always a breeze
                        flowing across the porch

so full of Tchaikovsky you could almost
            pour it into a glass. Sip this
                        moment. Take a deep breath.

All time is precious. It carries
            hope, even when it must
                        drag it uphill, and into

headwind. Accept this salve knowing
            there’s nothing out of sort
                        that can’t be put back in.


Jack B. Bedell is Professor of English and Coordinator of Creative Writing at Southeastern Louisiana University where he also edits Louisiana Literature and directs the Louisiana Literature Press. Jack’s work has appeared in Southern ReviewBirmingham Poetry ReviewPidgeonholesThe ShoreCotton XenomorphOkay DonkeyEcoTheoThe HopperTerrainKissing Dynamite, and other journals. His latest collection is No Brother, This Storm (Mercer University Press, 2018). He served as Louisiana Poet Laureate 2017-2019. 

Sulola Imran Abiola is a native of Oyo state in his early 20s and an aspirant of one of the prestigious universities, a poet & a poetographer, a public servant, a lover of arts and an optimist who believes breakthrough in every life-sniffing situation.Born and bred in the bustling city of Lagos state. He writes across all themes. His work is forthcoming in The Quills, Writenowlit, Undivided magazine and several other magazines. He writes & savors the sound of phone shutters from the state of Osun.