top of page
POEMS
"Don't tell me what the poets are doin'..." The Tragically Hip


Steel Toes to Stilettos
I published a maudlin poem about the transformation of the Plant in the Winter 2018-2019 issue of the Blue Collar Review. At the time I...
lyleestill9
Jun 18, 20221 min read
Â
Â
Â


Brunswick Stew
On a recent trip through Ohio I scored a squirrel that was cleaned and dressed and vacuumed sealed in a freezer by my friend Brandon. We...
lyleestill9
Jan 17, 20221 min read
Â
Â
Â


Fatherhood
I just came home from the Panther’s game. Three boys, some touchdowns, a sack or two, and a day in the car. I don’t follow football. I...
lyleestill9
Aug 6, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â


Fitting
I was the last one on payroll when it was time to tear the biodiesel plant down. Twenty five good people paid and gone dozens of interns...
lyleestill9
Jul 25, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â


Coming Home
Steel-toed boots come home early from concrete floors all day Sandals stay late at the beach or in the car or don’t come home at all
lyleestill9
Jun 27, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â


Short Time
Dad was a wrestling fan I wrestled He came to every meet My sons wrestled I went to almost every match As a fan, Dad sat silently in the...
lyleestill9
May 22, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â


The Price of Rice
When you work outdoors in a Carolina summer the sweat fills your uniform like a dishrag. The phone in my shirt pocket absorbed my...
lyleestill9
May 16, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â


I Can't Write Like This
Me? I want to be looking out a picture window at the exact same scene. I’m not that picky about it. It can be juncos feeding on the...
lyleestill9
May 7, 20212 min read
Â
Â
Â


Canned Peaches and Jam
Theologians tell me that grief is the basement of the soul. Got it. My basement is full of Styrofoam cups beer bottles and pizza boxes....
lyleestill9
May 2, 20211 min read
Â
Â
Â
bottom of page