Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page.
Simply A Shoot
By Jane Person
I was born a sweet onion
my core protected by layers of peel
As the brown dry layers peel off, a stink
surrounds. Eyes water
There will be more
down to my core
Under the faucet dirt and grime
the externals simply slide off
There will be more
down to my core
Tender layers peel
a bulb thinner, lighter
There will be more
down to my core
Fear. What will be left of me?
A little voice coaches—Just peel.
There will be more
down to my core
Protecting peels now gone.
Left a small, green shoot.
There is more
down at my core
The person, me
The small shoot unmasked
Free from disguise
Perhaps free at last
Jane Person, who has lived in Petaluma since 1986, is on the third leg of her Triathlon—Aging while trying to shuck the protective layers. Run, Jane, run.
