Robert W. Ronnow is a New Yorker who used to spend a lot of time in the Pacific northwest and now lives with his wife and twin sons in the Berkshires, where he manages a land trust. He holds a degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. He has worked as a youth counselor and advocate in a variety of programs, as a forestry aide with the U. S. Forest Service, as a legislative aide in the New York City Council, and as a writer and editor of books on Chinese philosophies and meditational exzercises. He enjoys playing the trumpet. This is his second collection of poems. Barnwood has also published his first collection, Janie Huzzie Bows.

ISBN: 0935306-27-7
35 poems. 48 pages.
Cover drawing by Barbara LaRue King

Absolutely Smooth Mustard

There is absolutely nothing to do. Some people
fall in love. I go have a cheese sandwich
with mustard. Watch skyscraper lights from
the bed. Look at the books and decide to read
none of the dry words. The cheese sandwich is
good, and orange juice. It's cold in the kitchen
so I go back to bed even though it's Spring.

Some people go dancing in fish net stockings.
They find a good time--but exactly what this means--
it's not more important than a star. Quite
what is this waiting. Tonight I could disappear
and the world might not miss me until next year.
I remember passionate nights with some of the women
I've known. Two sides of a smooth stone.

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