Robert Ronnow : Writing

Life Out of Balance

Life Out of Balance

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Tonight I stayed at work until 7:00.It was dark when I locked the front doors.Winter approaches again, soon the great coathuddled like a rug around me..
Million Dollar Movie

Million Dollar Movie

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Late April and onlycoltsfoot--Tussilago farfara--breaking leaf litter.Our daffodils, peonies and crocusesare also making signs.April is the cruelest m..
Commonly Seen Bumper Stickers

Commonly Seen Bumper Stickers

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


You can acknowledge the emptiness at the core of your beingor go crazy when the world goes crazy.The numbers of us overwhelm, an impending tsunami, my..
Middle School Math Teacher

Middle School Math Teacher

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Should I become a middle school math or English teacher?Leave my bed early in the morning and return with test papers to grade.With what authority wil..
Long Story Short

Long Story Short

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


A walk around the block in my parents’ neighborhood at dawnwearing mom’s sweater and pop's sneakers with a clown hole cut out for toe inf..
The Compensatory Force of Nemesis

The Compensatory Force of Nemesis

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


I’ve written enough small poetryto start a nuclear war.Do you want to die in trafficbehind the wheel of your car? Or in yr rodeer camp next fall..
On the Avenue

On the Avenue

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


From marble and granite to steel and glass,we were discussing Rhina Espaillat’s On the Avenue in class,was it 1950s or 1980s NYC and were the fi..
Covid Cashier

Covid Cashier

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Quiet, dawn, Covid.Biggest accomplishment yesterday: buying toilet paper.Thanking the young cashier for doing her job.Feeling a little sick, wearing m..
Start Knowing Joy

Start Knowing Joy

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Start now knowing joy,that’s an order,overcome a deepening solitude.Like a bee at a bugleor me at the delion Third Avenue.I said to Joe when do ..
2 Jobs, 2 Kids, 2 Houses, 2 Hobbies

2 Jobs, 2 Kids, 2 Houses, 2 Hobbies

A Poem by Robert Ronnow


Carrying a sleeping baby.Cleaning after a successful party.Camping beyond mountains more mountains.Playing trumpet on the streets of New York City.Eat..