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Poetics Presents

Polly Washburn

Polly Washburn joined WVU nine months ago. She wrote "Cross-country" in WVU's Introduction to Poetry class, aided by the facilitators and other students. She is 31 and lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her husband, and enjoys poetry as a balance to her novel-in-progress.

Writers' Village members look forward to reading more of Polly's work.

Cross-country I find no solace in solitude, but you do. While I sought a partner, someone to entangle roots with, you jumped a train for two months, abandoned husband, job, cat. Emptied the fullness you found unbecoming in one so young. You made companions of clouds, soulmates of stars, friends out of strangers. You didn't need us to come looking for you -- you found yourself just fine. Stepped off in California, wiped the slate clean, tossed one life aside for another. You call me sometimes, as the mood or the moon hits you, wanting to talk about your world, not hear about mine. When we hang up after things unsaid, I find no solace in silence, but you do. Copyright © 2001 Polly Washburn