Skip to main content
Poets.org

mobileMenu

  • Poems
  • Poets
  • Poem-a-Day
  • National Poetry Month
  • Materials for Teachers
  • Literary Seminars
  • American Poets Magazine

Main navigation

  • Poets.org
  • Academy of American Poets
  • National Poetry Month
  • American Poets Magazine

User account menu

  • Log in
  • Membership
  • Donate
Donate
Poets.org

2026 Academy of American Poets Prize

Page submenu block

  • find poems
  • find poets
  • poem-a-day
  • literary seminars
  • materials for teachers
  • poetry near you

Apopka

by Josephine Gawtry

 

The American Granite / Factory in Apopka looks / just like my grandmother / fawn stucco the color of her / old age skin / lately she has developed whiskers / the quality / and coloration / of keyboard dust / did she always have them / weed them in the evenings / now I hate Apopka / its pale imitation of her morphine hand / running across her face / she writhes / she’s now in slow motion / Apopka at twilight / Shasta Cola / all the Grandmothers die / leave behind a casserole / made of leftover corn and rice / I never saw her down by the lake / she never taught me Bridge / now she’s revealing / her corporeality / a glaring eclipse / of body / her mottled leg / barn red throat / O dianne you are leaving me / behind / with a cell phone / and Apopka / its baleful spring / are you sure / that is all / this place can give



back to University & College Poetry Prizes

Newsletter Sign Up

Support Us

  • Become a Member
  • Donate Now
  • Get Involved
  • Make a Bequest
  • Advertise with Us

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • SoundCloud
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Footer

  • poets.org

    • Find Poems
    • Find Poets
    • Poetry Near You
    • Jobs for Poets
    • Literary Seminars
    • Privacy Policy
    • Press Center
    • Advertise

  • academy of american poets

    • About Us
    • Programs
    • Prizes
    • First Book Award
    • James Laughlin Award
    • Ambroggio Prize
    • Chancellors
    • Staff

  • national poetry month

    • Poetry & the Creative Mind
    • Dear Poet Project
    • Poster
    • Sponsorship

  • american poets

    • Books Noted
    • Essays
    • Advertise
© Academy of American Poets, 195 Broadway 9th Floor, New York, NY 10007
poets .org