Marty RicKard attended William Penn College, Iowa State University and University of Southern Mississippi, from which he holds a BS degree in journalism and photojournalism. He also has a Masters Degree in photography, in addition to the Craftsman, CPP, and A-ASP degrees. Marty spent two years as a technical writer for White Motor Company, and has worked for the Charles City Press, Mason City Globe-Gazette, and Davenport Times-Democrat.
Oh cottonwood
you raker of the breeze
with brittle noisy
shield-shaped tongues
you whisper through
your spidery veins
at the sky
Where mother sits is a dreary place
scruffy carpet
frayed couch
ancient recliner
ancient bones
ancient smile
on an ancient face