So Long, for Now

By Jen Selinsky

"So Long, for Now" is Jen's fifty-first book of poetry. The author decided to take a break from the genre so she could concentrate on her prose. Jen did not publish another poetry book until nearly two years later.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen Selinsky
• Release date: Sep 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370684540

Jen Selinsky

Jen Selinsky was born in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2003, she earned her bachelor's degree in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in library science from the same school. Jen has worked as a professional librarian for over twelve years. She has published more than 170 books, most of which contain poetry. Her work can be found on the following sites: Lulu, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Smashwords, and Pen It! Publications. She has also been featured in publications such as: The Courier Journal, Explorer Magazine, Liphar Magazine, and Indiana Libraries. Jen lives in Sellersburg, IN with her husband.

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So Long, for Now

Jen Selinsky

Copyright © 2006 by Jen Selinsky

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Art Copyright © 2000 by Jen Selinsky and 2013 by Travis Potts

ISBN

Though this is not, chronologically, the last poetry book I’ve written, numerically it is number fifty-one. Primarily, I decided to concentrate more on prose so I can broaden my horizons. Perhaps, some time later, I will write more poetry, but it may still be a few more months (or years) down the road. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my journey just as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!

—Jen Selinsky 11/28/06

*Not every poem included in this book is dated in chronological order. This is not an oversight on my part. Rather, I have made changes and substitutions over the years.

-J.L.S.

You said to spread our wings,

But how can we do so

Every time that they are clipped?

Due to our shortcomings—

The shortcomings of man.

What’s fucked up is the meaning

And this stupid world,

Where the weak can expect to be trampled

Then bleed in the ditches to die.

Who can explain why,

And if they can, they deserve a PhD

Because no one else has the capacity.

4/18/06

Dropouts up to 30%

And rising in this town,

These students must think me

To be a clown to advocate.

Lower educational standards

So that people may

Get out, leave by their own means.

All this pressure; it’s amazing

That people can still walk upright

And are not constantly in pain

From a broken spine.

We complain, and we whine because,

As underdogs, we try but still

Get nowhere in this cruel difficulty.

4/18/06

So pale, she could not

Bring herself to move.

Back then, they should

Have known how easy

It was—how quickly they

Could glide instead of

Being bound by these chains

That constrict us and

Cut off our circulation—

Cause for amputation

Just to get away from all

The pain