There is a little tree
Where I hang a little noose
So I can tell some tales
While friends go hang with me
What can I do to hang?
Where do I even begin—
Life was started by chance
And can be ended on whims.
Pride is standing atop a mountain
Shouting down to your people.
Abolishing false idols,
Pouring foundation for your steeple.
Pride is knowing where
Good men go to die.
Pride is knowing coffins
With which one can see eye to eye.
__________________________________________ Leave Me Hangin’ -by Jeremy Jusek
Jeremy was inaugural the poet laureate of Parma, Ohio (’22-’24). He has authored three books: We Grow Tomatoes in Tiny Towns, The Less Traveled Street, and The Details Will Be Gone Soon. He hosts the Ohio Poetry Association’s podcast Poetry Spotlight, runs the West Side Poetry Workshop, and founded the Flamingo Writers’ Guild.