Late-Life Contentment
I like my late-life belly, its rounded willingness
metaphor for Swiss chocolate, crème brûlée, butter on hot
toast. When the doctor squints and says “body mass” I say
“you won’t believe who joined me for a good meal at that little
restaurant!” Besides, most descriptions of weight-loss diets
are such an insult to the children starving in Gaza—if you suggest
“send them money each time you seek a second slice”
then I’m on it! But can’t I do both? Savor seconds after I’ve taken
the sharp hasty edge off my hunger, and be generous to those
lined up in tent kitchens. Hunger’s my familiar, rides along, curious,
hoping for cheesy potatoes. If you don’t believe me, stroke
this smooth, ample curve; rest your cheek on its warmth.
What we’ve shared together (aroma, salty tang, garnish
of greens and lemon wedge) I will always, always cherish.
The prompt: Write a body ode, what we celebrate in ourselves. I laughed as I took it literally!
What Inspires You
I’m inspired by Anne Marie Macari’s poems, and listening to Marie Howe reflect how she sorts inspiration and sound, and to Ellen Bass being logical, and by fighting against work by Robert Frost and Philip Levine—there’s a rebel in me who rises to the challenge. When I have something to push against, I’m strong, pulling words and sounds and protests onto paper.
Bio
Beth Kanell lives in northeastern Vermont among rivers, rocks, and a lot of writers. Her poems seek comfortable seats in small, well-lit places, including Lilith Magazine, The Comstock Review, Indianapolis Review, Gyroscope Review, The Post-Grad Journal, Does It Have Pockets?, Anti-Heroin Chic, Ritualwell, Persimmon Tree, Northwind Treasury, RockPaperPoem, Ginosko, and Rise Up Review. Her collection Thresholds comes out in 2026 (Kelsay Books), followed by Portrait Studio on the Ridge (Finishing Line Press).
Find the Spring 2026 Issue HERE
Previous NPM 2026 poets
| April 1 | Amy Forstadt |
| April 2 | Annette Sisson |
| April 3 | Beth Kanell |