Balance
I could write endlessly
about all things foreboding
hurricanes and turbulence
more likely due to warmer air
that reminds us of a season
we hope to thrive in.
From June's blossoms come
a life in harvest,
dark soil blankets the roots
of all that green:
a pasture, cross haired vines,
meadows abundant with wild petals
every bloom opens in summer's endless embrace.
We live as if nothing will ever end.
But, an end always comes,
hurricanes and turbulence takeover
a country's spirit, a body's betrayal,
an erosion of simple kindness.
Yet, somewhere a child
is learning to ride a wave,
a mother is picking lilacs and lavender,
a father holds the seat of a two wheel bike
promising not to let go.
We all need that balance
to embrace an endless summer state of mind
while dancing in the eye of a storm.
First appeared in Anti -Heroin Chic poetry journal and in the chapbook Balance by Laurie Kuntz, published by Moonstone Arts Press
This poem was inspired by a workshop prompt, which urged the poet to write about a summer moment.
What Inspires You
I had a HS English teacher who read the poem “Dying Is Fine” by ee Cummings—that was the hook that drew me into a poetry world. Soon afterwards, I discovered Marge Piercy, Sharon Olds, Elizabeth Bishop, Lucille Clifton, Buce Weigl, and Stephen Dunn. I was so fortunate to have studied with Sharon Olds, Lucille Clifton, Lynda Hull, Leslie Ullman, and Stephen Dunn. My son’s middle name is David, named after the poet Dave Smith, whom I studied with for many years and admire greatly. Now, I get so much from my poet peers. Poets who I know through poetry circles and online groups. I find my poet peers to be superb poets and stellar humans.
Bio
Laurie Kuntz is a four-time Pushcart Prize nominee and two-time Best of the Net Nominee. In 2024, she won a Pushcart Prize. She published seven books of poetry. Her latest book, published in 2025, is Balance, published by Moonstone Arts Center. In 2026, her 8th book, Shelter In Place, will be published by Shanti Arts Press. Her themes come from working with Southeast Asian refugees, living as an expatriate in Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Brazil, and raising a husband and son. Visit her at: https://lauriekuntz.myportfolio.com/home-1
Find the Spring 2026 Issue HERE
Previous NPM 2026 poets
| April 1 | Amy Forstadt |
| April 2 | Annette Sisson |
| April 3 | Beth Kanell |
| April 4 | Bonnie Proudfoot |
| April 5 | Charles Stringer |
| April 6 | D. Dina Friedman |
| April 7 | David Colodney |
| April 8 | Deanna Ludwin |
| April 9 | Eileen Pettycrew |
| April 10 | Felice Alexandra |
| April 11 | Grace Massey |
| April 12 | Hallie Fogarty |
| April 13 | Isabel Cristina Legarda |
| April 14 | Jon Yungkans |
| April 15 | Kim Welliver |
| April 16 | Laura Foley |
| April 17 | Laurie Kuntz |