Front Porch Review
A literary magazine for the young at heart and mind

The demon,
the one who calls herself
‘Perfection’
comes haunting
once again
to flick, pluck
nag, scrape and
wipe down
a messy drop
of humanness.

While the dog
comforts herself
winding her body
in to a soft round
Nose tucked under
hind leg.

And I must endure
the starched, stiff
collar that She-devil
uses to stretch
my head up high
that the world
may not see
my wanton
vulnerability.

And the dog?
Well, that dog
rolls out of her ball
and on to her back.

By Martha Phillips

Martha Phillips, outdoors lover, gardener, good fish cook and rhubarb pie baker (not together) has a degree in horticulture. Initially an earth science teacher, she then spent twenty-five years in marketing/advertising. She’s been a working artist throughout her life, mainly in the visual and literary arts, although she began as a musician, starting piano at age three ─ learned to read music before words.

Martha is an environmental activist, local food proponent, community garden organizer and participant.  As a Master Gardener for the City of Chicago, she has taught composting in many of the Chicago Public Libraries ─ observes that children, including girls, like worms.

She enjoys movies, dance, theatre, spiritual events, music of all sorts, Tai Chi, and books, books, books.  Her e-mail address: