Richard King Perkins II is a state-sponsored advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. He lives in Huntley, IL, with his wife, Vickie and daughter, Sage. He is a ten-time Pushcart, Best of the Net and Best of the Web nominee whose work has appeared in more than fifteen hundred publications including The Louisiana Review, Plainsongs, Texas Review, Hawai’i Review, Roanoke Review, Sugar House Review and The William and Mary Review. His poem “Grease Poet” was a prize winner of the Woodrow Hall award for enduring excellence. His poem "Nemesis” received the Songs of Eretz Editor's Choice award.
                                           Accidental Discovery

Over the last few years
your days have been filled with tumultuousness;
random accidents, you claim.
To me, seemingly unforgiveable,
made fouler by the dark mead of disillusion.

What was I supposed to think—?
the man, the smell,
the bottle, the flowers from Michigan:
none have meaning beyond their chance grouping.

Loving you has been like capturing a switchblade,

unexpectedly, with arteries and veins.
Hiding Place

In the matte green vase.
Beneath the fourth stone
of the patio walk. Between
leather-bound volumes of
Cervantes and Chaucer. In
the pocket of a tweed jacket
you forgot you ever wore.
On the ledge of the mantle clock.
At the bottom of the cedar chest
next to an ivory and pearl dress.
On the second smallest finger
of the left hand where you
placed it long ago.
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