We’ve Got You Covered

What's in your inbox?

You’ll never have this much fun 
says the headline in my inbox 
and how can I not click on that?
Every style of AK you could want, 
the site boasts, offering me a vast
array of options: semi-automatic 
pistol, ammunition case with canister,
semi-automatic rifle with underfold stock, 
chrome lined barrel, comp bayonet lug
described as Battle Worthy! 

Dress up or down, says the headline
in my inbox: skinny flare, wide leg, 
girlfriend jeans, no-show bras, vanishing 
edge panties. Shop now! Let’s connect 
to get an extra 10% off your purchase. 
We’ve got the versatility you need, 
two silhouettes in one, the best of both
in one comfortable pant. Hidden core
shaping. Trust us, these feel as good
as they look. Buy more, Save more! 

Truth be told, I could use something 
Battle Worthy! Can I buy inner strength 
online? A shield or force field to protect
me from the chaos of everyday life,
from fear and doubt and the throbbing
realization that I cannot fix the pain 
around me? Where is the algorithm
that targets me with ads for acceptance, 
for peace, not a weapon to attack 
or elastic to shape what society 
tells me is clearly flawed? Where 
is the offer that gives me the resilience 
and fortitude to face reality? 

That email does not come. Instead, 
I am fed lines like Must Haves!  
These dresses look amazing on you. 
Long gun catch your eye? We’ve got you
covered. Make it yours: $699.99.

---

I am proud to be a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please consider reading and supporting our members:

Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights

Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll

Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines

Stephanie Copley: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston

Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake

Suzanna de Baca Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley

Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County

Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji

Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames

Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines

Nik Heftman, The Seven Times, Los Angeles and Iowa

Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla

Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines

Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo

Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames

Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey

LettersfromIowans, Iowa

Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa

Darcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Lake City

Kurt Meyer, Showing Up, St. Ansgar

Wini Moranville, Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines

Kyle Munson, Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines

Jane Nguyen, The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines

John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines

Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines

Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains, Washington, D.C.

Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Urbandale 

Macey Spensley, The Midwest Creative, Davenport and Des Moines

Larry Stone, Listening to the Land, Elkader

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, Kalona

Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County

Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport

Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines

We are also proud to be associated with Iowa Capital Dispatch and encourage you to support their work.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com

---

Do you know about the Okoboji Writing Retreat? It is an amazing three day retreat full of workshops, many of which are taught by Iowa Writers Collaborative members. There are still a few spaces available!

https://okobojiwritersretreat.com