Bio: Matthew Johnson is the author of, Shadow Folks and Soul Songs (Kelsay Books) and his most recent collection, Far from New York State (NYQ Press). His poetry has appeared in Roanoke Review, Front Porch Review, Northern New England Review, Up the Staircase Quarterly, and elsewhere. Matthew is the recipient of a Sundress Publications Residency and is a three-time Best of the Net nominee. A former sports journalist and editor, he is an MA graduate of UNC-Greensboro and the managing editor of The Portrait of New England and the poetry editor of The Twin Bill. 

Twitter: @Matt_Johnson_D

Website: matthewjohnsonpoetry.com

https://www.matthewjohnsonpoetry.com/book

If God Permitted Pirates on the Mississippi A poah man leans on his plow to rest in the Delta swelter, As his mule lies by the bank, Dipping its head in the muddy sweet. The flood had receded, And what was left for poah whites and poah blacks Was merely…