Replacing Thoughts

By Jen Selinsky

"Replacing Thoughts" skips ahead to Jen's later college years, during 2001-2002, and explores a different side of her poetry. Also included are two previously unpublished poems from a few years later, 2003 and 2005.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen Selinsky
• Release date: Aug 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370986996

Jen Selinsky

Jen Selinsky was born in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2003, she earned her bachelor's degree in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in library science from the same school. Jen has worked as a professional librarian for over twelve years. She has published more than 170 books, most of which contain poetry. Her work can be found on the following sites: Lulu, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Smashwords, and Pen It! Publications. She has also been featured in publications such as: The Courier Journal, Explorer Magazine, Liphar Magazine, and Indiana Libraries. Jen lives in Sellersburg, IN with her husband.

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Replacing Thoughts

Jen Selinsky

Copyright © 2005 by Jen Selinsky

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder.

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Cover Art Copyright © 2003 by Jen Selinsky

ISBN: 9781370986996

*Not every poem included in this book is dated in chronological order. This is not an oversight on my part. Rather, I have made changes and substitutions over the years.

-J.L.S.

Chocolate

Oh, chocolate,

Most foul substance,

Poisoning the bodies

Of many by making

Them become addicted.

You fiend, having us

Confide in you.

I cannot believe all

The positive associations

That accompany you

Wherever you go.

How sweet the taste,

But, ah, how bitter.

You have nothing to offer,

Yet nothing to take away

Headaches, stomach aches—

(We’re) vomiting up brown.

I stayed up all night, sick from the

Toxic liquid.

You would kill our pets

And small animals—

Poison in their stomachs.

Gooey mess and brown stains

That I can never get out

Of my soul.

12/7/01

Superficiality

I cannot stand the way

That our society

Treats those who are

Deemed big or ugly—

Telling them they’re a waste

Of human life.

THEY give us the idea

That there’s always room

For improvement.

(Even though

There’s no room in

Our pants, so tight.)

And these people

With "the perfect