Poetry Showcase: Dan Provost

Bio: A former collegiate offensive lineman and football coach for 26 years, Dan Provost’s poetry has been published both online and in print since 1993.  He is the author of 15 books/chapbooks.  His latest, Wolf Whistles Behind the Dumpster was released by Roadside Press in November 2022.  He has been twice nominated for The Best of the Net and has read his poetry throughout the United States.  He lives in Berlin, New Hampshire with his wife Laura, and dog Bella.

Lorazepam Blues

Shamed from self-hatred,
he shuffled
to the med cabinet.

Taking the bomb
that puts the patient
down, out, and
unconscious.

Sure, he should have
been off the stuff years ago.

But shrinks continued to
appease…	

Rationalizing, the peace of
sleep outweighs the potential

downside—

Such as addiction & overdose.

Sexton

Crumpled within stifling
innuendoes—detractors claimed
her words on mental illness were
some kind of “star-search” shtick.

Sexton endured academic judgement,
letting disappointment of
criticism linger,

in her self-tortured, land of 
confusion.

Sexual misdeeds led to
the cycle being repeated.

“Mommy & Daddy issues”
carved a path to the
poet and her children becoming
victims of late-night shudder.

Anne was obviously a paradox.
A psychoanalysts dream of fancy.

Her confessional jottings rank
up there with Sylvia, Robert, John,
& Allen.

Pulitzer, other numerous
awards placed on the mantle
for words born from internal 
drudgery.

You were the uncrowned champ, Annie…
Style of the inner truth can become so
damn confusing to the reader.

But you dared to be heard, A sometimes
maniacal or serene rhythm. 

Phrases of indirect ideas laid bare & boastful
for young co-eds…who dreamed in
darkened places.

Afraid to conquer inadequacies of late adolescence.

You Cannot Stop the Final

I do not have the
strength anymore to
relate my anger & frustration
on social media.

Creation has always
been a hazard—

Truth?  Today is
irrelevant.

You already know the ending.





See below to get a copy of Dan's latest book on Amazon.