The Opposite of Hate

Singin' in the shower.  
Peanut butter. Daisies.
Weathered barn boards
are the opposite of hate.

Playmate. Roller skate. 
Rhyme is the opposite of hate.

Balloons. The only thing 
you should ever blow up 
is a balloon.

Skinny-dips. 
Swimmin’ hole, hot afternoon.
Buck-naked is the opposite of hate.





Joe Cottonwood has repaired hundreds of houses to support his writing habit in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. His books of poetry are Son of a Poet, Foggy Dog, and Random Saints. His website is joecottonwood.com