The stranger, by m.e.hanley

Editor's note: We present the fourth of five poems from the recently uncovered collection of wholly despised poet, m.e.hanley. This poem - dubbed "the stranger" by scholars - is the shortest of hanley's poems. In many ways, it is also the most inaccessible.
Without a doubt this poem has sparked almost tens of debates among experts. What does the hooded stranger represent? The collective unconscious? The 1950s Communist witch hunts? The designated hitter? Advocates have spent nearly minutes arguing their point of view.

The accompanying art work - a stranger in a cloak on one side, a deformed horse on the other - only intensifies the mystery.
Finally, we again caution readers with heart conditions as well as those drinking cups of coffee. Surprise endings could result in complete heart failure or spit takes.

The stranger poem
by m.e.hanley

Who is the man who lives here?
Everyone has this fear,
That he is not good.
Just because he wears a hood.
That must be a lie,
After all, it is I.

Turtle, by m.e.hanley

Editor's notes: Here is the third in a series of five never-before-seen poems by the extremely erstwhile poet, m.e.hanley.
The short but powerful"turtle" may be the most frightening of rediscovered series.

The isolation of the author - afraid a single misstep will lead to "yelling" and "screaming" - is apparent. He is alone in a cruel world. Ironically, he finds solace in a "turtle": an animal that can lock itself away with its own portable armor. Is this a doppelganger for the author?

This imagery peaks with the sheer absurdity of walking a pet turtle. The perverse visual of dragging a little shell down the sidewalk on a leash is undoubtedly meant to disorient the reader and make them question their own humanity.

Indeed, by the end, we are left to wonder whether the turtle is such an "awesome" pet. Especially because they don't live as long as you'd think.

The turtle poem

by m.e.hanley

A turtle is an awesome pet,

I have one for myself,

He never yells at what I do,

Only worrys about himself.

He does not yell and scream,

If I do something wrong.

He just hopes when I take a walk,

I'll bring him along.

Spring, by m.e.hanley

Editor's notes: This is the second in a series of recently discovered poems by the reviled poet, m.e.hanley.
Among the five poems, this contains the most symbolism. Most readers are by now familiar with many of the themes in "spring" but it is worth pointing to the "buzzing, zipping, crazy bees" that likely are reference to the human condition that buzzes, zips and occasionally is stung.
Also of note: the mixing of seasons. Although the poem opens with many signs of spring, suddenly the readers is confronted by a "glaring, hot sun" that stares out people and is more than warm. Perhaps a nod to the rising tide of socialism.
Again, we see an unconventional rhyme structure throughout the poem, possibly a sign of impending madness.

The spring poem
By m.e.hanley

Spring is a fragrance of flowers,
Through many hours.
A bunny hopping here and there,
Butterflies everywhere.
Birds singing their sweet song,
Lakes shimmering far and long,
Green leaves on the trees,
Buzzing, zipping, crazy bees,
Glaring, hot sun,
Having lots of fun,
Beauty as far as you can see,
That's what spring is to me.

Baseball, by m.e.hanley

Editor's comments: This poem comes from the recently discovered collection of the thankfully forgotten poet, m.e.hanley. All the poems were untitled, but poetry scholars have named each of the pieces based on its theme.
This poem is notable for the use of unusual names for baseball equipment, notably the "hitting hat", which is not a hat that hits anything. Furthermore, the poem is notable for the interesting and almost indiscernible rhyme structure.
Also, spoiler alert, beware of shocking endings. Those with heart conditions have been warned. We hope you enjoy these misunderstood and little read poems.

The baseball poem
By m.e.hanley

It is my turn at bat,
I put on my hitting hat.
I go with shaky knees to the plate,
Like I was trying to ice skate.
Pitcher throws...Too high.
Pitcher throws...outside.
Pitcher throws...Just right!
I swing with all my might.
I hit it. Oh! What fun!
Now I must run run run,
I was safe what a joy,
To bad I was just a dreaming boy.

Forgotten poetry remembered!

HOFFMAN ESTATES - Scholars are still reeling from the discovery of a treasure trove of poems recently uncovered in the closet of the poorly-known 1989 poet m.e.hanley.
Once thought lost to the ravages of recycling, last month by the erstwhile poet's mother, underneath a Darryl Strawberry trapper keeper. This series of five odes may shed new light on the early career of a writer who has refused to stop working, despite a public outcry.
For years, the poems were considered lost. They became legendary in poetry circles, cautionary tales to be swapped during late night jams at local Caribou Coffee shops.
They would mark the only known poetic output of the obscure, universally forgotten author.
According to people who have seen the collection, each poems delves into a single topic: mystery, spring, baseball, turtles and Christmas. All five are apparently contained in a single notebook, marked with a sticker that reads: "TOTALLY AweSome".
m.e.hanley is barely known in the poetry world but, since his retirement, many scholars have cited his work as poorly constructed, derivative and bland.
"Who?" said Harvard literature professor Rufus T. Firefly.

Since the announcement of the discovery, the online poetry has been barely buzzing. A chat room set up at OvercookedSylviaPlath.com garnered almost one comment.
The poems are expected to be unveiled over the next five days at an equally obscure websites.
"Poetry will never be the same," said one person who has read the poems, but declined to be identified because she was embarrassed.

Lynne and Matt blog is proud to present these poems, in their entirety with the original artwork. Stay tuned over the next five days as each poem is unveiled!

Tomorrow: m.e.hanley takes on the National Pastime.

Mark of Fridays: Adventures in Florida

Mark went to Florida last week and had the greatest time ever! He went to a spring training game between the Red Sox and Twins (saw his first home run - Jim Thome bomb); met Maggie Huffenberger (and possibly got his first non-Mommie/Aunt/Grandma crush); played in the pool; dipped his feet in the Atlantic Ocean and, mostly, hung out with his cool aunts!

Mark of Fridays: Play Ball!

Just six months old, Mark has already arrived at the most important choice he will ever make: baseball allegiance. Decisions made now will give him a lifetime of wonderful memories or haunt him for centuries.
So, who will win his fanhood? Really, there's only one correct answer. Right?