by Joe Plicka
Sitting in the Middle Fork of the Payette
I Saw a Man Carrying a Cross
JOE PLICKA’S poems, stories, and essays can be found online in Brevity, Ekstasis Magazine, Braided Way, Booth, Hobart, and others. He was featured in the anthology, Fire in the Pasture: 21st Century Mormon Poets. He lives and teaches in Hawaii with his family, an auskydoodle, and a red-vented bulbul.
Photo: “The Payette River in Forty Seconds” by Adam Meek
Psaltery & Lyre 
Wonderful, Joe.
This is awesome my friend! Great read and its super cool when you know thw author!
Maake Soakai
Amazing work, brother. The thought filled connection to ancient nature in the first piece juxtaposed to the words of a “modern” rock song in the second is genius work. Thanks for sharing!
Like reading Brian Doyle, scored by Mark Knopfler, with backup vocals by Bob from Sesame Street and Chaka Khan. Bring me a higher love, Joe Plicka.
What pictures you paint!
That song will never be the same for me.
To New Ohio Review Online Issues, your recognition of Brian Doyle (among others) as an influence is a happy one, and it is no secret that Joe is an ardent fan and promoter of the late Brian Doyle. Such a joy to read your comment. Aloha friend ~
Beautiful. Time slows down when I read your essays.