The old hat is pulled down near his eyes. A hat that’s so much bigger than his size. It’s so worn and old with age, Yet with it he plays upon his stage. He carried out his act throughout the days. The actions not yet matching his young gaze. Now the hat stays on its […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “To the One Who Balances Rocks (at the Benicia Marina)”
Thank you for the rock sculptures that stand peacefully along this water’s edge. You, who have mastered the art of balance, who work alone before dawn- thank you for your fingers that are as patient as a lover’s, how you find the slipping into- the jagged point into crevice, the curve into hollow- one asymmetrical […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: The Word I Seek
I seek a word that perhaps I can use Just to tell you the things that I feel So the world that exists just outside of my head Knows this life I’ve created is real It doesn’t matter if it is quite short I don’t care if the word’s very long I’ve had a way […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “She Chose Me”
Why did she choose me? But choose me she did. She saw something inside, Something I had hid. How lucky I was, To be granted the chance, To hold her close, With our first dance. An evening at the movies. A day at the beach. Warmed hearts glow, Treasures with each. An ember of affection, […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Wake-Up Call”
At 7:30 am a wake-up call- No son asking for a ride to work, no grandson needing a ride to school. Instead, a calm, taped voice… Listen carefully- (remembered words) emergency refinery Industrial Park evacuate. Then, the siren. No, it’s not the practice one we all ignore, wrong time, wrong day. We listen to its […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “A Lost Love”
Remember the time you lent me your car, and I dented the fender? I thought you’d kill me…But you didn’t…. Remember the time I spilled Coke on your new jacket? I honestly thought you’d shoot me…But you didn’t…. Or the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal, and you wore jeans and […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: I Wanna Be a Pharaoh
I wanna be a Pharaoh, not a Sultan or a Sheik I’d spend my whole life stylin’, as I rode my lucky streak The pyramid that I would build, would rise up to the sky I’d tell my loyal subjects, I was God and couldn’t die They’d bow down to my family, especially my “Mummy” […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Dreamwatching”
You can’t pin dreams down Like murdered butterflies, Can’t put them in cages or corrals like trapped canaries or wild horses. If you should catch a dream and drop it into the glass jar of memory, it will flutter and hum around for a while, but soon falls lifeless. Sure, you can look at it […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Balance”
“Balance is a survival skill you must master” our exercise teacher repeatedly reminds us- “If you fall and hurt yourself it will be the beginning of the end,” and so we try to mimic her- like twenty old cranes, heads crowned with white feathers, we practice daily in the school gym, determined to balance on […]
Poetry Corner: Lauren A. Wilson “Makayla”
As I sit and watch scarcely at the pain that your in. I am praying it is soon the worst will come to an end. Seeing you cry at every poke, touch, each turn, and Prod, I’m feeling as your protector I have failed at my job. I want to hold you forever, and trade […]