You learned my name, Then heard my voice. My eyes locked on yours, Fate guided the choice. A passing few moments, Time held in place. Shy yet bold, Sweet smile on your face. Time for the passing, Of days turned to years. Years turned to decades, Held sorrows and fears. Always the hug, The warmth […]
Jeff Burkhart’s Rhyme and Reason: “My Home Movie”
A film is always playing, in this theater in my head The popcorn, coke and tickets, never cost me any bread I’m starring in this feature, of my future and my past I’m also the director, of the players in the cast The genre seems to flip around, it’s all the same to me From […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Prayer”
To whom it may concern: I have sent you a message on this cold, forsaken night, an invocation written on the tails of shooting stars to wrap your flame around this dark hull of earth and ignite the dormant seed within. Let the heat of love burn away all winter’s horrors- turn dead leaves into […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Giants”
Once I was with Giants, Three men strong. They haunt me now, Like ghosts in the night. They are the soul of America, But they wouldn’t think they were. I’ve lost them now, Not in mind, but in sight. They are as I last saw, Young, trim, and eager. Always ready and willing, They took […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: To Love a Town
Every year I have done a lengthy “Year in Review” piece chronicling the passing year’s significant events. With it, I include an “In Memorium” section that lists and recognizes all of the noteworthy people that passed during the year. I have decided to forgo both for two reasons. The presidential election so dominated the news, […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “She Gave”
She gave me her love. I didn’t search for it. She simply gave it, Total, unquestioned love. A whisper in the air, Was all I felt at first. It grew to be so much more, In thought and touch. The kindness. The care. Contentment. A peace. Showing commitment. True to her word. Smiles on her […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Looking Back”
There is no way to store again Our hopes of yesterday; No opening our dreams again To times when life was gay. No way for hearts to soar again For lovers to forescore again; There’s only to abhor again Whatever brought dismay. Whatever tears may rise in us Won’t last beyond each day; Won’t answer […]
Poetry Corner: Peter Bray “Tan Pony Blues/Thin Limb in the Rain”
Out on the branches of a thin limb, caught between the holidays and rain, nobody wants to be doing home repairs now, everyone’s focused on buying presents and making their best holiday gravy. “Make a rue,” says my one brother to another on the land line phone at Nana-Mom’s while brother #3 is out of […]
Poetry Corner: Jeff Burkhart “A Beach-able Moment” (A true accounting of a recent evening in Benicia)
He bought a boat to sail away From all of life’s frustrations Thought that he would then be free To sail to faraway nations Dreams of islands far from here And friendly native women And oysters that are ripe with pearls To find while they’re out swimmin’ He set sail and got as far As […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “The Mystery”
Night after night I dream about the mystery, call it unnamed into my heart, let it fall like rain behind my eyelids. I wake up dripping with sweat but remember nothing. The mystery is there like certain poems I never quite understand or the feeling of anxiety, my breath held in, instead of released. It […]