In late October the afternoon sun settles close to the horizon, but still warms the skin. A clear blue sky holds no premonition of what must come next. Only the light weakens, gives us a subtle warning, while shadows grow into long fingers that reach out and touch the circadian self, affirm our uneasiness that […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Lovely”
She came into my view, her friends went inside. She stayed outside, her legs had died. Lovely to look at, quiet with a grace. I couldn’t take my eyes from the lovely of her face. No sign of the harm, but a glow from within. Features so lovely, and a body so thin. Twenty minutes […]
Poetry Corner: Peter Bray “After the election…”
After the election, I grieved like a puppy that had lost its tail, heard the acceptance and concession speeches and went on my way to see a customer, scheduled new work and then headed to Nation’s for breakfast. Good luck, World and America, your new boy thinks Global Warming is a hoax, his majority colleagues […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: In the Dark Last Night
It happened in the dark last night And bounced within my head I lay still and took it in It happened in my bed My life passed right before my eyes And then I realized How long my short life’s been And how slow time is as it flies I saw the struggles I’ve endured […]
Friday Poetry Corner: D.L. Lang “Worldly Windows”
In a world that is filled with walls, be a door. Keep on breathing even if you think you can’t take it anymore. Where there are only bricks and mud, carve windows. In the coldness of the night, be the flaming light. You will approach conflict, but you can choose your fights. When existence seems […]
Poetry Corner: Andrena Zawinski “Stare”
“Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.” –Walker Evans (after the Cantor Arts Exhibit, Stanford University) The small town windswept streets, their flophouses and weatherworn sharecropper porches, hold the stare and want and will of those who people them. The speech of image, already past tense in the snap of […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “How to Celebrate my Life (El Dia de los Muertos)”
The first year after I die, celebrate my life on my birthday. (El Dia de los Muertos) Set up an altar in the living room, under the Rivera painting of the woman embracing the white calla lilies. Put everything on that heavy carved wooden table next to the window. Light a church candle with […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Happy Halloween (From all of us at the Benicia Herald & Rhyme and Reason)
Zombies, werewolves, ghosts and such, are heading to your door If they ask for candy, give them some then give them more Halloween is finally here, and in our neighborhoods Cemeteries have appeared, where grassy yards once stood That costumed kid just wants a treat, so hand it over please Or else you’ll suffer all […]
Deadline for 2017 Benicia Love Poetry Contest announced
It’s time to submit that special love poem to the 2017 Benicia Love Poetry Contest! But why should I submit?! 1. This year, the prize money has been doubled! The first place winner will be awarded $100. 2. If you are one of the winners, your poem will be published in the next Benicia First […]
Poetry Corner: Mary Susan Gast “Halloween”
Impertinently knocking on death’s door riding the rafts of fantasy darting as night melds with day between the darkness and the light The youngest and most gleeful among us tear through the quiet streets a tumble of magpies, a jabber of blackbirds, rapt and wrapped in fabrics diaphonous, wooly, or diabolical playing gap-toothed grinning tag […]