“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops-at all” -Emily Dickinson If such a tiny bird, perhaps left for dead, or suffering from an injured wing, its feathers matted and torn, finds refuge in your broken heart, then reach inside yourself and […]
Poetry Corner: “Joel’s Passing” by Mary Susan Gast
“So, I may have been wrong after all – this damn cancer may indeed be the death of me.” -Joel Fallon, in an email of June 30, 2016 He died on the morning of August 11. That night, meteor showers dazzled the skies: The Perseids, at their peak. No reason to doubt that Joel hitched […]
Poetry Corner: “Colonel Poetry Father” by Peter Bray
They were playing “Mack the Knife” by Louis Armstrong at Starbucks when I got the call from Johanna Ely, our 6th Poet Laureate, 2016-2018: Joel Fallon, our first Benicia Poet Laureate had caught the morning train today to that Big Love Poem in the Sky. We spoke for a bit about our immediate group […]
Poetry Corner: “Joel’s Poetry” by Mary Susan Gast
It was the voice AND what he said That echo, that linger. The voice all deep and ready To use words honed to the point Of decisive descriptive endurance. He beckoned mismatched images to Sidle up to one another: Spaghetti and spaghetti straps, A golden owl and a bound foot, Key lime pie and [oh […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Changing Channels (An Ode to NBC)
Every couple years The World Olympic Games are aired We have to turn on NBC To see how countries fared Michael Phelps is mining gold The pride of Baltimore Tiny little gymnasts Tara, Weir; but wait there’s more! The network’s spending billions So that we will watch “Today” In hopes that they can sell some […]
Poetry Corner: Joel Fallon “Your Turn”
Editor’s note: In a sad coincidence, the Herald received an email the morning this poem was published that Joel Fallon had passed away the previous morning at the age of 85. As Benicia’s first poet laureate, Joel established a lot of programs that have allowed poetry to thrive in our community, including this Sunday’s Poets’ […]
Poetry Corner: Sherry Sheehan “Depot Delights”
Brush in hand, leaning over her just begun depot painting, Samantha McNally is on Saturday duty at the table by the entry when I walk into the Benicia Plein Air Gallery. Suddenly I remember that the depot sells See’s, so I walk down First towards the water, admiring Benicia’s sturdy palms on the west side […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Has the World Gone Crazy (Or is it Just Me?)
The cats tore up the fabric, hanging underneath the chair. A wasp got in the house, I chased it in my underwear! A flaming pile of space of junk, lit the sky out in the back, Like it did the night before; Are we under attack?! Incidents occurring Twixt the people and police, Guns, beheadings, […]
Poetry Corner: Nick Sestanovich “The Revolution Will Not Be Aggregated”
(In gratitude to Gil Scott-Heron. The medium has changed, but the message is the same.) You do not need to keep refreshing your browser because the revolution will not be aggregated. The revolution will not be limited to 140 characters or less. The revolution will not be skipped after five seconds. The revolution will not […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Where Has it All Gone (A Reflection on a Rainy Night)”
People don’t much smile any more The skies are gray… It isn’t like before. Everyone is going to the races. Our life is fast. It’s full of empty spaces. Solemn faces. Where is the trust we had? Aren’t you my brother? Why do you pray with me One day… And then, prey on me on […]