After months of searching, a new poet laureate for the city of Benicia has been named. For the next two years, Johanna Ely will be the city’s sixth poet laureate, succeeding Don Peery. The office of the poet laureate was established by Benicia Public Library’s Board of Trustees in 2005 to place an emphasis […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: A Difference of Opinion (Me Oh Me)
In careless conversation with myself the other day I asked myself to clarify something I had to say I said, “Please speak more plainly.” Lest I not be understood My reply to me was this; “Hey; back off if you would!” We went back and forth, because we know ourselves so well And as to […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Dig Deep
Today; a message of hope. Heads up. Eyes forward. Remember; this is going to be a good day because you are going to make it so! JPB Dig Deep In times of desperation When we face our darkest hour We summon from a secret place An extra special power It’s hidden deep inside of us […]
Jeff Burkart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: There’s Always a Reason
The blood of the soldier Spills out on the field Awash through the streams and the rain And since time first began At the dawning of man He has suffered, enduring our pain _ Through the years and the seasons He’s fought for all reasons Not questioning deeds that he’s done One for all, all […]
Rhyme and Reason: Geriatric Decline
Growing old is easy Just keep waking up each day Drink some coffee, watch TV Survive another day _ Take some pills to cure your ills Observe the rising prices Health concerns and unkind turns Eliminate your vices _ No more booze or drugs alas You have to turn in early When the young girls […]
Bud Light: Silent Running
A poem by Bud Light In the beginning When the now rushing river Curling over moss-robed stones Was a trickling stream among rocks, Then brown and barren …. There was no majesty. No great, green cliffs, encrusted And crowned with the jewels of existence and age. Just a stream and rocks. Unaware that time […]
Rhyme and Reason: Write Me In
Flush your minds of Donald Trump And Hillary and Bernie Ignore their speeches on the stump And join me in my journey _ I avow that poetry Will win the next election I’m asking you to write me in And make me your selection _ Outsider candidates The pundits say are who will win Get […]
Poetry: Silent Silver Boxes, Bien Hoa 1968
By Wally Stephens In preparation for this year’s Benicia Memorial Day ceremony, and in order to remember the real meaning of the holiday, I wrote this poem about an experience of mine from the Vietnam war: Silent Silver Boxes Bien Hoa 1968 Silent silver boxes Neatly stacked up high In countless rows and columns As […]
Rhyme and Reason: Adios-osity
Just like the Sherman Brothers coined the term supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, for the song of the same name in “Mary Poppins,” I have invented my own special word for my readers, to describe an experience that many of you, have heard of, and/or experienced. It will be included as the title cut of the soundtrack of the […]
Bud Light: Building Bridges
(A poem by Bud Light) An old man passing a long highway Came at the evening, cold and gray To a cataract, vast and deep and wide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream held no fears for him… But he paused when safe on the other side, To build a […]