A photo carried many miles, Warmed by one of your quiet smiles. Its soiled surface wrinkled with age, Like a favorite book on the very first page. On stormy seas and fevered shores, The picture seen in my hands was yours. Comforting on days both long and hard, This tracing etched on a paper card. […]
Poetry Corner: Mary Susan Gast “Fire Haze”
Dawn came heavy-lidded, Puffy-eyed with smoke, The sapphire sky tarred with ash, The light an anxious yellowed gray.
Poetry Corner: Ranjit Gill “Time to Get High”
For some, to be in love must be a fantasy but not for me. It’s reality. You smoke and drink I get high off love. F*** your useless drugs! I’m in love with life, every moment and every breath. I won’t give up ‘til my last breath! I might as well keep on going until […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Why Every Night I Keep a Lamp Lit”
In my house I keep a glass lamp by the front door. It is in the shape of a tulip, and inside it, a light bulb flickers in the shape of a tear. I keep it lit all night long— a small comfort for those who are lost, for ghosts who believe they have been […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “The Ultimate, or the Ultimate Goal?”
One was new to the task, Slow in catching the clue. Too much was new, In One’s young life to view. Words from the past He repeatedly said, Form memory of time, And echo in One’s head. One didn’t understand at the time. He meant, “Do your best.” One always did. One passed every test. […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Forgot”
By chance we met again last night. You so startled, with a breath of fright. The voices were the same as words we shared. Using phrases, though few truths were bared. The girl who promised to wait forever. The boy on whom fate used a lever. “We’ve all missed you,” your words had said. My […]
Poetry Corner: Ranjit Gill “Enemies of Reason”
Enemies of reason Merchants of hate. Kids showing up to school late. Hall passes. Kids ditching science classes. Crooks peddling fiction books giving kids an imaginary hero. Telling them they’re broken like windows. “Y’all need this!” plead the enemies of reason. Drug dealers in suits poisoning the minds of kids. Taking advantage of their innocence. […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “The Package”
He stood there thinking, moving his feet. His only love waiting across the street. The light seemed stopped as he waited at ease, Watching her dress ruffled by the breeze. The small package held firm in his hands, While inside lay the tiny gold bands. For a moment he looked from the woman he knew, […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Build a Library”
Build a library where 7,000 books become 100,000, where children with Teddy bears listen to stories until they fall asleep, and teens study late into the evening, cell phones left on vibrate— where neighbors meet to hear a famous author speak, or a musician play guitar. Build a library where literacy is a free gift, […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “A Pair of Haiku”
Haiku for Carolyn Under the white plum— a snowstorm of memories covers two old friends Old Woman Haiku By the open door an old woman undresses— the moon her voyeur