A rat in a trap; A squirrel in a cage A donkey on a treadmill, turning a milstone; Going nowhere, because There’s nowhere to go They couldn’t go even if there was, because The situation won’t let them. People are very much like that. How sad about that. Too bad for them; It shouldn’t be […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason: Tinkle Tinkle Where You Are (Here is good; just stop the car!)
Tinkle here and tinkle there Boys can tinkle everywhere Day or night where we may dare We tinkle on without a care Girls have to hold it back you see They need a formal place to pee It’s not our fault; ain’t up to me That’s just the way it’s meant to be Every time […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Long, Long Ago”
I don’t know you, girl in my sight, Sweet and clean, with hair bouncing light. A smile on your face, and sparkle in your eyes, Too young to practice the ways of the lies. Turning your gaze to friends by your side, To look on your world, now growing so wide. Exploring and testing, thrilled […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Please Listen”
Listen to the clamor of voices ; heard from poets and writers. Wishing to tell us something; words that come from the heart; Their meaning truly revealing. They ARE telling us something, Of life, love and death; explicit is their meaning; Preparing us for all seasons; And life, love and death.
Poetry Corner: Carol Gieg “Caregiving”
A gift, the compassion of a caregiver, A nobler pursuit, there never was one. Guardian for those disenfranchised and weak, Victims of power and greed, they’ve become. Children sobbing for their parents, Separated from them and in cells. What criminals these, who fled in terror, seeking refuge from their hell
The A Cappella Handyman: Crayon Box for Christmas
Crayon Box for Christmas There were so many colors! It’s not like I was gonna do that much coloring, but somebody had made and packed this box, bigger than my world to date. Sometimes when I go to an Open Mic’, the experience is the same. I may or may not be stirred or […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: The REALLY BIG Rhyme & Reason Summer Sales Event
Extra, Extra; Poems for sale! For lovers, friends and cousins Get ‘em while they’re fresh today They’re cheaper by the dozen Here’s a way that you can help To raise the GDP Just take a little bread you’ve earned And send it on to me I can write you poems of love Or I can […]
Poetry Corner: Ranjit Gill “Chasing a Butterfly”
Chasing a butterfly constantly out of reach I feel the need to dream I keep struggling and striving to improve, not just surviving. “The time is always now,” I remind myself whenever I feel I’m stuck. And no, I ain’t on drugs. And I ain’t on god. I need to be myself. Screw everything else. […]
Poetry Corner: Nina Serrano “Smoke No. 2 July 2018”
The wind shifted today We get a break from the smoke of 32 thousand acres of forest burning and maybe plastic and other toxics too When the fire started the sun turned red Liz looked up and called it a Chinese Lantern as we drove north along the freeway Not knowing what was happening between […]
Poetry Corner: Carol Gieg “Mirror Image”
(This poem is dedicated to Johanna Ely, Benicia’s sixth poet laureate who completed her term at the end of June.) How very much we’ve been enriched, Through you as poet laureate, this past two years. So like the hummingbird to which you are drawn, A mirror image in so many ways. Drawing forth sustenance as […]