December the 8th, 2015. Let this be our first day of Christmas. In this tumultuous world, I think a day of calm, peace and brotherhood might be in order. There is a conventional wisdom that we, (the world), are once again embroiled in a World War with terrorists that would do harm to innocents. History […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason Countdown to Christmas”: Ribbons and Bows (For Donna)
I love Christmas. My mother instilled that love in my heart as long ago as I can remember. It is a time of good cheer and sharing. A time of hope and forgiveness. A last chance to get it right before the year ends and a new one begins. Christmas cookies and cracking fires. […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “A Place Called Vietnam”
“Get outta there!” One didn’t leave. “Get outta there!” Things hard to believe. “One step at a time.” A voice strong but calm. He stood his spot, And gave a hand’s palm. He wouldn’t have left, though, Had he been on fire. Then he couldn’t leave, From his funeral pyre. Green smoke, Burning hair, Eyes […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: A Friday Drive
I went for a drive, it was the day after Thanksgiving The merchants all were busy, hey; they have to make a living Friday was its blackest, and the malls were overflowing With the fervor of the shoppers, and their comings and their goings Radio commercials, were a jingle, jingle, jingle As they warned the […]
Poetry Corner: D.L. Lang “Stay”
It is my hope that we can all find a way to live in peace. We must all work towards that day starting right now. Every human belongs in this land— every color, straight or gay, having faith or professing none, right here you must all stay. Rich or poor, this is freedom’s door. We […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason: Winter’s Way
Near and far in lands of hinter, holidays abound in winter Chilly cold the winds a blowin’, trees are bare no leaves are showin’ Streams are frozen skies are cloudy, bars are full and loud and rowdy Farmers sell the crops they reap, if any’s left it’s theirs to keep Chopping wood in fall’s not […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Ferryboat Photograph”
The boy staring out the window, That boy was me. I wasn’t on the ferryboat then, But I was that boy. What’s out there? Is it my life? Will the water take me away? Will I come back if it does? Are secrets only answers? Questions asked only of me. Father had been there before. […]
Poetry Corner: Andrena Zawinski “Night Music, a Whalesong”
Against the sail masts’ offbeat taps onto each other, bay bells mixing in with tinny harbor chimes, distant buoys throwing their soft moans to the wind, all of them singing to the moon in a whale-like croon that bellows love songs from the sea bed floor, I am swept back to my first whale sighting, […]
Poetry Corner: Peter Bray “FossilWorks”
My body went down to the FossilWorks, where Advancing Age and Atrophy lurks. It began with my shoulders then went to my knees, climbing each staircase came with no ease. My balance was gone, my walk was erratic, Old Age was calling me like some ghost from the attic. I thought about Tai Chi and […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason: The Prayer We Pray
Last Thursday I was in Houston to welcome my newest grandson into the world. Those of you that follow me on Facebook already know that little Beckham’s lungs weren’t quite ready. He has been in the neonatal ICU at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston ever since. It was touch and go for a while but […]