As the clock reaches round On the mind, fog is wound Increasingly, the pressures pound Neither concepts nor solutions found. As my time slips into night Against the clock, with all my might An unfair match in any right, alas The winner’s known before the fight. I found myself a quiet place And talked with […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: A Fish in a Bowl
I am a fish and I live in a bowl And to one day escape is my ultimate goal I am owned by a man who stands up six feet tall Who I watch through my bowl which he bought at the mall He often ignores me as hour by hour I plot and I […]
Phil Robertson: 25 Hours to Home
Up early, breakfast and out A plane to catch without a doubt Bags overflowing, filled to the hilt Rush to the airport without being kilt Long lines aplenty, people galore My 50-pound bag, carry-on and more Security check one, security check two What in the heck do they think I’ll do? Barcelona to Munich and […]
Frances Jackson-Patrick: Benicia, The Mounds
My home was a ranchland three feet down Vaqueros rode Horse whisperers these through ranch and town their tracks forever carved in ground like artifacts in native mounds My home was a ranchland close to the sea that rose from the shore to the knotted roots of magnolia trees just a pebble’s throw from my […]
Peter Bray: Survival Squirrel…
Not yet 8 a.m. and I’ve already e-mailed crisis help to a friend in Hawaii in need of meditation and a case manager, told a phone caller, “No, I don’t do ceiling leaks,” and another e-mail to a customer, “Yes, I can install your Video Doorbell, I did one in Benicia two weeks ago. I’ll […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: The Story of My Life
On the porch late last night, with some wine and my wife We discussed the next day, we would live in our life It was based all around, a parade on the third Celebrating the fourth which to me seemed absurd So we paused, then we laughed and we sipped on our drinks As we […]
Johanna Ely: The Gift
Unwrap this precious day attentively, smooth out every star-shaped dazzling leaf that lays itself against the painted sky and languid, catches sunlight on its face. Then gently unfold each velvet petal of the scarlet rose who sticks its head so curious and aware, through slats of garden fence. Let violet agapanthus come undone, long tangled […]
Johanna Ely becomes Benicia’s sixth poet laureate
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 […]