Tag: poetry

Poetry

Flower Poems Stab the Most by Laure-Hélène Zinguerevitch

from the shrub a rose opensmurder me at your willI am ever-growingfrom roots deeply rooted in the soilnurturing and nurtured from the earthoverflowingstrong—I bendI crytorrents of rainstronger-willed and patientI hold the worldinside the rose another rose openswhile life seeps out from the vaseyou neglect to waterI am the Goddess you forgotthe stalkthe leaves festerfrom within the petals the truth flowsthe sword will not killI hold the worldinside this roseand … Continue reading Flower Poems Stab the Most by Laure-Hélène Zinguerevitch

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Poetry

Code of Silence by Ron L. Dowell

after Compton City Council meetings “…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…” —United States Declaration of Independence, 1776 They call it an agreement—a law enforcement contract—but its signature is silence,a covenant with shadows where justice changes hands behind closed doors,where truth twists knees like Chubby Checker,and asphalt splits like … Continue reading Code of Silence by Ron L. Dowell

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Poetry

Living with Tinnitus by Ron L. Dowell

My neighbors sometimes speak in toxic tongues.Words that bite and float like cannabis smoke,or the dull rumble of airplanes in low flight.Car tires screech in circles to nowhere.My eardrums vibrate, and my gut rages. Through the air, far below the blackbird’s song, through my floor, ceiling, through half-inch drywall, discordant tones that start with a pronoun.You are, you should, you said, you did, you, you. Often, several … Continue reading Living with Tinnitus by Ron L. Dowell

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Poetry

Sheep’s Clothing by Jessica de Koninck

The wolf likes to drive fast cars.I climb into the seat beside him,show a little leg as I do. The huntis on, and two can play. Of course,I knew he was the wolf. Why elsewould I wear that red coat,carry my basket of bread, cheeseand wine, walk alone throughthe dark woods? I let himtake me home. There was no grandma.That’s my cover, just the woodsman,an … Continue reading Sheep’s Clothing by Jessica de Koninck

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Poetry

Across the Universe by Jessica de Koninck 

Esther reminds me that there ismore than one man in the universe. I spend a lot of time thinking about cosmology. Our universe is nearly fourteen billionyears old, not that large a number, considering America’s billionairesand their infinite quest for more. Cosmology sometimes gets confusedwith cosmetology, not unlike the way astronomy and astrology are notthe same thing. In the HuffPost I read you may not spend your … Continue reading Across the Universe by Jessica de Koninck 

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Poetry

Souvenir Shopping by John Grey

Tourists trudge throughthe shabby dock marketplace,peruse the usual array ofteeth necklaces, chess setscarved from human boneand assorted shrouds.“Everything very cheap,”say the locals in unison. A crowd gathersat a far-end table,where an old, bent-back,gray-bearded manis selling shrunken heads.He, unlike the others,does brisk business. That’s why,on many a mantelpieceback home,shriveled, dark-eyed facesstare back at whoevercares to admire them.The name of the island,its landscape, its people,are long forgotten.Only … Continue reading Souvenir Shopping by John Grey

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Poetry

In Deadville by John Grey

There’s nothing to buybut grain and farm suppliesToyota has quit.The appliance store has quit.Have to drive twenty milesfor groceriesand fifty for a new suitor a dress,even to do banking.There’s a gas stationbut it changes owners more oftenthan a stray cat has kittens.The Chinese restaurant closed.There’s just the diner.Main Street is mostlyempty stores,half-hung signs,sagging timbers.Kids stare throughbroken windowswhere flash toys once inspiredtheir Christmastime begging.Old men claim … Continue reading In Deadville by John Grey

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Poetry

Three Birthdays in a Row by Susie Gharib

Three birthdays in a row:a president’s, whose luminous picture had shielded my war-ridden childhood,a diva’s,who once celebrated the birthday of the presidentwith a song that enthralled,and mine, that every year passes without a single hello.Long dead are JFK and Marilyn Monroe, but their birthdays are celebrated anew, and though I am still alive,mine passes without a single candle,a word, or a symbolic cadeau. Continue reading Three Birthdays in a Row by Susie Gharib

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Poetry

Everything’s Tickity-Boo by Dale Champlin

When my heart beats too fast      it sets off an alarm. My watch keeps count to the tick, tick, talk of my grandmother clock.      Imagine a woodpecker beating a ratta-tat-tat into the bark of a tree to harvest a grub.      Maybe this is too graphic—let me say—it’s as if I’m up to the yin-yang in sugar-laced marzipan.     When I write, each tick of my pen records a tock of … Continue reading Everything’s Tickity-Boo by Dale Champlin

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Poetry

Flags by Frankie Laufer

My love affair with Old Glory started in sixth grade as a school crossing patrol boy.Leading first and second graders down the street single file.  They have their marching orders.My flag and red helmet were as close as it gets to the front lines.Nothing could disturb this rush of control—except maybe a junior high miscreant looking for trouble.The perks were good. Getting out of class fifteen minutes early … Continue reading Flags by Frankie Laufer

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