One Place in New England by David P.Miller

One Place in New England by David P. Miller to Charles Ives and his symphonic cataclysm The trumpets and drums of “Putnam’s Camp” topple over each other in a race toward high- steppin’ small-town holiday promenade and its irresistible brass detonation. “The Housatonic at Stockbridge”: an immersed orchestral mass, recollected river swelling from flow andContinue reading “One Place in New England by David P.Miller”

Home of the Desert Rat by Robert Coats

Home of the Desert Rat by Robert Coats …I shall give myself to the desert again—that I, in its golden dust may be blown from a barren peak, broadcast over the sun-lands…                                    —Maynard Dixon, 1935 Three arms of a cloud fuse to form an arrow pointing at the summit of Picacho Peak, its flanks ofContinue reading “Home of the Desert Rat by Robert Coats”

Kayaking Poem by Donna Zephrine

Kayaking Poem by Donna Zephrine From Bridgeport, Connecticut To Port Jefferson, New York Paddling a kayak for 20 miles Two people working their way across Long Island Sound. Exercising legs and hip muscles Building endurance through calm and choppy waters Staying on the waterway route Marked by buoys along the way The smell of saltContinue reading “Kayaking Poem by Donna Zephrine”

Taos Pueblo by Feroza Jussawalla

Taos Pueblo by Feroza Jussawalla Jim Silversmith stands tall over me In Taos Pueblo as I admire filigree as delicate as the ancient work in my Indian hometown, carved into a storyteller cuff bracelet. Braids frame the burnt adobe wrinkles, braids tied in leather and not with Jasmines. A proud Rajput he, a true MogulContinue reading “Taos Pueblo by Feroza Jussawalla”

Not Fifteen Days by Laura Schulkind

Not Fifteen Days by Laura Schulkind We round another bend in the river, what will be one of our last, hurtle through the white, then drop into sudden stillness— a glassy stretch the color of sagebrush— the only sounds the unrushed dip of the oars and the canyon wrens calling to their mates. We takeContinue reading “Not Fifteen Days by Laura Schulkind”

Rincon Point, Six A.M. by Jonathan Yungkans

Rincon Point, Six A.M. by Jonathan Yungkans The sea tears out of its skin, a Lazarus deshrouding, navy against an orange sunrise. Surfers play Jesus, waiting for a wave to let them walk on water. No one talks—words hover like gulls, pick away silence’s magic— ˖ so I say nothing and watch their bobbing devotionals,Continue reading “Rincon Point, Six A.M. by Jonathan Yungkans”

Art Fair by Jeannie E. Roberts

Art Fair by Jeannie E. Roberts —near the shores of Lake Pepin Down Great River Road past the family cottage and clear-cut memories of lighthearted days a train whistle blasts and Saturday shines as only the third Saturday in July can. At Stockholm’s Village Park artists / musicians / and fair-goers merge fuse with theContinue reading “Art Fair by Jeannie E. Roberts”

Somewhere Near the Medicine Wheel by Ken Hartke

Somewhere Near the Medicine Wheel by Ken Hartke It was somewhere near the Medicine Wheel that we knew our lives had changed. A commitment had formed, a bond unspoken, that remained that way for months to come. Unsaid but forged strong for a lifetime. Silent. We were afraid to spoil it in those days ofContinue reading “Somewhere Near the Medicine Wheel by Ken Hartke”

Bodega Bay Internship by Jeff Burt

Bodega Bay Internship by Jeff Burt Scraping out oysters just to scrape by waves scraping back draft daft captain capped pelican turns and terns on cans muscular mussels gulls the grafters grifters gifts of dry dock grit in paint peel pearled on deck propellers spun sun-lures in the harbor car broken down tow truck forContinue reading “Bodega Bay Internship by Jeff Burt”

Julie A. Dickson, September on Lake Ontario

September on Lake Ontario by Julie A. Dickson Ontario is calm today, sun warm, waves lap at rocks in quiet rhythm. I hear the call of a lone goose, Canadian black markings clear as it swims lazily — far away from the chattering flock, as if to say, “I need a few minutes.” Perhaps heContinue reading “Julie A. Dickson, September on Lake Ontario”