Across Kansasby William Stafford My family slept those level milesbut like a bell rung deep till dawnI drove down an aisle of sound,nothing real but in the bell,past the town where I was born. Once you cross a land like thatyou own your face more: what the lightstruck told a self; every rockdenied all theContinue reading “Across Kansas by William Stafford”
Category Archives: states
The World Book by Patricia Hooper
The World Book by Patricia Hooper When the woman in blue sergeheld up the sun, my motheropened the storm door, takingthe whole volume of Sinto her hands. The sunshown as a sun should,and we sat down at the tableleafing through silks and ships,saints and subtraction. We passedScotland and Spain, street-cars and seeds and eventhe Seven WondersContinue reading “The World Book by Patricia Hooper”
San Francisco by Richard Brautigan
San Franciscoby Richard Brautigan This poem was found written on a paper bag by Richard Brautigan in a laundromat in San Francisco. The author is unknown. By accident, you putYour money in myMachine (#4)By accident, I putMy money in anotherMachine (#6)On purpose, I putYour clothes in theEmpty machine fullOf water and noClothes It was lonely.Continue reading “San Francisco by Richard Brautigan”
The Senses of Progress by David Dephy
The Senses of Progress by David Dephy I am walking on the Brooklyn Bridge now. I am listening to the trembling of the rivers. They say: “Remember us, the circumstances of the present and the past shape, the possibilities of progress.” I am walking on the Manhattan Bridge now. I am listening to the raysContinue reading “The Senses of Progress by David Dephy”
Garden of Eden by Tracy K. Smith
Garden of Edenby Tracy K. Smith What a profound longingI feel, just this very instant,For the Garden of EdenOn Montague StreetWhere I seldom shopped,Usually only after therapyElbow sore at the crookFrom a handbasket filledTo capacity. The glossy pastries!Pomegranate, persimmon, quince!Once, a bag of black belugaLentils spilt a trail behind meWhile I labored to findA teaContinue reading “Garden of Eden by Tracy K. Smith”
Letter Written on a Ferry While Crossing Long Island Sound by Anne Sexton
Letter Written on a Ferry While Crossing Long Island Soundby Anne Sexton I am surprised to seethat the ocean is still going on.Now I am going backand I have ripped my handfrom your hand as I said I wouldand I have made it this faras I said I wouldand I am on the top deckContinue reading “Letter Written on a Ferry While Crossing Long Island Sound by Anne Sexton”
By Bus to Fresno by Philip Levine
By Bus to Fresno by Philip Levine I wakened at a filling station outside of Wasco to see the light breaking over the Sierras. The boy next to me asked were we there yet. He said it first in Spanish so perfect I smiled and said no. When he asked again in perfect English IContinue reading “By Bus to Fresno by Philip Levine”
Highway 58 Spring by Mark A. Fisher
Highway 58 Springby Mark A. Fisher driving east of Bakersfieldthe scent of oranges-yet-to-comefills the almost clean airthe moon not yet risen from behindthose worn down mountainsnot yet green– not yet smeared with wildflowersstill weeks awaythough the dream of themdrifts through the hillslike a tule fog Previously published in Mojave River Review Fall/Winter 2018 PHOTO: RollingContinue reading “Highway 58 Spring by Mark A. Fisher”
The Grand Silos of the Sacramento by Lawson Fusao Inada
The Grand Silos of the Sacramento by Lawson Fusao Inada From a distance, at night, they seem to be industries—all lit up but not on the map; or, in this scientific age, they could be installations for launching rocket ships— so solid, and with such security, are they. . . Ah, but up close, byContinue reading “The Grand Silos of the Sacramento by Lawson Fusao Inada”
Circumambulation of Mt. Tamalpais by Andrew Hoyem
Circumambulation of Mt. Tamalpaisby Andrew Hoyem Those paths on the mountainside which neither ascend nor descendbut proceed at a level, are overgrown from disuseby human beings if ever they wentalong these routes. Animals and other spirits who do not disturb the foliage overheadwalk through the foothills, past the mountain,without observing its heights orthe surrounding depths.Continue reading “Circumambulation of Mt. Tamalpais by Andrew Hoyem”
POETRY and PLACES 