One Voteby Aimee Nezhukumatathil After reading a letter from his mother, Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution My parents are from countrieswhere mangoes grow wild and boldand eagles cry the sky in arcs and dips.America loved this bird too and made it clutch olives andContinue reading “One Vote by Aimee Nezhukumatathil”
Tag Archives: poets
Pandemic Escapees by Leah Mueller
Pandemic Escapees by Leah Mueller Lying in our motel bed halfway between Washington and Arizona: fitful crossroads of a dirty central California town. Steinbeck country minus the romance. Days Inn of Westley, ground-floor room with a parking lot view, 68 dollars plus tax. I shove my ears tight against the pillows to stifle the endlessContinue reading “Pandemic Escapees by Leah Mueller”
Overnight at White Pocket by Cynthia Anderson
Overnight at White Pocket by Cynthia Anderson You sleep if you can, a blanket of cold stars pulled over your head— then rise before dawn to catch the first rays lighting those pale and painted rocks—swirled concretions of bygone dunes, shaped by wind and snow and rain, like the storm that blew in yesterday, castingContinue reading “Overnight at White Pocket by Cynthia Anderson”
Ocracoke Night Magic by Ann Christine Tabaka
Ocracoke Night Magic by Ann Christine Tabaka Night falls early on the island with no pollution from light to interfere. The blackest of black. The only illumination a diamond-studded firmament, with a brilliant pathway dividing it in two. The Milky Way is visible arching northeast to southwest. A magical experience standing on windswept beach. SaltContinue reading “Ocracoke Night Magic by Ann Christine Tabaka”
Slip Over the Edge by Ken Hartke
Slip Over the Edgeby Ken Hartke Quietly slip over the edge.Disappear without a trace.Follow the old trails.The canyon trails are worn smoothby bare feet or reed sandals.Centuries old handholds are still there. Trails wind down to hidden pools.Deep shade is cool below the canyon rimScorching sunlight is a stranger here.The breeze builds toward the afternoon.ChanneledContinue reading “Slip Over the Edge by Ken Hartke”
Sequoia Sunrise by Mark A. Fisher
Sequoia Sunriseby Mark A. Fisher iciclestarlighthanging downthrough the silentred giantswhile the thumbnail moonspills silver lightthat pools in the meadowsand slowly seeps outinto the forest’til the barest hintsof red in the eastern skymakes the first bird begin todrowsily sing, rousing chickareehidden high up in the treesand answered by a woodpeckerbeating beating beating out the rhythmfor theContinue reading “Sequoia Sunrise by Mark A. Fisher”
I’m traveling back in time by Mathias Jansson
I’m traveling back in timeby Mathias Jansson I’m traveling back in timeto the north of Swedento my parents’ placewhere I was born I’m traveling back in timefollow my childhood paththe path I used to runthrough the forestdown to the river I’m traveling back in timeto a time when I saton the stone by the waterfishingContinue reading “I’m traveling back in time by Mathias Jansson”
New Orleans by Anne Whitehouse
New Orleansby Anne Whitehouse In this city the Church had dominion over the dead,but the dead would not stay buried.They rose up out of the groundwhen the river overflowed and the ground turned to water.Fevers, vapors, and miasmas circulated,the air so humid it was another form of water.Pale, wide, and muddy, the river loomed,and theContinue reading “New Orleans by Anne Whitehouse”
Via Lactea by Robert Lima
Via LacteaOn the Photograph by Dionisio Ameal Pachecoby Robert Lima The old hĂłrreo, a granary on the Rio Minho,receives the torrent of stars into its wooden hold.It is a stellar blessing on the landscapeof the ancient Celtic peoples,sons of Breogán, that begat the line. A bountiful engagement of primal matterand elemental Earth,the stars falling onContinue reading “Via Lactea by Robert Lima”
Père Lachaise by Jennifer Lagier
Père Lachaiseby Jennifer Lagier Our guide, Jean-Jacques,tells us stories,reads inscriptionson mausoleums.Marks a map as Iexplore a city of deathwith expatriate friends.We pass grandiose memorials.Angels and antichrists decomposebeside housewives and saints.Fading lipstick kisses polka dotOscar Wilde’s neutered sphinx.According to rumor, a bureaucratanchors his paperwork withthe severed stone sex.Someone has stolen Jim Morrison’sbronze bust, a poppy and twistofContinue reading “Père Lachaise by Jennifer Lagier”
POETRY and PLACES 