BEAMING by William Combes
Ode to the Beast
Without doubtIt is my body,That sees, feels, and shouts.
Without doubt,It is my body,That perceives an accomplished clout.
It’s done so much,Become so much,Since in the soup it first crawled out.
It did so...
PRECARIOUS by Sandip Saha
PrecariousA tiny islandsurroundedby watereverywherea diver findslong columnof land downtouching seabedit is not a mountainno hard rockhow it exitsin turmoilof wavesin oceanstormcan’tfellit!
Dream disorders
I feel always awake in sleepmy limbs take rest, eyes closedbut mind is...
A LULLABY FOR HOME by Dibyasree Nandy
A Lullaby For Home
The floating white fire in the night sky dimsAn outline looms, is golden-hewnAcross the crag, beyond the cloudsOur home seen in the horizon.
It’s no mere delf, a realm at the hilly...
POSSIBLE POWER METAPHORS by Terry Trowbrige
Possible Power Metaphors
Looking through her own reflectionat a yellow patterned python,a teenage girl asks why the snakehas not eaten a mouse companionwho, sitting on the snake’s head,grooms her tiny arms.
Looking back, maybe seeing doublepossibly...
WOODEN STAIRS by Donna M. Davis
Devilsafter Ambrose Bierce (The Devil’s Dictionary)
Devils want to thrustthe business end of a pininto humanity’s metaphorical eye.They often regret their danceas angels on its tiny silver headand the question of how many.But I know...
THE FOOL’S MASK by Mark Vogel
Farther up the road you gonna reap what you sowMetaphor, metaphor, metaphor—impossible to kill.Take it as given round this big river that nearlyevery neighbor has sliced off a rattler head,watched the headless rope’s shivering...
ASHORE by Laurie Hollman
AshoreIn the morning the scarring world holds me down so I cannot rise.I stretch my arms above my head like elastic bands with no end.My toes reach far below until my calves ache and...
THREE POEMS by Phil Huffy
Future Perfect
I walked the old street last night,finding your front stepsnow claimed by other lovers
and saw them in shadow light,knowing that such timesare youthful, frantic moments
when the future lies distantand reminiscenceis a comfort still...
BEST FRIEND by Ellouisa Chen
Best Friend
Fey-eyed, nightgown-clad,Her hair well tousled;In her hands a bear or doll,The silhouette did not reveal.
She was my best friend,Her ears where secrets were whispered.
Her dreams, I learned;Her love, I treasured.It nectared bitter days,And...
SICAMOUS by Jasper Gle
Letters to the Editor
Should be dead on arrival.Should not reach the light of day.Should not be thought upIn the minds of the peopleWho intend to write them.
We can put a stop that. We can...