Poetry

Evelyn (no. 141 of Women’s names sensual series) Mind’s racing every day, but today—it’s stillsince I hung up the phone, the doctor shared with me the news:My sister is now dead— Now I am all alone...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...