Black Venus Flytrap
Black Venus Flytrap by Jeanetta Rich I met Jeanetta at a poetry slam (give or take six years ago) and was amazed how she naturally commanded the stage with her grace. Of course, this body of poetry didn’t miss a beat. Black Venus Flytrap explores sexuality, heartbreak, growing up, and coming to love your blackness, … Continue reading Black Venus Flytrap
Natalie
by Keana Aguila Labra Natalie reminds me of a song that should have been longer, that’s how good it is. The reader is immediately sucked into Keana’s heavy imagery and meticulous style of words as she expresses her love and heartbreak. This is a walk down memory lane you’d want to take while learning to … Continue reading Natalie
Cold Room
by Jide Badmus It’s a rainy morning.The earth breathescold on its citizens.I reach for a blanket offlesh that is unavailable. The room is filledwith pieces of you—strands of hair,vestige of scent,mirage of smile &a ghost of your voice.There is a depressionon your side of the bed—but these walls struggleto reconstruct memories.The mirror claims not torecall … Continue reading Cold Room
The Family Hermit
by John Grey He was a quiet man, not so much thoughtful, as indifferent to thinking. He pretended to be a father but the motions didn’t suit. And his face was ill-fitted for warmth. On Sundays, instead of church, my father would drive some place on his own. take to the side roads, the dirt … Continue reading The Family Hermit
A View of The Aurora Borealis
by John Grey So cold, so sunless, in these northern climes and yet, in the distance, horizon won’t go dark as green dances deliriously through brownish-red emissions, glowing blue emulsions, and solar wind blows pink and yellow. The closer I draw my coat to me, the wider my eyes open. What once was shiver is … Continue reading A View of The Aurora Borealis
Unwell
by Mark Mitchell This bodywas not workshopped. No one soughtbetter ways to build it so functionswould join smoothly and everyonewould be pleased all the time. It will justhave to do its best.&& Mark J. Mitchell Mark J. Mitchell was born in Chicago and grew up in southern California. His latest poetry collection, Starting from Tu … Continue reading Unwell
Three Poems by Freya Pickard
movement song – ocean rounded by the salty wavescarved by the moon-driven tideground down to tiny pebbles;do they remember largeness? shout song for the sea ride the high cold black wavefly through stinging ice foamabsorb the energy! dark song for death death;simplydecayingno song, no tunedark breath of death bird&& Freya Pickard Freya is a cancer … Continue reading Three Poems by Freya Pickard
Rainfall Baptism
by Sarah Prindle The sky is grey and heavy with unshed tears. Stay still as the rain pours down, cool crystal droplets falling to earth upon our heads washing away dirt and sweat, a blessing a baptism a brand-new life. & & Sarah M. Prindle Sarah M. Prindle received an Associate’s Degree in English from … Continue reading Rainfall Baptism
To The Girl With The Bag Of Stars
By Imogen. L. Smiley To the girl with the bag of stars,Your music was too loud as you fumbled for your ticket;With hair in your face you laughed in apologyAnd I had never seen something so bright.You danced with opening barriers,Even though you had plenty of spaceYou could demand.To the girl with the bag of … Continue reading To The Girl With The Bag Of Stars
Calm
by Zach Beach Life isn’t always magic.Sometimes, a tepid morning fillsitself with the small necessities:a run to the pharmacy. Cleaning last night’ssoaking pot. Watching a sitcombefore bed; an inexpressive facelit up only by flickering… What else should one ask for when the party was yesterday?when our minds refuse&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&to focus on the written word. &&&&&When our … Continue reading Calm