Category: poetry
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Eighth Grade
by Catherine Zickgraf We were empty-eyed cinder blocks,ringed keys unlocking the doorknobs. Among junior high’s sleepy congregation,an audience of our class’s generation,only some of us showed up praised and amen-ed. School taught me typing for college essaysand gave me chances to run away. We’d flood from the school at 3:05—but only some return now for…
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Two Poems by J.S. MacLean
Evolution The scientists said trees grow, I watched one awhile and no they do not. Invisible Minority They are not ghosts that prowl the earth down lanes of truth with greed for sight. & J.S. MacLean J.S. MacLean has been writing poetry since the early 70s with two collections “Molasses Smothered Lemon Slices” and “Infinite…
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Two Poems
by J.S. MacLean EvolutionThe scientists saidtrees grow, I watched one awhileand no they do not. Invisible MinorityThey are not ghoststhat prowl the earthdown lanes of truthwith greed for sight. J.S. MacLean J.S. MacLean has been writing poetry since the early 70s with two collections “Molasses Smothered Lemon Slices” and “Infinite Oarsmen for one” available on…
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Two Poems by Heidi Slettedahl
Loneliness Loneliness a white sheet drawn over me at night, my naked body unaccustomed to the weight. River’s Edge I’ve never swum in a river for fear of tides and my dead uncle. My father made us learn to swim in pools even as he stood on the edge, himself unable. Vacations, my mother left…
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Two Poems
by Heidi Slettedahl LonelinessLonelinessa white sheetdrawn over me at night,my naked body unaccustomed to the weight. River’s EdgeI’ve never swum in a riverfor fear of tidesand my dead uncle. My father made us learn to swim in poolseven as he stood on the edge, himself unable. Vacations, my mother left with her sister, shopping, whilemy…
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She Said
by Lauren Bender quickly, the rulesof shacking up in a she shed.turn away from your real houselike others turn away fromsatan, sparkling with distaste.display your set of chairs and theirsoft porch cushions. embrace thosewho register words rather thanhow outrageous the words are.those who don’t see bold as the backboneof greatness. then take your thoughtsand hobbies…
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The Best You Can Do
by Lauren Bender Her sweater takes your hand without bite,her head lifts to watch you dispense your charity. Her eye peels your skin away, and your insidesscrunch up and then fold in on themselves like many palms covering faces as they buckleto weepiness. Things flutter in your chest, you start to understand that it’s not…
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Business Trips
by Lauren Bender I pack my identity guides, flip and re-flip the pages in my quest to makea catalognot just of what I am and not just of what I think I amor what I would like to think I ambut what I could be. Most important of all those possibilities, and the waymy astrological…
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Blending Techniques 1 & 2
by Lauren Bender Don’t tell methere are peoplein this room; I can see thembut that does notmean they exist. My sweater sleeveis mouth-soakedwith the fear of swallowing.I am on a missionto be small with furtive eyeslike any animalwith suspicions, pricking its earsto the distant sobsin the hills, angry in anticipation ofbeing hunted. Thenangry I never…
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Tipping Point
by Lauren Bender I bled outduring the night. A small wound.I don’t know why. I woke to find mybody drained, a bit dizzy.Must have been midnight when I hit empty,a man rattling my doorknob backand forth slow, quiet, angryat its lock. Must have been thatwicked moment when the oven clicked on,thinking about itself, and the…
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