The Haunted By John Masefield
Here, in this darkened room of this old house, I sit beside the fire. I hear again, Within, the scutter where the mice carouse, Without, the gutter dropping with the … Continue reading The Haunted By John Masefield
Photograph from September 11 by Wislawa Szymborska
They jumped from the burning floors— one, two, a few more, higher, lower. The photograph halted them in life, and now keeps them above the earth toward the earth. Each … Continue reading Photograph from September 11 by Wislawa Szymborska
California Prodigal
By Maya Angelou FOR DAVID P—B The eye follows, the landSlips upward, creases down, forms The gentle buttocks of a young Giant. In the nestle,Old adobe bricks, washed of Whiteness, … Continue reading California Prodigal
Beat! Beat! Drum!
By Walt Whitman Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force,Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,Into the school where the scholar is studying,Leave not … Continue reading Beat! Beat! Drum!
Ode to Armpit Air
By Lisa Low Every June I think I might stop shavingmy armpits. Every summer’shalf-assed attempt involves partieswith my arms clamped shutlike when I was in middle school, afraidmy deodorant wasn’t … Continue reading Ode to Armpit Air
Moonlight
By Jinhao Xie in my dream. I hold hands with my brother.we are both boys: he looks atme through his thick lashes. a squint.three years of time travel, between him … Continue reading Moonlight
Chocolate
Jinhao Xie Your grandmother’s grave nestlesin the nest of mountains’ thick hair.You try to name every tree that lookslike your grandmother. A hurricanefound underneath your seat is your uncle’sreckless driving … Continue reading Chocolate
Fear not my Touch
By Kuma Raj Subedi Vibrant and creepy Fragile, sleepy Antidepressant-coyness smeared Colour often bright But dark when touched Mesmerising beauty Lures soul longing for a hug Welcoming patterns like a … Continue reading Fear not my Touch
Kin
By Maya Angelou FOR BAILEYWe were entwined in red rings Of blood and loneliness before The first snows fellBefore muddy rivers seeded clouds Above a virgin forest, and Men ran naked, blue and black Skinned … Continue reading Kin
The Children of The Poor
By Gwendolyn Brooks People who have no children can be hard:Attain a mail of ice and insolence:Need not pause in the fire, and in no senseHesitate in the hurricane to … Continue reading The Children of The Poor
Retired Ballerinas, Central Park West
By Lawrence Ferlinghetti Retired ballerinas on winter afternoons walking their dogs in Central Park West (or their cats on leashes— the cats themselves old highwire artists) The ballerinas leap and … Continue reading Retired Ballerinas, Central Park West
Not Everything is Sex
By Lauren Whitehead OkayTell that to the palm of this Black man’s handever so slightly cupped and carrying in its bendthe finger tips of another Black man, both of themarms … Continue reading Not Everything is Sex
Sad Boy’s Sad Boy
By Charles Bernstein I ruin my hats and all the mat slides glad I hop my girls and all is skip again I jump I run you up inside my … Continue reading Sad Boy’s Sad Boy
Miami
By Ted Greenwald For Ed. Baynard buildings blendinto the sky the workgoes onfrom where we left offand consciousness, by rights,is doors and windowsa spritz of colorin this lifeis what we … Continue reading Miami
