By Michael Lee Johnson Just because I am old do not tumble me dry. Toss me away with those unused Wheat pennies, Buffalo nickels, and Mercury dimes in those pickle jars in the basement. Do not bleach my dark memories Salvation Army my clothes to the poor because I died. Do not retire me leave … Continue reading Just Because, Bad Heart
Forgiveness
By Kelli J Gavin Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive? When asked this question, I pause, feel uncomfortable, and then realize I am not able to answer right away. There isn't just one person, there is a list. A list of people that I haven't forgiven. A list that makes … Continue reading Forgiveness
Old Men Walk Funny
By Michael Lee Johnson Old men walk funny with shadows and time eating at their heels. Pediatric walkers, prostate exams, bend over, then most die. They grow poor, leave their grocery list at home, and forget their social security checks bank account numbers, dwell on whether they wear dentures, uppers or lowers; did they put … Continue reading Old Men Walk Funny
Hands
By Kelli J Gavin Since I was a small child, I have been fascinated with hands. Whenever I met someone new, I looked at their hands. I judged teachers worthy of their ability to teach based on the appearance of their hands. I felt a Sunday School teacher with beautiful hands was better equipped to … Continue reading Hands
Injured Shadow
By Michael Lee Johnson In nakedness of life moves this male shadow worn out dark clothes, ill fitted in distress, holes in his socks, stretches, shows up in your small neighborhood, embarrassed, walks pastime naked with a limb in open landscape space- damn those worn out black stockings. He bends down prays for dawn, bright … Continue reading Injured Shadow
The Grass That Sways
By Kelli J Gavin When the grass sways from the mighty wind And hits my ankles and brushes my legs I fondly remember a simpler time when I thought being outside was my job When mom and dad would send us out To play all day and return for food Maybe even water and … Continue reading The Grass That Sways
Canadian Seasons Exiled Poet
By Michael Lee Johnson Walking across the seasons in exile in worn out house slippers, summer in Alberta prairies- snowshoes, cross-country skiing winter in Edmonton, Alberta. I'm man captured in Canadian wilderness, North Saskatchewan River. I embrace winters of this north call them mercy killers. Exiled now 10 years here I turn rain into thunder, days … Continue reading Canadian Seasons Exiled Poet
Ornamental Grasses
By Kelli J Gavin When I was a child, we didn’t travel very often. I didn’t even board a plane until I was 11 years old. We would go to cabins in the woods for a couple nights or so, but they were always within a few hours of home. My dad and mom worked … Continue reading Ornamental Grasses
Seaview
By Ahmad Al-khatat Since the time I built my first sand castle and the waves damaged it I knew that temptation was not fancy in my small home nor in the castle of my princess The thieves are well trained to play with them meanwhile, tears are falling hopelessly Different drugs are no longer bad … Continue reading Seaview
sandman
By Wanda Morrow Clevenger there were times a year or two here and there at the housing when I had a bedroom to myself, upstairs facing the Christenson’s front door the window fan blared so behind the headboard I could talk out loud in anonymity I prayed in the wild whirl forever it … Continue reading sandman
Academy of the Heart And Mind 