By Michael Lee Johnson The full moon illuminates a dense coniferous forest and a path winding between the trunks of tall pines. The moonlight is divided into rays, covered by the tops of pine trees In Tennessee, the shadows of the southernwooden structures stalled off the narrowhighway and came to an abrupt end.Lost in the … Continue reading Turnips in Southern Tennessee Still
In My Will
By Michael Lee Johnson In my will, there will be a pinball machine.A renovated jukebox from American Pickers,a cable TV show. For the taverns, bars, and basements of fun seekers for thosewho long to be free and ferocious.I no longer fear death.Empty vodka bottle by my bed.A dusty Bible underlinedJesus’ messages in red. Michael Lee … Continue reading In My Will
Witchy Halloween and Other Poems
By Michael Lee Johnson Witchy Halloween Inside this late October 31st night, this poem turns into a pumpkin. Animation, something has gone devilishly wrong with my imagery. I take the lid off the pumpkin’s head light the pink candles inside. Demons, cry, crawl, split, fly outsides — escape, through the pumpkin’s eyes. I’m mixed in … Continue reading Witchy Halloween and Other Poems
Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
I’m a Riverboat Boy, Poem on Halsted Street (V2) As sure as church bells Sunday morning, ringing on Halsted near State Street, Chicago, these memories will be soon forgotten. I stumble in my life with these words like broken sentences. I hear and denounce myself in the distance, mumbling chatter off my lips. Fragments and … Continue reading Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
Cracker Jack Box Poem I don’t wear my pocket watch anymore it reminds me of my age, 73, soon more, outdated gadget, time hanging where moving parts below don’t belong nor work anymore. I don’t like to think about endings. Age is a Cracker Jack box with no face, modern speed dial, no toy inside, … Continue reading Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
Waltz, Footprints in Snow (V2)
By Michael Lee Johnson December 24th, I find footprints in this snow, yours frozen, our broken dreams. Will your lawyer Grinch my wallet, fleece me while I pray to Jesus Christ tonight? Even the devil stoked in flames has standards, jukebox baby. Even Jesus suffers with the poor, feels lonely on winter moon distant planets. … Continue reading Waltz, Footprints in Snow (V2)
Rose Petals in a Dark Room (V3)
By Michael Lee Johnson I walk through this poem one step at a time. I walk in a mastery of this night and light my money changers walk behind me they’re fools like clowns in a shadow of sin, they’re busy as bees as drunken lovers, Sodom and Gomorrah before this salt pillar falls. In … Continue reading Rose Petals in a Dark Room (V3)
Rain (V2)
By Michael Lee Johnson In the rain, this thunder on his way home he rebelled. He a disco dancer, single Friday night award winner on the floor. High school dropout. He drove off the road edge. He was drunk, Jack Daniel’s was his driving instructor. Jack Daniel bottle left at grave. It never rains … Continue reading Rain (V2)
Michelangelo: Painter and Poet (V2)
By Michael Lee Johnson Michelangelo with steel balls and a wire brush wishing he was wearing motorcycle leathers, going wild and crazy, stares cross-eyed at the Sistine Chapel ceiling- nose touching moist paint, body stretch out on a plank, bones held by ropes from falling- delirious, painting that face of Jesus and the Prophets … Continue reading Michelangelo: Painter and Poet (V2)
Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
Reincarnation (V4) Next life I will be a little higher up the pecking order. No longer a dishwasher at the House of Pancakes or Ricky’s All Day Grill, or Sunday night small dog thief. I will evolve into the Prince of Bullfrogs. Crickets don’t bother me. Swamp flies don’t bother me–I eat them. Alligators I avoid. I … Continue reading Poems by Michael Lee Johnson
Academy of the Heart And Mind 