By Pauline Olthof-Youn A sliver of hope that there can be change, And holding out an olive branch to you, Wrapped up in an apology, like a dumpling, Loud cries of joy and relief are emitted Like the sound a bookshelf makes when it clatters and shakes On an eve when we are playing vinyl … Continue reading Forgiveness
Who’m I If Not Me?
By Ken Gosse If I write yours, then I am you.If you write mine, then I am two.That’s surely not what we should dofor I’m sure I’d obscure the viewintended; you might be offendedand your readers seek amendedpoetry from you, not me,that’s written how it’s s’posed to be;but otherhanded, should you chooseattempts to write while … Continue reading Who’m I If Not Me?
13 Days of Halloween: Diaphanous Spirit by Mary Steinberg
Diaphanous Spirit Ethereal Sprite Dancing on moonbeams Glossy and bright. Floating by freely Uplifting unwound Drifting and wafting Not making a sound. Spiritual Being Spun-silver delight Diaphanous Spirit Spectacular sight! Vaporous Mystic Incantations surround Swirling and swaying And turning around. Gossamer Traveler Translucence alight Releasing Your magic On Hallow’s Eve Night.
A Huntress Who Locks in
By Douglas J. Lanzo Flashing ambered orange, her eyespierce tall savannah grass,spotting shadows of horned beastsgrazing contentedly under mattedshade of acacia trees,as she tracks on padded pawsthrough yellow-seeded grass.Downwind of the herdthe undetected hunterflexes her spine and accelerates, pulsing with each clawed bound gripping sun-scorched earthas she powers quickening strides,turning in tight arc toward the … Continue reading A Huntress Who Locks in
The Gravity of Human Hands
By Mohit Saini \We are the species that names the stars,then counts their worth in coin and scars.We build our homes with borrowed stone,and call the dust beneath us "own."The same hand carving sacred artwill sign the orders, tear apart.The voice that rocks a child to sleepwill chant for war when passions leap.Yet in the … Continue reading The Gravity of Human Hands
Turnips in Southern Tennessee Still
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
B*I*N*G*O*
By P.S. Nolf The G67 ball flees down the aisle, Bouncing off legs of tables and chairs and humans.Chased by hordes of tripping and skipping and flippingTigers, tuxedos, Siamese, and shorthairs. The kittens have gone to war.Too young to jump, humans help the littles to table tops. There they discover the best toys.Skittles likes to … Continue reading B*I*N*G*O*
Against All Stars
By Aykut Tufekli No more solitude to you, since I’m hereWith all my care that you will feelLook at the sky, all those starsNever will it shine as bright as your eyesNo words could tell the beauty of your heartIt must be hard to be both cute and smartThrough every dream, through near or farYou’ll … Continue reading Against All Stars
Gratitude
By Anonymous Like the sun that greets the dawn,Your words brought light when hope was gone.A gentle breeze, a steady flame,You made joy dance when I heard my name.Your poem flew like wings of grace,Took me to a peaceful place.By rivers calm and forests wide,I felt your kindness at my side.So here I send my … Continue reading Gratitude
September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane
Like torches held aloft, a patchwork of copper and gold treesdapple the terrain. Merciless, a sudden gust sweeps through,stripping the boughs,sending a storm of color whirling to the ground. A lone jogger slows to a walk,bewitched by the dried leaves’ crunch beneath his every step.Children kick through mounds of fallen foliage —scarves trailing, breath visible,voices … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane
Academy of the Heart And Mind 