tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89131795335203258972024-03-18T19:12:02.904-07:00DEAD SNAKESAnother day at the job...Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.comBlogger4466125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-6141893283838130232016-10-23T23:38:00.000-07:002016-10-24T00:08:16.281-07:00Hibernating?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dead
Snakes closed back on June 27, 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hopefully
in the near future Dead Snakes will return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps we are not dead, but just hibernating…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dead
Snakes will remain with the archives open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please comment on the poems, photos, and art…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their creators still visit the site and love
to hear from you and your opinions.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I also
closed UFO Gigolo and
Calvary Cross<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">. </span>Feel
free to visit them and the archives.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
perhaps UFO Gigolo is orbiting Mars and will return…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know my Lord will forgive me for
closing Calvary Cross, for only He knows the full story.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m
still on Twitter as papapoet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take
care my friends,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stephen</span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-80569248215513412362016-06-27T23:55:00.000-07:002016-06-27T23:55:52.027-07:00Dead Snakes is Dead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dead Snakes is Dead</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to all the poets and artists and photographers for making Dead Snakes so successful! It is with great sadness we're closing her down. Please send your poems that you have emailed in to another poetry site. There are many great poetry sites out there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Keep writing and Mega Cheers!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stephen Jarrell Williams</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-36668320025704195022016-06-27T01:08:00.000-07:002016-06-27T01:08:11.910-07:00James Diaz- Three Poems & Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePhfRhO-rajKfoXuC3bfD4R5V2-iNdxRP5RhQJeuxl0w7llToriaHpgKNRH87a_J7Uk80dxQBcNrZclptLgy_7b7UNQaRVhr92HiNTZn2KzXXjXJbFmev5WMa9EY-Fo_v3pC3xljkUkY/s1600/picture+111+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePhfRhO-rajKfoXuC3bfD4R5V2-iNdxRP5RhQJeuxl0w7llToriaHpgKNRH87a_J7Uk80dxQBcNrZclptLgy_7b7UNQaRVhr92HiNTZn2KzXXjXJbFmev5WMa9EY-Fo_v3pC3xljkUkY/s400/picture+111+081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">The best thing about us</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This carry on racket</div>
<div>
I'll go </div>
<div>
where everyone else goes</div>
<div>
I'll be in </div>
<div>
after the light</div>
<div>
hollows under </div>
<div>
& you'll know it</div>
<div>
when you see it</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
how more than fist </div>
<div>
and elbow scars</div>
<div>
carry us across</div>
<div>
the interstate</div>
<div>
an absolute miracle </div>
<div>
to still be</div>
<div>
alive right now</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
fucking world</div>
<div>
won't go </div>
<div>
according to plan</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
need different maps</div>
<div>
to draw the line</div>
<div>
over a pulse so ill kept</div>
<div>
so inside of you right now</div>
<div>
that the outer skin blossoms like a name</div>
<div>
you've kept hid</div>
<div>
now stealing into the sun</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
don't think twice</div>
<div>
it's not alright</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
but we know how to live off of very little</div>
<div>
how to bleed without a cut</div>
<div>
how to track & trace the things gone missing</div>
<div>
shove them into our mouths </div>
<div>
full fisted & weeping</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
so much of the soul is carry-on luggage</div>
<div>
what matters most will not fit</div>
<div>
three punches in </div>
<div>
& your body crumbles</div>
<div>
a voice from nowhere telling you to “just breathe”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it's been called the best thing about us</div>
<div>
not knowing who we are.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Human Stuff</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Nothing I hate more </div>
<div>
than having to tell you</div>
<div>
circumstances</div>
<div>
change something essential in us</div>
<div>
and</div>
<div>
where the light goes</div>
<div>
when it's not in your eyes</div>
<div>
I have no fucking idea</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
how many little deaths you'll encounter</div>
<div>
before you find the real one</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
bounced checks are what my mother left me</div>
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<br /></div>
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when it's raining I forget the words for what I've left behind</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope this finds you unwell</div>
<div>
and knowing a great many things you didn't know then</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
when we loved with knives</div>
<div>
and broken curfews</div>
<div>
and god is what you called a cab with a busted headlight</div>
<div>
drove us home anyway</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
as it turned out we had no home</div>
<div>
dashed from the fare there on the corner</div>
<div>
of nowhere at all</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't forgive you</div>
<div>
this isn't a forgiveness poem</div>
<div>
it's a “can I borrow 20 dollars poem”</div>
<div>
a love song without the love & without the singing</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
there is fire in me too</div>
<div>
you thought my fields didn't know dark days</div>
<div>
I came from nothing but dark days</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
you were always luckier with the light than I was </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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you were a half inch taller than I knew what to do with</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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I was a bad name and I did not know how long it takes to hear yourself when called</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it wasn't always shit</div>
<div>
just more than we could handle</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“human stuff”</div>
<div>
my father would say.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">The man at the 7-11, leaning in</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He said, silence</div>
<div>
put yourself in silence</div>
<div>
he said, walk it off</div>
<div>
until the tail lights deep blue</div>
<div>
clings to your leaving </div>
<div>
& every day is more or less</div>
<div>
devastation in waiting</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
until you pull two hearts from your mouth</div>
<div>
instead of only one</div>
<div>
and you laugh, how life still goes on</div>
<div>
after you have forgotten all of the names </div>
<div>
attached to places</div>
<div>
you'll never return to </div>
<div>
in one piece</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He said, silence</div>
<div>
put yourself into yourself</div>
<div>
and hold on </div>
<div>
for dear light</div>
<div>
is not long in this place</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
is already leaving without you.</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Bio:
James Diaz lives in New York. He edits Anti-Heroin Chic and has a few
poems here and there like HIV Here & Now, Ink Sweat & Tears and
Indiana Voice Journal. </span></div>
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Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-78945861630570595482016-06-27T00:49:00.000-07:002016-06-27T00:49:10.916-07:00Paul Tristram- Three Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Paul Tristram is a Welsh writer who has poems, short stories, sketches and photography
<br />
published in many publications around the world, he yearns to tattoo porcelain bridesmaids
<br />
instead of digging empty graves for innocence at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_850627668" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">midnight</span></span>; this too may pass, yet.<br />
Buy his books ‘Scribblings Of A Madman’ (Lit Fest Press) <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1943170096&source=gmail&ust=1467099176853000&usg=AFQjCNEbIl_kE4aXwrx4vTXmIz7HUr43Rw" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1943170096" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/<wbr></wbr>1943170096</a>
<br /> </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">‘Poetry From The Nearest Barstool’ at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1326241036&source=gmail&ust=1467099176854000&usg=AFQjCNEztYPd9kPR3oOjI7z3_DpwIdLXfg" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1326241036" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/<wbr></wbr>1326241036</a> <br /> </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">And a split poetry book ‘The Raven And The Vagabond Heart’ with Bethany W Pope <br />
at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1326415204&source=gmail&ust=1467099176854000&usg=AFQjCNFxGYuDhlupD8L-Pur9d77PyZzexg" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1326415204" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/<wbr></wbr>1326415204</a> <br /> </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">You can also read his poems and stories here! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/&source=gmail&ust=1467099176854000&usg=AFQjCNFg-QGYHcGyt6nROcD97EPhrpY33g" href="http://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://paultristram.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>co.uk/</a></span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Struggling With Alcoholism With You</span></span></div>
<br />
The day is different now.<br />
It’s just not funny anymore.<br />
Rhythm and pitch have changed<br />
and that crazy desperation is gone.<br />
You spoilt my outlaw fun<br />
with smiles and gentle caring.<br />
Unclouded my messed up head<br />
and I have never felt so ill before.<br />
<br />
<br />
© Paul Tristram 2016<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">The Knife Grinder</span></span></div>
<br />
“Sarge, we have a Mr. Joe Pickering<br />
down at the front desk<br />
and he claims that he wishes to become<br />
a future witness in the identification<br />
of our very own Jack The Ripper.”<br />
<br />
“What’s that…is he clairvoyant,<br />
nuts or is this a complete wind-up?”<br />
<br />
“Well Sir, he says he’s the Knife Grinder<br />
over on Petticoat Lane…”<br />
<br />
“Oh, it just gets better and better!”
<br />
<br />
“…he says for 2 bob a week<br />
he’ll keep his eyes peeled,<br />
swears he knows the door number,<br />
street name and face of every knife<br />
he serves on his patch…<br />
it’s only 2 bob sir, <br />
I thought it was worth a shot?”<br />
<br />
“I thought you were pulling my pisser<br />
there for a minute, young Hawkins.<br />
Send him up and I’ll have a quick word<br />
with this clever little swine!”<br />
<br />
<br />
© Paul Tristram 2015<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">That’s Not A Temper? ... This Is A Fucking Temper!</span></span></div>
<br />
It was like a bomb going off, apparently.<br />
A small greasy spoon in a side street<br />
just off the main drag,<br />
packed to the brim with <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_850627669" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">11am</span></span> shoppers.<br />
They were smack bang in the middle<br />
when he didn’t so much arise but erupted,<br />
growing sasquatch size in seconds.<br />
The unbelievable noise that came out <br />
of his bellowing mouth was horrifying.<br />
Like a terrified, hunted horse<br />
sliding through mud into barbed wire.<br />
The unsuspecting audience <br />
flew, fell and stumbled out of their seats<br />
causing a rippling, domino effect around them.<br />
He had her by the throat with such force<br />
and concentration that his own face looked burnt.<br />
In the ensuing confusion and cuffuddle<br />
no one called the police until later.<br />
He was set upon killing her,<br />
murder in his demented eyes <br />
and an evil sharks snarl livid beneath them.<br />
No one but OAP’s and mothers with babies<br />
around them… helpless and awful and agony.<br />
It was the manager who saved her,<br />
he come running from out the back<br />
and panned him good and proper<br />
twice over the bonce with a skillet.<br />
Damned near caved his head in completely,<br />
he died in hospital a few days later,<br />
the poor woman is still sectioned up on F-Ward.<br />
There’s no moral to this here story,<br />
it’s just a little snapshot, if you will,<br />
from the ordinary, everyday streets of Great Britain.<br />
<br />
<br />
© Paul Tristram 2016<br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-77405563954803049752016-06-27T00:31:00.000-07:002016-06-27T00:31:28.699-07:00Damian Rucci- Two Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">AMBER</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">I’ve been trying
to find the muse</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">in the forests
on Maple Place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">in the sea-foam
of the Bayshore waves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">or in
jet-streamed blue skies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">but</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">the only time I
catch a glimpse</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">of that bitch is
through</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">the orange
prescription bottles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">that paints
these Jersey towns</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">in amber apathy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">so</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">I drink with the
winos on Broadway—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">the old poets
who have never written a word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">who cast their
lines and drink their drinks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">waiting for
dinner and for</span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';">the world to
burn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: orange;">SELL OUT</span></div>
<br />
I still have the fifty tickets<br />
in a rubber-band<br />
in the box beside my bed.<br />
<div>
</div>
They’re from our last<br />
show <br />
<div>
</div>
I haven’t had the balls <br />
to look at it yet<br />
but I know they’re there.<br />
<div>
</div>
I always wonder if I <br />
lift the cardboard lid<br />
will the harmonies we echoed<br />
paint the room in teenage angst?<br />
<div>
</div>
Will I hear the drunken cheers<br />
of the bar crowds in North Centerville?<br />
<div>
</div>
Will the vibrations of half stack <br />
amplifiers make earthquakes beneath my feet?<br />
<div>
</div>
Will my mouth be consumed with the <br />
bitter taste of a day-late-a-buck-short ?<br />
<div>
</div>
I spark a cigarette,<br />
open the damn thing and wince.<br />
<div>
</div>
Fifty tickets in a rubber-band.<br />
An old flannel torn at the elbow.<br />
Wooden shards of a smashed<br />
acoustic guitar.<br />
A broken pick.<br />
<div>
</div>
I take the box and throw<br />
it in the trash.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">BIO:</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Damian
Rucci is a writer and poet from New Jersey whose work has appeared in
the Lehigh Valley Vanguard, Five 2 One Magazine,Yellow Chair Review,
Beatdom, Eunoia Review and other journals. He is the author of the
chapbook A Symphony of Crows and the host of the reading series Poetry in
the Port.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-3309528799028642432016-06-27T00:13:00.004-07:002016-06-27T00:13:55.661-07:00Ananya S. Guha- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sky Blues</span></span><br />
<br />
don't you know<br />
<div>
tiredness escapes</div>
<div>
when there is no want</div>
<div>
the rainbow pierces sky </div>
<div>
like a haunt, with the rain </div>
<div>
fiddling through, looking </div>
<div>
up I exclaim enough is enough. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Ananya S Guha</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Shillong, INDIA.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-76269853504913685802016-06-27T00:05:00.001-07:002016-06-27T00:05:48.180-07:00Ayaz Daryl Nielsen- Three Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">grandfather’s stetson</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">rests upon the closet shelf</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">a firm presence</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">grandfather’s farm</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">early morning, late evening</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">do crickets sleep?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">life-</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">less</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">space rock</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">useful as</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">a remote rest stop</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">light years of fecal waste-matter</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">becoming life-forms upon a place now known as earth</span></div>
<div style="color: #08000a; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #08000a; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #08000a; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #08000a; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: orange;">ayaz daryl nielsen, ex-roughneck (as on oil rigs) and hospice nurse, is editor of <i>bear creek haiku</i> (27+ years/135+ issues), homes for his poems include<i> Lilliput Review</i>, <i>SCIFAIKUEST,</i> <i>Dead Snakes</i>,<i> Shamrock, Kind of a Hurricane, </i>and! online at: <i>bear creek haiku poetry, poems and info</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span><i> </i></span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com119tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-23588409322312202782016-06-26T00:51:00.000-07:002016-06-26T00:51:41.098-07:00Gene McCormick- Poem & Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92A9tGyJJRkVLaEJwcfSwBLN1JYNLQMaWPSPud-2DdeUypZG4XNa3UM4inf672tzaWiM56GTT0gZ4A5-XSkmv274k-k1LaaToaTlFhVjhPvc-xXcygqgQRSdD7t9MIs6WH4eUJCp9fN8/s1600/2016-06-15+Ready+For+Closeup%252C+CB+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92A9tGyJJRkVLaEJwcfSwBLN1JYNLQMaWPSPud-2DdeUypZG4XNa3UM4inf672tzaWiM56GTT0gZ4A5-XSkmv274k-k1LaaToaTlFhVjhPvc-xXcygqgQRSdD7t9MIs6WH4eUJCp9fN8/s400/2016-06-15+Ready+For+Closeup%252C+CB+001.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Venetian Blinds</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Flimsy metal Venetian blind strips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">can be grabbed and pulled down, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">or apart, to see outside without using </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the drawstring to properly open the blinds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">rash action not possible when they are </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">made of sturdy wooden slats.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oak-stained wooden slats added panache</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to Frank Capra’s luxury cottage suite </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in Napa Valley where the writer-producer-director,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">an Academy Award-winner when </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">many movies were black and white, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">locked himself in seclusion to finish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the script for <i>It’s A Wonderful Life.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Late afternoon California sun through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the open-slatted Venetian blinds in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">resort cottage creates a noir pattern</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">of black and white strips along the floor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">bending up the side wall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in the nook area at the rear</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">of the resort cottage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not a grid; parallel lines.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A person could spend hours opening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and closing the Venetian blinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">just to hear them clack.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sturdy well-engineered and designed </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">oak-stained Venetian blinds are made </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">of the finest materials and such repeated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">use won’t damage them.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s A Wonderful Life</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> was nominated for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">five Academy Awards. It won one.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brief Bio:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Gene McCormick likes to look through </span></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">other people’s Venetian blinds.</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-62872508635077689162016-06-26T00:35:00.000-07:002016-06-26T00:35:59.331-07:00Alan Catlin- Three Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Natural Selection</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I don’t think</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I was ever on an</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">actual date until</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I was 25.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Even in high school</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">we did the natural</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">selection thing:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">craft beers, home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">grown and let nature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">take its course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Someone was always</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">the last one left but</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">they were rarely</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">left out completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It was all very basic,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">maybe even crude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">but it worked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When someone </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">actually asked me out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I didn’t know what</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">to do. It was kind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">of a revelation;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“So this is what</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">dating is all about!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I kind of liked it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Even thought I’d try</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">it again some time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Like when I was 40.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr> <span style="color: red;">
</span></span><span style="color: red;">1 Y</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>He said</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>he had a</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>metal plate in</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>his head</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>compliments</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>of the V- Et- Kong</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>and was damn</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>proud of it</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>Hated long</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>haired Commie</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>weirdos who beat</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>the draft and went</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>to places like</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>college and didn't</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>care who knew it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>Thought I looked</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>like one of those</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>shifty types</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>he didn't like</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>I said I was</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>one of those 1 Y</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>crazies "A classic </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>unstable personality"</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>The Doctor had said</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>Bad chemicals<span> </span>I
said</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>They could go off</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>any minute so don't</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>mess with my head</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>Which was Ok fine</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>with him<span> </span>He'd
seen</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>a lot of crazies</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>during the war and</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>he knew the terrible</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>kinds of things </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>they could do</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span><br clear="all" /></span>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr> <span style="color: red;">
</span></span><span style="color: red;">Self Portrait</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>"You still look</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>like a kid"</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>He said</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>"I've known you</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>ten years and you</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>haven't aged a day</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>I ought to be</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>ashamed of how</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>much older I look</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>while you just</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>stay the same"</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>I said</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>"I'm the picture</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>of Dorian Gray</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>Inside I'm</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>corroding<span>
</span>eaten</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>up by whiskey</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>and disease</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>One of these days</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>like Bowie in </span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>The Hunger you </span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>can watch me age</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>a hundred years</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>inside of five</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>minutes"</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>He laughed</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>I guess he thought</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr>
</span>I was kidding</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-56138662156229734752016-06-26T00:24:00.001-07:002016-06-26T00:24:45.675-07:00Donal Mahoney- Three Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="a3s aXjCH m1558801750ede85f" id=":ma">
<div style="word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><b>A New Etiquette</b></span></span><div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">"One stall for all" is</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">a new scenario for Wilbur.</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">Thanks to his wife, he knew</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">in the past the right thing to do</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>but now he doesn't</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial;"> know what</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">"one stall for all” calls for </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">after he’s through:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">Is it toilet seat up</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">or toilet seat down?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><b style="font-size: large;">Daily Paper on the Lawn</b></span><br /><div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">An hour before dawn</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>the paper </b><b>is out on the lawn</b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">white in the moonlight </b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>a trumpet dozing </b><b>after </b><b>a </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>long night </b><b>in a jazz bar </b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">tired from playing </b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">but willing to play</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>a last set </b><b>for me</b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">not knowing I read </b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>only sports and the obits</b><b> </b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">two riffs in the paper</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;">anyone can believe</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><b>A Trip to the City</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">He lives at the edge of a forest</span></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">and loves all the different trees. </b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>He comes to the city </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial;">for </b><b style="font-family: Arial;">food </b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">and basic necessities.</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">He hates the long drive,</b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">the city even more.</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">On this trip he crosses </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">the street to avoid a huddle</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">of homeless men gathered </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">around parking meters.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">Safe on the other side</b></span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">he asks himself </b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">do I worry too much</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">about trees, too little </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">about </span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">people </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">too </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">hungry </span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">too poor </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">to hug them.</span></b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>———————————————————————</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Donal Mahoney lives in St. Louis, Missouri.</span></b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-63110098344878394392016-06-26T00:06:00.000-07:002016-06-26T00:06:25.645-07:00Bradley Williams- A Cartoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNSg0TwJLEz3Qx4KJwRKcOtkin0rcVceRjN1ddGgKTsOTlUjFxB-_Prh7UqWe9mNO9y2aA5aFROEpafDG_0ySohoXuq6B0rmZrZs2B3zGCcrYxbbXAeREpoSrW2SM3KP5U_Dj-HFaHdE/s1600/1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNSg0TwJLEz3Qx4KJwRKcOtkin0rcVceRjN1ddGgKTsOTlUjFxB-_Prh7UqWe9mNO9y2aA5aFROEpafDG_0ySohoXuq6B0rmZrZs2B3zGCcrYxbbXAeREpoSrW2SM3KP5U_Dj-HFaHdE/s400/1097.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-92011578980509352272016-06-26T00:02:00.000-07:002016-06-26T00:02:55.945-07:00John Pursch- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div>
<span style="color: orange;">John Pursch lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Twice nominated for Best of the Net, his work has appeared in many
literary journals. His first book, <i>Intunesia</i>, is available at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/whiteskybooks&source=gmail&ust=1467010242482000&usg=AFQjCNFhHrOb17A8FJn19v7FqmasSuc1GQ" href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/whiteskybooks" target="_blank">http://www.lulu.com/<wbr></wbr>spotlight/whiteskybooks</a>. Check out his experimental lit-rap video at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dl33aUs7obVc&source=gmail&ust=1467010242482000&usg=AFQjCNE5_ATy2G4-F_MsFrQq2_g0Lbzl7g" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l33aUs7obVc" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=l33aUs7obVc</a>. He’s @johnpursch on Twitter and john.pursch on Facebook.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Passing Tram</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even though the sound of a
latchkey child fills the city with want, even though a drink of cold water
quenches the need of an epiglottal stoplight, even though a busybody persists
in the circumstantial release from bondage of many a chosen warrior; the
appropriate may never escape the opprobrium of a broomstick, regardless of the
efficacy of action taken freely, in purely spontaneous charity. Such is the
often perplexing effect of the world’s balance of events in apparent randomness.
Probably turns to certainty only in the wake of now. We may wonder why it must
be so, why there cannot be another way, relief from wayward verbiage,
conceptual couth, illegitimate onslaught, literality, bogus abstinence, vowels
out of whack, formal fall from grace to gratitude to gravitational collapse. Finally,
the door is closed, as if by accident, but actually by inevitability, and we
are relieved, found by relief, maybe even in bas relief of the source of all
that is, imprinted on each passing moment, each commitment of fact. A wayward
wanderer straggles by, plunges into the evening heat, leaving us to struggle to
our feet. Even so, the voices murmur on, passing through chambers of appointed
rounds, dimming lights, emphatically living in counterpoint of prevailing
silence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-76392722085600092912016-06-25T00:48:00.003-07:002016-06-25T00:48:43.547-07:00Stefanie Bennett- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><strong>Stefanie Bennett has published several volumes of poetry &
worked with Arts</strong></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;">
</span><div>
<span style="color: orange;"><strong>Action for Peace. Of mixed ancestry
[Italian/Irish/Paugussett-<wbr></wbr>Shawnee] she</strong></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;">
</span><div>
<span style="color: orange;"><strong>was born in North Queensland, Australia.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE BRANCH</span></span> </strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>How to address the hollowness</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>That looks out</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>From an old friend’s eyes?</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>Much is demanded of the observer</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>- Far more than the one</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Salvaging the desire.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>Affiliations are catching. Just search</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Your pockets; you’ll find</strong></div>
<div>
<strong> <wbr></wbr>
Smoke</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>But – there’ll be no fire!</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>Most of us are in this state</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Of rehabilitation, constantly</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Meeting another’s danse macabre...</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>People of the earth – there is</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>A conspiracy to keep us</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Leaning away from ourselves:</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>Believe in the universal petition. Learn</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>To look into a cripple’s eyes</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>And say... I know you!</strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><strong>(‘The Branch’ appears in “First Refuge” Poems</strong></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;">
</span><div>
<span style="color: orange;"><strong>on Social Justice Anthology, Ginninderra
Press)</strong></span></div>
<div>
<strong> </strong></div>
<div>
<strong> </strong></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-57523910505730769392016-06-25T00:25:00.001-07:002016-06-25T00:25:24.931-07:00Charles Rammelkamp- A Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboOi4QP-Mwa5aIJLtB-DdvL0eOGNDfKp2TO8yUjWqaIdnbyXYt4iEbIVlov6rONAHzbciZ8c-tKCPGSpWJxXCSFR-AjhmG8SmVVFyzpHnbs2-sEAQQ10-R8JvYl7ZvDrKGK5pqOHclaQ/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboOi4QP-Mwa5aIJLtB-DdvL0eOGNDfKp2TO8yUjWqaIdnbyXYt4iEbIVlov6rONAHzbciZ8c-tKCPGSpWJxXCSFR-AjhmG8SmVVFyzpHnbs2-sEAQQ10-R8JvYl7ZvDrKGK5pqOHclaQ/s400/IMG_1906.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "These feet were made for dancing!"</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-21877579533208362832016-06-25T00:22:00.000-07:002016-06-25T00:22:04.431-07:00Ryan Hardgrove- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Answers out there!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
and the rains</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
coming down</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
like nails on the street</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
and I’m reaching out</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
into it</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
the loud shards of blankness</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
cutting through the air</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
rushing to the earth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
while somehow floating</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
hoping something out there</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
can save all this</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
save this </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
constant cycle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
deviate </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
the fucking stream</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
so as not to</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
repeat every shit mistake</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
for eternity</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
but the answers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
are never out there</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
they live someplace closer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
they live one place only</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
deep within us</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
past all the deception</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
we are cursed to carry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
past the poisonous ego</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
and the confusion</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
of self love</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
and self hate</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
to search </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
outward</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
without first </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
seeking inward</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
is the first step </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
towards completely </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
deluding yourself</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-76467751685034785082016-06-25T00:07:00.000-07:002016-06-25T00:07:14.333-07:00Steven Storrie- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GEORGIA</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t think you’d heard me</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t think you would do that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t you feel we sometimes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think more of people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Than maybe we probably should?</span><br />
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The small red digits</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the alarm clock say <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_400444398" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">3am</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I know that can’t be true</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it was you would be lying here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next to me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or I’d be in some seedy downtown bar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wondering if I’d dreamed you up inside my room</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I wouldn’t be having to write this stuff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again.</span><br />
</span><br /><br /><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">BIO; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"> <em><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Steven
Storrie has worked as a cable T.V repair man, dishwasher,
choreographer, ice cream vendor and junk yard attendant. Tired of this
he is currently locked in his basement working on his first full
collection of poetry, bickering with his neighbours over nothing and
storing the baseballs he keeps when they are hit into his yard. His
first collection of short stories, We Are Not The Kids We Used To Be,
will be released in November by DevilHouse Press. You can find him at
the website he runs, 'Black Coffee For Breakfast', at </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://renegadepriest11.wix.com/blackcoffeebreakfast&source=gmail&ust=1466924250189000&usg=AFQjCNHVVEYT1HnzIB9wqpe6v9A9FF0UvA" href="http://renegadepriest11.wix.com/blackcoffeebreakfast" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">http://renegadepriest11.wix.co<wbr></wbr>m/blackcoffeebreakfast</span></a></em></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-67135363850010312462016-06-24T23:55:00.000-07:002016-06-24T23:55:50.006-07:00Gopal Lahiri- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Adversary</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Watching every morning then</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">you used to miss the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">the little egret as if running over
water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">with its vivid yellow toes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">you recall, too the game plan with</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">snow white ducks and the slick path</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">the way they mean for you</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">leading to the ponds and marshes</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">And those tall cranes stand as statues</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">gaze fixed on the water and then the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">squabbling over tiny fish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">end up being funny.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">without brush the walking shoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">you know you will throw them,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">cracks between the floor boards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">and the rose curtain disappearing too,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">paintings on the wall,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">they are the enemy and they are not,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">you think you have the sole right,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">You kill them without a thought.</span><br />
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</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-67098670886603878602016-06-24T11:54:00.003-07:002016-06-24T11:54:49.988-07:00Jennifer Lagier- A Poem & Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt8EneNrqTJKabYI1wdNurVgQpcrHP0o08nrR_g1sAtGUnUOsZt-B2S6LLILiccQVGl7AgYRjacP5kIR71e-kIYZnEXKze5D1I09KKSwaTD1jtYYw0oLVrszmN4VoBPhwrRF6YUY5SuU/s1600/solstice+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt8EneNrqTJKabYI1wdNurVgQpcrHP0o08nrR_g1sAtGUnUOsZt-B2S6LLILiccQVGl7AgYRjacP5kIR71e-kIYZnEXKze5D1I09KKSwaTD1jtYYw0oLVrszmN4VoBPhwrRF6YUY5SuU/s400/solstice+moon.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Solstice Moon</span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Spring evaporates, elongated days </div>
<div>
of humid sunshine
arrive.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Abbreviated night trembles
on </div>
<div>
the precipice of seasonal solstice.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Full moon languidly rises</div>
<div>
above wetland tules and mist.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Swollen orb pulsates, glows,</div>
<div>
levitates between cypress limbs.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dim light infiltrates darkened rooms,</div>
<div>
instigates summer’s sensual
itch.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Jennifer Lagier and
her three spoiled dogs live beside the Pacific Ocean where they
entertain poets, a few select mad men and a small gopher snake.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-69266906058238133912016-06-24T11:42:00.000-07:002016-06-24T11:42:34.797-07:00Joan Colby- Two Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">THE DAY YOUR DAD
DIED</span></b></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We were young and death had not yet touched
us</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">With its black-gloved index
finger</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Except for the grandparents who were
old</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">And thus deserved to die. We were young and
heartless.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Your dad, only 50, middle-aged,
busy,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Then the series of heart attacks as
if</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The house was being strafed by the
aircraft</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Of an unknown, but invincible enemy. In and
out</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Of hospitals, then back to work. We had a
baby.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We hardly knew what to do with
it</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Except love it. Feed it. Keep it clean. Your
dad</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Smiled and offered it candy it could not
eat.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Christmas, he was back in the hospital, this time a
prominent</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Downtown edifice, where presumably more could be
done.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">He improved, so we were told. We were expecting his
release</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">By New Year’s. He’d be coming home again, like
always.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">That early wintry morning, the
phone</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Urging us to hurry. You drove like
hell</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Blazed beneath your foot on the
pedal</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Where all of life depends on
motion.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We gathered in the room high above the
city.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Your dad, so white, his breath coming
hard</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">And gusty like the prairie winds in
January.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The doctor, a sober man in white, looked us
over</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Told you to take your mother
elsewhere,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A waiting room with chairs and a coffee
urn.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I started to follow, He took my arm. <i>You</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stay here, </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">he said. Figuring what? I was</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The in-law, someone who didn’t
matter</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In the course of such matters. He handed
me</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A cool cloth. <i>Wipe
his forehead. Hold his hand.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In his, the syringe. He looked at
me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I’m going to help this guy. You
understand?</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">AMANITA: DESTROYING
ANGEL</span></b></span></span>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr>
</span></span></span></b></h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Smooth white cap of an Amish
girl</span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In a buggy pulled by a trotter. Her
hands</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Fold over the sins of
pleasure.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Frilled skirt of a gypsy,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Dirty white and ragged, her plump
thighs</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Trembling to dance like
Salome.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Symbiotic with oaks,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The hammocks where they
gather,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">To be gathered by the unwary</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Innocent in their little
knowledge,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">That birds and squirrels
consume</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What must confer goodness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Imagine the canny god</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Who inveigled the Viceroy to
mimic</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The sour Monarch or pasted</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">An eyespot of an owl</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Upon a frail wing. The stink</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Of spoiled meat should prove</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A warning, but greed fills
its</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Basket. Eat as angels might
slicing</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The tempting flesh with flaming
swords.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-84945541313418047392016-06-24T11:20:00.000-07:002016-06-24T11:20:20.880-07:00Victor Henry- Two Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">FINDING OURSELVES HAD NOT BEEN EASY</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, she said to herself, gazing out the
window.<span> </span>Why not? she asked, addressing
no one in particular as she sat behind her off-white office desk, laughing. Adjacent,
directly across the street, Tiny Pierre, who sold laughter to the dying,
clapped his hands and stomped his feet, jumped up and down, turned circles and
genuflected. The afflicted, bed soaked in death, hooked up to respirators,
gestured weakly with their hands. Three wheelchair patients wiggled their toes.
Dr. Milton and doctors Cavat and Parker stood nearby, discussing a recent
arrival's statistical chart, occasionally glancing in the direction where Tiny
Pierre was and then wasn't. From Ward 12, the Sick Bay of Life, laughter
echoed. For the most part, everyone was happy. Natasha wedged her way, step by
step, sliding her left foot first and then her right foot farther along the
ledge near the open window at the Universal Guaranteed Match Mates Building, a
firm that exclusively endorsed the perfect relationship. Natasha decided she
would spend her lunch hour and most of the afternoon, sixty-three stories above
pavement, reading Sylvia Plath's <i>The Bell
Jar. </i><span> </span>From the moment she was first
noticed on the ledge, a sparse crowd began to gather, taking bets amongst
itself and chanting Jump! Jump! Jump! Now leaping two and three steps at a
time, Tiny Pierre hurried up the emergency stairway toward the sixty-third
level.<span> </span>By the time he got to the
fiftieth floor, Tiny Pierre could barely guffaw. He laughingly cursed the
elevators for being out of order today and momentarily paused to check his
Daffy Duck wristwatch in order to gage how much time he thought he had before
she jumped. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1086280643" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thirteen minutes later</span></span>, Tiny Pierre reached the top. He regulated
his laugh, which took about a minute, leaned out the window, and called to
Natasha. Miss!<span> </span>Oh, Miss! The people
below are wondering if and when you are going to jump. Jump!<span> </span>I only came out here to read.<span> </span>Catch some sun. Get outside of these walls. You
know...escape! Inside the Match Mates rectory, located on the first floor,
Reverend Ross was looking into the sacred mirror and adjusting his white
collar.<span> </span>He wiped off his patent leather
sandals with a soft rag and rallied a call to battle. Mercy, mercy. To understand
all is to forgive all, he sighed. Down in the basement, Ferguson, the attendant
of the building, was reloading his pipe and explaining his theory to Mr.
Betterway, the President of Match Mates. Now the way I see it Mr. Betterway is
that she's only gonna make a small splatter on the pavement of life. Sirens
sounded. The Rescue Eight team arrived. An ambulance arrived. A police squad
car arrived. Mite-sized gaps closed as the crowd cluttered together to watch. Firemen
hoisted an enormous metal extension ladder from below. Stepping to the
pavement, Natasha told a reporter that it looked like it might rain.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE THIRST FOR POWER</span></span></span></h1>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">If a man
obeys everyone he needs to obey, it stands to reason that eventually there will
be no one left to obey and others will start to obey him.<span> </span>Which was just the case of the white collar
worker who lost no time in finding someone to obey.<span> </span>Who could he charm?<span> </span>His next door neighbor's wife.<span> </span>His assistant supervisor.<span> </span>His major competitor.<span> </span>Just last week he had charmed two sweet old
ladies in a millinery shop to take his suggestion on which hat to buy.<span> </span>But then he raised his sights on the mayor of
the city he lived in.<span> </span>His charm seemed
so infectious. I'm a leader in my community, the mayor said.<span> </span>I'm able to get my faithful followers to
contribute coin to my campaign in any increment I name.<span> </span>All legal of course.<span> </span>And the white collar worker imagined separate
bank accounts in different cities.<span> </span>The
only trouble was the mayor worked ten hours a day and had very little time to
be charmed.<span> </span>The white collar worker
drank coffee all day while the mayor answered the telephone and conducted
meetings.<span> </span>You know, said the mayor, I'm
an active member of the American Legion and the VFW.<span> </span>I attend parades and ceremonies in honor of
my friends.<span> </span>It was then that the white
collar worker heard himself say, Here, let me answer that phone for you.<span> </span>It's probably someone unimportant
anyway.<span> </span>And when the white collar worker
would get impatient and want to lead the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1086280644" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">4th of July</span></span> parade, the mayor would
say, I'm only happy when I'm dedicating a park in my honor, or cutting ribbons
at a new shopping center I've been instrumental in persuading the public to
vote for. But it's not enough simply to charm the person you want to obey, you
have to live in their shoes, lose sleep over matters of life and death, and
sell your soul to the corporate world so that your city has a tax base that is
large enough to pay all your public employees.<span>
</span>So after two weeks of charming the mayor and his staff, two men in dark
blue suits, driving an olive green four door sedan, carted the white collar
worker off to jail.<span> </span>They threw him in a
cell with murderers, rapists, and con artists.<span>
</span>The mayor, of course, relieved that the white collar worker had been
removed, proclaimed that the following week would be "Local Charm Week."
There would be banners, marching bands, drill teams, and baton twirlers.<span> </span>What is the true measure of charm
anyway?<span> </span>Apparently, the white collar
worker made one fatal mistake.<span> </span>He had been
charming the already charmed when he should have been charming the ignorant to
learn humiliation.<span> </span>Think of the infinite
mindless nonthinking people who would line up in droves to be manipulated.<span> </span>In no time, had he realized this, he could
have been president of the United States.<span> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
</span></span></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-36805058910106488132016-06-24T11:03:00.000-07:002016-06-24T11:03:40.185-07:00Patrick Jordan- Two Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Patrick Jordan has been writing poetry and prose since he was
ten years old. Through poetic expression and creative writing Patrick
sets himself at the center of his search for the truth. In 2014 Patrick
created the Facebook group "Notes From The Edge.” With over a thousand
members they share their love of the written word and carve out a
special place online. There on the Edge he hones his craft into
something unique and hopes to spark a fire for all to see. He holds
degrees in both Sociology and Psychology and is currently working on a
Master's degree.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Somewhere Out There</span></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div>
Somewhere out there<br />
is a person,<br />
with a pencil or a piece of charcoal,<br />
writing about his thoughts.</div>
<div>
And as the Sun sets<br />
and the last glows<br />
go down behind the horizon,</div>
<div>
he can't help but think about<br />
the people around the world.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
People in Africa<br />
living in handmade huts,<br />
no running water,</div>
<div>
no toilets,<br />
no food,</div>
<div>
and dirt for floors.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Or,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The ones in Siberia<br />
living in log cabins<br />
made by their<br />
great-great grandfathers<br />
still standing the test of time.<br />
Their families still<br />
being warmed by the fireplace<br />
that was made centuries before.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Or,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The thousands of people<br />
rushing up & down<br />
the streets of Tokyo.<br />
Smog filling their lungs<br />
and the sounds of motorbikes<br />
zooming in & out of traffic,<br />
and the sweet smell of street food</div>
<div>
hanging in the air.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Or a man sitting all alone<br />
with running water,<br />
indoor toilet and a shower.<br />
Appliances that work<br />
and almost every creature comfort<br />
that money can buy<br />
and still not feeling complete.</div>
<div>
A man wishing he was in<br />
Africa, Siberia, or Tokyo.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Or better yet,</div>
<div>
wishing he was somewhere</div>
<div>
out there</div>
<div>
holding onto a pencil or piece of charcoal<br />
writing down his thoughts<br />
on the rest of the world.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Would I?</span></span></div>
<div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div>
If I couldn't numb myself on an hourly basis,</div>
<div style="margin-left: 31.5pt;">
I would<br />
scream constantly at the state of the world.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 31.5pt;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
go mad with rage from all the injustice I see.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
beat my fist until blood poured</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
from my broken mangled knuckles.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
break my heart trying to find a way to fix it.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
cry myself to sleep every night.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
beg and plead everyone to help me.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would<br />
try my hardest to make sense of it.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
never harm another living thing.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
devote my life to positive change.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
sacrifice myself for the good of it all.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
try and make a difference in this world.</div>
<div>
I would try.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
I would.</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-29291126192422212342016-06-24T01:00:00.000-07:002016-06-24T01:00:23.563-07:00David J. Thompson- A Photo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHfLp4-p30pDX26ug0tDWSoXDGdBuIEQIuHV3LB_moyMrlPTBdt35mnTWDbJWHMPTMVmKyQfImIfsn-W8pT5I6um7thfcNRjqGEotYldZamY5syi7oE13Jk5ZJMZ-6gzxAr37dwVz7VI/s1600/Indiana+Autumn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHfLp4-p30pDX26ug0tDWSoXDGdBuIEQIuHV3LB_moyMrlPTBdt35mnTWDbJWHMPTMVmKyQfImIfsn-W8pT5I6um7thfcNRjqGEotYldZamY5syi7oE13Jk5ZJMZ-6gzxAr37dwVz7VI/s400/Indiana+Autumn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Indiana Autumn"</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-71372703170175491622016-06-24T00:56:00.001-07:002016-06-24T00:56:23.961-07:00Bruce Mundhenke- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sparrows</span></span><br />
<br />
Sparrows sitting on a wire,<br />
No one knows their names.<br />
I watch them<br />
As they sit the wire,<br />
They seem without a care.<br />
Their lives mean little<br />
To the world,<br />
Although the Spirit cares,<br />
And should one fall<br />
From off the wire,<br />
The Spirit is aware.<br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-69886329333091579912016-06-24T00:43:00.000-07:002016-06-24T00:43:57.792-07:00DB Cox- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">when an old man dreams</span></span><br />
<br />
"It's been a long time coming<br />
It's going to be a long time gone<br />
But you know that the darkest hour<br />
Is always just before the dawn…" <br />
Crosby, Stills & Nash -<br />
“Long Time Gone”<br />
<br />
the quiet in this place<br />
has turned my mind<br />
to stone<br />
i am no longer<br />
a part of the picture<br />
i sit & count<br />
the beats of my heart<br />
i am leaking time<br />
<br />
once i had a family<br />
a silent father<br />
a mother<br />
who wrote me long letters<br />
messages concerning<br />
forgiveness, love, & god<br />
well-meaning lessons<br />
in something or other<br />
<br />
the doctors<br />
have been exquisitely thorough<br />
they are able to read my mind<br />
i am convinced<br />
that my thoughts<br />
appear above my head<br />
wrapped inside<br />
cartoon balloons<br />
<br />
sometimes they take me<br />
to a private room<br />
where i am put on display<br />
like a circus animal<br />
the doctors talk about me<br />
as if i'm not there<br />
they make conjectures<br />
concerning my future<br />
i have no part in the show<br />
i am becoming wary<br />
of the doctors<br />
<br />
morning in the day room<br />
sitting in a lounge chair<br />
with my head tilted back<br />
directly overhead<br />
two spots<br />
where the paint<br />
has peeled away<br />
unblinking dark eyes<br />
that stare down at me constantly<br />
waiting for me to break<br />
waiting for me to confess<br />
waiting for me<br />
to apologize<br />
<br />
in the room where i sleep<br />
there's a strange mark<br />
just above the baseboard<br />
it runs all the way<br />
across the wall<br />
& disappears into the corner<br />
it looks like a tripwire<br />
when i'm in the room<br />
i watch it closely<br />
yesterday--<br />
just before sundown<br />
i saw it move<br />
<br />
when i looked<br />
along the bottom of the wall<br />
i spied a black-haired boy<br />
on his knees behind the wire<br />
he glanced in both directions<br />
then reached out<br />
& tugged lightly at line<br />
as if he were testing it<br />
then he crawled away<br />
into the triple-canopy jungle<br />
viet cong in the perimeter<br />
<br />
slow movement forward<br />
through another day<br />
i gage the time<br />
by the light left in the room<br />
<br />
when i lie down at night<br />
i no longer have a reason<br />
or a desire<br />
to wake in the morning<br />
<br />
it's a long time<br />
before the dawn<br />
& when an old man dreams<br />
he is forever nineteen<br />
& stranded in the savage days<br />
of his youth<br />
<br />
<i>viet cong bodies are strung<br />
from the perimeter wire<br />
to the tree line<br />
two are so close together<br />
they seem<br />
to be holding each other<br />
i walk over to one VC<br />
separate from the rest<br />
half in and half out<br />
of the bush<br />
inches from a clean getaway<br />
i am riding the remains<br />
of an adrenaline high<br />
mind still running<br />
like a wild dog<br />
the wounded soldier<br />
lying at my feet<br />
looks up at me<br />
& blinks the sweat<br />
from dark eyes<br />
now his eyes are mine<br />
& my eyes are his<br />
the same empty stare<br />
of forgotten things<br />
the barrel of my rifle<br />
is only inches<br />
from his skinny chest<br />
he opens his mouth<br />
as if to speak<br />
i pull the trigger<br />
<br />
the explosion<br />
flushes a multicolored bird<br />
skyward</i><br />
<br />
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8913179533520325897.post-90977585796155355562016-06-24T00:14:00.003-07:002016-06-24T00:14:36.599-07:00Ananya S. Guha- A Poem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Revolutionary</span></span><br />
<br />
do not follow words<br />
<div>
trace them unknown </div>
<div>
strip tease</div>
<div>
labyrinths of desire</div>
<div>
arcade of sorrows</div>
<div>
follow them only </div>
<div>
when you're out of anger</div>
<div>
want to tear them into</div>
<div>
bits and shreds, revolutionary.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Stephen Jarrell Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585038351457156031noreply@blogger.com1