Wait – A Poem by Rozann Kraus
before you read this
ah, never mind, see
here you are
waiting for
a rhyme
this time
just like
spring
a poetry
Chances – A Poem by Cattail Jester
You earth-bound, soil-laden
souls of terrain:
I’ll take my chances with
the highest trapeze, the stilt
walk, the tide-licked craggy
coast.
I’ll make my feet go where they
must, clear my declarative
throat, then:
Share a thought or two, take
the chance to be human
without worrying about any
performance.
Stamping in Rain Puddles without You – A Poem by Paul Tristram
He can vividly remember so many
of the conversations
which took place
walking these three streets
over to the shops and back again.
Sometimes he would simply listen
intently or distractedly
to the house sparrow chatter
flying musically from her mouth
and punching pretty holes in the sky
around her smiling face.
But that was another time…
a ‘Yesterday’ now tangibly dissolved
into sigh-inducing memory.
Although when he closes his eyes
and quiets his yearning mind
for but a moment,
it feels almost as if he could
still reach out a trembling hand
and touch her warmth once more.
Yet, it is an action and gamble
far too great and important to take.
So instead, he settles for whistling
one of her many favourite songs,
as he opens the door
with a still beating heart built for two
but a shopping bag
carrying only enough vittles for one.
More at https://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/.
Martinet – A Poem by Ian Fletcher
Rolling into the classroom
on Monday morning
they ignore him
will not be silent
as he speaks
chat among themselves
about the weekend
this and that
cocooned in subcultures
he would not understand.
An anachronism
he cannot break through
to quell their energy
bend them to his will
force the curriculum
down their throats
teach them ‘respect’
nor can he corral them
down the narrow path
his life has taken.
He would beat them
if he could but
thwarted by laws
he would repeal
can only shout.
“Shut up! Listen!”
he bawls getting
momentary attention.
“Why?” one of them
simply responds.
He has no reply.
Lockout – A Poem by J.K. Durick
The blinds are closed, the doors locked, blocked,
lights are out, they huddle in the corner, for once
literally hiding in the classroom, they talk quietly,
get their phones out, text their parents, their friends,
each other, post to Facebook; there’s nothing new
about it, they’ve planned for it, practiced this, but
this time it could be serious – this is not a drill.
From across the street, from his angle, TV news
gets it all, the deserted feel of it, a few police cars
around, some movement now and again; it’s spring,
it’s quiet where there should be voices and noise,
a few sneaking around the way students their age do,
but now it’s silent, like Rachel Carson’s silent spring,
pesticide poisons our place, our air with this, we have
taught them to hide and wait quietly for the all clear bell,
the end of school and what they learned about today.
Valhalla Can Wait – A Poem by Paul Tristram
There’s another Spring a-coming
after this long, bitter Winter.
The path is twisting fiercely
but that does not signify an ending
merely a new chapter beginning.
I’ve still strength enough
to work the morning anvil
and carve miracles from wood.
I’ve Fathered all my Offspring
but I’m yet to watch them grow.
My wheat and barley
are only shoulder-high…
there’s still a-way to go.
Before the grinning Reaper
takes a swipe
and a-tumbles me like snow.
My battle-axe still has room
for a few fresh notches yet.
I can thunder with the best of them,
my instincts remain sharp and true.
There’s another barn to build somewhere,
always more horse’s hooves to shoe.
I’ve learnt my lessons hard and well,
I take comfort in small pleasures.
Whilst striving always higher,
each extra sunrise is a gift, a treasure.
More at https://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/.
We Can Move On – A Poem by G. Louis Heath
I visited my Mom at the morgue today.
She’s doing just fine. And thank you for
asking. It’s sad it’s come to this, but now
we communicate much better. Death doth
become her! Too bad we didn’t share more
in life. But, as they say, it’s never too late.
At least that’s the way I feel, though I can
see you might differ. You remind me of Dad
before he passed away. Always the stone face,
the inscrutable Sphinx, always guessing at my
thoughts, and I his. You might say things have
settled down a lot now, and we can move on.
Down-River, Back Past Her Heart – A Poem by Paul Tristram
I sailed my nostalgic boat
of remembrance.
The Springtime colours,
energy and freshness
were dazzling and overwhelming.
I choked, momentarily,
witnessing just how
vital and alive her smile had been.
Summer, was gentle,
a humming, vibrant
beehive of contentment,
warmth and sweet caresses.
The gods above
had temporarily
lost their warring anger.
There were births
both physical and emotional,
the senses had peaked.
A short journey into Fall
and the greying hair had started.
Crow’s feet,
the once thaw now revoked
and a bitter logic to reasoning.
Matters of the heart
had become almost scientific.
The magic and wonderment
that had once abounded
was now easily shrugged off,
untranslatable and replaceable.
More at https://paultristram.blogspot.co.uk/.
This Blog Meets the Indie Culture Vol. 1 – A Poem by Jerad Hering
This is our last meeting
so fleeting
and torn off from reality
I’m living for the secrets
Ive lost all my accountability
and I write this from obscurity
please meet the indie culture
Death in the Suburbs – A Poem by Ian Fletcher
It came as no surprise at all
when the old lady expired
never more to open the door
of her empty suburban home
after the two grueling months
away in the intensive care ward
her organs failing one by one.
Though he deemed it a mercy
that she had now passed on
there at the crematorium he felt
a moment or two of filial grief
with some trite reflections
on the transience of life
but was soon brought round
by his most practical wife
who if the truth be told
had never really much liked
her deceased mother-in-law.
So before a month had passed
the house of his childhood
was on sale at three hundred
and fifty thousand pounds
for life must go on he knows
his wife already pricing up
the new extension and patio.