Poetry

Manhattan Landlord I ran a swell restaurant for many years on a good block in Manhattan. I wasn’t rich, but made a good living, paid my workers well so they were happy and passed it on to customers. Then my ...

■ A Stationary Bicycle The doctor tells Phil and his wife he’s in pretty good health for a man his age but he needs to exercise. And Phil says he agrees and then goes on to explain his faith in recliner ...

The Silver Store The store with an appearance viewed as “full of dust” is brushed aside by the sign that says “Free of Rust.” Its products have been free of scratches and fingerprint smudges, which the lines of ants haven’t ...

■ Salt and Pepper   White privilege it’s called and recently I learned its name although I’ve been white as a sheet for decades. Like breathing and eating I take  white privilege for granted.  I push a cart through a megastore in bib overalls and no one follows me and when ...

A stiff razor-edged blade slices - By Gil Hoy through pulsating flesh, as the hot orange sun glistens on freshly red-tainted steel. No moans, no cries, no gasps, as the core of a rational caring human being falls to the ...

Careless Consumption The tide slowly ebbs from Florida shores so tourists walk the beaches without getting wet, never wondering why there are no more seashells. The ocean looks the same to them, not realizing the muddy water was once clear ...

ROARING SUN (By Joseph Cavera) Endless are the days that begin again my tredging and dredging across the plains within planes through the tall grass and beyond green scenes and misty screens front the path to the distant shores Held ...

Cremation I’ve always believed in cremation; Flames bleach the world, unclutter living things. Let scum survivors, grasshoppers Leave cemeteries a mess Of living impulses dismembered. Not knowing fire’s totality But sickly honouring it stunting In tortured carbon stench. I’ve always ...

Tropical Garden In my mind I see a tropical garden with Palm Beach petals. The flowers are natural and colorful, reminding me of a rain forest in Brazil. There was a russet hue from the sun. This was truly a ...

MAJESTIC Like my shadows Yesterday's echoes roped me I, racing the fastest Farthest from the takeoff line At each turn of the track. Suited in fatigue Like a lost bird at sea Nowhere to rest wings Dazed, dizzy, disoriented A ...