THE ESTHETICS OF SELF Against the horizon, you must always consider three skies: the one you see, the one you think about, and the one that’s really there. Our illusions falter on an edge we prefer to imagine, a definition beyond sight. But the eye has no horizon, the mind no extension beyond itself. […]
Read more
Hey you Yeah you I heard your conversation You’re leaving us? Yeah, well just know one thing This isn’t such a sweet little town Oh, believe me, it’s not a sweet little town This town has some crazy shit going on Would you believe me if I told you– Wait, you’re not going to believe me Come on, look at […]
Read more
Driving into a storm graying a cloud-mottled sky, mist climbs the building towers, umbrellas shudder below. A broken water line arcs an icy sidewalk, stoplights fail, freezing the intersections. The side street crosswalk cop spins and whistles, pauses cars as he passes the ladies on. Buses bounce a pothole lane, side panels milky with engine-melted ice. Street breezes worry […]
Read more
Those who sent their men to war Still wait, forever wait Their return at full moon. Those whose men returned long ago Still wait, forever wait To be issued their fortune. We hoped amidst the struggle Our blood shall dry not, but sprout Into long-bearing palm trees of joy As we wrestled with nightmares of time We remained awake […]
Read more
DOPPLER DELIGHT – By John Zedolik The Doppler effect drags away the angry horn that melts like unattended ice cream on an August day in an unnoticed street drain and the careless eater’s fingers have found protection in napkins guarding against the sticky-sweet that might cling to exposed skin and require a washing if said consumer even cares, since it […]
Read more
LA BÊTE DE GÉVAUDAN: 1764-1767 (THE BEAST OF GEVAUDAN) (Based partly on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_Gevaudan and translations from http://www.dinosoria.com/bete_gevaudan.htm and http://facteurx.chez.com/betegevaudan.htm) What devastated Central France three centuries ago? “A Wolfman Beast” said those who glanced and dodged this deadly foe. “La Bête de Gévaudan” – from Hell some thought this demon came. Yet only kids and women killed, no […]
Read more
The Face of Death The doctor has seen the face of death on many occasions. He has seen scars and lacerations. His duty, his call the doctor has seen it all.
Read more
Insomnia The house sleeps, but I am awake, tiptoeing back through my day. So many pieces left lying about, I want to fix them all. They’re too distant though, just beyond my fingertips, yet, squarely between me and my dreams.
Read more
Parents Night Emma used to do real good in school her mother tells her new teacher. It’s Parents Night at Ryland Elementary. Mostly mothers in attendance. What’s the problem, her mother asks. Fifth grade shouldn’t be hard for her. Emma’s never had a grade lower than a B, her mother says. Teacher says Emma doesn’t do her homework and talks a lot in class. Her mother can’t believe it. Says her […]
Read more
Missing Feeding of the Birds (V3) By Michael Lee Johnson Keeping my daily journal diary short these sweet bird sounds lost- reviews January through March. Joy a dig deep snow on top of my sorrows. Skinny naked bones sparrows these doves beneath my balcony window, lie lifeless without tweet no melody lost their sounds. These few survivors huddle […]
Read more