IN WILLIAMSBURG In Williamsburg we learn How freedom ours was earned, At least for lucky born Of alabaster skin. Their independence claimed By declaration famed That Founding Fathers framed, Though was still had to win. But if from continent Of African descent, Whatever effort spent Was not for likes of you. Four score and seven years Still had to bear […]
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A Puzzling Marriage Married 60 years Fred and Daisy still are very different people. All day long they hide their differences to make their marriage last but every night after supper they let them out silently. Fred in his recliner works a crossword puzzle while Daisy in the dining room works a jigsaw puzzle but neither Fred nor Daisy speaks a word until one has finished and howls […]
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Tomorrow Things I have this list Started long ago Though I cannot recall when The paper’s crumpled Folded and stained With edges torn and thin From time to time I pull it out Allow my eyes to scan down through Before I click my pen And quickly Scribble a new word or two No lines mar These […]
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Once this bedroom door is closed the rug deals in flowers, its dark scent reaching up where your eyes expect sunlight and miles away the heady whiff from a firefly –already she’s naked the woman you just this minute inhaled, a deep breath who can’t see, has to feel along the grass though the dead still stake a […]
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Liberation “We heard a loud voice repeating the same words in English and in German…”1 May 25 1940, the first transport of thousands were marched through those gates. Gates that opened to what a select few called the Final Solution. But to those on the inside, the Final Solution had yet to come. Their Liberation Their Freedom Numbers painfully […]
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Goodnight Sweet City Goodnight by Mike Matter Goodnight sweet city, goodnight Hold your evening close by and ready the mid-morning-missed realization of sunrise Fly your noise through the heights of the rich and poor alike then scatter your ash over the higher A dream lies filled with visions of height and glory seasoned with an agonizing challenge, joy, grandiose […]
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Young Priest, Old Priest Everyone in the neighborhood was surprised when Bill McIntyre entered the seminary to study for the priesthood. He had been dating girls since early in high school and had been engaged since graduating from college to a lovely young lady. He often spoke about wanting to have a big family since he himself had been […]
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Crowley (Parody of Eric Clapton’s song, Cocaine) by, Melissa R. Mendelson The boys wanna take him out, but they never take him out. Crowley. His accent’s a funny sound, commanding his loyal hell hound. Crowley. [Chorus:] He can’t fly, He will lie, He won’t die; Crowley. He gave the Devil his dues; Rowena’s a pain in his […]
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The Ticking by, Melissa R. Mendelson White walls dressed in color splayed across the room. Large, glass windows drifted beneath soft, silky white curtains. The furniture was all decked out in black leather, all except for the chestnut wood desk in the corner. A ceiling fan whirled around and around, chasing the heat out, and the black floor glistened […]
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She Climaxed she starts with a song. suddenly, a dirge too limp with grief, like the skies in Pompeii. it’s killed the birds in my heart, ships stagger like a drunk, into the white-blush of maddened waves. the earth popped open as an old wine bursts froth; like a hungry lioness she opened her jaws separating families with […]
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