Poetry
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POETRY: “Sign”
Sign I saw it writ big on the new building’s side: Hayes Valley Isn’t Just a State of Mind It’s a State of Being. I doubted that credo out loud— Its ontology, its epistemology. No one answered me. Is it true? How can one know? Only faith might illuminate this mystery. I strained mine to…
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POETRY: “Old Furniture, Valencia Street”
Old Furniture, Valencia Street low middle frequencies of easy conversation soft shaded light through sidewalk windows sweet maple umbrellas over dozing meters and wheels tenants of Valencia arise and meander down your street weaving like rattlers on your way to Dolores I see you while a soft saxophone purrs in my ear, rubs against my…
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POETRY: “The Night Before Tomorrow”
The Night Before Tomorrow Black above as far as the neck will stretch Dark night sky, ear to ear black But for the fireflies alit And the stars that dance with white twinkles And the faint smudge from 12 th Street Aloft across the roof Under the dome Down to behind Billy’s dad’s house Where…
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Poetry Piece: “Getting Dressed”
Getting Dressed I put on a dress. Turn once, twice in the mirror, inspect my ass, my legs, my breasts. I look myself in the eyes, smile, comfortable with my pieces and the way they fit together, satisfied, with how I have learned to carry myself lovingly, deliberately, and with pride. Then, I imagine…
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Poetry Piece: “Hivemind”
Hivemind “What will we do?” he asked the touch screen, capable of any thing, but turning Off. An entire civilization. Only a circumstance, cinders. Like a beehive dying Sticky, abandoned. Antennae and pheromones dance Instructions to air and wax Meaning collapse; signal loss: total. Or a web of snapping Threads, delicate strategies.…
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Poetry: “Address To Myself Across Decades”, Featuring Image: “Days Catch”
Address To Myself Across Decades Stricken as you were with silence—the fall-out from that troubled Celtic island— you were dumb, voice held as if in solitary confinement. Language languished. I remember you taking flight from Dublin, fleeing the dole, the lone twenty-four old you were. You heaved that great bag, the huge heft…
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Poetry: “gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA”, Featuring Image: “Friend in Me”
gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA worry is another love, to worry is to love sweet talismans of take care / be well not enough to guard against metal sharpened teeth biting down on inner cheeks, salted salivary shame flowing down through lips. my mother’s love is worried cuticles, scorched forearms forcing a plastic lid…
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Poetry: “Swallow a Beginning”, Featuring Image: “Samedi 01.12.2019, Toulouse”
Swallow a Beginning I have a death wish. I wish death upon those who wish me ill and look through my cellular walls, decide I am a nucleus weakened from the world’s arsenal of surveillance. Do you see me through impact ending life blood on your phone screen? Do you feel it…
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Poetry: “Lucky Penny”, Featuring Image: “Vertigo”
Lucky Penny He laid the penny down dug deep from his layered rags this stranger on the street at the corner outside the coffee shop. He laid the penny down with care and consideration…
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Poetry: “Blue Fig”, Featuring Image: “Purple Yam”
blue fig my shoulder bone hooks soft and bruised beneath your arm tenderly threaded hands slide inside blush of blood wrists rotate round waist cupped together cold limbs blanket from arching branch in the windy night smell of sweetness against your winter jacket our flesh leaks Written By: Lisa Graves About the Author:…
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