precious disconnections My waiting reminds My waiting fungus My waiting backed up My waiting waiting My waiting washed out My waiting injured -Alan Bern
precious disconnections
A Beached Mermaid
A Beached Mermaid Hair the color of sunset, like curled waves that brought her up to the shore of my pool Tanned “skin”—smooth as plastic never damaged by the sun. She bathes on slats, surely uncomfortable though never a complaint heard. Indeed as I bend over to hear her speak, though a siren, she utters not a sound. Still she smiles unaware of any danger, trusting as a small child with arms open to the possibility of friendship. -Gene Ann Newcomer
Blue October
Blue October Smurf hand catching leaves as if snowflakes pitted asphalt ready for winter -Janie Braverman
Heavy Metal Leaf
Heavy Metal Leaf Winds thrash. There’s a hardcore dance, a breakdown of a slam song, fractured parts, elements of rust, steel strength guitars, electrified casting from a playing limb. Ironclad parts fall onto earth’s drumming, singing.
–Lucia Kiersch Haase
Spring Valley, IL
A DEAD DIE
A DEAD DIE A die should never be alone. We’re revered in a pair. We thrive on the gambler’s toss Their hopes and their despair. But deserted in a gutter? So naked… so bare…
directions
directions careless arrows stretch sinking in the pavement offering something like BEST 8 PEOPLE not even close to any bar worth drinking
-Unmissed
a leg
a leg a severed leg melting in parking spot five. a veteran’s cartoon plastic. his loss felt casually from under a car bench. crackerjacks and aged french fries. velcro shoes drumming softly overhead. the story turning for home. -Unmissed
Confetti
Confetti 1) Drifting streams of delicate paper 2) The softening noise and applause 3) A moment held in suspended color 4) Our laughs tangling at our feet
-Unmissed
full sun
full sun FULL SUN demanded pointed sky high yellow holding us hostage a cheap warning of my failure
-Unmissed
A Note on Letters
A Note on Letters In short, your letters are all over the place. The words are divorced, the ink wouldn't commit, and I don't feel much punctuation. Take pictures, Bob.
-Unmissed