Poems
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National Poetry Month Day 18: “My Brother” by Carmen Gimenez Smith
My Brother My brother _is__ a savior who can torpedo through privilege with an artistic stun gun he’s a tempest saturating the city He makes a scar in the earth_ draws out an admixture of folklore and animus_ plus a…
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National Poetry Month Day 17: “The Mother In This Poem Is Me or You or Your Mother” by Wendy Chin-Tanner
The Mother In This Poem Is Me or You or Your Mother mother is a falling star a bead of sweat of blood of bread our daily bread on which we fed the thread of life the trouble and strife…
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National Poetry Month Day 16: “The electric body” by Matthew Siegel
The electric body changes like a sky bleeding peach, gray feathers and smoke – – a body…
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National Poetry Month Day 15: “Exercises in Breathing” by Kimberly Southwick
exercises in breathing I. knowing the rules is not enough. when it snows, it doesn’t always mean it. when it snows, sometimes it snows for the museums and sometimes it snows for the papers and sometimes it snows for only…
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National Poetry Month Day 14: “The Vindication of Judas” by Daniel W.K. Lee
The Vindication of Judas Forgive me at last, Brother, for the death sentence: a kiss that revealed me, an act of obedience which began your martyrdom. Who else but you—who loves me still—could I ask to bear blame for my…
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National Poetry Month Day 13: “Today” by Gina Myers
Today Each year I know less about myself but the insurance company knows how much my life is worth. This is for those who suffer & endure & laugh about it later. Someone asked, “where do you get your news…
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National Poetry Month Day 12: “My First Male-to-Male Kiss” by Rigoberto González
My First Male-to-Male Kiss ______was on Mexican TV. In the 80s. Believe me. Like my cousin Mari, I too wished I could be Érika Buenfil, her blonde locks so close to René of the dark pompadour that looked like a…
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National Poetry Month Day 11: “The History of Asterisks” by Elisa Gabbert and Kathleen Rooney
The History of Asterisks It is midnight under the sky’s dome ceiling. The moon speaks, saying nothing of consequence. John Wayne is from Iowa, so we hitchhiked West and I realized I never really loved you. Your skepticism of scientific…
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National Poetry Month Day 10: “11 February 2004 / Buffalo” by Jessica Smith
11 February 2004 / Buffalo –Jessica Smith
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National Poetry Month Day 9: “Prophecy: After the Dam” by Camille Dungy
Prophecy: After the Dam the floodplains do bloom_____ the horsetail die+++++ the wheatits thousand thousand eyes eyeing a fat future _____nods and nods never fearing the peasants plant potatoes plant turnips___ radish and carrot even the mice leave the hovels and make camp in the…
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National Poetry Month Day 7: “Such Unfortunates” by Sophie Klahr
Such Unfortunates It doesn’t get better, it gets different. Ask God, Clean House, Help Others. Try taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever— with and without solemn oath. This too shall pass: this rented office space, these…