Living Poems
The Decision Deity Debate
by Ololade Raji
The best of my decisions were truly never mine…
Then you might debate, why not let the Deity of best decisions always decide?
That sounds great, but where then have you left this deftly stalwart brain of mine?
That feels it is, indeed its innate decision to always decide…
Our Movable Feast
by Jeffrey Pipes Guice
Ridin’ round New Orleans on my Vespa...
With my baby holdin’ on real tight...
Life should be nothin’ if not a movable feast...
Lastin’ all day and into the night...
Headin’ down St Charles to the Quarters...
Searchin’ for the freshest beignets...
Wavin’ to the tourists on the streetcar...
It’s gonna be one of those days...
......
Afraid
by Alexis Gaetz
She’s afraid of spiders, heights, losing and snakes. I’m afraid to sail and make mistakes.
He’s afraid of clowns and baboons. She’s afraid of dogs and raccoons.
One jumps at the sound of balloons popping, and the other jumps at horns honking.
He is afraid to read aloud, and she is afraid to be in a crowed.
They hate small spaces, and they hate frowning faces.
What are you afraid of? They wondered. What I told them, they all shuddered.
I’m afraid of all those things and more. I said. I’m afraid of insects, the dentist and laying in bed.
I’m afraid of grass, trees and everything that grows. I’m afraid of rocks, roads and mud in my toes.
I hate eating and drinking, working and tinking. Breathing is hard for me, and why do I have to see.
I’m afraid of dying she said. Me, I’m afraid of surviving.
......
Heading Down The Road
by Jeffrey Pipes Guice
Heading down the road
Going nowhere...
Trying to get away
From my obsessions...
Tired of feeling like
I’m always out there...
Searching for the answers
To my questions...
Just a drunk
......
In Decline
by Jesus Betancourt
Democracies are just an experiment
Republics don't offer a guarantee
History repeats past to the present
Civilizations are inclined towards declivity
In every existing society
Certain factors are responsible
For potential destruction of every community
It's why the prediction of extinction is possible
still, the Earth breathes
by Rikske Kessner
Beneath the ash-grey skies of longing,
the earth breathes—not for you,
not for me, but for itself.
A pulse steady, undaunted by
the footsteps we leave behind.
You will see the shadows move,
and not ask why.
You will taste the salt of oceans past,
and still the waves will rise—
......
Remembering Until...
by RW Stauter
I heard a song that took me back
The lake in ‘85
Almost like we were still there
And she was still alive
I listened and I sang along
Then heard her voice so clear
Singing with me, in my head
As if she was right here
......
Why is there suffering in the world?
by Tiffany Lưu
we say candles light
but not that the room darkened
countless stars shine bright
yet space had never faded
glow would not be known
when there’s no gloom to be shown
flowers and rainbows
mere myths mortals blown
......
In Decline
by Jesus Betancourt
Democracies are just an experiment
Republics don't offer a guarantee
History repeats past to the present
Civilizations are inclined towards declivity
In every existing society
Certain factors are responsible
For potential destruction of every community
It's why the prediction of extinction is possible
Out of time
by Simon Deeley
Who am I to decide?
Who am I to choose who lives and dies?
All boats float on a rising tide
I see what’s worthy
And this scurvey sea dog
Is not so impervious
To the ravages of time any more.
Any more? Any more for any more?
Last orders at the bar
Then we’ll show you the door.
......
