Pallet
Colors of gloomy
paint I see, of Athena’s
wistful brush and stroke.
Bloom
Emanating from
the bush, slight lavender aura
of bluebell blossoms.
Light
Often, I hear in
the distance thunder strike off
Neptune’s bejeweled trident.
Nest
Driving by lovers
kisses hidden, under red
umbrella winds bend
I dream of bad breath
my breath smells bad
not bad enough to be horrible
but bad enough to be bad
I didn’t brush my teeth today
I did brush my teeth yesterday
like this morning coffee
drunk, right before bed
like a bad dream
30 minn. after you wake up
I am sitting in this white conference
room big as all creation
organizing enumerable poems
my friend has given up this impossible task
or maybe she is done
she instead is writing new poems in crayon
she smiles and waves to me
-Creed Schierman
They Say We’ll Burn Forever
They say we’ll burn forever.
That our pain will never leave
I’ll burn because I’m lost,
and too stubborn to believe.
Chuck will burn with his soul mate,
who happens to be named Steve.
Katie will burn for her hateful act
of making love to me on the eve
of Christ’s birthday after a dance
and refusing a second chance,
to be gained by confessing,
and asking the lord’s blessing,
over her soul for the scandal that night,
but she’s too proud to bow down to his might.
We’ll all burn forever.
Forever is a long time.
Maroon jumpers, socks pulled knee high
Ironed dress shirts and matching ties
Forced smiles and empty talk
Trapped by judgment as I walk
down the hall naked with no disguise.
Summed up in a second by hateful eyes
For preaching love, there are quite a few
people they seem to despise.
I tell myself they don’t bother me.
I tell a lot of lies.
Sitting in a stuffy church
Being guided on our search
for eternal salvation
and taught to build a nation
of Christ’s followers here on earth.
In this crowded pew
Friends are few
My own view,
Bill’s huge body in front of me.
Shamed, sad shoulders are all I see.
As we kneel,
I stick my head in the aisle
in an attempt to steal
a quick glance of Katie’s smile.
Her lip’s fight back a laugh.
She finds it all funny.
The priest’s stoic voice, this made up path,
how people donate money
to keep it all going.
All their time they give,
as they go on never knowing
What it feels like to live.
I lose my balance and fall on the ground.
Body crashing down in thunderous sound
Catching the eyes of all around
Caught in the spotlight alone
Wondering what next to do
Exploding laughter I should have known
This reaction from her isn’t new.
Her expression one of shock, as if she had thought no one would notice
A thousand turned people now stare
Suddenly she undergoes some sort of transcendental Meiosis
Identical body but now without a care
Contortioned to the calm wisdom of a modern day Moses
with smooth legs, and soft flowing hair.
A deeper truth in her eyes, she gazes at me
People part like the sea,
as she bounds over seat after seat.
A sight to stunned students and teachers
At the back of the hall we meet,
like two heavenly creatures,
come to capture the attention of all.
We’re broken but we don’t fear the fall.
Skipping and whistling to my car.
Transfixed they stare on from afar.
Stopping at the river’s side,
laughing and hugging,
talking and loving,
no longer needing to hide.
Holding hands in the afternoon light
Watching the water flow
softly as we kiss.
Wherever love takes us we’ll go.
The Coolest Crime
By: Matthew Kontos
Smoothe the edge against the stone,
Sharp enough to protect.
Say a prayer to the Gods
Cleanse my soul for battle.
The grit and evil among the streets
Shall now lie dormant beneath my feet.
This city is mine,
I protect it for free.
Justice is swift for all those who cross me,
I pass judgment upon them with the swing of my sword.
No light in the sky.
No comics or fame.
The hunt me and hate me,
I’m profiled and studied.
They expect a mask and a name to go by,
But its just my face,
And my totally sweet super awesome ninja reflexes.
