edition #006
open category
Chocolate frosted donut is a verb by Edward Thomas-Herrera
The Museum of Modern Art by Grace Yang
Bill Gave by John Repp
Bound by Lilian Fields
Basingstoke Station by Paul Bavister
Deciduous Teeth by Paul Hostovsky
Simulacrum by Shahalam Tariq
spotlight: overflow
water tour of blue house, for mosquito mother by Anya Quesnel
Blueberries by D. Dina Friedman
Or Is That Moles? by Ewen Glass
Season of Ubiquitous Flowers by Junyi Chew
Discus by Paul Hostovsky
Captives by Ryan Tracy
extratext
Even the Poets by Olivia Barrett
Microchimerism, Connection and Continuing Bonds by Sam Szanto
Letter from the Editor
written by
Joseph Hamilton
editor-in-chief
Dear reader, As I write this, it is still pride month, albeit the tail end; I’m writing a little early this time around, since when you read this, I’ll be moving house. I hope nothing earth-shattering happens to the poetry world in the meantime!
I don’t know if this has been a universal experience, but pride month has felt a bit muted this year…
Bound
by Lilian Fields
A fold of ivory ‘round her neck sweeps,
with tiny florets twirling through each wave.
A token that her dearest once gave,
ever close to the bosom she keeps.
…
Chocolate frosted donut is a verb
by Edward Thomas-Herrera
Today, I will chocolate frosted donut. Today, I will visit the Mariano’s at Lawrence and Ravenswood on my way to work, stop by the Stan’s Donuts counter, and chocolate frosted donut. Today, I will fire up the office Keurig, brew myself a fresh cup of French Roast, take a seat at my desk, and chocolate frosted donut as I read my email. Icing coating my lips. Silky
…
Bluberries
by D. Dina Friedman
Each day they teach me the subtle difference
between indigo and violet. What was the name
of that Crayola, color of plums? It wasn’t called plum.
Color is deceptive because you think
…
Bill Gave
by John Repp
Bill gave me garlic seeds right before
Joe asked for change. Later, Dan told how
he & his sister painted the concrete-block garage
with water as their grandfather drank whiskey-
…
Basingstoke Station
by Paul Bavister
When I started that job
the weather was warm.
I didn't have anywhere to live
so after work I slept
…
Discus
and one other poem by Paul Hostovsky
It’s one of the oldest
sports in the world. It’s mentioned
in Homer’s Iliad. I was in 8th grade
when I almost killed a guy with one
…
Captives
by Ryan Tracy
Because downpours and construction bulwarks shooed us
from the ostentatious front entrance, we followed schools
of children and parents through a side door into the innards
of Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. The main hall frothed
…
Simulacrum
by Shahalam Tariq
The grainy image of the magnolia
superimposed over the dawn sky
reminds me of war
machinery in dust particles.
…
The Museum of Modern Art
by Grace Yang
This is a conceptual poem best appreciated in its full visual form — click below to enjoy.
…
Or Is That Moles?
by Ewen Glass
He understood the assignment, repeated
it back in a slightly too-loud voice,
but as soon as he was alone he couldn't
remember a word. I might be a baby,
…
water tour of blue house, for mosquito mother
by Anya Quesnel
there are buckets to collect rain so we can fill the tanks when WASA doesn’t deliver: pigtail buckets, halved oil cans, paint pails. the house bloats in rainy season. more water in the guttering. plants that look like sweet potato vines grow up
…
Season of Ubiquitous Flowers
by Junyi Chew
You didn’t think it possible,
after the fact, after the white
sheet had been drawn squarely
across her face, after the blankets
…
Microchimerism, Connection and Continuing Bonds
written by
Sam Szanto
I am 47, and I have looked for connections to other people for my entire life.
I spent a lot of time alone as a child, my brother being nearly nine years older and leaving home when I was 10. Shy and bookish, with a stammer, I was aware that a lot of people found me strange. Nowadays, I would have been diagnosed as neurodivergent in primary school, but that wasn't a term that was ever used in 1980s Eastbourne…
written by
Olivia Barrett
I am 47, and I have looked for connections to other people for my entire life.
I spent a lot of time alone as a child, my brother being nearly nine years older and leaving home when I was 10. Shy and bookish, with a stammer, I was aware that a lot of people found me strange. Nowadays, I would have been diagnosed as neurodivergent in primary school, but that wasn't a term that was ever used in 1980s Eastbourne…