Or perhaps a type of purgatory — The realm was white, pristine, perfection, save for one blemish undone; me, scanning for the edges, connective tissue back to you, me, and other hues, seeing one while finding none, leaving a trail of nonsense in my wake; When will I wake? I ask out loud, leaning on diaphragm; the…

A free verse poem for Phil — You’re still there, beaming across space, time, and childhoods long gone, still humming with ragged, stored energy, still waiting somewhat-patiently for your big bro to return from big boy school, still waiting on that moment to collectively flip that switch towards chaotic, kinetic fun with the latest rap videos, action…

A free verse poem — I grew up broken, fearing darkness, the earliest friend I’ve ever known. Such disquieting comfort, the sound of ragged breath in pitch-black spaces, unsure if the air is mine or creature unknown, born from midnight’s opaque plumage, seeking to extend their life by devouring mine whole. Hope was the pinpricks…

A free verse poem — Intransigent, unbent, even when humbled by winds of nature itself. Perhaps that’s just my nature beaming as all tiny, unremarkable dust motes do when captured within a sunbeam, reflecting cosmic sum of life’s chaotic energy, adding a message of my own; do your worst; I’m right here. Sure, I once…

A free verse poem — Grinning within calamity would seem to be all we can bear. Ginning-up grim modalities would seem to be all we can share. Smolder, blue flame burns colder than what remains, shoulder refrains from turning seasons bereft of reason. Some say metal sharpens metal, but you and I are just more meat for…

Thrifty Words 100 Challenge #92: Perseverance — Doable like water-colored charcoal accents, immutable mixed media, your heaven sent heavenly scents, elevated pulse begats elevated perseverance, but levitating to your presence is easy like common sense telling me that I should know you like acrylic and oil painters and jazz musicians know blue, so what ‘chu wanna do? …

Hoot-hoot, everyone! Happy Birthday to The Howling Owl! Thank you to the fine editors for your time and patience. I hope each of you know how much I appreciate you for all you do. Thank you to all who selected my poem to be featured here. I'm sure we all…

Thrifty Words 100 Challenge #91: Relationship Breakdown — Pitchy and bombastic, our tune always soured at each session’s finale. Together, we botched melodies, but eyes opened or closed, I now hear each wrong chord I played. There I am, plodding — keying notes too long, denying truth in plain sight. And there, dissonance — our unrehearsed, overzealous opening…

A free verse poem — While watching a compilation of sad tales on television – tales of grief and longing, of loved ones not returning from the war in one piece — or at all – tales of parents losing children and of children losing parents to illness, famine, and other calamities, tales of grief…