Guinotte Wise conjures rebels, roadhouses, and sex.
Poetry
Presents
Ben Berman considers stone hearts and perspective, "how a thing can so readily re-present itself with an entirely new meaning."
Ben Berman considers stone hearts and perspective, “how a thing can so readily re-present itself with an entirely new meaning.”
Pronghorn
A father's dying wisdom to the son he never really knew--"Remember how I said /we should run or be eaten. /I kept running and I take it all back."
A father’s dying wisdom to the son he never really knew–“Remember how I said /we should run or be eaten. /I kept running and I take it all back.”
You Told Me the Reason I Can’t Touch Your Hair
Steven Sanchez's poem expertly navigates childhood abuse and adult love. Rarely does a poem so successfully convey both pain and tenderness.
Steven Sanchez’s poem expertly navigates childhood abuse and adult love. Rarely does a poem so successfully convey both pain and tenderness.
All the Shores and Borders We Have Left Behind
Are you listening Donald? Part lament, part celebration, Emily Hazel's poem closes our Immigration and Xenophobia series with a demand that those in power recognize our common dignity.
Are you listening Donald? Part lament, part celebration, Emily Hazel’s poem closes our Immigration and Xenophobia series with a demand that those in power recognize our common dignity.
A Thank You Note to My Mother
Regina Baeza Martinez, 16 years old and originally from Mexico, writes of the heartbreak of leaving home and what it means to "taste like the kind of sacrifice he does not want to understand."
Regina Baeza Martinez, 16 years old and originally from Mexico, writes of the heartbreak of leaving home and what it means to “taste like the kind of sacrifice he does not want to understand.”
Blueprint for Building a Wall
RG Evans invokes Robert Frost to make a short, snarky point.
RG Evans invokes Robert Frost to make a short, snarky point.
Not Fire, Not Ice
Joe Amaral's apocalyptic poem invokes DNA, immigration, and climate change, vividly direction our attention to "the loss and love we must compartmentalize /to share, carrying the burden of melting /glacial scarp still beckoning its magical blue."
Joe Amaral’s apocalyptic poem invokes DNA, immigration, and climate change, vividly direction our attention to “the loss and love we must compartmentalize /to share, carrying the burden of melting /glacial scarp still beckoning its magical blue.”
Bourj el-Barajneh
US Army veteran Colin Halloran writes of the overshadowed 2015 Beirut bombing, its "blasts /that have no need /for linguistic shackles."
US Army veteran Colin Halloran writes of the overshadowed 2015 Beirut bombing, its “blasts /that have no need /for linguistic shackles.”
A Minor History of Police Work
An encounter with the police and a Chinese-American family's sense of "failing in a loud and crazy time" are the subjects of Tina Cane's stark poem.
An encounter with the police and a Chinese-American family’s sense of “failing in a loud and crazy time” are the subjects of Tina Cane’s stark poem.
Zeus’ Soliloquy
Zeus remarks on both sides of the mythic Trojan War. The parallels to our current reality are clear.
Zeus remarks on both sides of the mythic Trojan War. The parallels to our current reality are clear.
Cashing in on Megabucks
Gerald Yelle's poem is a surreal take on militarization and white flight.
Gerald Yelle’s poem is a surreal take on militarization and white flight.
I’m Not Normally A Sign Girl, But I Was Told Pussy Riot Would Be Here
Laura Sweeney's poem celebrates women's courage--political and otherwise.
Laura Sweeney’s poem celebrates women’s courage–political and otherwise.
Becoming Grandpa
A child experiences a sweetly poignant moment of confusion.
A child experiences a sweetly poignant moment of confusion.
Foundations
Continuing our Immigration and Xenophobia series, Josh Conklin's poem captures the selective compassion of the era.
Continuing our Immigration and Xenophobia series, Josh Conklin’s poem captures the selective compassion of the era.
The Play (White Men Can’t Jump, 1)
Michael Chin recounts an early lesson in sports, race relations, and language.
Michael Chin recounts an early lesson in sports, race relations, and language.