Prosaic Hell by Don Matthews

I have so many poems They wait, pile up, say “send” They keep on procreating Drives me round the bend This bloody rhyme’s addictive I gotta have my words Injected for my daily fix It’s damnably absurd You say to me go rehab They will de-rhyme your brain Jack and Jill won’t climb the hill…

My Shadow by Joni Caggiano

tenderly touch me for I was once raw singing floral notes softly from a flush sky never leaving your shadow, you are my shelter my guardian, my shield who wisely can hum away pain bodies entwine like veins heating us up soft the blanket you lay upon my tender soul weaving a home of soft…

Far Too Late I Realized by Shobana Gomes

Once when there was life in me,I took it for granted,I waited far too long, thinking I had timeMaybe to say “I Love You” or just to be aroundTo light up someone’s life and maybe even mine I put off the day and then realized far too soon it was nightTime had passed through my…

A Shepherd’s Tale by Tony Ashenden

Consider, discuss, decide as you must. A boy      of nine I was, given to play? Yes-               but impatient to grow. A minder of sheep and goat, not quite a shepherd, you understand. Arab Jewish Samaritans, lowborn we were     under Roman rule in the land of Moses. Tent dwellers; nomadic in the Way of the Sea…

What’s Prodigal Mean? by Bogdan Dragos

he felt a bit guilty about it but just a bit He knew it was wrong to be happy when father came home drunk and stupid but it was the only time when mother came to sleep in his room, “because your father needs to cool off,” as she put it It was a good…

Scars of Lockdown by Lamittan Minsah

Dark clouds and muffled talks tore the atmosphere at the first case. Then came the rules, and people in town both big and small wore a visor, as the air, it was said, was very clatty. Bitter news daily, so we shunned hearing more of the rising death tolls, the great disposition of our foe:…

Reflections by Bharath Upendra

The sky reflects in the water at my feet. The tap keeps leaking, and we keep fixing it. The plumber is either bad at what he does or too clever. At this moment, there are two skies. One above my head, another under my feet. It’s nothing like looking into a mirror but I squat…

Night Tide by Jeff Flesch

I alight on a star it’s farther than I’ve ever been before a thousand miles away from you I transfix my eyes on all the galaxies next door while knowing they are reminiscent of a time before our love was larger than the sun in the sky within my heart you always did shine like…

My Flavors by Joni Caggiano

sipping me softly through a fairy’s straw sampling each flavor you whisper, it is my essence you savor arousing monarch butterflies now swing singing ballads to start flutes and a fluttering of my loving heart -JONI CAGGIANO Joni’s blog is Rum and Robots, where she has published poetry, photography, and short stories. Take a look…

Allergies by Bogdan Dragos

“Are you trying to kill me?” his mother screamed. “Are you trying to fucking kill me!?” He backed away. “Mom, please.” “Shut up! You brought a cat. A cat! Of all things. In the house! Knowing full well of my allergies. That is a declaration, young man. A declaration that speaks very loud. You are…

Dr. Don at Your Service by Don Matthews

(Researchers at Donyagoz Adana Hospital, Turkey have found excess use of Viagra can produce a multitude of unwanted side effects. Feb 2020) Dr. Don’s on your screen here to warn you If you’re using Viagra to excess OK, you will stand you to attention But other things might end in mess This simple little thing…

Dinnerplate Identities by Britta Benson

We all eat. Food comes and goes, always available, yet often, more of an afterthought, a side show, consumed in a rush. I see people in the street wolfing down a sandwich while speaking on the phone, no respect, no regret. Let’s stop here and linger. I’ve got something to tell you.  This is the…

Remains by Dr. Shailja Sharma

The cottage remains The myth of love still lives in the heap of straw and amongst the beads of a broken necklace The footsteps cutting through woods are deep, solid despite the rain through years Life is walking on them rather slowly due to a tangled “Scarf” -DR. SHAILJA SHARMA This poem was first published in…

The Sinful Mirror by Sheereen Fatima

Mirror mirror on the wall, Can you see the darkness that we hide in us all? That darkness that molds itself within, Pecking the soul and taking it for a spin. The unworth glistening in your reflective surface, The bubbling insecurities vicious cries without any solace. Mirror mirror on the wall, Can you see the…

Feeble Door by Bogdan Dragos

Such a feeble door it was a joke like made of cardboard it stayed ajar and the rusty knob was barely hanging to it it didn’t actually work and there was no locking it either the only thing that made it close was its misalignment with the frame It just kinda pushed into the frame…

Religious Ego by Tony Ashenden

Gritty shell Church within an egg I watch the moulder of your stone In envy Of the subtle grain that clings together Unperturbed Disdainful of my changing face. I even see Your smoke washed splints of mortar Laughing into faces. Stilton memories I achieved And could not Stop the wooden green from going rot. Words…