Twenty-Five Cents by Joni Caggiano

Long John Silvers was one of my first jobs in high school.  Riding my bike on Saturday, hungry, smelly, and with jeans that hugged my thin frame to the point of being naughty, I went inside.  The sign on the door said, “Help Needed.”    All the high schoolers went there to eat lunch because it…

Leaving the Big Four by Joni Caggiano

During the third year of school and living on the big four, I was divided into pieces by a swift sword, perching on my safety edge.  My brown eyes must have turned black as I heard mom’s words, but I was sure I was suffocating.  “Joy, honey, we are moving to Brooklyn, New York. Your…

Sands of Our Glass by Joni Caggiano

alleys close renew moments jump parts of memories time moves like a slug warm flesh holding mine, a seagull rises red hair escapes tightly fitted bun sea salt sings prelude connecting dots with tiny freckles, laughing placing my pale hand on your heart it plays percussion, a drum circle completing the orbit flowers flow like…

Full of Treasures by Joni Caggiano

treasures climb into my basket sun whispers, I capture with dew two wrens with a picnic for two a lone red berry from a holly tree anoles who are looking for heat pearls, riches found deep in the sea your heat in any winter’s night hiccups from a small toy poodle my words, I am…

The Blue Pill by Joni Caggiano

Having had migraines for years, I knew I would need that third pill. No more than 300 milligrams of Imitrex, and I would take that enormous, new, blue blood pressure pill my family doctor just prescribed. I was way too young to be having blood pressure issues. But the unexpected has a way of meandering…

Fairy Feast by Joni Caggiano

vanish into sultry eyeless air, baffling fog senses dimly pale as love sealing hearts alike elegant evening primrose my dainty fingers elongate, grow sensors fondling tree swing holding your last laugh stars cry gilded tears leaving trails of wispy light floating the moon covers her glow with a red umbrella fairies, will you mourn losses…

Cusp of Spring by Joni Caggiano

youthful buds whisper tiny voices animate stolen secrets weave does, calves leaping jesting with siblings grassland tickles bare shoulder, he is smitten giggles come softly fledgling’s plump lips quiver as butterfly kisses on soft velvety cheeks elicit joyous moans amidst tears, she utters love you, my cherished red-headed woodpecker plays a jazzy drum beat on…

Last of Her Kind by Joni Caggiano

My leather dress clung tight to tired, wet skin.  At almost seven-foot-tall, I was a woman that obtained attention around humans far too quickly.  Thin, my shoulder blades stuck through just below my long, cylindrical neck.  It will be my last visit to say goodbye to a family of humans called the Simons. Every year…

Us by Joni Caggiano

whisper softly in my tender ear as shadows of memories linger near fire crackles, tender our love forever soft heat rising, warms up swiftly our bedroom loft laughter sparks seedlings of love with ageless years sometimes sorrow invades mixing dialog with liberating tears reassuring each other of a commitment so long ago, we grow old…

The Wanderer by Joni Caggiano

deadly this script intuit of rapture caresses senses my lover, buds sprout from pores you touch me like strings on a violin ardent hunger throbs climbing the peak we meet yet again like feeding pigeons my spirit, my heart once again torn apart fodder for your ego why do you appear again, to taunt me…

Freezer Burn by Joni Caggiano

Snow had fallen for five days in a row, and we were no longer allowed outside.  Yet, my hateful sisters, Ruth and Elizabeth, somehow obtained mom’s approval to drive to the deli right up the street.  Mom gave them money for sandwiches and hot cocoa.  They both stuck their tongues out at me as they…

Stigmata by Joni Caggiano

floating by the cemetery rays lower, reflecting lurid light my plumes shadow ashes calmly sleeping effigies of angels sing the language of turtle doves smelling vanilla, gardenia and the aromas of honey suckle as whispers of a stigmata arose from her crypt as perfumed fluids flow -JONI CAGGIANO Joni is an internationally known and published…

Slumbering Savannah by Joni Caggiano

The swamp claws its way through the mud. Water moccasin waking late in the winter’s artful sun. Hiding in the putrid belly of the forsaken shade of the brown-haired trees, he lay gazing. He sees in black and white. Stalking prey with a proud skinny neck and blockish head, he hunts. Choctaw child, feet raw…

Special Delivery by Joni Caggiano

The giblets of a turkey never got me worked up. Thoughts of stuffing, long-necked turkey soup, or even giblet gravy didn’t dance in my head.  Instead, my mouth would water when Mama breaded and fried up those turkey gizzards, yummy! Our menu included lots of small lobster tails with the usual seafood trimmings.  Sides included…

Lady of Strength by Joni Caggiano

the glimmer of hope hiding in the reflection of earth’s regal eyes last petal of a floret hangs heroic in cold wind star visits dipped in chocolate sings to me lady, of perpetual strength I fly toward the sun cirrus clouds as wings my chariot flies to the echo of prayers going skyward  -JONI CAGGIANO Joni’s…

Booze and Bobcats by Joni Caggiano

Anguish threw her vile smell around the house like a cat who sprays the coffee pot.  Strings of tension gave rise to erect hair follicles like they always did when something horrible was about to happen.  Mom and my little sister Rosa were nowhere to be found. Dad’s car was parked in the back of…