Afternoon of December 14, 2023

 

i exist 

i walk past the bar

with my nerves

on high alert,

wishing that i didn't

need to feel so 

threatened simply because

i exist.

~linda m. crate 

orchids & ginger


my only request

is for orchids and ginger

on my breakfast table

no one here but me

and my omelet of wishes

~mark s kuhar

full moon hike

my cautious friend

applies sunscreen

~John J. Dunphy

In the dark room, moths saunter

on my bright cellphone screen.

~Fhen M.

his cute gnarled fist

in the midst of springtime mist

frightens some away

~Charles A. Perrone

these flaming feathers 

you are the vampire,

i am the flame;

this little phoenix will

burn you until your

ashes never rise again.

~linda m. crate 

self-talk when the artist is fat phobic:

i am a work of art,

one of a kind;

irreplaceable—

a worthy muse of any

capable artist.

~linda m. crate 

bones


the bones of trees

against a fire-soaked sky

today, work. tomorrow, work.

~mark s kuhar