Evening of March 5, 2024

Thought Experiment

the

chrome

clockwork

Buddha rose

trailing flowering

vines it took to the open road

how many miles to nirvana it asked all it met

~David C. Kopaska-Merkel

The land that is behind me.

Walking to the corner shop

and back.

~Mark Gilbert

artificial rose—

her face conforms

to society's norms

~Mark Gilbert

hunger moon needing dough

~Roberta Beach Jacobson

hobo jungle midnight coyote howl

~David C. Kopaska-Merkel

Dog Park Theology

The gate is open.

You can go in

if you are good.

~Noah Berlatsky

this

lump

below

my shoulder

a wire in my heart

in ancient days I'd be long dead

~David C. Kopaska-Merkel

no longer suicidal

the 70-year-old now content

just to wait

~John J. Dunphy

human geography

searching

for the sweet spot

~Mark Gilbert

                                               

soaring above

our neighbors' MAGA flag
                                         

a rainbow kite

~John J. Dunphy

wharf is not a dock

wharves are not some landing strips

both are more mystery

~Charles A. Perrone

My Favorite Monster

Comes out only at night

Has glowing red eyes

Is 20 feet tall

(six meters)

Breathes radioactive fire

Only stomps Billy's house

And Ed's, a little bit

Never forgets Monster's Day at school

~David C. Kopaska-Merkel

men with guitars

passing their emotions

thru an amp

~Mark Gilbert

“happy next birthday”

he knows something

you don't

~David C. Kopaska-Merkel

america,

artless

art

~Mark Gilbert

To Do List

Write a poem

~Noah Berlatsky