Category: Poetry
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The Worst Gut Instinct Ever
There was a timein the not so distant past,where I didn’t much bother withwhether or notthe bubble was centered.I figured if it looked level,it must be level.I had convinced myselfthat I could cleave myselffrom the sins of the world by sight,or by sound, or by avoidance.I had convinced myself that I wasthe only arbiter and…
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a plea
I plead my immense fatigue to subdueMe like the dragon beseeching Saint GeorgeTo grow from his fertilized, defeated body a kingdom on the banksOf the Lethe River and graceful oblivion models will trot beside itAdorning a wreath of witless smiles. Translated from Hebrew by Natalie Feinstein
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beyond is this that
Is this that? Who is wrong? This guy or his family? Is this that? The paradigm is all wrong. This isn’t that. This is valuable and about to be made right. This is for more. For new starts and fresh hope. For a new way of being, of thinking, of seeing. This is beyond. Beyond…
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Trapped In Line
She had no voice of her own to lick the woundsof her offspring—sprung off and over the cliff.One by one, like lemmings, they follow in line behind a leader who found their place behindsomeone else who learned as much as anyonehow to play a game from those who came before. And someone else before that,…
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Poet’s Prayer
Father, Son, Holy Spirit Not kneeling in a church pewreciting catechism rote, a lastminute plea, genie lamp wishupon a star desire nor beggingfor winning lottery numbers,just here this day to say thankyou for continuing to bless mein spite of my transgressions. I confess I attended service buttwice this past year, probablylike most Catholics, Easter andChristmas,…
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smoke
You smell like smokeIt was cruel and trueA club in her handI was wrecked, disjointed It was cruel and trueThere was aftermathI was wrecked, disjointedI’m sure I do There was aftermathI decided to stayI’m sure I doTo stand in the burning I decided to stayA club in her handTo stand in the burningI smell like…
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in my mother’s drawer
In My Mother’s DrawerI found aerial photosThat mapped meOut From afar.From above.Un-Touching. Translated from Hebrew by Natalie Feinstein
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leave all valuables
Upon arrival all lips were collected. You Cannot Enter This Country With Your Lips They say. A woman asks why? They take her child and put it in a cell with other children faceless nameless lipless kids why? why? They take her warm lips Do Not Ask Why. In a line the Bodies move to…
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Morta
Gilded with petrification Many lifecycles of man & beast anoxic lain Drainage disinterred From millennia-locked marshland sump As story out of sculptor’s block revealed This field of posts Marks where a village clung Encircling lakeshore’s cradling womb The precious pull of water These stilted pillars raised Life from lifegiver’s mortal grasp That finally would engulf…
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Holding Myself Back
Now that I’m not holding myself back, what else are my hands capable of? If I ever hate myself, it’s because others taught me. I know how to feel wrong, but I can barely give a reason. Justification is for everyone else but me. I’m 30 & love myself enough not to starve. I stay…
