Self-Portrait as David LynchBy David RoderickI wear a flower in my lapel. I like the sweetness of its lie in my nose. A carnation, the fool’s flower…Social CommentariesPopular CultureLivingThe MindActivitiesJobs & WorkingArts & SciencesPhotography & FilmStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImageryMetaphorPersonaTypes/ModesDramatic MonologueJoy & Contentment + 12 more
Los Angeles, Fin de SiècleBy Maurya SimonDelirium in the downtown mall today: Burt Reynolds! All the henna-haired girls sneer, while their mothers…Social CommentariesCities & Urban LifeClassMoney & EconomicsPopular CultureLivingThe MindMemory & NostalgiaTime & BrevityArts & SciencesPainting & SculpturePhotography & FilmStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImagery + 11 more
Force VisibilityBy Solmaz SharifEverywhere we went, I went in pigtails no one could see— ribbon curled by a scissor’s sharp edge, the…Social CommentariesHistory & PoliticsLivingLife ChoicesYouthActivitiesSchool & LearningArts & SciencesPoetry & PoetsPhotography & FilmStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImageryMetaphor + 10 more
Post TruthBy David TaitA week of autumn snow, and today the sun, the buildings fizzy with melting, the beggar draping his sheets…NatureFallTrees & FlowersWeatherLivingParenthoodRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsVerse FormsSonnetStanza FormsTercetTechniquesImagery + 7 more
p1From the SkyBy Sara Abou RashedWhen I die, bury me in the sky— no one is fighting over it. Children are playing soccer with empty …Social CommentariesWar & ConflictHistory & PoliticsReligionIslamLivingDeathSorrow & GrievingStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesAnaphoraImageryGrief + 9 more
p1The StairBy Kevin Young The heart, it hoards— how I know this— The small, strangled shining room Keats lost his life in—and…ReligionThe SpiritualLivingDeathGrowing OldThe BodyTime & BrevityRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsArts & SciencesReading & BooksStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImageryMetaphor + 11 more
ForevertronBy Norman FinkelsteinI have built a machine to visit the stars. I have built a machine to outlast the stars. There is a glass…LivingThe MindActivitiesIndoor ActivitiesArts & SciencesSciencesStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImagery + 5 more
A Body's Universe of Big BangsBy Leslie Contreras SchwartzA body must remind itself to keep living, continually, throughout the day. Even at night while sleeping…LivingGrowing OldHealth & IllnessInfancyThe BodyTime & BrevityArts & SciencesSciencesStanza FormsMixedTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesConsonanceImagery + 9 more
EcholaliaBy Noa Micaela FieldsIn other sounds E wants a mother [unclear] I hear bad. Trachea, trace—translate [hiss] chase meaning…LivingHealth & IllnessThe BodyArts & SciencesLanguage & LinguisticsMusicPoetry & PoetsStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseTechniquesImagery + 6 more
p1Across the StreetBy Austin SegrestI ran across the street, I didn’t know any better. Ran out in the street, I didn’t know no better. I…LoveDesire & PassionReligionChristianityLivingDeathSorrow & GrievingRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsMen & WomenStanza FormsTercetGrief + 6 more
p1Alternating lunesBy Philip Good & Bernadette Mayeramaryllis comes in many flavors snow sometimes slants when will politics make improvements? strawberry…NatureStars, Planets, HeavensTrees & FlowersSocial CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingThe MindTime & BrevityArts & SciencesLanguage & LinguisticsStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseAnxiety & InsecurityHumorJoy & Contentment + 10 more
p1OutboundBy Hieu Minh NguyenPast the congested interstate, past the long lines outside the Dorothy Day Center, past the cheering…LivingDeathLife ChoicesSorrow & GrievingRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsActivitiesTravels & JourneysStanza FormsTercetDisappointmentGrief + 5 more
p1Cuddly in CamoBy Nathan SpoonHere comes rain on our roof! It stays just long enough to tickle me into writing this. It stays just…Social CommentariesClassWar & ConflictActivitiesJobs & WorkingStanza FormsTercetHumor
p1Ode to AutocorrectBy Martha SilanoBecause it changes O’Hare to o hate, o hate, o hate — over and over, no matter how many times I retype…LivingLife ChoicesArts & SciencesLanguage & LinguisticsStanza FormsTercetAnxiety & Insecurity
p1How I Get ReadyBy Ashleigh YoungWhat song will they play if I don’t come home tonight? I wished someone would write a song for me, then…LivingGrowing OldThe BodyTime & BrevityActivitiesTravels & JourneysArts & SciencesMusicStanza FormsTercetAnxiety & Insecurity + 4 more
p1At the city poundBy Vincent O’SullivanI’m in charge of a cage. I know those that won’t. I don’t mean can’t. Just won’t. There’s a roster for…NatureAnimalsLivingDeathStanza FormsTercetGriefMelancholy & Despair
p1Sitting on a Desk Together at SMU, 1982By Sandra McPhersonA girl moaning: I don’t understand “Wave.” You said, Maybe you should try selected whitecaps. I saw…NatureSeas, Rivers, & StreamsThe MindMemory & NostalgiaArts & SciencesPoetry & PoetsStanza FormsTercetTechniquesEpigraph + 3 more
p1The GroundBy Mario ChardSay they still tie ropes to the caskets of immigrants they find in the desert. That a rope saves time…NatureLandscapes & PastoralsTrees & FlowersLivingDeathStanza FormsTercetMetersFree VerseGrief + 3 more
p1Vampires TodayBy Once, there was a year where every romance had fangs. It was hard to open up a novel without a vampire…LoveRomantic LoveSocial CommentariesPopular CultureLivingComing of AgeYouthThe MindMemory & NostalgiaStanza FormsTercetBlameDisappointmentHumor + 7 more
p1KeptBy Natalie Scenters-ZapicoI was so thirsty, you cracked an egg into my mouth. I ate it & thanked you. We were so rich then. I…LoveRealistic & ComplicatedLivingDeathMarriage & CompanionshipStanza FormsTercetAnxiety & InsecurityBlame + 2 more