Martina Reisz Newberry: “Rachel is weeping for her children…”
I imagine I can see
scratched and scarred places on
my children’s bodies.
They are the places where I
used to live
Michael Simms: Consider the Hummingbird
Consider the hummingbird
How like the mind it is
Rev. John Dear: Daniel Berrigan and his fearless nonviolence, at 100
Five years since his death and 100 since his birth, legendary priest, author, poet and activist Daniel Berrigan continues to offer wisdom and insight on living a life of creative nonviolence.
Emily Dickinson: I had been hungry, all the Years
The Plenty hurt me – ’twas so new –
Myself felt ill – and odd –
As Berry – of a Mountain Bush –
Transplanted – to a Road
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha: Lullaby
We want things smaller than we know.
A vessel strong enough
to lift you into tomorrow,
Jason Baldinger: Copper Heads
america your wars are endless
but none is longer than the one
you’ve had with yourself
Linda Parsons: Two Poems
Glad as I was to see
the wasp squirm in the web, shields aquiver,
lance of its ass lowered, I was not prepared
for her glittering approach.
Amy M. Alvarez, Jameka Harley: How Black poets and writers gave a voice to ‘Affrilachia’
A turning point took place 30 years ago, when Black Appalachian culture experienced a renaissance centered around a single word: “Affrilachia.”
Ted Kooser: Mudflaps
Out driving, I like to come up behind trucks
with mudflaps, chalky, slate-colored ones
hanging onto their hard jobs
Molly Fisk: You and I
the whole country snarled into such a hot mess
you wouldn’t recognize democracy if she
removed her skirts and danced on your lap for free,
pretending to like you.
Jo McDougall: This Morning
A woman laughs
and my daughter steps out of the radio.
Grief spreads in my throat like strep.
Janette Schafer: On the day I testify for Homeland Security
Janette agreed to share these details publicly to help allay the stigma, shame, and secrecy inherent with being a sex abuse survivor.
William Wordsworth: Lines Written in Early Spring
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
Kareem Tayyar: Gas Station
The Indian woman behind the counter
is reading The Upanishads when I enter.
The radio is playing a French chanson.
The photograph on the wall to my left
features John F. Kennedy…
