Arlene Weiner: The All-American Truck Stop
the flag flew in a foreign country,
or on the moon, a declaration,
Here an American stands, or stood
Arlene Weiner: Nobody’s coming to save the children
Catherine Doty’s pitiless poems beautifully show us what we don’t want to see: children’s poverty, abuse, neglect. And their meanness. Poor children living in squalor, which Doty’s language often veils in lyrical glamor.
Arlene Weiner: A Photo of Jalen, Age 12, in a Batman Costume
Say yes, sir when the officers stop you
for the fourteenth time, looking
for somebody
Vox Populi: An Interview With Our Editor
On Friday, we caught up with poet, blogger, editor and activist Michael Simms at his kitchen table where he was preparing his Saturday morning post for Vox Populi.
Michael Simms: Here are the most popular Vox Populi posts of 2019
In 2019 Vox Populi published 751 posts, usually two per day, resulting in over 8 million views. Here is a list of our most popular posts in 2019 listed by category: poetry, personal essays, political articles, and art/music/cinema.
Arlene Weiner: Catering the Office Party
Some couldn’t eat ham and some wouldn’t eat lamb;
some couldn’t eat sugar, some couldn’t eat seeds.
So what could I order for our office feast?
And how could I cater for everyone’s needs?
Arlene Weiner: November
He tears off summer’s dress,
exposes trunk and limb, threatens
worse coming. Yet he brings gifts…
Arlene Weiner: Just Sayings
You can’t get anything clean
Without getting something dirty
But you can get everything dirty
Without getting anything clean
Ought to be a country song
Arlene Weiner: Song for Climate March
This planet’s mine, this planet’s yours. From the melting icecaps to the flooding shores, From bleaching coral to scorching deserts This planet needs both you and me. This planet … Continue reading
Arlene Weiner: Nearer
All day our brilliant screens show without letup hysterical screamers winning money prizes, a woman sneering at another’s getup, boys doing jackass stunts in various guises, in aspiration to become … Continue reading
Arlene Weiner: John of the Lamp
John of the lamp, poor fellow, you’re quite unstrung. Cat or rat’s got your tongue. Your guts are yellow, your wide grin is hollow. Summon the young to a portal … Continue reading
Arlene Weiner: Poverty Festival
It probably shows a poverty of imagination that when I misread New York Poetry Festival as New York Poverty Festival I couldn’t imagine how to celebrate poverty, even though I’ve … Continue reading
Arlene Weiner: Wordless
My mother’s magazines advised “togetherness,” advertised Simplicity patterns for matching mother-and-daughter dresses, asked “Can This Marriage Survive?” I found Popular Science, admired the clear lines and cheerful mien … Continue reading
Arlene and the Arlettes: Bad Boyfriend
A Song for America to be sung in the style of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. . Oh girlfriend, I could have told you he’s a Bad boyfriend I don’t … Continue reading
