Backbone > Poetica

Cherished Readers,
We have yet again been granted an opportunity to gather as poets and poetry lovers—the Woodstock Poetry Festival convenes August 22-25. Come open your ears to wisdom, humor, pathos, and praise from some of the most esteemed poets of our time, as well as from our local bards. For details, check the Web site www.woodstockpoetryfestival.com
See you there!
xox Franci

Missing

The congressman
slid
his slippery,
scaly,
sour tongue
down the intern’s
delicious,
delicate,
dubious
throat,
exhorting,
exhuming,
her heart,
imbibing,
inhaling
her soul,
leaving
little
else
for worms,
photographers
and loved ones.

Dave Kime

Same Old Story

I am in a one-room apartment in Southern California,
where the blazing sun beats down on my asphalt terrace,
which overlooks nothing but more asphalt and more apartments that look like
mine.
I am drinking gin and tonics from the glass, with a twist of lime,
and thinking only of how this story will end.
There’s no one there to know or care,
and I think everyone feels the same way.
Why else would you move to paradise and live next to a freeway?

Brian P. Dunleavy

Where I Was

I opened the book and
pianos came out—
the smell of dandelions.

Far beneath my
chair a candle burned.

Behind me was the tiny house
peeling paint
and ahead
a line of stones
that had once been
a wall.

Jeff Garrett

She Awoke

She awoke
cleared her throat
like a ’39 Ford
on a cold, cold morning

Vicki Nunnally

Inflagranti

Thunderclouds gather
Lovers whisper under sheets
Footsteps approaching

Stephanie Hardy