Tag: poetry

HELP WANTED

Susan Shea

Seeking someone to fill perfect mother vacancy. Must be very good-hearted, but not so good as to cause feelings of inadequacy. Must be happy, but not so happy-go-lucky as to cause feelings of jealousy. Must be self-sacrificing, but not so selfless as to teach the wrong message about boundaries. Must Read more

Susan Shea

Susan Shea is a retired school psychologist who was born in New York City, and now lives in a forest in Pennsylvania. She feels like she is coming alive again, able to return to writing poetry. Susan has been published in Plainsongs, Pudding, The Bluebird Word, and The Agape Review. Recently Susan has had poems accepted for Last Stanza Poetry Journal, The Bookends Review, Exstasis, Poetry Breakfast, and four anthologies by The Moonstone Arts Center:The Weight of Motherhood, by Wingless Dreamer: Darkness Within Me, by Pure Slush Books: Lifespan Series:Achievement, and by Poet’s Choice: Nostalgia.

Tiny Exile

Judith Staff

Imploringly staring up at you desperate to reach your eyes, your heart. You direct your glance away, avoiding her pleading gaze.             alone, fretful Trying to keep abreast of your footsteps, she’s running, almost tripping now. You merely quicken your stride, leaving her unable to level Read more

Judith Staff

Judith Staff’s background is in teaching and early years education. She still teaches occasionally, though now her main focus is in child welfare and safeguarding children. Her work includes delivering training, presenting at conferences, and engaging in collaborative projects with schools around child abuse awareness and sexual violence prevention. She enjoys writing blogs and poetry on topics she feels passionate about. Judith loves running, gym classes and karate. She is married to an art lecturer and they live in Northamptonshire, England with their three free-spirited children, a 12- year-old son, and daughters aged 11 and 9.

THIS IS GOING KIND OF FAST

Angel Rosen

On our fifth day of texting, you mention a wedding in which I am your bride. In the middle of the night, something falls from the ceiling and hits me in the face. It’s a party favor that says MRS.&MRS. I put it in a drawer with all the other Read more

Angel Rosen

Angel Rosen is a poet living near Pittsburgh. She can be found at open mic nights, drag shows or writing poetry in the dark. She is passionate about mental health, queer friendship, and Amanda Palmer's art community. Her writing can be found at angelrosen.com.

Bukowski

Gretchen Corsillo

Bukowski said, ‘What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.’ I feel like I’ve been walking through the fire for the last 22 years. Don’t get me wrong, I am privileged. I know others have it worse than me. But when your mind is the fire it Read more

Gretchen Corsillo

Gretchen Corsillo is a librarian and writer from the greater NYC area. She holds a B.A. in Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from Ramapo College and a Masters in Library & Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Gretchen is the author of a bimonthly column for Public Libraries Magazine, and her work has also appeared in Salon and the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Blog. She is currently working on a novel. Learn more about her at gretchenkaser.com.

Next Life

Hannah Bagley

Sometimes I worry about my next life, Even though this one has just begun. I worry about the kids I fought on the playground, The forgive-me roses I threw in the trash, And how much I used to look down upon others Before life pushed me into the dirt. I Read more

Hannah Bagley

Hannah Bagley is a poet and recent graduate from Southern Appalachia. She is also published in The Chestatee Review and As It Ought To Be Magazine. Bagley draws inspiration from her upbringing in the mountains, nature, and the human experience through a feminist lens.

I don’t tell my story for you.

Gretchen Corsillo

I don’t tell my story for you. A myth of struggle, the absolute vulnerability that comes with cracking myself wide open, a specimen placed under a microscope, suddenly splayed out for everyone’s opinions. I never asked for your judgment, nor did I ask for your pity. Does it make you Read more

Gretchen Corsillo

Gretchen Corsillo is a librarian and writer from the greater NYC area. She holds a B.A. in Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from Ramapo College and a Masters in Library & Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Gretchen is the author of a bimonthly column for Public Libraries Magazine, and her work has also appeared in Salon and the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Blog. She is currently working on a novel. Learn more about her at gretchenkaser.com.

DECLARATION

Angel Rosen

Are you getting a divorce? Are you a near-deranged insomniac? Is the woman of your dreams staying there, only in the dreams? Did your son complain of a stomach ache— the kind you only get when your father is leaving? Are you sick of leftovers? Barely eating, I assume? Alcohol Read more

Angel Rosen

Angel Rosen is a poet living near Pittsburgh. She can be found at open mic nights, drag shows or writing poetry in the dark. She is passionate about mental health, queer friendship, and Amanda Palmer's art community. Her writing can be found at angelrosen.com.

Lust without limits

Yvy Niyom

Frivolous beyond imagination, Sexy with wide intellect, I am lust with prejudice. Desires out of range, Caption with no words, I am a lust without limits. Puritan to the core, Raped by this earth, I am lust with rancor. Naturally siding with humanity, Moving shapes like snakes, I am lust Read more

Yvy Niyom

Writing has always been my passion, but speaking multiple languages never helped me as I could never be fully immersed in one language. Having learned English last, I have felt more comfortable but also more insecure about writing. My education is diverse, and so are my work experiences. I am currently finishing my thesis in Counselling Psychology. I have a college degree in sciences, a first bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology, and a second bachelor's degree in Adult Education. Personal favorite saying: Love Life, Mysterious, Unpredictable