strangers in a café
Thanks to John Dutton from Spilled Ink VA for putting together poems for National Poetry Month. The theme for this month’s poetry was centered on our home venue Jirani Coffeehouse. We dedicate these poems to the coffeehouse that brings together our love of spoken word and community.
Keep readingGive Me Back My Time
Once upon a time all I had was time, all we had was time, time to wait for our time, It was declared that our time will come. Perhaps in a few years, then suddenly it was here.All the time before became a distant memory. All we had in front of us was our time. But now I wish for nothing more than me time: time to think, time to escape, time to be at…
Keep readingLet Me Bother You
Crying out into the wind the season’s changing, along with all the cares in the world. We find ourselves cast aside & all I want is to pull you back, back into my arms once again. Standing at the shore, I long to bother you, & tug on your beard. I want to knock you down, roll around through the waves and land right on top. Toss the sand between your hairs, our clothes salty…
Keep readingReach Beyond
curled up in the comfort of your room, a tapping upon your door begins calling you to answer and you… retreatback into your hollow cave retreatback to the sheltered space you’ve maderetreatfrom the idea that anyone will ever come to your doorretreatfrom searching what’s drifting along the shoreretreatfrom the ghost that haunt us allretreatfrom what hurts us all escapefrom that dark tidal wave escapefrom the corner of the world you’ve made escapestretch out your arms…
Keep readingMeet Me By The Shore
A sequel to Walking Down To The Lake There she is, a former glow that once filled a room the moment she granted it with her presence, a memory of what used to be. The frigid air blowing through the trees on this winter night reminds us that the warmth we used to know left us long ago. What would it take but a grasp of her hand, an inviting smile, a long embrace to shake…
Keep readingRising Waters
soft rolling waves lap the shoreline,suddenly crash rapidly upon you. such tenderness used to comfort, now makes you recoil deeper. from all that you managed to bear and remain to endure, still you dig deep into the sand to push it away. recoil into yourself. a shift in the tide was not part of the plan; moving to the city to be part of the scene, only to find you’re constantly sinking.
Keep readingDistorted Reality is a Necessity
Do you really know anyone at all? Sitting in your favorite armchair you’ll dive into a writer’s mind and soul, stories used to entice, excite, entertain pieces intricately carved out or plucked to share– you’ll think you know them, feel their insides but you’ll never know their true self, if they slept in and had a big breakfast, did they read the morning paper, are there hairs left on the sink, or their choice of…
Keep readingThis Too Shall Pass
He looks to me but he doesn’t see me He talks to me but he doesn’t hear me He’s in front of me but we’re a million miles apart Our hearts are beating to a different tune Everyone thinks it’ll be fine soon Just open up and tell himIt’ll be okayThis too shall pass But it won’t, it will last and last…
Keep readingPaper Lies
Light flickers in the cold corner of a room, upon a desk pages lay empty lit by the rays of the moon. The journal tugs at your shedding snakeskin,all the years falling away telling you to heal old wounds within. You grab the pen in the aim of exhaling an essay, perhaps starting with a scribble to describe the recent onset of decay. Perhaps it was all self-inflicted, to keep a longing heart protected. No…
Keep readingThink of Me
Worst thing about New Year’s Eve: Being a romantic But no one to love you the way you need I’m holding back the urge to walk away I’m holding onto responsibilities, Accepting my fate Oh, will you please think of me When you’re kissing your lover Send your positive vibes, Your good thoughts, Your shout outs, Send me a love I’d not want to live without
Keep readingPilgrimage to the Motherland
City Lights Books, San Francisco, CA – 2019 Standing in the presence of historyWitness all that has come beforeBewildered in amazementWhat a glorious sight! Speak to me, my wise old poets,Speak to me while I stand here where it all began,Feed me your recipesGathering in the Poetry RoomCircling around the Poet’s chairCozied up in the corner… This is where I belongThese are my peopleThis is my truth Happy 70th anniversary to City Lights Books!
Keep readingWhisper In My Ear [with audio]
Your words whisper in my ear. Your voice does things to me that haven’t been felt in years. My heart races,My insides quicken—I want to hear more.I listen when I’m alone to be safe from disturbance.I listen while at work in hopes that no one notices the reaction your whisper creates. I listen before I sleep at night;you’re the last thing I want to hear.Blow by blow, your words hit deep.The aching and longing are…
Keep readingTuesday Morning
Between these luscious thighs, the back of a lover’s head is held firmly in place while riding undulating waves originating from his face. Without effort, much to my surprise the recalling of poetic words from another voicestill sends me to the highest point of ecstasy, wishing it was your body, your hands holding me closeBut this out loud, I cannot confess. Mouthing a few of my favorite verses, cutting through the heart of all this…
Keep readingGreedy Disaster
I pull in closer, place my hand upon his lips caress each other, breathing in exploring our hearts for more but a darkness seeps in and my thoughts turn His arms wrap ’round me tightly,a feeling I’ve craved, to be adored.Everything I’ve wanted is right here but the road ahead transports me back in time. Was it ever meant to be, was this how the universe laid out its course?Or a pit stop along the…
Keep readingPsychosis
Pieces of you unearthin places we’ve been, laughs we’ve shared,all that clinged us together. I crave to tell you‘I miss you’but it’s been awhilesince we last spoke.These are only words,but we’re kidding ourselvesand everyone else; I feel the truth. You once promised to use me like you knew me. I still ache for those dreams once dreamed. We now linger on the sidelines keeping toes in the shore, only deep enough to not get sucked…
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