Travelogue Voyagers no longer disembark at decayed seaports, piers rotting where sturdy ships once docked delivering the wealthy the hopeful, travel plans replaced by accommodating airlines getting us to destinations so quickly there’s no transition between coming and going, just adaptation to climate change, time change, when we conclude our journey. This poem is part of a collection […]
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Journey (For My Father) I wish I could say that we are like any other father and daughter. I wish that I could say that we are the best of friends, but it took us a long time to get here. I wish I could say that I could tell you anything, everything, but you still would not understand. […]
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Parents Night Emma used to do real good in school her mother tells her new teacher. It’s Parents Night at Ryland Elementary. Mostly mothers in attendance. What’s the problem, her mother asks. Fifth grade shouldn’t be hard for her. Emma’s never had a grade lower than a B, her mother says. Teacher says Emma doesn’t do her homework and talks a lot in class. Her mother can’t believe it. Says her […]
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The following is a collection of poems about Vietnam veterans and how their lives were forever changed by the horrific effects of the herbicidal warfare compound known as Agent Orange. A Life Without Guard Rails You think you got problems? You probably do but would you trade with Phillip, a Vietnam vet who still thinks Agent Orange lurks in every puddle […]
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A Good Customer I saw Al once a month for 30 years, maybe more, doing business together. He retired to hunt bear in Alaska, hook Tarpon in Florida, golf in Scotland. He had it all planned. Nothing would stop him. Months later I learned doctors said he had cancer of the blood. The outlook was bleak. I called Al and he said six months, […]
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It’s Snowing in Manila “The snow is always falling in ‘Fargo,’ cloaking the world in metaphysical confusion.” – Jessica Zafra The militant chided the child for singing “White Christmas” when the longest Christmas season isn’t white, in the absence of snow in these parts. (The movement would not give its imprimatur.) But it gets almost-white cold up in Baguio City. But […]
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CLICHÉD Beggars can’t be choosers, For there is no choice for losers, And as paupers we must stand with open hand. Seeing is believing, But can also be deceiving When you’re grieving that you’re down and out again. Cruising for a bruising, If you’re thin-skinned, makes excusing Your intrusions not so simple of a chore. Striking while […]
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IRRELATIVE Is physicist so right When says that never light From black hole can escape Because of massive weight Of supernova that Forever will collapse Upon itself till all It was becomes too small To ever more exist When four dimensions twist Until it nothing be Except for gravity? If you believe it’s true Perhaps […]
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She Climaxed she starts with a song. suddenly, a dirge too limp with grief, like the skies in Pompeii. it’s killed the birds in my heart, ships stagger like a drunk, into the white-blush of maddened waves. the earth popped open as an old wine bursts froth; like a hungry lioness she opened her jaws separating families with […]
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AUTO PILOT By, Melissa R. Mendelson “How was your father’s funeral?” “It was fine.” “Just fine, Gary?” Gary stretched out on a brown, leather couch. He turned to look at the older gentleman sitting near him with his legs crossed and a notepad and pen in his lap. His brown eyes held his gaze, and then Gary resumed watching the […]
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