MEET THE MADNESS A Providence twilight, late November, every man and woman dressed in gray, sliding in and out of panels or emerging from dark recesses, all faces plain, hair drab, eyes shut, tongues muted, and there, high up in the skyscrapers, mouths in windows pause mid-shriek, as, down by the riverside, water rats crack on scattered bones […]
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THE ADVANCING BIOSPHERE (By Joseph Cavera) From the new, fly the old Species and spaces, forever fold into the zone of Daphne’s trees little finches none the wiser progression cannot freeze of course… They rang the tones of this old show years and years and years ago then old ships came to her feet and a […]
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We are all creatures of this great earth — interconnected in ways beyond understanding. Take elephants. So big. So strong. And yet, when a member of the herd passes, even elephants mourn. They gather around, extend their trunks, and gently touch the tusks of their fallen friend. It’s their ritual. It’s how they heal. And it’s sad. And it’s beautiful. […]
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Living Outside the Box – By Mankh The Empire likes to put people in boxes, from airy crib to nailed-tight casket and in-between in psychological boxes, wrapped identities with ornate bows but never bowing with humility, packages to be delivered, opened, liked, disliked, discarded, shelved for coffee table conversation starters scripted performances fearing surprises yet jack-in-the-box can provide pleasant giggles […]
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EKPHRASIS, EKPHRASIS (By Joseph Cavera) Soon I’ll See Another Red Hand, Pulling Known Entities Nearer And Nearer, Even Kings Pray “Halt” ‘Round Sinister Inhuman Slaughter…
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HOW TO BREAK SNOW – By John Grey Something foreign helps, armored vehicles adorned with unfamiliar grim-faced eagles rolling down white slopes, and explosions in the distance, close at hand – loud red, even louder black, instant thaw. No tool more expedient than soldiers pounding on a door, the path more hob-nailed print than even sheen, roof and eaves cascading […]
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Of Meringues and Mindsets My mother used to make lemon pies when somebody died. “Because my pies were beautiful, all fluffy and white,” she said as if it all made perfect sense. And I wondered at her logic. Was it as flawed as I initially believed? Maybe the soft white topping to the bitter yellow center […]
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The Odyssey (By John Biscello) Casting my toy boat into the tub and jumping in, I stare at my love, slathered in gauzy bubbles, she of the champagne beard and foam wig; tension mounting, I take a deep breath, exhale, then pop the question—Will you be my first mate and sail with me, come hell or high water? She […]
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GALILEO’S GHOST With Earth at the Center, Ptolemy ruled. Mathematically sound, for centuries fooled Who then passed as scientists to proclaim, “We know all the Universe; don’t defame!” When Copernicus proved the Sun’s the Hub, Those of Catholic persuasion wouldn’t budge. “Since the Bible’s declared, ’The Earth is It,’ Therefore anything new must therein fit.” When […]
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VEXED OF KIN You pick your friends, but not your kin. Once stork descends with you, you’re in Whatever group that Fate selects, Who’ll mold you to what they expect. To some degree, your genes decide What you will be, who you’re inside. But those you’re with through early years Upon your pith their likeness sear. […]
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