Contributor Series 11: On BirthdaysBlu_BerthdaeBy Alice ShapiroiBirththe blue dayearth’s playpenheart’s heyday when do i stayahead of home-worknotice meapproach me, singing: ‘appy berthdae to you i’ll stayas long as heavenfits your worldviewu an’ me 4-evuh …  Alice Shapiro’s most recent poem to appear here was White, published as part of Contributor Series 10: Silken Rags, in December […]

Contributor Series 11: On BirthdaysHorse ShowBy KC BoschMinivan moms with coffee held highdriving at the speed of late.Dumping loads of kids and gear,crunching the gravel and kicking up dust.Everyone a boss, but no one in charge. Coolers of soda, tables of baked goods.New clothing available tooutfit you and your horse.Blankets and hats and shirts, scarves […]

Contributor Series 11: On BirthdaysDeliveranceBy Clarissa McFairyRide the horse of poetrybare back;do not whip it into submissionor try and break it in This is a savage steed,a cosmic midwifewho doesn’t do C-sections,but delivers words in woebegone places,without pethidine,while cactus-mouthed coyoteshowl happy birthday Calliope is a coyote,but she sings soloShe lit the creative spark,then fled on […]

Contributor Series 11: On BirthdaysNineteenBy Jeanette CheezumFireflies in the sky, rings around the moon,welcome me home. Early morning everyone is happy and I’mtold you’ll be here to share the laughter,champagne and cake with nineteen candles.Talks about yesterday lead up to closemoments planned before the week’s end. Sunlight and dust particles frameda halo around your head […]

Contributor Series 11: On BirthdaysNocturnal LaborBy Mary Harwell SaylerNight gives birth to thought,dilates the mind’s womb,bringing forth issues. Mary Harwell Sayler’s most recent poem to appear here was Charcoal Portrait of an Actress, published as part of Contributor Series 10: Silken Rags, in December 2011.