Doug Holder is the founder, publisher, and co-editor of The Ibbetson Street Press. This poem appeared first at Sketchbook (July/August 2010, volume 5, issue 4). Butchers Against the War (based on a comment from Billy Collins) By Doug Holder No I am not another weak-wristed poet, a weeping willow against the unjust war, the kind who says […]

Jean McLeod’s poem Poison Pen appeared here as part of Contributor Series 6: A Currency of Words. More musings on muses! The Day Nothing Came of Applying Bottom to Chair By Jean McLeod I have space to rent between my ears seems I’ve sat in this chair for hours seeking a phrase to clang or ping to […]

Ryan Quinn Flanagan’s poetry has appeared in Word Riot, Leaf Garden, Zygote in my Coffee, The New York Quarterly, and The Antigonish Review. His work has also been included in the anthology Lake Effect and he has written a book of poetry called Pigeon Theatre. Awaiting the muse on Halloween is so much more poetic than trick-or-treating.  The Muse and the Fire By […]

Priyanka Bhowmick’s poem Shadow was published here in July. Today she shares a persona poem, presenting the concept of aging as experienced not by a man or a woman, but by a pond. The Cry of a Gloomy Pond By Priyanka Bhowmick They come and stare At the barrenness of my eyes Where nothing remains of me […]

Jane Audrey’s poem Honorable appeared here in April. You might notice this poem has a whole different sound to it …  The Journey By Jane Audrey Lovin’ You Is Easy, lying here in your Open Arms, A Girl Can’t Help It, Feeling That Way I Do If you Stay Awhile, We can share our Wildest Dream But […]