Karen Jakubowski’s most recent poem to appear here was Muse’s Ode (May 2012).SoulscapeBy Karen Jakubowski We begin as pebble or clay.Simple and pure, Crushed and finely ground.Mixed, extruded and bakedMolded brick or pliable mortar.Stockpiled provisions,Designers prepared. Transgressions endured.Indiscretions committed.Gradually tainted,Contaminated.Quickly trained masonsErect wallsTo contain and prohibit. We build elaborate skyscrapers,Temples or mud-crusted hovels.Doorless roomsBlock introspection.Blacked out windowsDefend against […]

Jekwu Anyaebguna’s most recent poem to appear here was The Preparation (May 2012). He is a recent winner of a regional Commonwealth Short Story Prize (published at Granta on June 6, 2012).Patch-PatchBy Jekwu Anyaegbuna She patches up our leaky bucket,a knife hot as anger clenched in her fist.And then my mother grabs her yarns and needles,to patch up the […]

Lowell Jaeger’s most recent poem to appear here was She’s wet her pants (May 2012).Showdown at the Mustache PoolBy Lowell Jaeger I’d bust my kids out of daycareevery Wednesday late afternoon.They’d run up to the playground fenceand we’d touch handsthrough the cold mesh wire. I’d signthem out like a good dad who triesto follow the rules, properly […]

R Martin Basden’s most recent poem to appear here was Another Morning(January 2012).Durable goodBy R Martin Basden They move among us, unselfish.They take little, give much,do their job with minimum maintenance, time after time,regardless of interruption or delay,in spite of objection or critique,underappreciated, ignored, perhaps slandered. They work, they care, they love,When love is the only […]

Scott Owens’ most recent poem to appear here was What Is Necessary (April 2012).ReaderBy Scott Owens I hope it’s a boy,of maybe fourteen,having grown up in a familythat doesn’t read or perhapsreads only popular books,magazines like Sports Illustrated,Cosmopolitan, the latest by James Patterson or Jude Deveraux.I hope he’ll pause for a momentwondering how such a thin bookhopes to […]