Stanzaic Stylings

 Micro Poem The day is cold The sky is gray Beneath the covers is where I'll stay Warm inside my  snug cocoon I lie awake and dream of you

DECEMBER MORN Ice halos every bare bedraggled tree. Garden withers out of sight. The box-hedge browns but holds its shape. Along the fence sprout tiny pines, all ghosts of Christmas past, green candles flamed by sun. Morning rays glisten off snow mounds, melt the flakes on bedroom windows. Out of warm flannel sheets, a family emerges, a yawning but instructive lesson in how bodies come to be. The father wobbles and looms above all others like a bewhiskered moose. The mother follows in his shadow, a trail of trembling bones, chilly breath, on course for the thermostat. Children trampoline bounce to cold, unfriendly floor, dare the weather to slow their progress. The life in fields, in woods, is sporadic, maybe a hare, its coat winter white, or a squirrel burrowing aimlessly for its forgotten cache. But the people lead, fill the spaces of the house with cheery voices, clattering kitchen sounds, the hiss of water boiling, the ra...

A Taint of Pity is a journey through poetic excellence. Ken Allen Dronsfield is constantly surprising me with his complex works of art. Yes, it is sheer art that when reading it becomes a canvas of words mingling in a masterpiece of truth, wisdom and beauty, This poet exemplifies the craft of poetry with his effortless strokes of ebb and flow. He writes a contemporary message with traditional expertise which is very rare in this day and age. Very few poets have been able to write with these extraordinary qualities. His imagery and story telling is exciting and has you anxiously awaiting the next stanza. His imagery as in the poem Lunatique brings forth the limitless bounds to which he can create these unique poems. Sylvia Plath comes to mind when reading many of his works. Works like Infernal ooze a heartfelt and powerful message with ease and grace. I am a huge fan of Ken's work and when I think about that old saying "You can't improve upon perfection" that sayi...

TIDE My passion glows With crimson tints Mixed with blue desire – The blue of the night sky With a moon shining Like a firefly. The tide of the sea Over my body washes Leaving crusts of sharp salt crystals In the roses To set me free As the scarlet and gold Of the setting sun Shimmers like a satin dress Over splintered me… And what about you? Trying to put the splinters together You cover yourself With the moon and the sea. Brief Bio Jagari Mukherjee is a bilingual poet from Kolkata, India. She is a gold medalist in English Literature from University of Pune. Her writings have appeared in several newspapers, magazines, anthologies, and blogs. Her first book, a collection of poems entitled  Blue Rose , was published in May 2017 by Bhashalipi.

Shakespearean Baseball Sonnet #98 From you I have been absent in the spring, Til Opening Day, dressed in all its trim, Hath put the spirit of youth in everything. But my love for you is hardly a whim: I have missed the ballpark's array of smells And both teams' uniforms' array of hues; I have missed the stories that my love tells, A dazzling selection from which to choose; I have missed the wonder of the ball's white. I have missed the wonder of the field's green. I wonder if the new will be a fright. I wonder of those who will make the scene. It seems winter still with the game away, Until the team comes home ready to play. Bio:   "Michael Ceraolo is a retired firefighter/paramedic and active poet who has had one full-length book (Euclid Creek, from Deep Cleveland Press) and a few chapbooks published (among the chapbooks is Cleveland Haiku, from Green Panda Press). He has a second full-length book, Euclid Creek Book ...

If Not For You If not for you I would be a happy man If not for you I would be a sad man That is the arc of love I walk along It is not your fault It is not my fault The fault lies in the stars and in the composition of love When caught up in the eddy of love I lose my oars and rudders   And flow along the crimson river to its source And back again over rapids and angelic pools I am not captains of my charts I am the wind blowing against rock and silk If not for love I would not be human If not for you I would not exist BIO: Grant Guy is a Winnipeg, Canada, poet, writer and playwright. His poems and short stories have been published in Canada and Internationally. He has three books published: Open Fragments (Lives of Dogs), On the Bright Side of Down and Bus Stop Bus Stop (Red Dashboard). His plays include an adaptation of Paradise Lost and the Grand Inquisitor. He was the 2004 recipient of the Manitoba Arts Council’s 2004 Award of Distinction and the 2017 re...

Come sit with me beneath  the sycamore tree We'll share our stories and whisper our dreams You'll tell me yours I'll tell you mine And together, we'll stay lost in time

My Beloved Poet I wasn't looking  when I found you,  I've been expecting  your arrival forever.  You've turned into  everything I wished  and wanted, always bringing peace to my  hurt and tormented soul.  You turned my gray days  into colorful rainbows,  while each of your tender  words were tattooed deep  inside my impassioned heart.  You've caressed me without  touching me and your kisses have returned my bright smile  and restored my faith in love. (Initially published on Whispers) Blanca Alicia Garza is a Poet from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a nature and animal lover, and enjoys spending time writing. Her poems are published in the Poetry Anthologies, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze", and "Dandelions in a Vase of Roses" now available at Amazon.com. Blanca's work can be found in The Poet Community, Whispers, The Winamop Journal, Indiana Voice Journal, Tuck Magazine, Raven's Cage Ezine, S...

Tattooed Touch Two poets who fell in love... writing letters on by Blanca Alicia Garza each others skin using fingerprints and lip caresses  Leaving them printed  like tattoos that  will remain forever  and spending the  nights reading them  like marvelous  great sonnets  and love stories  printed in braille. (Published in Dandelion In A Vase of Roses Anthology) BIO : Blanca Alicia Garza is a Poet from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a nature and animal lover, and enjoys spending time writing. Her poems are published in the Poetry Anthologies, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze", and "Dandelions in a Vase of Roses" now available at Amazon.com. Blanca's work can be found in The Poet Community, Whispers, The Winamop Journal, Indiana Voice Journal, Tuck Magazine, Raven's Cage Ezine, Scarlet Leaf Review as well as Birdsong Anthology 2016, Vol 1. Blanca was recently nominated for The Best of the Net 2017...

Destiny  She is clothed with an inner strength and laughs without fear of the future. eye shine, ignites sparks in my heart. she judges none, and walks with grace. Her dreams are in a technicolor palette and lights her way through the darkness. She adores dancing in the pouring rain Blowing dandelions in summer breezes  Talks to the moon about her eternal love  She smiles as squirrels dance in trees, loves spending time watching kids play. Her dream was to be a great writer, but  falling in love with a poet was her destiny. (Initially published on The Song Is) BIO : Blanca Alicia Garza is a Poet from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a nature and animal lover, and enjoys spending time writing. Her poems are published in the Poetry Anthologies, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze", and "Dandelions in a Vase of Roses" now available at Amazon.com. Blanca's work can be found in The Poet Community, Whispers, The Winamop Journal, Indi...

Visceral  It grieves. It aches. It sobs into my hands, quivering orphan angst, abandoned. Passersby refuse to pick it up, examine it. Slips in to my back pocket folds on itself, silenced for now. Bio: Theresa A. Cancro writes poetry, short fiction and nonfiction. Dozens of her poems and short fiction pieces have been published internationally online and in print. She strives to find sparks of wonder in the ordinary.

BENIN Yawning out, A bronze of ancient dawn, Bustling and buzzing with life, Like a swarm of bees; Awkwardly awakened, In Ozolua moat. Bellowing; With spiralling sinews of smokes: Crawling sheepishly. ascending; From Iduh Owina to the hearths of Ekhiadolor; Into the naked ivory of the sky. And zealous feets; Meandering carelessly; Negotiating steps, at the fringes; And coughing locomotives; Bursting like raucous Mushrooms on fertile soil - on the roads. Eddie Awusi lives in Benin city where he runs a small personal business. He has a degree in English literature. He has been published in Dandelions in a Vase of Roses, Voices of the Aspirants, FM 20 among other poetry anthologies. His poetry has also appeared in different poetry magazine in Europe, America, Africa and Asia

" During the Autumn's calling and November's chill; we watch Fairies dance in the fallen whetted leaves." Biography: Ken Allan Dronsfield is a disabled veteran and poet from New Hampshire now residing on the southern plains of Oklahoma. He loves thunderstorms and time with his cat Willa.  He is a three time nominee for the  Pushcart Prize Award  and twice for the  Best of the Net  for 2016-2017. Ken loves life! © Ken Allan Dronsfield

LOVE "Night that was hollow, Empty space that was not seen, Chant that was so loving, Freedom that I've  seen. Time that passed by, Fate that has been, None will defy, Love has been there. Freedom achieved guts, It is love that can defy all odds. Powerful than all, Love can heal what war destroyed." BIO : Donabell de Apera from Lucban, Quezon Philippines is an industrial engineer by profession, though is unemployed due to a traumatic brain Injury. She is a freelance poet.

Freedom Journey   Among the ruins of broken lives, they came across great expanses, searching for a place to rest their weariness. Empty from hunger. Full from hope.   Carrying with them stories of their pasts, and the bones of their ancestors. Multitudes marching, while looking out over myriad expressions, in quest of a familiar face.   Grasping the future in clasped hands tucked into worn pockets. Afraid to let go, lest dreams scatter like lost seeds among devouring crows of indifference.   Tiredness overtaking, broken bodies pitch tents of sparse comfort. Taking refuge along the never ending journey of freedom. Ann Christine Tabaka lives in Delaware, USA.  She is a published poet and artist. She loves gardening and cooking.  Chris lives with her husband and two cats.  Her most recent credits are The Paragon Journal, The Literary Hatchet, The Metaworker, Raven Cage Ezine, RavensPerch...

The Deer Crossing - A Sonnet Sun slowly dipping in the western sky; the winds are light and the pine boughs swaying. From their warm, peaceful beds the meek and shy, walk to the river; time for the crossing. To the fields above, to graze for a meal; prance through the meadow, always listening. Hear the Blue Jay; alerting all with zeal. Just twilight now, time to make the crossing. Squirrels have disappeared, gone to their beds. Barn Owls glide by upon whispering wings. Night animals stir, sleepiness now shed. Stand on the bank, ready for the crossing. Waters are cool; taking a little drink. Browse til dawn, then return to the crossing. Biography: Ken Allan Dronsfield is a disabled veteran and poet from New Hampshire now residing on the southern plains of Oklahoma. He loves thunderstorms and time with his cat Willa.  He is a three time nominee for the  Pushcart Prize Award  and twice for the  Best of the Net  fo...

Path to the Heart  Write me a sweet poem.  Kiss me softly with sweet butterfly kisses on my skin. Guiding them gently upon my entire thirsty body. Make me forget the pain in this world and even my own name for a little while. And let me recite yours  through the sweetest of whispers and throes of passion. Let me sing softly  into your ear Igniting the fire  and with the tips of your fingers  discover even my most deepest  desires. Find that path that  leads directly to my heart.  Make me forever yours. Blanca Alicia Garza is a Poet from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a nature and animal lover, and enjoys spending time writing. Her poems are published in the Poetry Anthologies, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze", and "Dandelions in a Vase of Roses" now available at Amazon.com. Blanca's work can be found in The Poet Community, Whispers, The Winamop Journal, Indiana Voice Journal, Tuck Magazine, Rav...

Scarves I want to make scarves from the sky. Since I'm not much of a seamstress, here's hoping it won't be too hard. To start I'll just pick up a fleecy white cloud to cover my neck. Maybe create a dove grey scarf and cut out pale blue ones too.  Make entire closets full of them. At sunset I will fashion boas of bright ruby and tangerine. If lucky I'll find some rainbow kaleidoscopes to wrap up in. My  midnight  shawl will be long gleaming ebony covering the shoulders keeping in warmth. I will list them on eBay and Craig's, hang pictures on my Facebook wall. Imagine, everybody will want them! Would you like one too? Better put your order in now. Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze, Blueline, and Halcyon Days.  Three Bright Hills Press Anthologies, several Poppy Road Revi...

Unrequited Love A most foolish path I chose to pursue For it leads, alas To nowhere, but you So, in snippet and rhyme I reach out in word Hoping you read me I write to be heard Still, you ignore The words so dear For their meaning Resounds All too clear Lynn Long is an aspiring writer/novelist

Casey at the Bat (Sestina) It didn't look good for the nine from Mudville as the game entered the bottom of the ninth inning; four players were scheduled to bat before the order came around to Casey If two of the four got on he would win them the game, because there was no chance he'd strike out But the first two batters were rapidly put out, and hope was dwindling here in Mudville; it looked like a quick one-two-three inning But the next two hitter who came to bat got hits, and that brought the great Casey to the plate with a chance to win the game Yes, Casey would win them the game if only he could clout one out, and there would be great happiness in Mudville over the come-from-behind win in the last inning, especially if the game-winning blow was off the bat of the soon-to-be-immortal Casey Yes, it would be idolized Casey who would now be the star of the game From the on-deck circle he stepped out, and there was ...