By Jericho Brown
Dubbed undetectable, I can’t kill
The people you touch, and I can’t
Blur your view
Of the pansies you’ve planted
Outside the window, meaning
I can’t kill the pansies, but I want to.
I want them dying, and I want
To do the killing. I want you
To heed that I’m still here
Just beneath your skin and in
Each organ
The way anger dwells in a man
Who studies the history of his nation.
If I can’t leave you
Dead, I’ll have
You vexed. Look. Look
Again: show me the color
Of your flowers now.
Monday, April 20, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The First Lines of Emails I've Received While Quarantining
By Jessica Salfia
In these uncertain times
as we navigate the new normal
Are you willing to share your ideas and solutions?
As you know, many people are struggling.
I know you are up against it,
the digital landscape.
We share your concerns
As you know, many people are struggling.
We hope this note finds you and your family safe.
We've never seen anything like this before.
Here are 25 Distance Learning Tips!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Feeling Fiesta today? Happy Taco Tuesday!
Calories don't count during a pandemic.
Grocers report flour shortages as more people are baking than ever!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Count your blessings. Share your blessings.
Get Free Curbside Pick-Up or ship to your house!
Chicken! Lemon! Artichokes!
As you know, many people are struggling.
How are you inspiring greatness today?
We have a cure for your cabin fever.
Pandemic dial-in town hall tonight!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Mother's Day looks a little different this year.
You're invited to shop all jeans are 50% off!
Yes buy one, get one free!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Call us to discuss a loan extension without penalty.
ACT NOW! Tell Congress Charters should not be lining their pockets during the Covid crisis
Now shipping face masks as recommended by the CDC.
As you know, many people are struggling.
This is not normal.
This poem went viral after the author posted it on her Twitter account.
In these uncertain times
as we navigate the new normal
Are you willing to share your ideas and solutions?
As you know, many people are struggling.
I know you are up against it,
the digital landscape.
We share your concerns
As you know, many people are struggling.
We hope this note finds you and your family safe.
We've never seen anything like this before.
Here are 25 Distance Learning Tips!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Feeling Fiesta today? Happy Taco Tuesday!
Calories don't count during a pandemic.
Grocers report flour shortages as more people are baking than ever!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Count your blessings. Share your blessings.
Get Free Curbside Pick-Up or ship to your house!
Chicken! Lemon! Artichokes!
As you know, many people are struggling.
How are you inspiring greatness today?
We have a cure for your cabin fever.
Pandemic dial-in town hall tonight!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Mother's Day looks a little different this year.
You're invited to shop all jeans are 50% off!
Yes buy one, get one free!
As you know, many people are struggling.
Call us to discuss a loan extension without penalty.
ACT NOW! Tell Congress Charters should not be lining their pockets during the Covid crisis
Now shipping face masks as recommended by the CDC.
As you know, many people are struggling.
This is not normal.
This poem went viral after the author posted it on her Twitter account.
Friday, April 17, 2020
Blue Screen of Death
By Adam Clay
Today I wonder who
moved the high steeples
of my childhood, knowing
there's a twist at the end
of the answer because the urge
to dig deeper is coded somewhere
cold within the folds of my
past lives. What other animal
would teach a computer
to be a Buddhist, to design itself
right out of existence with this much
hubris? The sea somewhere
feels gnarled but not here,
not now. Enlightenment might
be the only gift we could
ever give. In our effort the bricks
were set so carefully, we can't see
the source or shape of the light.
Of course there's a candle
that doesn't burn out, but no one
knows how to light it.
Today I wonder who
moved the high steeples
of my childhood, knowing
there's a twist at the end
of the answer because the urge
to dig deeper is coded somewhere
cold within the folds of my
past lives. What other animal
would teach a computer
to be a Buddhist, to design itself
right out of existence with this much
hubris? The sea somewhere
feels gnarled but not here,
not now. Enlightenment might
be the only gift we could
ever give. In our effort the bricks
were set so carefully, we can't see
the source or shape of the light.
Of course there's a candle
that doesn't burn out, but no one
knows how to light it.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM YAYOI KUSAMA TO THE WHOLE WORLD
By Yayoi Kusama
Though it glistens just out of reach,
I continue to pray for hope to shine through
Its glimmer lighting our way
This long awaited great cosmic glow
Now that we find ourselves on the dark side of the world
The gods will be there to strengthen the hope we have spread throughout the universe
For those left behind, each person's story and that of their loved ones
It is time to seek a hymn of love for our souls
In the midst of this historic menace, a brief burst of light points to the future
Let us joyfully sing this song of a splendid future
Let's go
Embraced in deep love and the efforts of people all over the world
Now is the time to overcome, to bring peace
We gathered for love and I hope to fulfill that desire
The time has come to fight and overcome our unhappiness
To COVID-19 that stands in our way
I say Disappear from this earthv We shall fight
We shall fight this terrible monster
Now is the time for people all over the world to stand up.
Yayoi Kasuma is a brilliant and fascinating 91-year-old Japanese artist.
Though it glistens just out of reach,
I continue to pray for hope to shine through
Its glimmer lighting our way
This long awaited great cosmic glow
Now that we find ourselves on the dark side of the world
The gods will be there to strengthen the hope we have spread throughout the universe
For those left behind, each person's story and that of their loved ones
It is time to seek a hymn of love for our souls
In the midst of this historic menace, a brief burst of light points to the future
Let us joyfully sing this song of a splendid future
Let's go
Embraced in deep love and the efforts of people all over the world
Now is the time to overcome, to bring peace
We gathered for love and I hope to fulfill that desire
The time has come to fight and overcome our unhappiness
To COVID-19 that stands in our way
I say Disappear from this earthv We shall fight
We shall fight this terrible monster
Now is the time for people all over the world to stand up.
Yayoi Kasuma is a brilliant and fascinating 91-year-old Japanese artist.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Heartfelt Hieroglyphics: Learning the Chinese Characters
By Yuan Changming
怒: anger influxes when slavery
Rises from above the heart
愁: worry thickens as autumn
Sits high on your heart
闷: depressed whenever your heart is
Shut behind a door
意: meaning is defined as
A sound over the heart
思: thought takes place
In the field of heart
忘: forgetting happens
When there’s death on heart
忍: to tolerate is to bear a knife
Right above your heart
Yuan Changming published monographs on translation before leaving his native country. Currently, Yuan edits Poetry Pacific with Allen Qing Yuan in Vancouver. Credits include ten Pushcart nominations, eight chapbooks & publications in Best of the Best Canadian Poetry (2008-17) & BestNewPoemsOnline, among 1,609 others across 43 countries.
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