Category: Poetry – 13th Edition
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The Years Do Not See Equal Growth
These days I’m realizing that The people I look up to and admire Are more often younger than me Than I used to find There were always others Outliers that hit stardom young And I thought that I would be one But I’m getting older And older It’s hard not to realize That they’re two…
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Arm Wrestling
My clock stopped a long time ago I wasn’t there when it happened And I didn’t notice what was wrong Until I watched the second hand Thrust itself forward Only to be pushed back by another invisible hand They must be arm wrestling A broken clock is still correct twice a day, but I never…
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The Protagonist
I don’t want to be Just another maiden Affixed somewhere In a man’s story I, too, Want the power, The adventures, And the glory Not Persephone, Eurydice, Medusa, Helen, or Demeter If my choice is between supporting actress And love interest, I choose neither I know the perils, The hardships, And the trials That may…
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I Know Why You Left
A cold spot in the room A light flickering off then on A little piece of you left in a place Where it doesn’t belong It feels like you’re still here But I know you weren’t here for long I know that once you were able, You insisted on pressing on You headed off into…
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Mondays
I was still heavy from the Benadryl. I tolerate the weight of waking up. Coffee does nothing for me anymore. Neither does cold water to the face or screaming the lyrics to America. All the f***ing creamer is going to spoil one of these days. I pour it out at night, like a lot of…
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The Shadow
Here I come, but with your permission. I don’t come alone. I come with my shadow, one that doesn’t leave me alone, since a long time ago. I don’t like her, but I can’t take her away from me. She says that she loves me but who loves you, doesn’t hurt you. I don’t want…
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The Tree
Written in memory of my late grandfather, Larry F. Dunlap Tall, strong, independent tree Bark covering the trunk stretched wide Sprouting from the head green leaves Bold branches emerge from side to side For me, the tree has always been there When in need, it gave me fresh air The tree was there when I…
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The Farewell
Take me in your arms, don’t let go of me. Hug me until fear and pain leave my mind. I will be your voice and the strength that you lost. I will achieve the justice you deserve. Give me this moment to frame your essence. I want to retain the warmth of your hands, and…
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It’s 2 AM
My hair is wet My air is frigid My floor is ice My floor is lava My legs are noodles My bed is spikes My ears are bells My breath is hot My skin is hotter My light is blinding My fan is loud My clock is louder My project is unfinished My pen is…
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one more theory about grief
CONTENT WARNING – Death After Paul Guest That it will come to me in the most inopportune moments: when I’m thinking of kissing my now ex-boyfriend, when I’m brushing my teeth, when I pass the golf course where we went on our only real date. That I don’t want to live the rest of my…
Arrow Rock Literary Journal 