Readers Corner

A Father Learns From His Son’s Tattoos

In A Father Learns From His Son's Tattoos, W. Roger Carlisle explores a father's struggle to understand his son's defiant self-expression through tattoos. The poem contrasts the son's vibrant rebellion with the father's desire for conformity and status.
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Nostalgia

Adam Crawford’s Nostalgia reflects on the relatively recent rise of nostalgia as a powerful emotion. Through vivid, rustic imagery, the poem explores how fleeting memories and personal moments anchor our past, even as the world remains unchanged.
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Withdrawals

In “Withdrawals,” Liana Cass crafts a haunting free verse poem that explores the disorienting effects of modern life. The poem’s vivid imagery of cold concrete and blinding headlights conveys a deep sense of suffocation and existential dread. Through this evocative ...
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Hope is…

In Joy Moore's uplifting poem "Hope is...," the light of hope is depicted as a powerful force within us, urging us to rise above challenges and fears. Moore's verses affirm that hope provides strength and resilience, illuminating our path through ...
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Fleeced

Scott Thomas Outlar's "Fleeced" captures the stark contrast between the cold of winter and the rawness of old and new wounds. Through vivid imagery of flesh and fabric, Outlar explores themes of vulnerability and the relentless nature of suffering, where ...
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Birth and Death

Shamik’s Birth and Death reflects on the unknowns of life and mortality, comparing them to rivers that carry us through fear, woe, and light. The poem’s contemplative tone explores acceptance and the solitude of personal journeys.
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Portrait of a Happenstance

Sreekanth Kopuri’s Portrait of a Happenstance reflects on the unpredictability of encounters and how fleeting moments shape our understanding, blending surreal imagery with the subtle influence of a teacher’s eye.
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Prolonging Life

In Prolonging Life, Evie Groch reflects on the slow decline of lilac petals and the struggle to let go of their fading beauty. The poem captures the tension between cherishing the gift of a long-time friend and the inevitability of ...
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Death — Black And Starbound

In Death — Black And Starbound, Bruce McRae delves into themes of violence and existential dread. The prose presents a vivid and unsettling depiction of a desolate world shaped by brutality and the dark allure of death. Through the figure ...
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Relapse

In Relapse by Cheryl Snell, a narrator trapped in a psychiatric hospital wrestles with her distorted perceptions, denying accusations from her family while struggling with her own reality. The unsettling environment reflects her fractured mind.
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New York City

In New York City, W. Roger Carlisle portrays the city’s vibrant yet overwhelming essence. Through its intricate network of infrastructure and the ceaseless hustle of its inhabitants, the poem encapsulates the relentless rhythm and diverse energy that define urban life.
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