~Bethany Lauren Grigsby To my potential-but-not-guaranteed or wholly essential future male life-partner I come with a proposal That if we commit to walking down an aisle of marriage We commit to walking in a certain kind of life First order of business: Let’s take an axe and chop down that white picket fence they told [...]

~Jenunine. I see a teenage boy sitting across from me mind and soul trapped in a broken body; multiple strokes have left him a prisoner using art and technology we communicate silently sometimes I wonder if I had never asked this question, would he have ever shared his thoughts would there be someone to listen– [...]

~Jenuine I want that roller-coaster-on-the-down-slope, caught-in-a-sudden-down-pour-on-a-summer-day, look-up-in-the-sky-just-in-time-to-catch-a-shooting-star, bought-a-ticket-on-a-whim-and-won-the-whole-jackpot, kind of love. I want that sun-coming-out-just-in-time-to-paint-brilliant-sunset, first-dripping-bite-into-ripest-nectarine, intoxicating-inhale-of-fragrant-spring-rose, cool-breath-of-night-air-washing-over-sleeping-face, kind of story. I want that magical-enchanted-firefly-evening, rhythms-bumpin’-so-loud-it-competes-with-my-heart-to-make-pulse, first-warm-ray-of-sun-after-winter’s-chill, wave-crashing-on-your-back-unaware, kind of kiss. I want that playful-wind-dancing-’round-my-face, thunder-rattling-my-bones, full-moon-illuminating-snowscape-sparkling-like-diamonds, long-drink-of-cool-water-on-a-scorching-day, kind of man. Yeah, I said it I want it all– somehow between a little girl’s faded [...]

~Sasha R. God was in love when He made me. His eyes were focused on something in the distance when His hands slid across clay to form my face. He stared for a long time in that direction, His warm fingers at rest against my rough, wet cheeks. As He pushed at the clay, I [...]

~Katie Gordon I see you sitting in front of me Tears pouring out Your heart on your sleeve Some days, you say, I just can’t make it through And I smile and nod And say, I believe in you How much faith I have in you So little in return for me Too often I [...]

~Jeanette Iskat @ www.facebook.com/jeanette.iskat Love for all the mothers the grandmothers all your mothers all our mothers good bad perfect imperfect human. Love the step mothers the foster mothers the run away mothers the absent mothers the baby mama mothers the girls not-ready-to-be-mothers the girls too-ready-to-be-mothers the girls letting-another-woman-be-mother-mothers the would-be mothers the never-will-be-mothers the [...]

~Makisha Lawrence Half- truths marinated in mango juices traipse slowly down the back of an arm The eager tongue of naiveté sweeps them onto the palate where taste buds are obliged to slowly absorb contradictions of: You just a little on the chubby side And Baby here, have some more macaroni ‘n’ cheese And A [...]

~Jenuine I am the mother of my poetry for each new poem is a labor of love each one is conceived and woven together in the womb of my soul each one flutters and kicks inside me dancing into being and when each one is pushed forth into life there is pain there is rending [...]

~Jody Gilbert Change me into a song.                 Into that song. Make my flowing curves the melody, My long legs into the rhythm. These blue eyes could be the mixture                 of lyric and sound, just right to touch your soul. This voice will close your eyes, My sweet fragrance demands you sway. That song. [...]

~JLC Chains of insanity Wrapped you so tight. I tried so to free you With all of my might. I told myself My love was enough, To free you from bondage The pain got too tough. I had to let go And watch as you fell, From my loving arms Straight back onto Hell.