Poetry Reading: Dreaming in Crystals, by Calvin Shaw

Narrated by Val Cole

POEM:

Silk tangerine sheets dance melodically
as reflections of the sultry moon, gleams
through the lofts balcony, under-shadowed
by the soft lip presses of two sexually stressed humans
pressed against their saturated melaninated skin
pressing old buttons during the practice of procreation
sifting out past lumps and bruised egos for a smooth
path for the new year and new beginnings
with old issues and reforming lumps

bedridden from the magical experience for one
the other has things come to light as the sunrise
pries over the ice capped mountains and through
to her heart realizing she wanted his warmth
and company to bring in the new year and nothing else
she grips her amethyst crystal necklace, pressing a final kiss
upon his innocent forehead, pissed as she strolls toward
the empty parking garage, under-sized heels in hand
she stands waiting for her ride home, lonely

he wakes up and places his warm hand on the cold
form left in his bed, her scent is still fresh
he plans to wash her from his memory for good
a magenta lipstick message on his mirror startles
“DON’T PLAY WHAT’S THERE,
PLAY WHAT’S NOT THERE”
he grabs his Kind of Blue album she gifted him
the Mary Jane provides company as tears cut
through the smoke, listening to “Blue in Green”
he visualizes her amethyst crystal from the
purple haze, lonely days commence again
but he reluctantly says “So What” as the street
orchestra plays in the background of his pain
like a Spike Lee Joint

they will meet between the sheets
on a future new years day
‘Round Midnight

Poetry Reading: DEVOTED (DEVOURED), by Eli Fultz

Narrated by Val Cole

POEM:

I hate when cannibalism is used as a metaphor for love.
I think love is a form of devotion which does not include devouring. Maybe
hunger and
sometimes bruises or
sunburns
but never devouring.

I wrote in a poem once that I am a liar at the best of times.

I hate when cannibalism is used as a metaphor for love
except maybe I get it.
I wake up
wanting,
wishing,
that she’d cut her fingers on my teeth.
Hoping she’d force me
to gag
on her blood, to drink from her
like a
deranged marionette she controls.
I watch her talk and decide I want to kiss her
until her lips bleed,
a sorry excuse for Ruby Woo,
smearing across her pretty face
until she looks less like my love
and more like my victim.
She would taste like iron and honeysuckle
sweet bitter love blood liquor
and I would be drunk on it.

I want to leave handprint-bruises on her hips
leave my mark in any way I can and hope
she bites my tongue and we bleed—
into each other, not on each other
and there is a difference.
Is it cannibalism?
All I want
is for her to become my lover.

Poetry Reading: A SNOWY DAY IN CENTRAL PARK, by Hector Quinones

Narrated by Val Cole

POEM:

My love, I was just praying when the Holy Spirit put you in my mind; did I ever tell you that you are stupid fine!?

I was envisioning us playing in the snow, please my love; don’t forget to bring that special glow!

We would now have snowball fights, but I promise not to aim at your Spirit -filled eyes!

We would now slide down the hill in our sled, we would pretend it to be our bed!

You begin to get cold, so we start to go home,

Our apartment is intermate and warm, I would now close the door and score!

Mrs.Q, you do know this is for you right?

LOVE Poem: TALKING TO THE MOON, by Raina Coronado

I stand beneath the endless royal blue night sky,
The cold spring breeze swirling around me as if to welcome me back.
The emerald grass shivering and swaying, inviting me to my spot.
The pages of your letter fluttered in my hands, waving back to the earth and sky.
The breeze biting but sweet, bringing with it the smell of roses, and wet grass.
I look up at the sky, staring into its vast endless blue hues,
Wondering how you are and what you’re doing.
I look up at the twinkling stars, wondering what you’ve seen while away.
I look up at the celestial moon tonight. Just like every other night,
Wondering if you’re looking at it too.

Reminiscing on the promises we made under its glowing ethereal beauty,
And under these countless twinkling orbs.
The longer I look into the galaxy’s endless abyss,
The more I can feel my heart breaking, The more I can feel your absence,
And my peace slipping through my fingers like stardust.
Tears flow down my cheeks, like the everlasting memories flooding my mind.
Clutching your letter to my chest,
its new page’s scent swirling with the breeze into the night.
I hold them as tightly as I can as if they’ll disappear if I don’t,
Holding them tightly to my heart to fill the void you left.

I look at the glistening moon, the letter’s content replaying in my mind,
I wonder what you’d say to me at this moment.
I often find myself playing out different scenarios in my mind,
Just to feel like you’re still here.
Without you, I feel like a shell of myself.
It became clear to me that I’m not whole without you.
The day you left, after I received your last message,
I tried to hold myself together.
But with each passing day, a new part of me shattered.

I begged and pleaded for the time to fly by so I could see you again.
I gaze at the enchanting, gentle white glow,
imagining what it would be like to touch you again,
And feel the comforting warmth of your embrace.
I long to look into your loving eyes as we talk about our day,
The moment I’ll feel whole again.
I raise your letter to my lips, pressing a tender kiss upon it,
and then turn my gaze skyward once more.
I whisper to the moon all the things I long to tell you,
hoping you hear me, hoping that you’re looking at it this moment too,
“I love you.”

COMEDY Poem: story told to me, unprovoked, in line at taco bell, by Jonathan Focht

well then the junglefowl—
sorry, well then the hen
charges at me like zac rinaldo
so i jitter, dump my bags,
take off like a bad dad
i had polka in the morning!
couldn’t fight or worse
MAIM a fowl!
what would i tell santa?
how would i sleep
with a stereoscope
of wet snapping & giblets
in my head like a ferris wheel?
so anyway i’m bee lining it
back to the road, my bike,
high knees & bum kicks,
whole fifty broom handles
and son of santa
there’s a dan picking the lock!
he sees me coming
& he puts ‘em up!
now i have a junglefowl—
sorry, now i have a hen
coming in hot on my ass
& a fisticuffs dan in front
so what do i do?
i whip out my winky,
start hurdy-gurdying,
pull out my best polka
& guess what?
they both scram!
story of my life!

RELATIONSHIP Poem: PHOTOGRAPH, by Chris Behrens

our picture found me
it hurts – too much
wish you could see
but this is my burden
forever – for eternity

we were young – 17
many miles to go
i was falling & fast
broken and low
not letting you know

you – full of hope
caring, loving
an angel from above
braving, never caving
dreaming of us

mind tries to forget
heart won’t let go
aching – bleeding
fighting for my soul
and our days of old!

SCI-FI/FANTASY Poem: Creating a new universe as we know it, by Keith Burkholder

We live in the present universe now,
However, there are changes,
What does this new universe bring about to others?
In what part of the solar system does it exist?
These are questions to pose,
Are there any answers to them?
Our known universe keeps evolving,
This is just how it goes,
Are there other beings out there?
Do they live in a universe that is adjacent to ours?
Or is there just a new one on the horizon?
These are questions that are hard to answer,
The universe as we know it is, is what it is,
Keep an open mind about tomorrow,
Who knows what will happen?
For now, be good and be happy,
The future will continue in a good or bad way,
We as people will continue to live on planet Earth,
Take care and may a better tomorrow happen,
Seize each moment with open arms,
For now, and always, carpe diem.

LIFE Poem: A Put Out Candle in the Rain, by William Weiss

To think there was so much beauty in a voice that never sang
To think a needle prick would cure someone else’s pain
How could we see the tying of the knot every day
And think he wouldn’t hang
Both victims, but one of tragedy one praise
Eye to eye for a second but don’t see the same way
Won a medal for bravery
One flower on the other’s grave
Over time the shine will rust
The dandelion grows again
Could any praise be worth…

COMEDY Poem: An Office Affair, by Ben Macnair

No-one said the Photocopier was easy,
it just lit up for anyone who pressed its buttons.

No-one said the stapler was vicious,
but it would put metal teeth through anyone who went near.

No-one said paper was a victim,
but it was always being scribbled upon and screwed up.

No-one said the paper-shredder was malnourished,
but paper never counted as one of the 5 a day.

No-one said the broom was foolish,
but it always cleared up with his head.

No-one accused the bin of being greedy,
but everyone complained when it was full.

No-one ever said a paper-clip was lonely,
they hang about in boxes of hundreds,
and are only used in groups of one.

No-one said pens were disloyal,
but they never grieved when one ran out.

No-one said the laminating pouches were truthful,
but you could see through them.

No-one said the table was vain,
but it always had its legs on display.

No-one ever put any value in the safe,
but it kept its secrets locked away.