“In London” by Heather Dorn
In London
a baby fell nine
stories
landed
like
pillows
stories
stack
like
newspaper
stories
fell nine, a baby
Heather Dorn
6/15/2017
“The Skinny on Italian Lovers” by Thomas Locicero
The Skinny on Italian Lovers
In the night, Italian lovers
Affettuoso
Adagietto
Andantino
Allegretto
Affettuoso
Allegro
Allegrissimo
Accelerando
Affettuoso
Italian lovers in the night
Thomas Locicero
5/27/2017
New book rising: Ghost Train by Matt Borczon
Support this writer, support this book:
“The easy option would be… poetry from beyond the front line, words from the warzone, the art of the aftermath, a warriors words lock & load…all would be true but too easy, and they would sell this collection short; here’s the harder truth, these are honest poems that the Great War poets Wilfred Owen and Robert Brooke would recognise as truth.” – Neil S. Reddy, Miffed and Peeved in the U.K.
Matthew Borczon is a writer and Navy sailor from Erie Pa, his book A Clock of human Bones won the Yellowchair reviews chap book contest in 2015. His work has appeared in many online and print journals including: Red efts, dissident voice, dead snakes, big hammer, anti heroin chic, drunk in a midnight choir, the beatnik cowboy and others. He is married with 4 children and 3 jobs. Life keeps him very busy.
To order Ghost Train, by Matt Borczon, go to:
https://www.weaselpress.com/product-page/ghost-train
“This long after the war” by Matt Borczon
This long after the war
ghosts
still
haunt
me
ghosts
wounded
screaming
amputated
ghosts
this long after the war.
Matt Borczon
4/26/2017
“Before I Knew,” by Catherine Zickgraf
Before I knew,
I didn’t know
knowing
would
show
me
knowing
comes
after
not
knowing
I didn’t know.
Catherine Zickgraf
4/18/2017
“Not Yet 100 Days” by Susan Jackson
Not Yet 100 Days
Part One:
Mourning’s not the same this time.
Splintered.
Caffeined
Apoplectic
Asking
Splintered
How…
…this?
….happened?
Splintered.
Time’s not the same, this mourning.
Part Two:
Search forward the next petition, the next march, the next fight—
Hope.
You,
There
reaching
Hope!
Lined-
Soldiers
Armed.
Hope!!;
Petition the search; next, next, next the fight–the March forward!
Susan Jackson
4/16/2017
“Jazz Piano Skinnys” by Le Hinton
Jazz Piano Skinnys
Thelonious Monk
She danced the chord Monk played for
free.
Sweet
dissonance.
Fearless,
free-
flowing
music
breathes
free.
She played the chord Monk danced for.
Bill Evans
“We will meet again,”
Bill
plays.
She
prays.
Bill
dreams.
I
believe,
Bill,
we will meet again.
Art Tatum
We invited genius for tea
this
Sunday
morning.
Across
this
piano,
hands
fly.
This
genius we invited for tea.
Le Hinton
4/5/2017
“The Myth of Skinny Donald Trump” by Sharon Mishler Fox
The Myth of Skinny Donald Trump
Donald Trump spreads lies like butter.
Lies
drape
across
landscape.
Lies
slither
into
crevices.
Lies,
lies Donald Trump spreads like butter.
Trump dines on lies.
Lies
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner,
lies
every
tasteless
snack.
Lies,
Trump dines on lies.
This is the skinny on Donald Trump.
Lies
make
Trump
skinny.
Lies,
meaningless
skin/
bones.
Lies.
The skinny on this is Donald Trump.
Sharon Mishler Fox
3/29/2017
“Because He Said” by Michael H. Brownstein
Because He Said
And they marched onto the capitol
anger
changing
facts
into
anger
demonstrating
knots
of
anger
and they marched onto the capitol
Michael H. Brownstein
3/21/2017
“Trumpery” by Susan McLean
Trumpery
“something without use or value; nonsense”
The Random House College Dictionary, Unabridged, 1982
That his lips are moving means
nothing
can
come
from
nothing.
Empty
verbiage
means
nothing,
means that his lips are moving.
Susan McLean
3/5/2017
“PTSD #1” by Matt Borczon
PTSD #1
In screaming nightmares
Afghanistan
haunts
me
continuously
Afghanistan
swallows
me
nightly
Afghanistan
in nightmares screaming.
Matt Borczon
3/1/2017
Not My Arsonist in Chief – Truth Thomas
Donald Trump’s recent concern about the rise of anti-semitism and the shooting of Indian immigrants
is a fire alarm pulled for a building already burned to the ground–odd, especially coming from a man
whose words helped to fan the flames.
Truth Thomas
3/1/2017
“So Corruptly Reminiscent” by Heath Brougher
So Corruptly Reminiscent
A return of the Old Guard.
Goldman
Sachs
echoes
rampant
Goldman
corridors
throughout
White
Golden.
Of the Old Guard, a return.
Heath Brougher
2/23/2017
“Trump” by Susan McLean
Trump
“a suit that for the time outranks the other suits”
The Random House College Dictionary, Unabridged, 1982
What he pulls is
rank,
as
in
odorous,
rank
as
in
offensive.
Rank
is what he pulls.
Susan McLean
2/22/2017
“Urban Pandemonium” by Suzanne Cottrell
Urban Pandemonium
Morning stampede in the city
Rushing
Aggressive
Blaring
Horns
Rushing
Corralled
Pedestrian
Herds
Rushing
City stampedes in the morning
Suzanne Cottrell
2/18/2017
“Seeds” by Janel Spencer-Levy
Seeds
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free. – “Come Together,” The Beatles – Based on signs from the Women’s March, Jan 21, 2017, San Diego
When they tried to bury us, they didn’t realize we were seeds.
This
is
what
democracy
this
looks
like
democracy
this:
They didn’t realize we were seeds, when they tried to bury us.
*
In numbers too big to ignore,
hear
me
roar:
I,
hear
me,
am
woman,
here:
In numbers too big to ignore.
*
Si, se puede!
We
stand
for
equality.
We
the
people,
power,
we.
Yes, we can!
*
People still ask
what
was
the
victim
what
was
she
wearing
what…
people still ask.
*
Black lives
matter
seed
ash
magic
matter
bees
sand
polin
matter
Black lives
*
Revolution is love not
Trump’s
hate.
Love
is;
trumps
hate.
Our
love.
Trump’s
revolution is not love.
Janel Spencer-Levy
2/18/2017
Four poems for February — Barbara Turney Wieland
2017
starts as a shit storm
warning
muted
orange
warning
voted
fear-monger
rage
warning
as a shit storm starts
Our Fathers,
even children can see
past
new
emperor’s
clothes
past
repeated
sins
pointed
past
even children can see
How the mighty fall
watch the dismemberment of democracy
stand
by
curious
apathy
stand
up
citizens
don’t
watch the dismemberment of democracy
Lie down
a lie repeated becomes
truth
through
elastic
lips
truth
like
concrete
corrupted
truth
becomes a lie repeated
Barbara Turney Wieland
2/9/2017
“Walking by the School Yard” by Ann Bracken
Walking by the School Yard
~in response to Betsy DeVos’s Senate confirmation
Neglect is a sin of omission
Deny
rag-
bound
books
Deny
children’s
dreams
abandoned
Deny
Omission is a sin of neglect.
Ann Bracken
2/8/2017
A New Skinny in by Eliza Mimski
She even wears her pussyhat to bed
Watch
out
for
kitty
Watch
her
slay
dragons
Watch!
Even to bed she wears her pussyhat
Eliza Mimski
2/6/2017
“Hijab Solidarity Day, Allentown, Pa., January 20, 2017” by Susan Weaver
Hijab Solidarity Day, Allentown, Pa., January 20, 2017
1.
Old and young, four abreast, with a banner
STAND
TOGETHER.
Orange
letters
stand
against
hate.
We
stand
four abreast with a banner, young and old.
2.
We are marching in the rain side by side, many
heads —
Muslim,
non-Muslim —
covered.
Heads
scarfed.
Hooded,
yarmulked
heads.
We are many, walking side by side in the rain.
3.
At the rally, all eyes, a Muslim woman on her
American
flag
scarf:
I’m
American —
hijab
doesn’t
negate
American.
A Muslim woman, all eyes on her at the rally.
Susan Weaver
2/5/2017
A New Skinny Duo by Debasis Mukhopadhyay
darkness is good, you say Bannon
between blood & cinders, darkness, way to believe
in
blanks
human
toll
in
naught
but
halo
in
between blood & cinders, darkness, way to believe
***
sobering up our lives
life more subtle than life could have been deemed
this
bone
to
ballast
this
night
between
lines
this
life more subtle than life could have been deemed
Debasis Mukhopadhyay
2/3/2017
“Kansas City’s Women March” by Debbie Theiss
“rivers to run” and “Wall” by Debasis Mukhopadhyay
rivers to run
white lyrics spilling out, rivers to run
heads
crowing
old
swastika
heads
scraping
cleansing
bludgeoning
heads
spilling out white rivers, lyrics to run
***
Wall
nothing hangs on the Wall
each
drop
of
skulls
each
drop
of
history
each
wall hangs on the Nothing
“Subject: Washington, D.C. Pre-March musings” by Susan Jackson
Subject: Washington, D.C. Pre-March musings
Still, bereft; fierce, but–
Awakened.
Storied
Hovering
Shout!
Awakened.
Tears.
March!
Hands.
Awakened,
Bereft, still; but fierce.
Susan Jackson
1/22/2017
“The Women’s March” by Louise White
The Women’s March
Am I marching – gather signs, muscle
pushing
knees
shudder
protest
pushing
rubble
remains
ahead
pushing
Gather marching signs – I am muscle
Louise White
1/20/2017
“Crossing Constitution toward Independence, January 21, 2017”
Crossing Constitution toward Independence, January 21, 2017
Standing together at the intersection, ready for the light to change
knitted
rainbow
pink
pussyhats
knitted
blood-red
bitch
nastycats
knitted
together at the intersection to the light. Ready. Standing for change.
Angela H. Dale
1/18/2017
The Skinny Poetry Journal – Call for Submissions: Poems 2 Resist Racism
The Skinny Poetry Journal (TSPJ) aims to reflect the stunning cultural diversity embodied in the work of writers worldwide. As we are a journal birthed and based in the United States by editors of color, we are keenly interested in featuring work that honestly addresses the turbulent socio-political tenor of our times (especially poems that challenge the hatred of racism). We value the work and worth of all people equally—black folks, white folks, Latinos, all folks LGBTQ, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Voices of Veterans and more. Our reading period never closes. Send us your work and we’ll send you back our best timely reply concerning it, usually within one month’s time.
-Truth Thomas
-Truth Thomas
The Skinny Poetry Journal
https://theskinnypoetryjournal.wordpress.com/
TSPJ is a literary journal that is dedicated to The Skinny poetry form (and edited by a rotating team of poets). A Skinny is a short poem form, created by Truth Thomas, that consists of eleven lines. The first and eleventh lines can be any length (although shorter lines are favored). The eleventh and last line must be repeated using the same words from the first and opening line (however, those words can be rearranged). The second, sixth, and tenth lines must be identical.
The point of the Skinny, or Skinnys, is to convey a vivid image with as few words as possible. Skinny poems can be about any subject. They can also be linked, like Haiku, Senryu or Tanka. To submit your work for publishing consideration, email it to: theskinnypoetryjournal@gmail.com with your poem, or poems, copied into the body of your email.
“Coming Home in Black America” by Dotty Holcomb Doherty
Coming Home in Black America
Every minute he is late, she fears
someone
seeing
only
skin
someone
coiled
venomous
armed
someone
she fears every minute. He is late
Dotty Holcomb Doherty
1/14/2017
The time is always right to do what’s right. – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Wonder Woman Attends the Inauguration” by Nancy Iannucci
Wonder Woman Attends the Inauguration
She sets her hair free spinning five times
Cuffs
cross
ricochets
Pence
Cuffs
Trump
lassos
and
Cuffs
Spinning five times, she sets her hair free
Nancy Iannucci
1/9/2017
The Women’s March on Washington, January 21, 2017 at 10am EST.
All of the online tools you need to prepare for the Women’s March on Washington, January 21, 2017 at 10am EST. See the link below and Click the orange page headings to narrow down the tools by category. They are adding new resources daily so check back often! http://resources.womensmarch.com/
Answer Coalition March Against Trump on Inauguration Day
This just in from the Answer Coalition: Navy Memorial will now be the site of largest protest on the Inaugural Parade Route
“The Jan. 20 Mass Protest along the Presidential Inaugural Route will be a powerful rejection of the Trump Agenda on Day One of his administration. Permits have been secured by the ANSWER Coalition for the large Navy Memorial site on Pennsylvania Ave. NW from 7th St. to 9th St. A 28-foot stage and a huge sound system will be set up there so that Trump, his big donors, the international media and indeed the whole world will see our presence.”
For details regarding the Answer Coalition march on January 20th, 2017, go to:
Progressive people from all over the country will be descending on Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2017, to stage a massive demonstration along Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day.
“Turning Sixteen” by Kara J. Valore
Turning Sixteen
Mother said, He’s not your father
abandoned
broken
bloodline
drugs
abandoned
nameless
numbness
relief
abandoned
He’s not your father, Mother said.
Kara J. Valore
1/4/2017
“Obsession” by Laurie Kolp
Obsession
where you live in my mind
voices
jump
off
walls
voices
crawl
along
baseboards
voices
in my mind where you live
Laurie Kolp
12/31/2016
“Haiti” by Matthew Harris
Haiti
January twelfth two thousand and ten
nameless
crushed
island
salvation
nameless
invaders
proselytizers
slaughter
nameless
two ten and twelfth thousand January.
Matthew Harris
12/3/2016
(Thony Belizaire/AFP/Getty Images)
“On My Own” by James Penha
On My Own
My own auntie voted to build a wall
against
my
husband’s
religion,
against
our
very
husbandhood,
against
my own. Auntie voted to build a wall.
James Penha
11/19/2016
Support an Inclusive America: Support Cherry Castle Publishing
Nonviolent civil disobedience to battle injustice is still the way
“Red State: Blue Heart” by Karen Bovenmyer
Red State: Blue Heart
A blue heart: Red state, I confess to
resisting
white
colorblind
microagressions
resisting
cisgender
straight
privilege
resisting
Red state: I confess to a blue heart
Karen Bovenmyer
11/17/2016
“Red State/State of Red” by Ron Riekki
Red State/State of Red
My neighbor was shot on her lawn, getting mail.
Near
handprints
on
sidewalk.
Near
her
lungs,
heart.
Near.
On her lawn, my neighbor was shot, getting mail.
Ron Riekki
11/16/2016
“Orange is the New White” by Jeffrey Lamar Coleman
Orange is the New White
Beneath the orange facade, you can see the
Whiteness
of
his
bitterness.
Whiteness
swastikaring
our
Otherness.
Whiteness
beneath the orange. You can see the facade.
Jeffrey Lamar Coleman
11/17/2016
TSPJ Call for Submissions: Stand Against Racism
The Skinny Poetry Journal (TSPJ) seeks new poetry. Poems submitted can embrace any theme, however, we are particularly interested in submissions that paint a picture of racism in America–the unresolved legacy of slavery–in the interest of healing our nation of that cancerous social affliction.
TSPJ is a literary journal that is dedicated to The Skinny poetry form (and edited by a rotating team of poets). A Skinny is a short poem form, created by Truth Thomas, that consists of eleven lines. The first and eleventh lines can be any length (although shorter lines are favored). The eleventh and last line must be repeated using the same words from the first and opening line (however, those words can be rearranged). The second, sixth, and tenth lines must be identical.
The point of the Skinny, or Skinnys, is to convey a vivid image with as few words as possible. Skinny poems can be about any subject. They can also be linked, like Haiku, Senryu or Tanka. To submit your work for publishing consideration, email it to: theskinnypoetryjournal@gmail.com with your poem, or poems, copied into the body of your email.
NOTE: TSPJ is now opening up our journal to advertising. To learn more about our rates, feel free to email us at tspjads@gmail.com
“How to Build a Fire” by Le Hinton
How to Build a Fire
Find a church to hate.
Use
hymnals
as
kindling.
Use
pews
as
fuel.
Use
hate to find a church.
Le Hinton
11/16/2016
“Sistah” by Lisa Carlson
Sistah
Voted D not because I am a woman
Not
poor
Not
gay
Not
undocumented
privileged
white
Not
Voted D not because I am a woman
Lisa Carlson
11/14/2018
“The Lens” by Sybil Ponnambalam
The Lens
the lens changes everything
black
fierce
feminist
focus
black
poor
people
plight
black
everything changes the lens
Sybil Ponnambalam
11/15/2106
“A Song for Autumn” by Rae Dox Kim
A Song for Autumn
The cold came in from under the door
Rain
Months.
Green.
Television
Rain.
Haircut,
October
Fingertips,
Rain.
The cold came in from under the door
Rae Dox Kim
11/6/2016
“chromatics” by Curtis L. Crisler
chromatics
i.
there is no more specific life
skin
god
purpose
beaten
skin
strange
bodies
own
skin
there is no more life specific
ii.
us apart from our bodies
action
house
gun
fear
action
skeletons
unspokens
bloodlines
action
our bodies apart from us
iii.
a pile of unspokens not reached
burnt
trees
crowing
racial
burnt
moths
flaring
melodies
burnt
piles of unspokens not reached
Curtis L. Crisler
11/13/2016
“Elegy” by Warner Robinson
Elegy
fear, hold us—
dark
bodies
falling,
rising.
dark
genesis,
endless,
ghostlit.
dark
fear, hold us.
Warner Robinson
11/13/2016
