Featured Writer

You Smashed the Spider
You smashed the spider with the apple in your hand
And took a large bite out of it
Green pieces of sugar and starch
Flew out of your mouth

That shed out behind your house
Air that smelled perpetually of burning leaves
Ashes hovering briefly in front your eyes
Unmoved even in vigorous chewing

Did you eat the spider?

You smiled
As the apple core fell from your hand
Leaves matted from an early snow that had melted
Rakes rhythmatically running across
Your skinny arms joyfully picking up items left

Dog Toys
Socks
Earrings

This planet is pretty fickle
You once said
How could anyone forgo earrings?
You smiled again and put them on

Reflections in the shed window
Transparent grins of elation
You posed on each side
I felt the little black jewel case in my pocket
And smiled

Trail Unto the Sea
When I am dead and my body is light
Let me walk on the sand as it turns from warm to cold
With trails that spill unto great horizons of blue and brown
Hands and smiles of those I have been allowed to love
Under Oak leaves falling to the ground
Lord let me look up and see those pines so close to shore
And feel that comfort of knowing I am securely alone
Let me taunt an early winter storm
Knowing it will only wash me to the sea
With salt on the tongues of those left behind

Lightning Bugs
Lightning bugs only survive at modest heights
The grill of my truck eats the specks of day
Light
Butterflies lay motionless on the ground, color draining onto rocks made of black and white
Traffic continues and the sun glares after
Noon
I look up at the chirping of a bird fighting a strong headwind, progress gained, progress lost
You cry out for help, I yell "I can't." as the bird continues to fall into
Evening
Mountains feel the gentle breeze while the lightning bugs make love
Oblivious to highways they will eventually cross
Tomorrow

Martyrs
The problem with
Superhuman sacrifice
Is that no one can
Recognize you

Faces disfigured
By altruistic deeds
Pedestals grow taller in the mind

This cape and insignia
That shines brightly in the night
Just doesn't seem to make much sense
When you aren't fighting for world peace
I grow tired

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