Honoring My Fellows [Part 2]

Hello again, my friends! As promised, I have compiled my second installment of “Honoring My Fellows.” (Please, if you have a better name for this series, I am taking suggestions…)

It’s all poetry this time, and what a collection of gems I have found. Oh, and instead of four pieces, there are five! I do hope you enjoy this one.

If you weren’t here for the first part, please go check it out! In it, I explain my ground rules and why I’m only doing small batches. Plus, you really should read the first four stories I spotlight; they truly are stunning.

So...

Without further ado…

Poppy the Poet

“Trembling Tragedies” is incredibly well written. The interview format is superbly executed, a structured stream-of-consciousness that the reader follows toward a deep emotional gut punch. Absolutely stunning.

This is just one of so many of Poppy’s poems that I would add to this series. If you haven’t subscribed to her yet, please do. She is so talented.

“Can you really complain about the bruises when you craved the feel of soft skin against ruthless rocks?”

Lucia B.

Everything Lucia writes astounds me. She is startling with her diction, command of the English language, and ability to craft such heart-wrenching verses that stay with you. The following poem really hit me the other day. I think I read it four times, uttering “wow” like a mantra under my breath.

“The Ocean” takes you from a satellite view of the world down to the internal ocean of identity. An exquisite exploration of the ocean and all that it is and all that it represents.

“I am lost, I am lingering

I am rising, I am drifting

The water cradles me

Drowns me, carries me”

Brenton F.

Brenton's “Drowning” was not only one of the first poems I read of his, but also one that I utterly adore. He was one of my first subscriptions on Vocal, and is truly a unique poet, so witty, with the ability to be both crass and so heartfelt in the same piece. I really admire his style; it is something I could never emulate myself.

I think most of us know of Brenton’s work, but this one doesn’t seem to have as many reads as I would have expected. It’s startling, one of my own fears realized in suffocating verse.

“submerged saline asphyxiation

a thrilling but final ride

the crash of the waves breaks my back

i’m thrown and flung with the weeds”

Stephen A. Roddewig

I read Stephen’s “The Call” just the other night and had to return to it several times to appreciate all that it captures. It harkens back to classical poetry, with an introductory stanza and language throughout that reads like an epic.

“My sword to those who have angered.

My horse to those who have wallowed.

My heart to those whose love has hollowed.”

Truly, his writing is incredible. I encourage you to read more of his poetry but also his prose. A worthy subscription, and one that I’ve neglected for far too long.

Ashley Lima

“Sunday Afternoon” depicts a wonderful atmosphere of getting away from it all, finding peace and inner-stillness in a drive through the mountains. It’s so evocative and gorgeous; truly, a poem to cure anxiety.

“I love sticking my hands out of the driver's side window;

Fingers dancing in the wind under the light of the Blue Mountain sun.”

If you haven't subscribed to Ashley yet, why not? Just do it already! :D

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If you made it this far, thank you so much! Please leave a like and comment on the featured stories, if you’re so inclined. And let me know what you think about 5 instead of 4 featured pieces. Do you like seeing more or less? Should I keep upping the number? And do you want prose next time?

(I am always excited to find new, amazing writers. If you want to leave a recommendation, I will happily check it out!)

Bye for now. I’ll be back with more stories in a week or so, so stay tuned! Cheers!