Free Verse
Coming Undone
Shadows of to-do lists loom like titans, dwarfing what’s done, beating completed tasks into the shadows. *This haiku of Tina’s inspired this. When I opened the page, “shadows” and “to-do list” jumped out at me before I could read it from the first line.
By Harper Lewis about a month ago in Poets
What do you love?. Top Story - September 2026.
What is it that you love in others, in the world? Go do and be that! This is how we replenish the planet with more of what we love about it. Do you love those who are patient with you? Go be patient with someone who tests you. Do you admire those who do charity work? Be charitable. Give your jacket to a homeless man, bum him a cig, too. Do you love mountains and clear lakes? Go and fucking see them! Do what you can in your own personal life to keep the place clean, pick up trash and try to make less waste, clean up a random park nearby, it may not be mountains, but it's all part of the same thing, our dirt roads and our homes live on the same rock flying through the vacuum of space and that is a mighty magical thing. Do you love whimsy and philosophy and writing and painting and dancing like an absolute idiot? Do it!! Be it!!! This is the only time you'll ever have as yourself, we make the most of it by living as what we love to experience, that is one's mark on the world, what they bring into it.
By Lolly Vieiraabout a month ago in Poets
Dracula's Kitchen and Bar review
I was in the neighborhood of Dracula's Kitchen and Bar for a job interview that ended up being postponed. I had been wanting to check on this restaurant since it opened, so I wandered over for a late lunch. Dracula's has lunch specials until 3pm, so I came just in time. I was impressed with the decor and mood of the place when I walked in. A comical vampire met me at the door, as well as a suit of armor. I was greeted by a pleasant server, who answered my questions about gluten free food choices. I decided on a burger with no bun, served on a bed of greens and red onions. The burger had a char grilled flavor, and the vegetables were fresh. I opted for mashed potatoes as my side. They appeared to be home made, and had a delicate seasoning. The price was reasonable. I also tried the gluten free chocolate cake for dessert. The cake was a small sliver, but it was rich in flavor like a dark chocolate fudge.
By Kathleen Anderson about a month ago in Poets
Fault Line
Strike-slip valleys cut through hills. Continental plates lock jaws. Centuries pass. Subterranean slip deficits accumulate. Thirty millimeters annually vanish into depths. Subterranean tension mounts in dark fissures. Creeks flow down, meet seams, bend left. Old flow paths remain empty.
By Tim Carmichaelabout a month ago in Poets
Stop Reaching
I still have that basketball net When she thinks everyone's sleeping Not to play with, you understand It makes me wonder about why mom cries in the bathroom at night That impossibly high basketball net "Just listen to your father, son. Please. Man up. Don't back chat...please. for me" For the little runt, pipsqueak, I was Because I can't yet reach it or throw high enough When he erected it Is going to reward me for crying I remember thinking, believing Who could easily lift me to the net In the excitement of one day No hand outs or punts by father Landing a three pointer "When you're taller, when you're a man, maybe you'll reach the net." My father taught me a valuable lesson When you earn it and don't step outside your station About life and expectations Spoils of success are better when you work for it Concerning rewards and earnings They say "son, be patient" But really he was teaching me But mom and dad tell me it's only a matter of time About knowing your place Stop reaching Looking upwards Keep myself small Can feel intimidating to cause arguments. In the wrong context Make things less likely At least that's what I've always believed to do things different. There are highs too extreme Just trying each day In the wrong context that might cause irritation. I'm trying about stuff to do that more Talk lesser these days. these days. Talk less to do that more about stuff I'm trying that might cause irritation. In the wrong context Just trying each day There are highs too extreme to do things different. At least that's what I've always believed Make things less likely In the wrong context to cause arguments. Can feel intimidating Keep myself small Looking upwards Stop reaching About knowing your place But mom and dad tell me it's only a matter of time But really he was teaching me They say "son, be patient" Concerning rewards and earnings Spoils of success are better when you work for it About life and expectations When you earn it and don't step outside your station My father taught me a valuable lesson "When you're taller, when you're a man, maybe you'll reach the net." Landing a three pointer No hand outs or punts by father In the excitement of one day Who could easily lift me to the net I remember thinking, believing Is going to reward me for crying When he erected it Because I can't yet reach it or throw high enough For the little runt, pipsqueak, I was "Just listen to your father, son. Please. Man up. Don't back chat...please. for me" That impossibly high basketball net It makes me wonder about why mom cries in the bathroom at night Not to play with, you understand When she thinks everyone's sleeping I still have that basketball net
By Paul Stewartabout a month ago in Poets
Pyrite Hope
Your sapphire smile held open this hope, hinges rusted wide the [DO ORS] Leaving all of me exposed set free my heart ran wild The light of you began to pool thru D E E P It glitters in the corners of this mausoleum my soul ...wondering is it the light, or I, that is Pyrite.
By Ellie Hoovsabout a month ago in Poets
