This is Not a Small Voice by Sonia Sanchez This is not a small voiceyou hear               this is a largevoice coming out of these cities.This is the voice of LaTanya.Kadesha. Shaniqua. Thisis the voice of Antoine.Darryl. Shaquille.Running over watersnavigating the hallwaysof our schools spilling outon the corners of our cities andno epitaphs spill out of …

Continue reading

The Dreamer by Djuna Barnes The night comes down, in ever-darkening shapes that seem— To grope, with eerie fingers for the window—then— To rest to sleep, enfolding me, as in a dream             Faith—might I awaken! And drips the rain with seeming sad, insistent beat. Shivering across the pane, drooping tear-wise, And softly patters by, …

Continue reading

Self-Portrait as So Much Potential by Chen Chen Dreaming of one day being as fearless as a mango. As friendly as a tomato. Merciless to chin & shirtfront. Realizing I hate the word “sip.” But that’s all I do. I drink. So slowly. & say I’m tasting it. When I’m just bad at taking in …

Continue reading

A Little Called Pauline by Gertrude Stein A little called anything shows shudders. Come and say what prints all day. A whole few watermelon. There is no pope. No cut in pennies and little dressing and choose wide soles and little spats really little spices. A little lace makes boils. This is not true. Gracious …

Continue reading

A Supermarket in California by Allen Ginsberg What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.         In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!         What peaches and what …

Continue reading