November 1, 2001

And night stars shyly hid their height, not wanting to lessen their mighty glory.

United We Stand
This is to everyone that believes in their country.
Doug woods

Perpetual bliss awaits us in the deep blue.

~#~

Fires From Hell

This poem was influenced by the events of September 11th 2001 in New York

Gerard Brandon

From reign of hell and fonts of pain

Came wings of death with fire like rain

Godless hearts on mindless missions

Blackened souls without contrition's

No fear of death, intent on malice

A fall from grace, cruel deeds so callous

On loved ones lost in untimely fashion

Hearts torn from grief, faint numbing passion

What God condones this cowardly action?

Were innocent lives so much the attraction?

Was terror the end or the means to disruption?

Was money the root cause and hate, the destruction?

Words of response, so shallow, conceited

Hell bent on revenge for tyrants defeated

Arrogant tempered collective reliance

Persistent intolerance, stubborn defiance

Pathetic refrain of unworthy conditions

Life's pleasures forgone because of munitions

Civilized tolerance, God’s word is forgiving

Yet loved ones are tortured, leaving pain with the living

Nations noble in assembled pause

Voices condemn fundamental cause, as

Malignant cells spreading terrors’ insanity

Of unsanctioned crimes against all humanity

~#~

UNITED
Rachel Piper

America was hurt, angry,

Shocked and stunned.

As the buildings crumbled,

Hearts came undone.

Many were lost

In the hateful attack.

Now we comfort their families,

As America fights back.

We will not fall,

We are hand in hand.

America, the Beautiful,

UNITED WE STAND...

~#~

Love is like a snowflake

which is likened to a finger print.

I remember the trace yours left

all over my body.

Trying so hard to hide in you,

I let you know every part of my flesh.

I'd hoped to turn your eyes inwards -

to the glory, or the pain,

that lay beneath my sin.

However you want to label it,

I' still just me.

Erin Waterhouse

`~#~

~*Dark Skies*~

*~Krystal~Raine*~

The sky isn't sad

It's enjoying the taste of life

The drops fall in love with the Earth

As the Earth absorbs it's passion

~#~

: M*Y L*I*F*E*
christo

My life - in a flash

all gone - where am I ?

-looking back

-beeing lost

what happened ?

WHERE AM I ?

~#~

FOREVER
Carlea J. Miller

For the rest of our lives giving you all my devotion, and undivided attention

Opening my arms and heart for your love, happiness, and sorrows, through each and every tomorrow

Reassuring you that no matter how big or small the problem may be, you can always talk to me

Every day I'll open my ears to all your concerns and fears

Vowing to you today and every day of our lives, the honesty, love, and devotion of a very strong and ever lasting emotion

Every chance I get I'll make an effort to remind you that not only are you my love, but my friend, from today until the end

Reserving all my love and life for you every day and every night, and the love we share never letting out of sight

~#~

Winter's Disappearance Into Night

by Jonquil L. Thomas

She sat on the bench.

Waiting.

Black boots digging into cold white sand.

The chilling wind biting her face.

Stinging her tears.

She waited.

Maybe she was dead.

Maybe she was hurt.

But she'd never just leave.

She believed this.

Her heart was tangled in the trees.

Black lace that grips the weak.

The dark hands passed.

Slapping her as they left.

And still she waits.

Waits for someone who'll never come.

Winter fades.

The candle becomes dark.

And the black lace is now dripping with red.

Night has won.

Another child lies dead.

No one cries for the lost.

The souls unremembered.

Never laid to rest.

Unlamented.

And still she waits.

And still I wait.

~#~

WHY CAN'T YOU SEE ME?
Megan Wooldridge

I'm here, standing in front of you as clear as reality.

I'm here, staring back at you with wondering, yet vacant eyes.

I'm here, standing face to face with a stranger.

I'm here, visible as anyone, and yet you can't see me.

I look at you and I see eyes that read perception.

I look at you and see a heart not willing to love.

I look at you and see a judge casting a verdict on an innocent victim.

You look at me through tainted lenses and eyes that block out the real me.

You look at me and see only a woman with a number attached to her name.

You look at me and fail to see the real reason behind my affection.

You look at me, and yet you see right through me.

Why can't you see the heart I possess?

Why can't you see that my age us just a number?

Why can't you see that men and woman can just be friends?

Why can't you see the real me?

Look at me and see a heart that loves unconditionally.

Look at me, and see the eyes that cry because of hurt.

Look at me and see the eyes that pass no judgment.

Look at me, and see the person I really am.

I am a child of God who seeks to know her father.

I am a friend who loved to the end.

I am a teacher, seeking to give understanding.

I am a person, one who feels real emotion.

Someday you will look at me and see my loving eyes.

Someday you will look at me and shatter all the lies.

Someday you will look at me and see my heart.

Someday, you'll see me.

~#~

THREE DORMANT RUNES
Zervaki Melina

Years ago you said:

"Au fond I am an issue of light".

And still now when you repose

at the bed's broad scapulas

and even when they lay you

at the sea's dopey chest

you are on the hunt for angles where the black

has chafed and does not go

you bird-dog palpable the lance

the defined to lancinate your spirit

in order to broach it to the daylight.

~#~

Eruption-
by Wendy A. Davidson

Smoke in the skies,

Smoke from the peak-

It's blackness roils,

somber and bleak.

Rumbles and tremors

through the earth break-

Across the mountains

rocks tumble and shake.

A blast from the snow,

firey and hellish,

Sets the world aglow.

As flames consume and embellish,

the rock hardens-

More time earth has bought.

The battle is over that's fought.

A lid is firmly placed

on the cauldron's fury-

In a troubled soul,

Full of destruction and worry.

~#~

3rd Twilight
Kate

even as I accept your silent gift

my mind is stalking,

furiously pacing

to decipher this connection,

this dangerously familiar feeling

both inside of me, coursing through my veins,

and in the silences between our eyes.

seeks to name that which is unnameable.

to give voice to weighty questions

to confirm or deny

a feeling I cannot allow myself to accept

yet - if ever.

~#~

LOVING YOU
GERIDA

SEASONS CHANGE AND YEARS GO BY BUT YOUR LOVE IS WHAT NEVER CHANGES AND I FEEL IT ALL THE TIME DAYS PASS AND TIME GOES ON BEING WITH YOU IS SO MUCH FUN YOU MAKE ME LAUGH YOU MAKE ME CRY BUT MY TEARS ARE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW WHY ITS BECAUSE YOU AND ALL THE ROMANTIC THINGS YOU DO YOU PLEASE ME YOU TEASE ME YOU SHOW ME LOVE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE I'M WITH YOU UNTIL DAY SEVEN AND EACH DAY I FEEL LIKE I'M IN HEAVEN I'M NEVER AFRAID HAVING YOU I KNOW I GOT IT MADE I HOPE YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY CAUSE ITS GOOD LOVING YOU EVERYDAY

~#~

TODAY
JAAD

A NICE COOL BREEZE

ON A CLEAR AUTUMN DAY

A FULL DEEP BREATH

TAKEN IN WITH EASE

THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON;

MYSELF TO PLEASE

....TODAY.

~#~

The thought of isolation

tears through flesh like deep penetration

pouring my heart out

for nothing in compensation

through thick and thin

I swear I"ll never win

your heart, just your shady grin

I"ve done all I can

to make you see what I see

but your blind to my feelings

all you do is run and flee

what more can I do?

but sit here thinking of you

It's tearing me apart

your stuck in my head like glue

I have to forget

and let you go......

but one thing Im sure of though...

I have nothing left to show

Jim

~#~

Mountain Crying
Glenn J. Molnar

Rain falls fast and hard

Filling meandering paths

Tears streak mountain face

~#~

A WALK WITH MOTHER NATURE
Robin Lashinski

Sitting on a wooden bench

The sun's fire warms our earth

The pebbles are condescent beneath my feet

There are whooshing streams nearby

They're splashing against the rocks

I peer at the trees above

Red, orange, and yellow leaves

have been brushed to the grounds portraying

motley fields.

Squirrels scurry to gather forage.

Our feathered chums chirp to

one another. Perhaps to find a mate or

maybe to bring together the flock

Drinking in the heavens above.

What a beautiful place to be!

To be one with nature.

Observing the birds' carefree demeanor

and then imagine where their destination could be!

How nice it must to have the freedom of flight!

Up, up and away!

~#~

Looking up
Sami

Layered in unworthiness

To be beneath you is a weight on my heart

Between destiny and desire is discontent

That colours my days in restlessness

To feel this burning is a torture

That I would walk into your fire to endure

Willingly I would lay down

To feel this sweet sadness

That would take me over and

Lend my mind to insanity

~#~

my flesh, my bones, my mind

made impure because of trespassers

i can't move, can't escape

for the chains of shame have bound me

a silver needle threads itself

and sews up my tight mouth

while i walk in and out of the same door

getting nowhere but here

Amy leveque

~#~

"IF ONLY"
KRISTINA RUELLE

SNOWFLAKES DANCED IN THE CRISP AUTUMN AIR,

LIKE CRYSTALS DANGLING FROM A CHANDELIER,

CARELESS AND FREE THEY FLEW TO THE DESOLATE EARTH BELOW

CLUELESS TO THEIR JOURNEY THAT DREARY, FOGGY MORNING.

TEARS STREAMED DOWN HER MASCARA-COVERED CHEEKS,

EACH TEAR IN A RACE TO REACH HER CHIN FIRST,

SALTY BUT BITTERSWEET THEY MISSED,

LANDING ON HER CHAPPED, QUIVERING LIPS.

HER JET BLACK HAIR DUSTED BY THE FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW,

HER DARK MIDNIGHT EYES SET IN A DEEP HYPNOTIC TRANCE,

SLOWLY SHE BENT DOWN,

SETTING HER TREMBLING HAND ON THE CHESTNUT COLORED CASKET.

NUMBING THE RUTHLESS PAIN,

SHE WEPT THINKING OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

IF ONLY SHE COULD SAVE HIS LIFE,

IF ONLY SHE WAS STRONG ENOUGH,

IF ONLY SHE TRIED A LITTLE HARDER.

SHE STEPPED AWAY,

BLEW HER LAST KISS CARRIED BY THE FORGIVING WIND,

LEADING A PATH TO HIS ANGEL LIPS.

~#~

First Kiss!

Jimmy Chacko

Is this kiss really bechanced?

Or juvenile dreams come afresh.

Her lips are rolling on my face;

Or my soul is raising high.

How I forgot that precious gift?

Really! It was my 'initial maiden's kiss'.

Hay! I will keep it forever in mind;

Whole will keep it all in life.

I wonder what affinity between us!

I seek that affection connecting us.

I acquire it in butterflies on my rose;

I heard it in the songs of bees.

I hunt for it all in world ……

I wish for it all in life! ! !

Last I found that finite thought;

"Love!" which heals in humans heart.

~#~

Watershed.
Steph.

She shifts her stance on the

quay side to better grip the rope.

The rope, with its careful knot that

once held her to me, slips free

and now chafes at the iron ring.

It stretches, twists-tight to

tease free the waterfront.

Then, when you leave me adrift

on the ambivalent sea, never

speak a word, just throw the rope

back sternward to me.

As the twin motors engage and

grumble, churning water

from the back of the boat, I

glance back to see you half turned

from me, your left foot

tipped and hooked around your leg.

I watch as you laugh in an intimate

conversation with your cell-phone,

as your thighs squeeze together

and your body rocks to and fro,

as you left hand is pushed

further into your back pocket.

~#~

Never Say Goodbye

trina

I'm so many people

All at the same time

I don't know who I am anymore

I can't control my mind

Everything I've ever done

Is running through my head

Memories of the forgotten past

Wanting to be with you instead

I don' tknow what I'm feeling

I'm almost certain it's love

You were sent to me from heaven

A gift from God above

We were meant to be together

I can feel it in my heart

I always want to be by your side

I never want us to part

Knowing you all this time

Has changed me in many ways

I will love you forever

To the end of my days

You are the sun in my sky

The air that I breathe

You're everything I want

All I'll ever need

Even when things are at their worst

I'll still be here for you

Help you through your problems

And even solve them, too

We're going to be together forever

Every day and night

You taught me how to love

You showed me the light

I'll love you forever

Til the day I die

I'll say that over and over

But I'll never say goodbye

~#~

Train Ride
Zoe Richards

The clambering chug of the F train,

Noisy as African elephants, stamping freely through the dusty plateaus of South Africa,

The lustrous silver of the train:

Smooth as aluminum foil,

Shiny as gold

Like a boa constrictor the train snakes along, running a marathon through the stations:

Broadway Lafyette, Fort Hamilton Parkway, Jay Street Borough Hall.

Can you feel the gentle rock as the conductor maneuvers the wheel?

Can you hear the chattering excitement of tourists wit cameras?

Can you smell the stench of a trash can nearby?

Can you taste the McDonald's fries that the person in the next seat is eating?

Train ride.

~#~

It starts with an image you see in the mirror, that's not to your liking, and might bring a tear. It first seems like nothing, but you must confess, that slowly you've started to eat less and less. Just thinking of eating soon seems like a chore, and then to your horror you think you've gained more. In your mind it's whatever it takes to lose just a pound, and soon you've wound up on your knees on the ground. Your stomach will churn and your thought starts to burn, but you still never learn! Friends start to tell you your getting too thin, and they try to say that your beauty is within. Your family gets worried and tries making you eat, and soon you will find you can't stand on two feet. The next thing you know there's a tube in your arm, and you thought what you did wouldn't do any harm! You look down at your body and see nothing but bones, and you can't bring your voice above whispering tones. You pull out the needle protruding your skin, you think that you started to look bigger again. The next day that nurse comes to give you a meal, but you just lay there lifeless, is this really real? So you thought being skinny would give you more pride, but what do you know? It was just suicide.

Kira

~#~

A Letter From Dad
WASCOW

Words in Black Ink

Faded to gray

Disintegrated over time

Like the promises he made.

~#~

The lights are bright from the sky in the night,

looking down no movement no sound,

but how long will that be until the governments disagree,

and drop a bomb and start world war three.

Will we all live, or will we all die,

will our children be able to watch the birds in the sky,

or see the flowers and the green grass,

or will all that just be part of the past.

It's bad enough that we have problems of our own,

half the people can't even afford to buy their own home,

yet they will fight, for what they think is right, all day long and into the night,

so who knows what there is to do, I know I don’t want to fight and neither should you,

I wish to grow old and die in my bed,

not with a bullet stuck in my head.

So all we can wish for is the peace will last,

and pray to god we never hear that atomic blast.

Amber

~#~

A Joy No More
Terrah

Another day,

Another day of what?

My heart crying for someone to hear,

still no one answers.

My fears come knocking at my door,

still I face them alone.

My soul is lost,

still no one will guide it home.

Another tear,

Another tear and for what?

My heart weeps in sorrow,

for the love that it has lost.

My love ones live in fear as do I,

for we are now faced with war.

My soul carries the burden

for nothing else can.

~#~

If you are in front of me i won't follow,

and if you are in back of me i will not lead,

but if you are beside me we can be friends.

spice2001baller

~#~

Shades of Love
patriciamaynard

Snow Flakes, Snow flakes falling , falling in a dense green forest.

Quietly Floating softly

gently building a peaceful mosaic

reflecting the diamond lights of stars.

a crisp clear spring day with a rainbow sky ,

wind chimes play sweet ,sweet melodies

light pink tones with hues of lavender and yellow .

immersed in a bed of flowers

a peaceful warmth surrounds me

with the soft fragrances

of rose , strawberry and orange

The magic of love caresses me

as I wait for your return

~#~

"Voice"
Jade Clairemont

My sister, little sister, fight, fight against the raisers of doom,

speak against the bringer of death and carnage,

spill forth the poisoned blood that flows freely through you.

Scream, my sister, little sister, scream against the killers of chimera and light.

My brother, little brother, why give up so easily?

You hold upon your back the burden of galaxies afar,

and fight against the slashing words of naive men without care.

So strong, that will of yours. Protector of femininity, protector of innocence,

do not give up, your voice is strong.

Challenge, my brother, little brother, challenge the parsimonious terrorists of your sisters soul.

My enemy, little enemy, struggle, struggle to hurt the innocent beside you,

destroy her, ruin her, sink her into the sands of loneliness,

consume the very life force that brings breath to her lips.

Run, my enemy, little enemy, run from the effect of your disease.

Saved at last, a sweet birth of femininity,

a founding of strength, a discovery of hope.

My sister, little sister, at last you are free,

your life starts again, the earth of death shred free from your eyes,

the slight ringing of optimism resounding in your heart.

~#~

to shakespeare
christian herring

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

admit impotence;

but c'mon, Bill,

do you really expect me to see this whole thing as platonic?

one hundred and twenty Sex sonnets for your lovely boy

while the happy erotic critics continue to Freudianize and homosexualize

and molest

your verse to deathdeathdeath ooh yeah

and meanwhile i write sonnets about my ex girl Friend, and

i'm catching up Bill, i'm at about a hundred and

too many by now

but enough about me, how have you been baby?

can't a man be man enough to admit

when he finds another man attractive?

i and you agree that lust is a murderous bloody dirty rough harsh damned

heavenly thing,

but at the same time Bill,

i will always love you

and your beautiful beautiful face.

~#~

He Told Me
Jessica Martrinez

He told me he loved me

I said it right back

He told me he wouldn't

leave

He just stabbed me in the back

These things hurt me so much

But i guess he knows nothing

About love

~#~

A Rose
Terreca

As delicate as can be

this beautiful rose I see

Is filled with life and pride

as it stands tall and expands wide

It's life is bright and tinted red

I hope that it is not soon dead

but as I walk and see it wither away

I notice it has not seen a bright sunny day

as the day grows dimmer and dimmer

The wind blows and the rose shakes and shimmers

the rose is drooping deep in despair

I look in the vase and there is no water there

the rose that was once beautiful has turned sour

I realize that it is now another dead flower

as I look at the rose that was once as beautiful as can be

I realize that the rose is me.

~#~

PITY

By: Derek Williams
Dedicated To: C. C.--Rest in Peace

i know none of you really liked me

im gone now and its a different story

strangers acting like my best friends

when you werent even there in the end

misunderstood throughout life

lied too through death

acting like you cared when i took my last breath

i dont really care though

it wasnt you in that car

lieing in a pool of blood looking straight at the stars

but im in a better place than i was then

im still on the outside

but now im lookin in

some call it sad

others call it a tragedy

but you were only there when you had to be

what, not mad at me?

i dont need you obligation

to be there just to say goodbye

you think it helps me to see you all cry

even though im not there

i hear every word you say

every lie you told

every friend betrayed

years will go by

my face you'll forget

my name wont be said

all the pain will submit

to the thoughts of the fact that you never really cared

and that you never spoke to me

when i was even there

~#~

Ebony Majesty
Moor19 (c) 2001

Tall beautiful and brown

intellectual conversations birth

mental orgasms ripe as the sun

she loves me, me loves she

pure electric magnetic connection

in the mirror I see her reflection

she's my goddess and I her god

strong, faithful, nurturing

and graceful mother of the universe

my wounds healed by her touch

my pain eased by her words

upon her bosom I lay my head

as she cures my hunger with her bread

~#~

 Wishing u were here with me

 So you could see all that I could see

 Share my joys all with u

 I know ur gone

 But ur still here

 In my heart u’ll always be

 Cause ur a special part of me.

 In the park we used to walk

 Now in my dreams we will talk

 In the day we used to play

 In my heart is where u’ll stay

 We’ll always have our special game

 I’ll read ur mind

 And u read mine.

 Help me to carry on this life

 This pain cuts like knives

 I’m going ahead

 And high shall be my head

 I’ll take this life a step at a time

 ‘Cause I know you’ll be waiting for me

 At the end of the line.

NAKEISHA HALL

~#~

PITY ?
RAY SESMAS

NO COMPLAINS

DO YOU SEE WEAKNESS IN MY VEINS,

I DO WRITE MY PAINS

BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT

YOU SHOULD EASE THE REINS.

SLACK GETS PEOPLE SLAIN,

BEING CARELESS CREATES PAIN.

THAT'S WHY OUT OF MY LIPS

WILL YOU EVER HEAR A COMPLAINT.

~#~

Inside Died

By Chelsea Lynn Horner

You pulled out my Heart

Ripped it from my chest

I know you loved me

But how could it be gone so fast

I clutch to something

But I cannot tell what

I want to be over you

But I Love you so much

For you to just drop me

After eleven months of Love

Grips at my Soul

And bangs on my heart

My feet ache, my head hurts

My mind swells, my stomach aches

Hands feel numb, eyes throb

Body is lifeless, none is fake

Anger, or pain, sadness or what

How about all of the above

That's how I feel

About losing your love

You said Forever

You promised me

Forever is longer

You lied to me

Eternity long

That's what it was

You wanted to marry me

Then you left me alone

I cried and I cried

I got angry and died

My insides are gone

But my love still goes on

~#~

: it only took a second
to make a big mistake

it only took a minute

for one heart to break

it only took one word

for you to go away

it only took one glance

to see my world disintegrate

Tiffany

~#~

: licking the scabs,

(TITLED ACHING BODY)

open wounds of the dead,

plead with me...

to help them live again

<<I WANT TO BE ALIVE>>

wishing i could feel,

those vacant emotions.

Scars sobbing...needing stiches,

plead with me...

to shut them,

just to make it stop.

<<JUST MAKE IT STOP BLEEDING>>

Itching the alias sores,

the evidence of abuse.

don't...touch...me...

Your fingertips burn.

And my body...

pleads with me

not to let you touch it again.

<<WHY WON'T ANYONE HELP ME??>>

Rozaline

~#~

K.A.S
Wezer

over the years we should not forget

the way she stood up and fought

for what she thought was right

she was not afraid to say anything to anyone

but she was the only one to make us smile

only thing is

she's in heaven now living, laughing, eyes awake

looking on us watch us morn with he passing

many people loved her but

many people did not know her so they fought her

they did not like her because she stood up to them

we know now well never see her again

but in our hearts and in our minds

she will always be considered one of our

BEST FRIENDS

~#~

as she gazes out a window, I think of her complexity

sitting on the floor, she is her own, unique entity,

she walks with a strut, like sexuality trying,

she will stare through your eyes, like the soul within you dieing,

a constant fixture is a cigarette between her fingers,

only matched by her hand to mouth, and back again,

for a moment it lingers,

she speaks with smoke slowly flowing from her lips,

and challenges even your presence, with combative, intelligent wit,

she will pretend to see your position, only to step on your passion,

she will do it in conversational transition, so you will never see it crashing,

smashed and bruised is how she makes one feel,

she will bait and use, then say words to help you heal,

if it seems like a game, then you've found her play,

to her its all the same so emotions never stay,

she's always detached, and constantly observant,

only to attack, and then seem sub-servant,

you wont know what to think, but you'll know she's ahead,

she's always on the brink, of actually living in your head~

jmaywc

For more: October 2001 ENCORE

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