p1“Life for my child is simple, and is good.”By Gwendolyn BrooksLife for my child is simple, and is good.He knows his wish. Yes, but that is not all.Because I know ...LivingParenthood
p1Case StudyBy Christian J. CollierWe were ravaged by our loss, our child. In the shower, slightly past midnight,after I’d covered the ...LoveHeartache & LossLivingParenthoodGrief
p1The ComplineBy Christian J. CollierBetween us, there are one hundred oneumber haints in our home.In bed, we discussour future, our children...ReligionFaith & DoubtLivingDeathParenthood
p1GodBy Christian J. CollierI used to thinkthere was only one of Youbefore the miscarriage.Now, I am not so sure.Maybe there are...ReligionFaith & DoubtLivingDeathGrief
p1My Love You Died in My Dream Last NightBy Heather Christle I did not know it was possible (your constancy being among your chief characteristics) and I, bereft...LoveHeartache & LossLivingDeath
p1Spring Comes EarlyBy Joan Kwon Glass I get good at pretending that I don’t blame you for his death, and this is all it takes to keep you...LivingDeathRelationshipsFamily & Ancestors
p1Cafe AtlantiqueBy Joan Kwon Glass A whiskey truck passes by the window. Its logo says the crown is yours. The weary woman sitting across...LivingLife Choices
p1beauty shoppeBy Gwendolyn Brooks facial “We use Ardena here.” Madame Celeste Herself in charge, with hot tough-handed licks To tighten...Living
25 days after I am bornBy Remica Bingham-Rishera man is killed in Mobile, Alabama. It is 1981, nearest what some will call the last lynching in America...Social CommentariesRace & EthnicityHistory & PoliticsLivingDeathRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsAnxiety & InsecurityGratitude + 2 more
I am trying to carve out a world where people are not the sum total of their disasterBy Remica Bingham-RisherBut for the grace of Godone might begin andthis must be the life of a woman. I will barely touch the...Social CommentariesGender & SexualityTown & Country LifeLivingLife ChoicesThe MindMemory & NostalgiaRelationshipsFamily & Ancestors + 2 more
From within my bodily singularityBy Julia FiedorczukFrom within my bodily singularityI play at sending out gentle sunbeams.I don't believe in myself, but...NatureAnimalsWeatherLivingDeathThe BodyTime & Brevity
Cyrus & the SnakesBy Ada LimónMy brother holds a snake by its head. The whole length of the snake is the length of my brother’s body...NatureAnimalsLivingComing of AgeLife ChoicesYouthThe MindMemory & NostalgiaRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsStanza FormsCoupletMetersFree VerseTechniquesImageryMetaphor + 10 more
Calling Things What They AreBy Ada LimónI pass the feeder and yell, Grackle party! And then an hour later I yell, Mourning dove afterparty! (I call the feeder the...LoveHeartache & LossRomantic LoveNatureAnimalsLivingComing of AgeMidlifeThe MindMemory & NostalgiaTime & BrevityRelationshipsMen & WomenMetersFree VerseTechniquesConfessionalImageryMetaphorSimileTypes/ModesProse PoemJoy & Contentment + 16 more
TotemBy R. L. SwihartThe young man says, “Alan can do anything he wants”“Not fly,” I sayThe young man returns a puzzled look...LivingComing of AgeThe MindDoubt & ContemplationArts & SciencesReading & BooksStanza FormsMixedMetersFree VerseTechniquesImagery + 5 more
GratitudeBy Cornelius EadyI’m here to tell you an old story. ThisAppears to be my work. I live in the world,Walk the streets of...Social CommentariesClassRace & EthnicityLivingLife ChoicesThe MindRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsActivitiesSchool & LearningArts & SciencesPoetry & PoetsMetersFree VerseTechniquesAnaphoraConfessionalMetaphorAngerGratitude + 13 more
After the 1916 FilmBy Karisma PriceThe Realization of a Negro’s Ambition requires melatonin & the soft dying body of a monkey face orchid...Social CommentariesRace & EthnicityLivingSorrow & GrievingGrief
I’m a Fool to Love YouBy Cornelius EadySome folks will tell you the blues is a woman,Some type of supernatural creature.My mother would tell...LoveBreak-ups & Vexed LoveRealistic & ComplicatedSocial CommentariesGender & SexualityRace & EthnicityLivingMarriage & CompanionshipRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsMen & WomenArts & SciencesMusicMetersFree VerseTechniquesImageryMetaphor + 11 more
Reader, IBy Corey Van Landinghamwas, according to Virgil, always a fickle, unstable thing. Woman. Wyf. Merger of wife and man. To indicate: not-girl. Not...Social CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingSorrow & GrievingMythology & FolkloreGreek & Roman MythologyDisappointmentGrief
On Seeing and Being SeenBy Ama CodjoeI don’t like being photographed. When we kissed at a wedding, the night grew long and luminous. You ...LoveDesire & PassionRomantic LoveLivingMarriage & CompanionshipRelationships
A StoryBy Li-Young LeeSad is the man who is asked for a story and can’t come up with one. His five-year-old son waits in his...LivingGrowing OldParenthoodRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsDisappointment