Tarren M – Mark Tarren
THE THIEF When he stole from her it was in a fever of gentleness as if this act of movement towards her was grand thievery from the past centuries. He saw his theft as a gift his new … Continue reading Tarren M – Mark Tarren
Category: impspired magazine 2
Imbler M – Linda Imbler
Choices in Frontier Towns Amid tumbleweeds and clapboard buildings, standing upon dirt roads or a sawn timber dais, snake oil men, extolling their potions, their curing wares depleted by end of day. Risky whiskey, the magic elixir of 19th-century self-proclaimed wizards. Was it truly hope in a bottle or just sanctioned intoxication? The Old West version of paper or plastic. Changelings (An Etheree Poem) Cauls on face; the stand-ins enter our world, are revealed as odd. We know them as changelings, left by ones of the old world and recognized by strange facade. Impersonators that … Continue reading Imbler M – Linda Imbler
Ottley A E – Abigail Elizabeth Ottley
The Gecko’s Tale ‘Jesus Christ,’ says Jerry, ‘the little bastard bit me.’ Eli doesn’t look up straight away but keeps his eyes on the workbench. His neck is hunched into his narrow shoulders and his complexion is more than usually grey. ‘I’d watch my mouth if I were you. The boss don’t care for that kind of language. Outed someone two days ago. Heard it down the canteen.’ Jerry is using his long, bony thumb to squeeze the fleshy pad of his finger. His angular features convey a mixture of indignation and pain. ‘Look,’ he says, ‘it’s bleeding. It didn’t … Continue reading Ottley A E – Abigail Elizabeth Ottley
Moriarty D – Dennis Moriarty
I Dream Of Him Still damp from his evening walk in the rain The dog sleeps on the floor at my feet. A slowly steaming heap of inertia, he lies there Making neither sound nor movement. He smells of the hillside and warm summer rain And something more sinister. Did he chase sheep I wonder, while my back Was turned? Spurred on by a ewe’s feeble cries, did he pursue, Hunt, back her into a corner of the field, Did he sit there waiting, watching, willing her To break cover? His soppy grin turning to a snarl … Continue reading Moriarty D – Dennis Moriarty
Sarnat G – Gerard Sarnat
HAIKU SUITE [8] i. Climate Changing From Mississippi Delta farm hit hard, “Wish old enough to retire.” ii. Changing Climate Battle to the death:Puerile Septuagenariansv. Youth Activists? iii. [Un]blushingly Best thing ‘bout six grandkids is opportunityeach time to fall in … Continue reading Sarnat G – Gerard Sarnat
Brizell B – Ben Brizell
Gusset Serenity’s been breached, it lies bruised and beaten. The lies of masculinity have been inseminated into the grove. We’re bleeding to death, clutching the wound, pushing our entrails back in. Somebody hacked their right foot off amongst blooming flowers There’s an apple with its core missing Somebody’s mouth is wet with saliva. Time took the postman’s child so the postman took a knife to his arterial veins Preach what you believe because the truth is it’ll be an outdated statement to tomorrow’s lacerations. They flayed the revolutionaries hung them upon meat hooks … Continue reading Brizell B – Ben Brizell
Grey J – John Grey
THE COTTAGE BY THE SHORE The ocean is theater and its stage is deep and dark, its orchestra seats, the shoreline. But the show is slowly moving in on its audience. Lying in bed, you listen to the performance. Waves slam against rock, scramble up the sea-wall, sweep across your pebbled lawn, slap against your cottage’s foundations. No need to panic though. It’s not that kind of show. Sure, you hear water bounce off wood. But the sound is soft and almost pleasing. Ocean can’t surely be a predator. Sure, it rises inch by inch. But so … Continue reading Grey J – John Grey
Peledov I – Ivan Peledov
Still I hear the clouds move in the air, dead and light. I know ghosts prefer hot tap water to wine and tea in the houses they would have never chosen for residence. Trees contemplate and books burn. In the droplets of the untouchable sun live the toys of departed children. Do You Really Think It’s Thursday? Laundromat roofs crumple the sky, distort the voices of birds in the nearby trees. Little girls wander the streets carrying huge buckets of ketchup, spilling it, splashing it on the sidewalk. A saxophonist plays for passing UFOs … Continue reading Peledov I – Ivan Peledov
Cunniffe R – Rachel Cunniffe
Inner City Undergraduate Romance Fresh faced, over eager, Away from home they met at 18. ( EVERY TRAIN BEGINS SOMEWHERE AND KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE GOING) The meetings and greetings On platforms were all part of the fun. Him gazing up at ARRIVALS Her creeping up behind him. It didn’t matter they’d travelled From opposite directions. They were in love at Manchester Piccadilly. They celebrated their second anniversary On Birmingham New Street – Agreed it made a change From the too reliable Cup of morning tea in bed. She had secret longings for a weekend away … Continue reading Cunniffe R – Rachel Cunniffe
Kopuri S – Dr. Sreekanth Kopuri
The Last Birthday pain balloons burns, like a candle flame his lips flicker and trickle a prayer down the eyes silent last birthday rose needling like a thorn in his sagged balloon-like flesh caked with a culture in his temple a geriatric ward, off like in isolation in senility a mobile of unanswered calls sad smile in the sun’s face fading away like evening light a last wish A Lie woven with the void of years in the African sands, borrowed from the life’s incomplete pages sits in secure flat … Continue reading Kopuri S – Dr. Sreekanth Kopuri
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