A poem a day by a different poet for National Poetry (Writing) Month, a tradition inspired by poet Maureen Thorson.
Ramon Loyola Histories We were twelve, naïve, and the summers were long, when birds seemed to hum in rhythm with the silent passing clouds. You touched me there, where the skin smelled of the sun, and told me of a fate only we could have foreseen. We were nineteen, queer, and the rain fell for … [Read more…]
Steven Cordova What Shall Poor Cordova Do? Tragedy? Love, like poor Cordelia, and be silent? Be, like mad Hamlet, not to be? Get his ass to a nunnery, now? (The quality of his meds is not strained, you know. It droppeth as gentle rain from Gilead on the gays beneath. Oh, If you prick him, … [Read more…]
Scott-Patrick Mitchell post-innocence when we were young we used to play kiss chasey running around playgrounds through tunnels, across monkey bars wiping boy germs / girl germs from our lips, with a laugh now there is sex fluid rubber & penetration two selves trying to conquer every fantasy they ever had now there is sex … [Read more…]
Mel Waldman Metamorphosis ACT I BLACK METAMORPHOSIS TERROR & THANATOS Harlem requiem 125th ’tween Lex & Park the Lee Building Beth Israel MMTP Harlem trauma primordial fear in daylight the sprawling sun & after dark 1981 the seething sin of mystery the bestial year of the broken cocoon & black metamorphosis & soon a … [Read more…]
Steven Cordova Song for the 70s Bring back the disco nap, the ol’ night cap, all the love & sap. Bring back the disco nap, a droll chap on my lap, some molly to put us on the map. Bring back the disco nap, a cold keg of beer on tap, all the dish & … [Read more…]
Sandy Livingston Ode to James I threw that knife away; it seemed to threaten me I know it was inanimate but it brought back memories It happens to be the twin of the one I took to Jim To peel and slice his fruit, it makes me think of him You see he lost the … [Read more…]
Michael Broder #hivtest #hivtreat #hivprevent #nohivshame #nohivstigma For over 25 years now I’ve been living with HIV. I was being evaluated for severe dermatitis when I took the test that came back positive. Nothing you could do to treat HIV infection back then. We had drugs to prevent opportunistic infections, but there was no pill … [Read more…]
Davidson Garrett An Opera Within An Opera: 1986 Richard & I planned for a year to attend Joan Sutherland’s 25th Anniversary Gala at The Metropolitan Opera. I snagged a couple of hot tickets & like flighty opera queens we were giddy as children about hearing our great Diva dazzle with vocal fireworks in Vincenzo Bellini’s … [Read more…]
Dennis Rhodes Atonement —for Cary When you called me in the middle of the night I should have said yes instead of no. I had an important meeting the next day. I heard the background noise in the bar— figured you’d find someone, get it off. It’s the most selfish thing I ever did turning … [Read more…]
Ramon Loyola Prepping tongue licks itself softly on contours of arm neck elbow hands fingers leaving perfumed trail of petrichor it’s only skin to sample but he wants to taste flesh with moist flesh I’m PrEP-ing he murmurs lips parted saliva streaking with lust and urgency I moan capitulation groan desire to rival fantasy but … [Read more…]