And so… by Christopher Cadra

Write the whole thing off as a big mistake.
Someone was too drunk to talk but sober
enough to pick songs. And so, Tom Petty
was the loudest person in the whole bar.
And he sang, “Don’t come around here no more.”
In the bathroom, the music, faint echoes…
In the bathroom, the kid was sick, which was
no big surprise. He was only 20,
and he hadn’t yet learned to drink proper.
And she was out there, somewhere. Though he knew
he’d probably never see her again.

Christopher Cadra is a writer and poet. He's been published in the Cimarron Review, Danse Macabre, and elsewhere. He's published criticism in Basalt and a journal he edited, The Literati Quarterly. He's currently a senior editor at Gleam, which focuses on a new form of poetry he helped create with collaborators. His first chapbook, Golden Halo, was released in 2020.

99 Degrees by Puma Perl

It’s 99 degrees, 99 degrees
Street heat, Avenue B beat
99 Degrees
 
Nino’s in the doorway
Nowhere else to go
Hopes somebody passes by
No dope, no hope, it’s late July
 
And it’s 99 degrees
Nino whispers out loud
Streets are hot
feed off dead souls
who walk here
He says it loud
 
Nino’s in the doorway
Making up a poem
Don’t matter for the moment
That there’s nowhere to call home
 
It’s 99 degrees
Hot on the street
Arms are melting
In the searing red heat
 
Nino stands up
Talking to the air
It’s 99 degrees
Bloody tracks glare
Dope fiends wear white
Dealers out of sight
They all went swimming
In a foreign land
Ocean’s brick horizons
Coney Island sand
 
It’s 99 degrees
Please god he cried
Reciting on the cop line
Or dopesick on the step
At the bodega buying beer
Nino’s poem was all they’d hear
 
It’s 99 degrees
It’s 99 degrees
Tracks glare
on burnt skin
The drug dealers went swimming
Beaches lie in foreign lands
Please God
It’s 99 degrees

Photo credit goes to Dina Regine.

Puma Perl is a widely published poet and writer, as well as a performer and producer. She is the author of two chapbooks, Ruby True and Belinda and Her Friends, and three full-length poetry collections, knuckle tattoos, Retrograde (great weather for MEDIA), and Birthdays Before and After (Beyond Baroque.) She is the creator, curator, and producer of Puma’s Pandemonium, which launched at the Bowery Electric in 2012 and brings spoken word together with rock and roll. As Puma Perl and Friends, she performs regularly with a group of excellent musicians. She’s received two honorable mentions and one first place award from the New York Press Association in recognition of her journalism and was the recipient of the 2016 Acker Award in the category of writing; she lives and works on the Lower East Side.

 

nobody home by Ben Newell

 The guy across the landing
solicits the services of prostitutes,
solicits them on a regular basis.
 
I hear heels ascending the stairwell,
my cue to rise from this 2nd hand sofa
and peer through the peephole. 
 
Tonight’s provider knocks
and knocks and knocks to no avail.
 
Perhaps there was some sort of mix up,
some sort of miscommunication,
perhaps my neighbor isn’t even home—
 
I’m tempted to open the door
and make her an offer. 
 
Unfortunately
I don’t have any cash on hand
and I’m too drunk to drive to the ATM.
 
Let alone
get it up. 

Ben Newell dropped out of the Bennington Writing Seminars during his first semester, eventually resuming his studies at Spalding University where he earned an MFA.  His first full-length collection of poetry, Fuzzball, was recently published by Epic Rites Press. 

https://www.amazon.com/Fuzzball-Ben-Newell/dp/1926860667/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=fuzzball&qid=1563733227&s=books&sr=1-2

 

 

 

Art by Claudio Parentela

 

Claudio Parentela is an illustrator,painter,photographer,mail artist,digital artist,cartoonist,collagist,journalist free lance...Active since many years in the international underground scene.

During the 1999 he was guest of the BREAK 21 FESTIVAL in Ljubliana(Slovenja)...

...His obscure&crazy artworks are present &shown in many,many art galleries in the endless web&in the real world too...

CLAUDIO PARENTELA

VIA F.CRISPI N.79

88100 CATANZARO-ITALY

Tel.Num&FAX.:+39 0961744087-Cell:3713423289

E-Mail: claudioparentela@alice.it -- claudioparentela@gmail.com

My Web Sites:https://ilrattobavoso.altervista.org/--https://ibelieveinblackaliens.altervista.org/--https://claudioparentela.wixsite.com/mysite--https://claudioparentela.wixsite.com/mysite--http://parentelaclaudio.altervista.org/- -http://www.myspace.com/claudioparentela --https://twitter.com/cparentela --https://www.instagram.com/claudioparentela62/--https://www.instagram.com/claudioparentela2/--http://claudioparentela.tumblr.com/-- https://www.facebook.com/claudio.parentela.1--http://www.flickr.com/people/49533264@N05/--https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudioparentela/--https://www.talenthouse.com/claudioparentela

My Art Bogs: http://theextrafinger.blogspot.com -- http://foggygrizzly.blogspot.com- - http://cparentela.livejournal.com/ --  http://elvisinh.blogspot.com/ -- http://thethermostatandthegreendragoon.blogspot.com/ -- http://diabeticdew555.blogspot.com -- http://cosmiccrystalsdirtypigs.blogspot.com/ --  http://coward33sneeze15.blogspot.com/--http://variationsinnortherndegradations.blogspot.com/

Is by Lauren Scharhag

For I.M.

I know we were never close, 
and yet,
I knew you 
when you truly were 
that twinkle 
in your mother's eye.
When she and I used to
play dolls together,
I caught a glimpse 
of how she would one day 
cradle you, 
nurture you, 
cherish you.
I knew you 
when you were still 
blooming inside her, 
a clenched bud, 
like the hibiscus that grew 
in the yard
of our great-grandfather,
(your great-great-grandfather).
All we girls could be
those blossoms, 
skirts of lavender
and a sunny, 
bloody center,
occupying the same branch. 
I saw her fight 
a custody battle for you
across years and a thousand miles.
I watched her take a second job 
to pay the lawyer, 
waiting tables in a seedy strip joint
45 minutes out of the way, 
so tired she was afraid 
she’d fall asleep at the wheel 
on her way back to you.
Then I got to watch you grow up,
sporadically, 
a toddler here, 
in pigtails and pink dresses,
a tween there, 
worrying over boys and acne,
a teen, 
getting your driver’s license. 
I couldn't believe it 
when she told me 
that it was your turn 
to be a mother,
much less that you’d gone. 
How will we ever 
become accustomed 
to this past tense? 
How will we bear 
your mother’s eyes—
the spark that’s left them,
but never her heart.
(Or ours.)

We hold your child now,
a tiny fire
that we will tend,
and warm ourselves by.

Lauren Scharhag is the author of fourteen books, including Requiem for a Robot Dog (Cajun Mutt Press) and Languages, First and Last (Cyberwit Press). Her work has appeared in over 150 literary venues around the world. Recent honors include the Seamus Burns Creative Writing Prize, three Best of the Net nominations, and acceptance into the 2021 Antarctic Poetry Exhibition. She lives in Kansas City, MO. To learn more about her work, visit: www.laurenscharhag.blogspot.com

Repurposed by Ivan Jenson

I am wearing her ex's
bathrobe and slippers
'cause I got caught
in a sudden downpour
meanwhile my Levi identity
and my Fruit of the Loom
elastic dreams
and V-Neck what the heck
sock-it-to-me
way of getting by
is tumbling in the dryer
as I sip hot cocoa
by a fire
and I would do it all again
because nothing can keep me away
me from this divorcee
certainly not
a little rain

Ivan Jenson is a fine artist, novelist and popular contemporary poet who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His artwork was featured in Art in America, Art News, and Interview Magazine and has sold at auction at Christie’s. Ivan was commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a painting titled Absolut Jenson for the brand’s national ad campaign. His Absolut paintings are in the collection of the Spiritmusuem, the museum of spirits in Stockholm, Sweden.  

Jenson's painting of the “Marlboro Man” was collected by the Philip Morris corporation. Ivan was commissioned to paint the final portrait of the late Malcolm Forbes.  Ivan has written two novels, Dead Artist and Seeing Soriah, both of which illustrate the creative and often dramatic lives of artists. Jenson's poetry is widely published (with over 600 poems published in the US, UK and Europe) in a variety of literary media. A book of Ivan Jenson's poetry was recently published by Hen House Press titled Media Child and Other Poems, which can be acquired on Amazon. Two novels by Ivan Jenson entitled, Marketing Mia and Erotic Rights have been published hardcover. Ivan Jenson’s novel, Gypsies of New Rochellei is now available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.  

Ivan Jenson’s new romantic thriller novel The Murderess will be published in the summer of 2021 by Dark Edge Press, UK. Ivan Jenson's website is: www.IvanJenson.com

A Face on the Metro by Gregory Luce

Black hair, dark eyes,
lips pursed delicately
around the straw
through which you draw
your frozen coffee:
If I could cup your face
in my hands you might
touch my cheek with a fingertip
and brush a few hairs off my forehead,
and that one moment could be
framed and held, brought out
and regarded, contemplated
on a long, dark winter afternoon.

Gregory Luce, author of Signs of Small Grace, Drinking Weather, Memory and Desire, Tile, and Riffs & Improvisations (forthcoming), has published widely in print and online. He is the 2014 Larry Neal Award winner for adult poetry, given by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. He writes a monthly column on the arts for Scene4 magazine. He is retired from National Geographic, works as a volunteer writing tutor/mentor for 826DC, and lives in Arlington, VA.

It Felt Good When I Felt Nothing At All by John Patrick Robbins

Sometimes people will question my poor choices never once thinking what I may have been under the influence of at the time.

From some ladies of low standards and debatable looks.
To writes that make others question my sanity.

Maybe it was the pills or booze or even a few things I no longer recall.

It sounded like a good idea at the time.

And felt awesome when I was feeling nothing at all.

From big girls to temporary single chicks of the evening.
Orgies and coke binges, to a failed marriage.

That lasted about as long as a hurricane and did far more damage to my mental facilities. 

It was a temporary fix to my long term condition.
And if you have ever shared a drink or bed with me you truly have my condolences.

But life is short and there's no refunds sweetheart.
So don't let that door knob hit you where the good lord split you.

If I could recall most my antics I would still most likely hold no regrets.

But I would ask that prick who gave me a tattoo, what the fuck this Japanese lettering means.

Sayonara my darlings.

John Patrick Robbins, is the author of the Still Night Sessions published by Whiskey City Press. 

His work has appeared in Fearless Poetry Zine, San Antonio Review,  Punk Noir Magazine, Piker Press , The Dope Fiend Daily, San Pedro River Review, Heroin Love Songs , 1870 Magazine. 

His work is always unfiltered. 

If you would like to check out The Still Night Sessions Here the link Below: 

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/john-patrick-robbins/the-still-night-sessions/paperback/product-g96w2m.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Northern California by Matt Amott

We used to walk 
along the rails
in Colfax
and sleep  
by the train tunnel
in Alta.
We rode
the Zephyr
up to Truckee
and I took 
your picture once
in the old Sacramento 
rail yard.  

                      
But tonight
while lying in bed,
I still think of you
when I hear 
the train
in the distance.
I was hoping
that now,
I lived 
too far
away.

Matt Amott is a poet, musician and photographer who rambles around the Pacific Northwest. He is co-founder and co-editor of Six Ft. Swells Press and has been published in numerous collections as well as three books of his own, THE COAST IS CLEAR (Six Ft. Swells Press), GET WELL SOON and THE MEMORY OF HER (both by Epic Rites Press).  He can be reached at sixftswells@yahoo.com and purchases can be made at Amazon and www.sixftswellspress.com

Why I Flunked Out Of AA. by Frank Murphy

The speaker asked.

"Does anyone have anything they like to share with the group?"

"I love strippers, whiskey  and cocaine."

I was asked never to return to that meeting again.

Sure they booted me out, but secretly I knew.
They all wanted me.

Grazie.

Frank.

Frank Murphy, is a writer and editor who lives in Kill Devil Hills N.C. 

His work has been published in most places you probably pretend to read aside from when your published there. 

He is always working on his sobriety and has managed to avoid being sober for most of his life.

He also is busy with his never ending novel.

He would post a link but duh!

It's never ending.

Cocktail hour toodles.

Frank.

Inside the Crackhouse by Kevin M. Hibshman

1) When did you first realize you have better jugs than Dolly Parton and how has that revelation changed your life?

I decided I wasn't getting enough exercise so I went jogging early one morning. My breasts began slapping me in the face. I had to end my run as it got very painful. My life didn't really change much except I began eating a lot of free meals with total strangers.

2 )If you were to write a decent question here what would you ask me to ask you? Let me know so I can get naked and play Marco Polo with a bus and a 2x4.

Has being overly analytical aided  your writing ability?

3) What is it like to work in the studio and more importantly how many socks do you go through? Could you describe how sweaty they are or what is it  like as rocket fuel?

My kitchen is my studio. Excuse me, I'm baking brownies and have to check the oven. I go through socks like some people go through toilet paper. I don't sweat as much as I used to but could probably power a few small drones.

4) If you told me to hop on one foot and sing Like a Virgin would I do it?

Yes. We'd have a few drinks first.

5) How is the weather in FunkyTown and how would you describe it to someone who has no friends and is not legally allowed to leave their house?

Funky Town is climate controlled and located in a mall that once had a rather large skating rink. You can approximate the experience by simply stringing up some Christmas lights in your living room. 

6) Would you rather Ear fuck Godzila or wear fresh onion rings on your nipples in a layer of starving vegans?

I'd go with the onion rings, making sure to eat some before the starving vegans scoffed them all.

7) Are you trying to steal my vital essence through putting fluoride in my water as part of a large-scale communist plot?

Yes. Your essence is contaminated enough to benefit a large number of depressed virgins.

8) How many times have you been arrested for driving while sexy and how did it make you feel? I’m a friend you can trust me and tell me all of the illegal things you’ve done.

I've never been arrested though I have tried. Wonder what I'm doing wrong?

9) Would you recommend warm milk and cookies or chloroform for putting Timmy to bed? Or in general what’s like the best semi-legal way to make someone unconscious?

I'd try the milk and cookies first then chloroform the kid if necessary. The best way to make someone unconscious? Make them listen to an hour's worth of Justin Bieber, not that I own any of his music.

10) Have you ever peed in a swimming pool? If so after drinking this urine water what kind of super powers would they give someone?

Yes, I admit, I peed in several pools as a youngster. They were all pools that had been previously peed in. The urine-water gives you the ability to go through airport customs undetected.

11) How do you believe human children are actually made? Personally I believe they are made by IKEA in baby manufacturing plants sponsored by Ryan Quinn Flanagan.

Ryan does have the sweetest little baby face, doesn't he?

12) So how would you rate yourself in a job you’ve never had? Also please tell us what makes you a damn great employee with a beautiful ass in this fictitious career? 

I'd be an excellent fortune teller. I can see right through most people. My ass would be nice and toned up from when I used to jog before my breasts grew too large.