Even when Death inhabits a poem, he does not own it. He is a squatter. In fact, Death owns nothing. – Todd Moore
Baba Yega Says All of you ‘longside the Bosporus, you should learn my proper name. Forget what your old Nana told you. I am not a woman. Slovaks, Russkis and Serbs, you Czechs and Bosnians, you Turks you’re mistaken about Continue reading Baba Yega Says by Rayfield A. Waller
The Black Dog For Kassema It is said that it means many things, this hungry, wild black dog does. It’s said that he is the black dog of fear bristling, rabid, cruel this canine yet you ride him you make Continue reading The Black Dog by Rayfield A. Waller
Oedipus, Rex 1. I’m king wherever I am—king even of this broad-chested sea. I hear my mother behind me take each proud breath, As I retreat from creeping tides. Not a hope remains. She Whispers my triumphs. Yes, nothing left Continue reading Oedipus, Rex by Rayfield A. Waller
Ophelia I. I’m too much with family now and not with child. The man I knew is dead, he’s gone ahead of me Into madness, slain by now on England’s soil; he’s left me a mingy father who ate my Continue reading Ophelia by Rayfield A. Waller
Dragons’ Dread For Shirley Roberson It ducks a smoking muzzle, rears it then when it has spoke. “I am terror past measure, unnerving death; I’ll fear no lass,” It brags to a synod of beasts, for they and he have Continue reading Dragons’ Dread by Rayfield A. Waller
Speak, Michael Corleone, In Hell 1. From this hideous place into your living world, fearing no further dishonor, I will answer you. 2. In red fury I slew what I hated. I called down a weapon of righteousness like a Continue reading Speak, Michael Corleone, In Hell by Rayfield A. Waller
Van Gogh’s Dreams (Psychiatric hospital Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, Remy) “On occasions he has attempted to poison himself, by swallowing colours used for painting, or by ingesting paraffin, which he had taken from the boy while he was filling his lamps.” –Théophile Peyron, Continue reading Van Gogh’s Dreams by Rayfield A. Waller
For the Oort Cloud Won’t Know Your Name “Like a modern Copernicus, Jan Oort showed that our position in nature’s grand scheme was not so special.” –– Seth Shostak, astronomer O, you’ll orbit her with kisses, alright. Orbital love being so grand Continue reading For the Oort Cloud Won’t Know Your Name by Rayfield A. Waller
Sayings of De’Mancho 1. Mira, Ingles is easy to learn! You just got to remember, Ingles no es un idioma– not a real language. It is an attitude. You can make it up even, because–you will see–because you make words Continue reading Sayings of De’Mancho by Rayfield A. Waller
Fisticuffs’ Pledge (sing loudly and resolutely in public) I, applicant to fisticuffs pledge that I’ll lay down my grudges, give up all pugilist projects, and send my animus packing. I will study ire no more, I will give up on Continue reading Fisticuffs’ Pledge by Rayfield A. Waller