poetry-magazineFlipping the BirdBy Ann-Margaret LimHolding his stare in mine, I flip the birdat a grown manon a stool in front of the street baron the … Related Audio Social CommentariesGender & SexualityRace & EthnicityLivingComing of Age
poetry-magazineThe Closet WeeperBy Mitchell GlazierStiletto melon collies, a tinsel mystic streaks our homeplace.Lantern flies triple from the sleeping… Related Audio Social CommentariesGender & SexualityReligionLivingComing of AgeYouth
poetry-magazineWork EthicBy Heidi WilliamsonYou’re fifteen and nowhere in a town on the edge of pitiful lands stripped of fruit. The burger van’… Related Audio ReligionFaith & DoubtLivingComing of AgeLife ChoicesYouthActivitiesJobs & WorkingMelancholy & Despair + 2 more
poetry-magazinePhysical EducationBy Joshua BennettFor the sake of argument, let’s saythe day my father outlawed all contactbetween backhand and face, … Related Audio LivingComing of AgeYouthThe BodyRelationshipsFamily & AncestorsHome LifeAnger
poetry-magazineMango HeadBy Shara McCallumWhy yu always ask stupid question, ee?The man call mango head because him headshape like mango. What… Related Audio Social CommentariesLivingComing of AgeTypes/ModesEkphrasis
Six Reasons I Can't Answer the Door for Him at 3 in the MorningBy Sarah Carson The last man here wanted what could not be taken: My girl, he'd say, my baby. The narrow of his eyes…Social CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingComing of AgeThe BodyAngerAnxiety & InsecurityBlame
Don't TouchBy Sarah CarsonThe first gun we knew came in a toolbox for the apocalypse: hammer, barrel, crushed can, pack of Newports…Social CommentariesLivingComing of AgeYouthRelationshipsHome Life
Little Red-Cap By Carol Ann DuffyAt childhood’s end, the houses petered outinto playing fields, the factory, allotmentskept, like mistresses…LivingComing of AgeArts & SciencesPoetry & PoetsMythology & FolkloreFairy-tales & Legends
poetry-magazineLana Del Rey on Country RoadsBy Tamsin MooreLong, empty roads stretching as long as the gas tank is willing— Sixty-seven dollars left from last …Social CommentariesTown & Country LifeLivingComing of AgeYouth
poetry-magazineClosets Are Made of Midwestern ThunderstormsBy Max FischerTaking off my clothes feels like peeling off parts of myself as if I’m a butterfly with its wings sheared… Related Audio LivingComing of AgeThe Body
poetry-magazineWanderlustBy Miguel A. Vega If, even now, I am excited about it: every cow & horse, every canoe on the surface of Pyramid Lake—… Related Audio LivingComing of AgeLife ChoicesRelationshipsFamily & Ancestors
Beauty Secrets, Revealed by the Queen in Snow WhiteBy Natasha SajéDo for your neck what you do for your face.Face your neck whatever the case. Pace yourselffor 35-55,…Social CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingComing of AgeRelationshipsFriends & EnemiesMythology & FolkloreFairy-tales & Legends
The Hero EmergesBy Lev RubinsteinTranslated By Tatiana Tulchinsky & Philip Metres1Well, what on earth is there to say? 2He knows something, but won’t tell. 3Who knows, maybe you’re …LivingComing of AgeThe MindDoubt & ContemplationActivitiesSchool & LearningArts & SciencesPhilosophy
The World Grows Blackthorn WallsBy Sholeh WolpéTall, stiff and spiny.Try to make it to the other sideand risk savage thorns.We who left home in our…Social CommentariesWar & ConflictLivingComing of AgeSorrow & GrievingYouth
The SeedlingBy Paul Laurence DunbarAs a quiet little seedling Lay within its darksome bed,To itself it fell a-talking, And this is what…NatureTrees & FlowersLivingComing of AgeOptimism
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. The snake’s head is held safely, securely, as if my brother is showing him something in the distant high grass. I...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 party and the seed on the ground the afterparty.) I am getting so good at watching that...LoveHeartache & LossRomantic LoveNatureAnimalsLivingComing of AgeMidlifeThe MindMemory & NostalgiaTime & BrevityRelationshipsMen & WomenMetersFree VerseTechniquesConfessionalImageryMetaphorSimileTypes/ModesProse PoemJoy & Contentment + 16 more
["As the sweet-apple"]By SapphoTranslated By Dan Beachy-QuickAs the sweet-apple reddens on the high branch,high on the highest branch, that the apple-pickers forgot…LoveDesire & PassionSocial CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingComing of Age
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
The Book of Frank [“Frank’s sister grew long blue feathers”]By CAConradFrank’s sister grew long blue feathersshe said it was worse than cutting teethshe spent a month screaming in the cavepushing them outFrank would lie in bed at nighttouching his own backcryingpraying it wouldn’tcome to himbut the day his sister flew...LivingComing of AgeLife ChoicesYouthThe BodyTime & BrevityRelationshipsFamily & Ancestors