Faces of December
The city has not opened the warming center Leaving the blankets to be crumpled onto the sidewalk Where ground meets wall. Across the street A four level parking structure cradles … Continue Reading Faces of December
Crash
We were one that night- bumper to bumper, metal against metal dented, crumpled. my side tangled with yours. I heard you shout over blaring sirens: Are you okay? Just shaken. … Continue Reading Crash
Still We Stand
San Antonio, Texas Still we stand. Not so you. Not on a stone pedestal. Not visible from Martin Street. Not overlooking land you never reached. In a basement you now … Continue Reading Still We Stand
Evening Walks in Boston
When I brought my dog home to Boston, she was only eight weeks old, so small that someone mistook her for a bunny and asked why I had her on … Continue Reading Evening Walks in Boston
History Poem
Paul Ilechko is a British American poet and occasional songwriter who lives with his partner in Lambertville, NJ. His work has appeared in many journals, including The Bennington Review, The … Continue Reading History Poem
Local News
And in today’s ridiculous news, a snow tree has sprouted and grown overnight in what used to be the parking lot of the shuttered mini-mall on East Boulevard, enormous, white … Continue Reading Local News
Two Boxes
Two boxes arrived To be pondered, in discomfort To be acknowledged Two, to be opened Two urns sit side by side They’d sat in that room before On other occasions … Continue Reading Two Boxes
Confession
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned; it has been 33 years since my last confession and I’ve been most prideful but it’s the good kind of pride like befriending … Continue Reading Confession
Junior Rockhound
I used to gather rocks I found by the side of the road and take them home to add to my collection. I liked to keep them inside of empty … Continue Reading Junior Rockhound
This Thanksgiving Will Be Hard
There’ll be no politics at my table. No blessing that is partisan. No discussion of the election. Instead, let’s focus on the food: the turkey and potatoes, the squash and … Continue Reading This Thanksgiving Will Be Hard
Standing Still
Paul Ilechko is a British American poet and occasional songwriter who lives with his partner in Lambertville, NJ. His work has appeared in many journals, including The Bennington Review, The … Continue Reading Standing Still
Smoking Dope in the Raven’s Cave
The beautiful & damned come into the raven’s hold, not looking for the remains of Poe with relics of supernatural sanctuary. Starlight waits still in spider-webbed cracks for a bygone … Continue Reading Smoking Dope in the Raven’s Cave
Cleopatra at Mersa Matruh
So many shades of blue existing together in a sea of clear water rippling over a beach of fine white sand. A massive rock rose out of the sea, hollowed … Continue Reading Cleopatra at Mersa Matruh
Six Months
It’s a long drive in the heat windows down, radio off no distractions but the river and a cigarette every forty miles Six months left to get through and not … Continue Reading Six Months
War Gods need offerings
Trigger Warning: mentions of war and gore Hatred does not cease by hatred. But only by love; this is the eternal rule. Buddha In this greed For power, for money … Continue Reading War Gods need offerings
Herod’s Curse
Trigger Warning: mentions of death, violence, murder, sexual assault, gaslighting, and necrophilia The morning sun blazed on the white marble and yellow limestone of Herod’s Temple, and when its rays … Continue Reading Herod’s Curse