Author: Ian Trimnell

Speech to the young Speech to the Progress-towards by Gwendolyn Brooks Say to them, say to the down-keepers, the sun-slappers, the self-soilers, the harmony-hushers, “Even if you are not ready for day it cannot always be night.” You will be right. For that is the hard home-run. Live not for battles won. Live not for the-end-of-the-song....

A piece of the storm by Mark Strand For Sharon Horvath From the shadow of domes in the city of domes, A snowflake, a blizzard of one, weightless, entered your room And made its way to the arm of the chair where you, looking up From your book, saw it the moment it landed. That’s all...

Salutation by Ezra Pound O generation of the thoroughly smug and thoroughly uncomfortable, I have seen fishermen picnicking in the sun, I have seen them with untidy families, I have seen their smiles full of teeth and heard ungainly laughter. And I am happier than you are, And they were happier than I am; And the...

Attention by Saadi Youssef Those who come by me passing I will remember them, and those who come heavy and overbearing I will forget. This is why when air gushes between mountains we describe the wind and forget the rocks. Good evening and welcome to Evening Prayer The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and...

Music I heard by Conrad Aiken Music I heard with you was more than music, And bread I broke with you was more than bread. Now that I am without you, all is desolate, All that was once so beautiful is dead. Your hands once touched this table and this silver, And I have seen your...

Late Ripeness by Czeslaw Milosz Not soon, as late as the approach of my ninetieth year, I felt a door opening in me and I entered the clarity of early morning. One after another my former lives were departing, like ships, together with their sorrow. And the countries, cities, gardens, the bays of seas assigned to...

In The Dark Of The Night (Poem About Hope, Hope, Hope) By Aufie Zophy It is dark, no moon, no light Just darkness, a starless sky The wind blows, the waves break A single firefly passes by Soon the firefly is gone Leaving me in the darkest of nights The tiny fly made me anticipate A...

Little Purple Flower By Aufie Zophy I am a little purple flower My petals so extremely small I ‘ve stood in the grass for many an hour Enjoying a breeze most of all But, oh, what happened to my peers! Just yesterday, it moved me to tears While the children of John were playing their game...

Christianity Introspective by Colin Ian Jeffery God gave His cherished son, the Lord Jesus Christ Sacred spirit, who suffered for Mankind’s salvation As sacrificial lamb dying to save the faithful From the temptations and bribes of the Devil. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss to the High priest’s guards Was rewarded with thirty pieces of silver...

TO THE READER by Denise Levertov As you read, a white bear leisurely pees, dyeing the snow saffron, and as you read, many gods lie among lianas: eyes of obsidian are watching the generations of leaves, and as you read the sea is turning its dark pages, turning its dark pages. Good morning and welcome to...

CANARY by Rita Dove for Michael S. Harper Billie Holiday’s burned voice had as many shadows as lights, a mournful candelabra against a sleek piano, the gardenia her signature under that ruined face. (Now you’re cooking, drummer to bass, magic spoon, magic needle. Take all day if you have to with your mirror and your bracelet...

FIRST FIG by Edna St. Vincent Millay My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends⎯ It gives a lovely light! Good evening and welcome to Evening Prayer That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind....

NIHILISTIC PASSWORD SECURITY QUESTIONS by Soheil Rezayazdi What is the name of your least favorite child? In what year did you abandon your dreams? What is the maiden name of your father’s mistress? At what age did your childhood pet run away? What was the name of your favorite unpaid internship? In what city did you...

HOPE By Joseph Addison Our lives, discoloured with our present woes, May still grow white and shine with happier hours. So the pure limped stream, when foul with stains Of rushing torrents and descending rains, Works itself clear, and as it runs refines, till by degrees the floating mirror shines; Reflects each flower that on the...