Tag Archives: Poem

GUEST POST // the role of woman by Victoria Campbell

selfless devotion
constantly giving
time
energy
validation
nothing in return
taken for granted
the expectation stands
any deviation,
expression of negativity,
impression of criticism
called out
normal human emotions
wants and desires
hidden from view
under a calm façade
longing for a hint of appreciation
but nothing
critiques and indifference
a woman
more complex than portrayed
a fragmented personality
serving the needs of others
a sacrifice to man
a mother
her most important role
or so they say
thousands of years of history
traditions passed down
arbitrary rules enforced
but I am much more
kindness and fragility
feeble and soft spoken
arbitrary rules enforced
but I am much more
kindness and fragility
feeble and soft spoken
the woman plays a subservient role
in the play of life
how limiting this must be
to herself but also humanity
imagine where the story could go
if our parts weren’t so one-dimensional

by TORI CAMPBELL
© All rights reserved 2020

anywhere but here

i wandered the impossible earth
locked myself in uncharted rooms
i never knew where i ought to be
lost my thoughts to the memories of old trees
somewhere surely winter must end
somewhere surely there’s a little less rain

by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2020

the oblivion amnesty

as the eviscerated fish fries in its milt
so too i self-immolate in feculent guilt
my thoughts are sharper than a castrating knife
looking to cradle song to pity my lawless life

hush, little baby, don’t say a word
you’ll die soon enough, and shame ungird
just look at yourself one last time
as you flop and gasp before your last crime

as the desiccated slug becomes shriveled and pruned
so too i rub salt into this black pudding wound
my memories are more bitter than jesuit’s bark
looking to burial song to absolve myself in the dark

cry, little baby, let everyone hear
you’ll rot soon enough, in soil and fear
just look at yourself one last time
as you drop and rasp after your last crime

by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2020

hell is paved…

they were proving
who loved whom more
first they argued, then they quarreled
and at last got into a fight

by TETIANA ALEKSINA
© All rights reserved 2020

shibuya crossing

a storm sky frowning
green man flashing on the street
passersby hide heads
as he bares what they most dread
red traffic light’s long countdown

by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2020