Category: Poetry
+ Hawaii, Nature, North America, Poetry
Where, Then, is Paradise?
by Josie
For the ones who whistle while uprooting pineapplesor clambering over basalt sculptures up Mauna Kea; for the ones who tuck belly flesh into red shorts and walk the ocean on yellow planks; for the ones who slide on earthen pine needlescascading loose rocks down Mount Olympus; I see the wallowing faces in the canal reflection. Where, then, is paradise? Between the lines of gritted sweat … Read More Where, Then, is Paradise?
From the Lanai
by Josie
The cloaked mountains make my breath smile easing up against my eyebrows like a wiggly exclamation mark caught up in chimney smoke destined for the highlands. I forget to breathe. The moon wears her silk gown this afternoon trailing the sky like jet stream; women whisper after her wherever she goes. Men trace the edgesand those in between wear for themselves the splendor. Spectacular, truly, the vines caught swift amongstthe bird … Read More From the Lanai
Las Vegas Bacon
by Josie
Coming to terms with nothing. The porticosmoldering in cinnamon flames, gusting lightly across a skylit backdrop. A low whine hits the atmosphere and tumbles over itself
Sunflower Sutra
by Josie
Bonding like rose glue, like snagging a glass of water before it leaps to its death the still small rise of the holding hands movement. One smileis a thousand muscles; one living being the seed from a thousand trees. We were domesticated late. Some say not at all. But I think they are wrong — I see a dependency too great for the swift ocean floss that curls around bare … Read More Sunflower Sutra
Pathfinder
by Josie
A crowded smile in the middle of the street. Waiting for someone to come pat me on the neck and get that blood flowing. Faucets of lifedrenching the crosswalk and not a soul crossing—Lost and found on a Sunday morning. What a time to remember being born, to taste the earthinessof wilting sunshine between low coastal fog. Do the leaves always scatter so, tossed like halloween candy from an … Read More Pathfinder
Hands Together
by Josie
I want to hold all things at oncecaught snug between forefinger and thumb.To never let a tear slink itself down the chalky contours of an empty face. The wave ———— rears up in angst to crashdelayed ————— upon the whole heart of the surfer who waits ———– trusting no one around her. Havethe lessons ———- been written yet that need to be learned.Oh, little mouse. You’ve taught … Read More Hands Together
+ Artwork, Bold, Nature, North America, Poetry
Thus Should Have Ended Our Travels
by Josie
dust bidden and stronger for itwith arm muscles wide enough to carry the coastal world upon untired shoulders, an indefatigable grin lightly on the brow. Yet be it that a swooping wasteland came to knock the rubber right off her rampaging, unlimited upon the full scope of the soul. Broken. Sorely borrowed.To become cowards in moments like theseis the real pity. To raise the chin once more and begin again … Read More Thus Should Have Ended Our Travels
Tall Orders
by Josie
A horse and her rider lay prone on a glassy hill. Trace a finger down the slope and we come to TheBase—which in this case we may simply call The Problem. The horse keeps her head down but the rider sits up, placing two shiny palms againstthe slipperiness of the hill. She sees something like the aftermath of a supernova, the early immigrationsof the English folk and realizes—deeply—where … Read More Tall Orders
Raw Materials
by Josie
Every tree in the orchard dangles ripely, unjustly dripping luscious fruit the size of four hands. The imposter sits, supremely still, in the midst of it all and gazes upon the garden scene. The kale is full to overflowing; the carrots are digging a well for themselves; the rabbits have compounded labor for a new wire fence and the imposter gazes down at her hands. These hands? Only two hands. What’s the … Read More Raw Materials
the Hydrogen Jukebox 