The president of my country Read More >

I Remember 1963—1973 (after Joe Brainard)

I remember red roses next to Mildred’s backyard and front porch.
The smell of bleach inside of school halls.
white socks meant you were queer. Read More >

Sur/face

Light metal narcissus
devours his brother reflexion
the spark, invisible fire
the sacred incantation
the magical language
the desire revealed

Read More >

A Short Essay on Protest

In fourth grade, I refused to go to school until the principal met with me about the teacher who I said was cruel. In his office, Dr. Swan agreed, the teacher was a bully but also old. I should take pity on her outdated ways. As he handed me a mint lollipop, I watched his turtles circling each other in the terrarium. Read More >

droppin’ 

droppin’, am I 

droppin’ keys my

droppin’ soap the 

droppin’ always deuce well-formed always an

droppin’ seat my remember 

droppin’ meal last Kafka’s Read More >

Cave Read More >

blind man’s conundrum

my mother and brothers, my neighbors and friends i found blind
to goodness. all preferred bounty. so like a mirror
i shut my eyes to wickedness and begged the kind
to feed and clothe me. Read More >

Pamela Sneed asks, who will pray for us now America?

For Sandra Bland

I had just begun to relax
celebrate the marriage equality ruling Read More >

Begins with a sunset on the Pont Marie next to our pied-à-terre in the Île Saint-Louis, one of two natural islands in Paris.

The next evening we invited some folks over for a small fête to kick of the week of events planned for the Henry Miller Memorial Library’s Aller Retour Paris literary festival. Naturally this involved much wine, bread and cheese. The calm before the storm:

Pont Marie Gang at Sunset (not featured, our photographer and pal: Debi Lorenc)

I wanted to only eat bread, cheese and butter the whole time in Paris, but after two days, I had to add some roughage. That’s all I’m saying. I made everyone go out to the bridge at sunset where we drank German sekt (sorry France) and ate petite madeleine from Combray and talked about Proust, yes, I am serious. Reading the new translation of Swann’s Way right now. Read More >