UNDER A REDDENING CANOPY
by Mike Lewis-Beck
A bicycle in the village seems held
by a tree’s grasping bark.
Rising above the Common, this rock
maple stands beside a parked fire truck.
Low mountains, hills really, make phantoms
in a morning mirage. The bike tandems
to the tree, a little girl’s bike pink
with candy-stripe streamers. Linked
like a tired pony to a post, its reins
as handle bars for tomorrow’s rider.
Raising up my umbrella against light rain,
I ponder her, this tomorrow’s rider.
A strolling man across the way jostles
my reverie with a handy wave, a tossed smile.
I give back the smile, stepping on down
this Main Street in absent melody.
All good, in season,
for no reason.
Bio: Mike Lewis-Beck writes and works in Iowa City. He has pieces in Alexandria Quarterly, Apalachee Review, Cortland Review, Chariton Review,Northampton Poetry Review, Pilgrimage, Iowa Review, Rootstalk, Seminary Ridge Review, Taos Journal of International Poetry and Art, Writers’ Café and Wapsipinicon Almanac, among other venues. His short story, “Delivery in Göteborg,” received a Finalist prize from Chariton Review, 2015. His essay, “My Cherry Orchard in Iowa,” received recognition as one of the ‘Notable Essays’ in Best American Essays of 2011. His poetry book manuscript, Wry Encounters, was a Finalist for the 42 Miles Press Poetry Award 2016.
Stones & Dreams
by James G. Piatt
Balmy breezes carrying my idle
thoughts swirled around the
burnished edges of eternity
peering into the heated hush of
summer.
It was near a bark-covered path
where I found lovely colorful,
stones hidden among flowers in a
meadow. I gave them to a
beautiful lady I did not know, but
recognized from one of my
dreams.
As I walked away, my mind’s
cache of old memories released
visions where nothing existed
except objects that emitted
pleasant fragrances,
I followed the aroma of the red
roses, Jasmine, and lilacs, which
permeated my senses, and
walked up a set of stairs to an
ancient clock, which had secrets
hidden inside its golden works.
next to the old clock I saw the
beautiful lady siting in a rocking
chair weaving me dreams out of
the colorful stones.
Bio: James has had several poems nominated for both Pushcart and Best of Web awards, and his poems have been published in the last four of the ‘The 100 Best Poems Anthologies.” He has won several poetry awards, and was interviewed as a featured poet in numerous magazines. He has had three poetry books: “The Silent Pond” (2012), “Ancient Rhythms” (2014), and “Light” (2016), four novels, 35 short stories and over 1100 poems published in over 205 different magazine, anthologies, and books. He earned his BS and MA from California State Polytechnic University, and his doctorate from BYU.
Photo Dreams at Thanksgiving
by Keith Moul
I hadn’t figured time rightly.
A minute gone may be a year.
Then Fall photos flitted by
on my computer, like movies
in the theater of my past;
recast my eye at red, orange
colors; ghostly shaped spells;
fresh, audacious, bold acuity:
light of photographers’ dreams.
Time, so it happens, diffuses
like rain filtering through silt;
often inconsequential forever
or until the future moment
casts its light, such as morning.
I got the mood right, but mood
blackens, must ask forgiveness.
Don’t revisit those goblins alone.
Holiday good gets much better.
Take children. Build traditions
of tricks, treats and time passing.
Bio: Keith Moul's poems and photos are published widely. Finishing Line Press released his chap, The Future as a Picnic Lunch, in November 2015. Aldrich Press has published Naked Among Possibilities in August and No Map at Hand for 2017: Finishing Line published Investment in Idolatry early in 2017.
