by Tom Savage

I am a hermit,
though I never thought of myself that way.
Listening to Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber,
sung by Leontine Price, last night
may have helped me realize this,
though I didn’t much care
about the cat pictured therein.
I guess I am an involuntary hermit
though I would rather be accompanied
by another human being, preferably a man,
but at the age of 73 I do not expect it to happen.
When I tell my friends this, they insist
that I may yet find a companion.
But I doubt it.

by Harris Schiff

I don’t know
why divineness
puts you here
any more than I
know why it puts
me here
but I do know
I am going to kill you
and send you on your
Way
That’s how much
I fear you

by Harris Schiff

Stripping away everything
all the familiar
neighborhood
language
culture

idioms     slang

byways

routines
friends
family
places
vegetation
chemical mix of
atmosphere
taste of the water
the unnoticed things
missed
nonetheless

What’s left ?
your joy ?
accomplishment ?
pain ?
loss ?

hunger ?
fear ?
courage ?
spirit ?

by Ron Kolm

In 1992 Jerry Brown,
The liberal ex-governor of California,
Ran against Bill Clinton
In the race to become
The Democratic party’s nominee
For President of the United States.
He entered the New York primary
And came to New York City to campaign.
While he was here he shopped
In Coliseum Bookstore on 57^th Street}
Surrounded by a phalanx
Of Secret Service agents.
When he approached the cash register
With a pile of books
I leaned over from my post
At the bag check counter
To see what he was buying.
At the top of the stack was a copy
Of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf  !
I was shocked.  I wondered
If he actually thought Hitler’s book
Might contain some secrets
That would help him win the election.