Poems submitted in 2026

by Tom Bradley, 2026

The History of Manhattan 

 

THE HORIZONTAL PASTURES —

 

MORPHED INTO THE VERTICAL —

 

STUFFED SKYSCRAPERS —

 

BRIMMING WITH HUMANITY —

 

by Barbara Progebin Graffe 2025, 2026

I wonder what voices sound like after my loved ones transition above.

I only hear my Maggi’s voice in my memories.

 

I wonder what voices sound like now If I don’t have my hearing aids on.

I have severe sensory hearing losses in each ear and cannot hear.

 

I wonder what it would be like to walk, skip, run and jump again.

I have pain in my back and poor balance in my body and need a walker to walk.

 

I wonder, if I close my eyes and take deep breaths will I dream of days gone by

When I could hear and do physical things.

 

I wonder if I dream of life going forward

What would it be like as I travel my life’s journey.

I wonder…

 

 

by Layla, 2026

My tears flowed like the falls of Niagara in the dusk of dawn the night your love returned.

Relieved/regret to be alive, still giving strength to our undying love.

My drug, my addiction, my life, my everything.

by Rebecca Pearce, 2026

I was born under a Pisces moon

For a long time I didn’t know

Or if I had, I don’t know if it would have mattered

And I don’t believe in star signs

But I’m a very Virgo sun

And more of a Pisces moon than I ever could have imagined

 

Or perhaps I could have imagined

But like the moon there were times when almost none of me was visible

When I was reduced to a sliver of myself

I felt small, I remember that

How could I ever have felt small when I can create worlds with my mind?

How could I have felt small when I am so many things?

 

British and Brazilian

Scientist and writer

Pastel blue and midnight navy

Virgo sun and Pisces moon