At sunset, they coalesce
on the Congress Avenue bridge
a quivering blanket- black bodies
winged appendages
hanging
waiting
for
darkness
to drop
unfurling a blood-purple curtain
in emulation
we hang in the darkness
of our bedrooms and the bars of 6th Street
in the dark corners of imagination,
in the dim light of middle age
waiting for our souls to take flight
to soar into the star stained sky
casting shadows
on the
dying embers of childhood memories
This is human condition–
we cling to the fading daylight
clustered creatures
sensing the setting sun
a ghost of the not so distant past
a rustling of limbs
latent lives,
an intimation of desire and passion
a murmur at midnight
echoing like wings
beating in unison
ever so briefly
. hanging
clinging
in darkness
Charles Bukowski, the Los Angeles beat poet that captured the depravity of American urbanlife, once said, “There is something about writing poetry that brings a man close to the cliff’s edge.” Newsweed is proud to stand in solidarity and offer you a chance to get close to the cliff’s edge with our first Power of Poetry Contest. Are you a budding bard, a versatile versifier, a rhyming regaler? Do you march to the beat of iambic pentameter, or flow like a river with free verse? If so, here’s your opportunity to put your mad poetic chops to the test. Submit an original poem in any form about the following topic: identity. (First placed gets a $250 prize!)
To enter your poem, visit https://newsweed.com/poetry-contest/ and fill out the form.
