When hate steps out from behind the door, the ever-talking troll spills venom with each line. He seeks to infect you – reader, with comments unbeknownst to library shelves. Take a stroll down each aisle and peruse each source – you’ll see. Where to follow lonesome star, protection from demons and gizzards and spies? BlueContinue reading “Long haul drivers”
Author Archives: Anne Birkam
Jim Crow rising
The wannabe Confederate is a rebel with no cause worthy of applauding – the lack of human dignity engraved by Douglass and Truth who sojourned into the wilderness – their words an etching upon the soul, never to be sold – no more, no more. Jim Crow is rising in yet another century. Who knewContinue reading “Jim Crow rising”
Dove
They sift through seed together and feast on plant or feeder. I watch them from this window in the land of dawn. And this orchestra of two will bring a song of morn, with a strike, a bar that breaks the heart, sweet music where the eye will rest. Then comes escape – the drivingContinue reading “Dove”
Capital sinner
The market on the river brings the glutton out in me, the strawberry from the vine, the zester of apple tree, the juice crawling down my chin to stain my blouse, epicurean living renders me uncouth. The pretty youth who floats on the screen up in the air revs the sweat glands into molecules ofContinue reading “Capital sinner”
The popcorn strand upon the tree
The popcorn strand upon the tree, a Christmas once we knew- as children this was life. Brother Johnny off to war he went – the world has corners far for dreamers. And sister Sally studies long and hard – her future in the bag. Granny sits by fireside, remembering that once filled life. Sad JohnnyContinue reading “The popcorn strand upon the tree”
Picking strawberries in June
A cardinal is singing over the strawberry path as we bend and stoop to pick the ripest red. The language is foreign To my ears – the cadence lifts from Asia far or meanders in from Spain. We are all the same. This is what we do – as friends and children wander out ofContinue reading “Picking strawberries in June”
Leaning
My shoulder waits if you need to lean, the world too big, the land turned brown, from greener pastures left to dust, that turn your tears into mist, woven like scales upon the toad, oh lean in sister, your song is old. And if your shoulder should wait for me, while mother fades – herContinue reading “Leaning”
Tiny acts of rebellion
It starts with Antigone – heroine renown, old Creon did not stop her, respect of hallowed ground wove through her soul and brought death into healing – this tragedy is told, sorrow lends an ear the minstrel sings the song. Her words are words of Biblical psalms. Rebel, rebel he knew the score – harkeningContinue reading “Tiny acts of rebellion”
Ghosts
She haunts me – or is it he? the slave who is not named, and yes, I know they mostly existed like a dish or a cow, a bit of earth, he-she property of human shame, acknowledged by pride of statue and lineage I can trace – the owner is my ancestor, the owned –Continue reading “Ghosts”
All hallowed eve
On all hallowed eve the ghouls descend from the picture perfect walls – this graveyard where the past is hanging is a gallery of echoes – pyramids of the Nile and Alabama’s cotton fields where souls are hijacked by the fluidity of words – no substance to the language of a ghoul. Men of strawContinue reading “All hallowed eve”
Anne's mediocre poetry 