Book Two: Indigo

The Crafts

Immerse in summer's essence with poetic couplets capturing its beauty and challenges. From dawn's melodies to the sunFs intense heat  these verses by Mari Lynam Fitzpatrick  Oonah V Joslin  and Ginger Hamilton vividly portray the spirit of the season through reflections  joy  and timeless warmth

Explore the evocative journey in 'Stones at My Feet' by Bill West. This poignant poem reflects on loss  forgotten memories  and the quiet solace found in nature. A powerful ode to moments and people lost to time  blending urban desolation with the gentle embrace of the natural world.

"Fraud" by William A. Greenfield reflects a struggle with artistic authenticity  as the speaker confesses a lack of emotional connection to the traditional inspirations for poetry. Instead  they view poetry as a crafted product  like a perfectly knotted tie or varnished frame  more about presentation than revelation. This introspective piece explores the tension between genuine expression and cultivated faÃÂ�ade.

In The Legend of the Horseshoe  Goethe tells a parable of humility and mindfulness through an encounter between Jesus and St. Peter. When St. Peter dismisses a broken horseshoe on the road  Jesus picks it up  trades it for cherries  and subtly teaches Peter a lesson by making him stoop repeatedly to pick up the dropped fruit. The poem highlights the wisdom of valuing small tasks and the consequences of neglecting them  revealing profound truths through simple actions.

In Whiskey and Cigarettes at the End  Ronald E. Shields paints a somber winter scene where an elderly couple shares a quiet moment in a cemetery  surrounded by decaying stones and dying trees. Amid memories of abandoned times and fading legacies  they find solace in simple comforts'a cigarette  a flask. The poem reflects on aging  acceptance  and the bittersweet act of "tearing loose" from lifes remnants and former dreams.

In Spanish New World Poetry  Stephen Zelnick examines Latin America's resilience amid imperialism  with Alfonsina Storni as a focal voice. Her poetry  from passionate to piercing  addresses themes of love  oppression  and self-liberation. Zelnick's analysis reveals Storni’s growth from romantic musings to a profound critique of machismo and social constraints  highlighting her lasting impact on Latin American literature and women's voices.

What Rose Wanted by Charles Bane  Jr. captures a yearning for intensity  adventure  and spiritual union. Rose desires a dramatic rescue under cover of night  a vivid chapel scene with colors illuminating her  and an all-consuming passion akin to a crusade. She envisions herself as a conquest  seeking devotion as fierce as the stars  blending themes of romance  mysticism  and self-surrender.

"In San Angel" by Mandy Macdonald immerses readers in the lively rhythms of a jacaranda-shaded plaza in Mexico. Tourists linger  rich Coyoacan girls strut across uneven streets  dog-walkers parade with spirited pets  and old men smoke by the fountain as green parrots fly past. This scene captures a vibrant slice of life  blending everyday elegance with a touch of whimsy as day fades into dusk.

In Zelda and the Kettle  Samantha Memi humorously captures the quirks of everyday life through the lens of wasted words and actions. ZeldaFs small domestic crisis-letting a kettle boil dry while polishing an old book-leads to playful banter with her husband  Jack. With witty commentary on the energy of needless words and amusing reflections on married life  this delightful story is a charming exploration of love and distraction.

Me and Ernesto by Ken Rodgers captures the chaotic world of a young narrator witnessing his family unravel. As a firebomb shatters their home  hidden tensions surface-an affair  domestic fights  and conflicting loyalties. Through a childs perspective  the story explores innocence disrupted by harsh truths and the emotional complexities of family trauma.

The Ones by Tommy Dean is a poignant reflection on choices and the roads not taken in a relationship. The narrator and their spouse  freshly married  face a life-altering decision: pursue dreams of success or embrace parenthood. The narrative captures the tension between ambition and attachment  painting a picture of a couple who choose the former but ultimately wonder if the path they forsook-raising a family-might have been their true "big break."

The Hideaway Bed by Shreyasi Majumdar delves into the haunting  painful memories of a narrator who seeks retribution for years of abuse. In a moment of calculated violence  he kills his abuser  Uncle Hamid  while reflecting on the silence and complicity of family tradition. Majumdar’s narrative explores themes of betrayal  suppressed trauma  and the complex emotions surrounding justice and guilt  making this a dark and powerful exploration of hidden family secrets.

In Sailing the Prairie  Bill West captures the lonely resilience of young Johnny  who clings to hope and memories as he waits for his missing mother. From his perch in a tree  he imagines himself on a pirate ship  escaping a harsh reality filled with loss and a father lost to drink. The prairie becomes a place of both longing and comfort  as Johnny faces an uncertain future  holding onto SissyFs whispered reassurances and the faint hope that his mother will return. WestFs story is a tender portrayal of childhood innocence amid sorrow.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Amy N. Smith is a reflective  heartfelt journey that intertwines the narrator’s memories with present moments on a crowded bus ride. As the narrator watches people around her and recalls time spent with her beloved grandmother  she reflects on the nature of loss  love  and resilience. The story moves through layers of emotion  from childhood innocence to the acceptance of grief  culminating in a deeply personal farewell at her grandmother’s graveside. Smith’s lyrical prose beautifully captures the passage of time  the power of memory  and the enduring bond between generations.

In The Random Art of Beautiful Days  Ronald E. Shields reflects on the unexpected beauty found in everyday moments. A telescope and a brother’s eye become a canvas for discovery  capturing an image that surprises with its uniqueness. The scene echoes the way art emerges from small accidents  like a misnumbered Last Supper painting  where unintended errors reveal something more profound  turning the ordinary into art.

In Making Bread  Breda Spaight captures the generational ritual of breadmaking  with memories of a mother’s steady hands at the kitchen table. The tactile imagery of flour and dough evokes both strength and vulnerability  set against the background of everyday life and quiet sacrifices. The speaker  watching from afar  perceives the mother’s resilience  heartache  and a profound yet unspoken legacy preserved in her lifelines and work.

In Sex on the Western Front  Ronald E. Shields examines the intersection of war  intimacy  and fleeting joy amidst despair. Through the lens of a prostitute and soldiers seeking comfort  the poem reveals humor and tenderness as defense mechanisms against the brutal reality of the front. Shields captures the illusion of meaning-whether in whispered words or sermons-offering brief solace in a world shadowed by impending loss.

In The Book of Lascaux  James Graham explores humanities deep connection to ancient art and its hidden meanings. The poem reflects on early artists who painted stags and bison where the sound resonated  blending art with the pulse of the mountain. Graham ponders our attempts to interpret their wisdom  knowing we can only guess at truths they shared with the Earth-a sacred dialogue lost to time  yet faintly echoed in their painted walls.

Skellig Michael by Mary Lee delves into the physical and spiritual trials faced by monks on the rugged island. Through chiseling sandstone steps  braving isolation  and enduring Atlantic winds  the poem questions whether hardship was a path to joy and resilience. With sea birds circling and the oceanFs might  each step  rock  and bird reflects the monks’ relentless devotion and search for the Divine.

In Penance  Maire Morrissey-Cummins captures the stark ritual of confession  portraying a woman gripped by guilt  seeking absolution. Her knotted hands and trembling voice reflect a deep burden of sin  while the priest’s murmuring voice offers a fragile comfort. Stepping into the light  she is cleansed yet hollow  her purity a shell concealing a lingering emptiness. The poem delicately exposes the haunting duality of spiritual redemption and human frailty.

Akeith Walters crafts a haunting narrative of longing and loss. The poem is set in a dimly lit kitchen  where the speaker  with a bourbon in hand  is confronted by the spectral presence of a lover lost to time. As the figureFs shadow stretches across the yard and the windowpane  the past and present blur  revealing the quiet  unnerving intimacy shared with this ghostly visitor. With vivid imagery and an atmosphere thick with melancholy  Walters explores the fine line between life and death  love and solitude  and the spaces where silence speaks louder than words. "Death Takes A Lover" is a poignant meditation on the shadows that linger long after the ones we love have left  and the yearning to hold onto something -- or someone -- just a moment longer.

Akeith Walters writes a raw and intimate portrayal of solitude and yearning. Set against the gritty backdrop of a city stoop  the poem captures a rare moment of quiet reflection as the speaker leans against the iron rail  a cigarette in hand and a warm beer by their side. The night is heavy with desire  and each exhaled breath of smoke becomes a silent call  drifting towards a lover five stories above. Through Walters evocative imagery and poignant language  the poem explores themes of longing and the fleeting nature of connection  offering a glimpse into the quiet moments that punctuate a life lived on the edge. This haunting piece resonates with the ache of unfulfilled desire and the silent beats of a heart waiting in the dark.

"Manna" by David Jordan is a meditative poem that captures the quiet beauty of early morning. The imagery of dew on leaves  barbed wire  and flowers creates a serene landscape  evoking a sense of stillness and peace. Contrasting the natural world with subtle modern intrusions--a passing car  a silent jet-Jordan highlights the resilience and tranquility of nature. The poem suggests a sense of nourishment and preparation  as if the morning dew and the heavy flower offer a form of sustenance or "manna" to both nature and the human world. This piece invites readers to contemplate the balance between the natural and the man-made  finding solace in the quiet moments that connect them.

"Summer Meditation" by Kathleen Cassen Mickelson is a lush and evocative poem that captures the essence of a quiet summer morning. After the labor of weeding  the speaker pauses to embrace the simple joys of the garden-the scent of irises  the thick morning air  and the soft  warm breezes of June. The poem evokes a sense of deep contentment and gratitude  as the speaker basks in the richness of the season. With its vivid imagery and reflective tone  "Summer Meditation" invites readers to slow down  savor the present moment  and find peace in the natural beauty that surrounds us.

"Dunoon Ferry" by Des Dillon is a nostalgic and poignant reflection on youth  memory  and the passage of time. The poem evokes a sense of wistfulness as the speaker recalls moments from the past  transported back by the sight of an old chip-shop sign and the sensory memories it awakens. With vivid references to the seventies--flared trousers  radio hits  and first loves--the poem captures the innocence and intensity of youth  contrasting it with the inevitable changes brought by time. The narrative intertwines personal memories with broader cultural touchstones  reflecting on the fleeting nature of fame and the bittersweet realities of life. Through its rich imagery and emotional resonance  "Dunoon Ferry" explores the haunting beauty of memories that float just beneath the surface  like a ferry on its own ghostly reflection.

"Just" by Jane Burn is a poignant exploration of longing and connection set against the backdrop of nature’s twilight. As the day fades and the suns final rays give way to the night  the speaker finds solace in the quiet companionship of the natural world-nestling among tree roots  warmed by the earth  and accompanied by the gentle movements of insects. The poem weaves together themes of loss  yearning  and the enduring hope of finding comfort in a loved ones presence. Through rich  evocative imagery and the interplay of light and shadow  Burn captures the bittersweet beauty of waiting and the deep desire for a love that remains just out of reach  urging a turn from the obvious light to the subtle wisdom hidden in the dark.