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Anti-Ode to the Third Toilet From the End in the Elephant Bar Bathroom
By Victoria Lynne McCoy We were there for my birthday dinner, but youwere the main event. I prepared to kneel before youlike ritual, there in the vaguely safari-themedsuburban chain. The anonymity of Anytown I neededwith the false promise of adventureI craved. You were a confession I bore in secretso no one could take the cold…
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The Basic American Dream
By Sammy Ginsberg “Yet I’m the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned That’s made America the land it has…
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Chaperoning in Catalina
By Sammy Ginsberg These amazing humans On the cusp of adulthoodSo much changeTransformation Overwhelming, terrifying.And we are here on this islandSnorkeling to see garibaldi,Sheephorn crabs, sea slugsKayaking to caves Song of sea lionsAnd diving pelicansHiking to bald pointAll that blue,Dolphins and dreamy vistas In this little coveFox landingIdyllic, utopicFar away from society Its own society…
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He Was Already Dead
By Sammy Ginsberg “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett I have failed so many times this yearso many timesand Papa Joe passed away,failed at three marriageswas it failure?our healthcare system failed himour cities and neighborhoods failed himsenior citizen more like second class citizeninvisiblehe wanted to diehe was already dead – that’s what our…
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Afraid of Everything
By Sammy Ginsberg For Papa Joe Sitting on his green leather chair with the wood arm rests,the one he’s had for decadesnow in room 757 at The Variel.“I just feel so afraid.”his eyes twinkle blue and he looks like a little boy,with his yellow shirttucked into his underwear.“What are you afraid of, Grandpa?”I ask, Top…
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Remember
By Christina Rossetti Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand,Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you plann’d: Only remember me; you…
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The Ecstasy of Nothing
By Sammy GinsbergLast night vodka made mountains out of molehillsAs I wept into my glassesHolding my Italians thinkingWhy is life all about sex?As they made out on the dance floor,She close friend of three yearsAnd Costa treats and carbonaraAnd he, beautiful Auden boyWho was going to save mefrom the voices in my head, in my…
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Bad Bitch is Back
By Sammy Ginsberg How working in an officedoing your 9 to 5can make you forgetthat this is your life. How invites to parties,dating, and drinkscan make you forgetwhat you’re celebrating. How stable armsand a strong chestcan make you forgetthat you’re depressed. But when you start to say no,when the love goes away,then you’ll rememberyou need…
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Bad Bitch
By Sammy Ginsberg Bad bitch, that’s a switch.Honestly, I used to be mutetook my cue and closed my mind,decided not to find what was really inside of me.just being what they seebut always a fire inside of me.My skin is burning,I’m coming out – truly me,not who society wants me to be. I’m starting to tell…