The Untranslatable: Psithurism

This is a series of poems of words that do not directly translate into English. I have tried to capture the essence of the word in a poem. By Thomas Page A smooth zephyr carries the fallen leaves of trees Across the dried concrete littered with autumn Painted shades of orange and yellow On a …

A Portrait

By Thomas Page   Trying to capture someone’s essence, When they are no longer with us, Is like trying to replicate mummy-brown, Or Homer’s wine-dark seas, Or the rose of Augustus’ statues, Or the kinetic motion of Van Gogh, Or the undulations of O'Keeffe, Or the that shade of blue of Matisse, Or the stinging …

“Ithaca” (Haiku 196-203)

By Thomas Page A father and son, Telemachus and The lost Odysseus Penelope’s basket and Sisyphus’ rock; Both always undone Dyed-blue bearded god, Brother heavenly thundered, Mimics by shaking Homer’s xenia, Custom hospitality, Stories and cyclops Boiling marrow Dry from bones, fear slowly cooks Courage from strong legs The eagle and geese War in Penelope’s …

Tommy Haiku “Heroes” (Haiku 172-177)

By Thomas Page   O Calliope, The muse of epics help the Cantor remember An aristeia, Canticle of combat, Divinely desir’d Types in literature Are found everywhere; Errant hero in us all Echoing someone Else’s voice, marked by quote marks, Calling on muses Your pompê, pompê Errant xenos lost On this kingdom’d rock and hall

Story Contest 3rd place

The Braille Reader By Deryn Pittar “There’re feathers all over the floor, again,” Mother said, her voice cross and exasperated. “I’m heartily sick of picking them up.” Christina shook her head at this utterly ridiculous statement, considering they didn’t have a budgie or a parrot. Her mother had early-on-set dementia and  often became confused. She …

Two Poems by Tommy

By Thomas Page   “Constellations” The night painted sky showcases Many sparkling unique lights. You can draw anything from these Dots flanked by moons and bright planets- Warriors, animals, and gods. You can try to foresee future Events under timeless, twinkling star That were, are, and ever will be “Like Flies” At the end of …

Hephaestus And Zeus

By Thomas Page “Hephaestus” They called it Carolinian Stone in the catalogue. It’s gray Upon tinted gray. A gas line Feeds into a glass chamber where It ignites in bound passionate Fire. It makes a banging noise Whenever it’s turned on like Hephaestus’ forge underground. “Zeus” It, like other appliances, Is platinum. It’s interior Is …

Tommy Haiku #111-115

By Thomas Page What kind of bird would I become if I were in Ovid’s tale? Cuckoo? What are the roles of Myth? How many more times does It take to not err or fail? Dionysia, Steeped in wine and tragedy, Revel in comedies. Students read of trials Herakles or Hercules Wrapped in giv’n cloaks. …