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Poetry 102

Stella Reed: Poem with blue nuance

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

When she calls, tell her to gather her clothes. Put the blankets  in a paper bag.   Don’t touch anything  of stonewashed blue. Don’t pluck leaves from her hair  or tug at threads.  The sleeve may fall.   Don’t brush soil from her shoulder  Don’t give her a drink of water just yet it could […]

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: Stella Reed

Stella Reed: I won’t speak to you like I spoke before

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

In lieu of language I give you my hands to make this poem urgent.  Beware, I sign. Stay alive.    Here there is no night  only the adjacent dark,  the proximity of our breath.    Despite what I said,  I have made mistakes.  I chose the wrong book from the ruins    its spine turned […]

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: Stella Reed

Stella Reed: I once believed my body

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

was a descendant of trees  my foremothers the branches  that bore my blossoming weight my forefathers birds that scattered seed    where water was a dream  where they rowed with my breath in their mouth    on the shore a stag  one antler branching the sky  the absence of the other  a memory.    My […]

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: Stella Reed

Esther Ra: the liquid truth

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

my friend once said, if there was a button to destroy the whole world, i’d push it if i’d still have wifi. & yet, he is capable of such kindness, has cupped my name  in his palm for five years. it’s so hard to say i love you to the people who matter, we prefer […]

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: Esther Ra

Kay Peters: The Time I Failed

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

I have forgotten his name  but see his hand  blue knotted veins paper skin.  He reached from his bed  grasped my wrist  asked Am I dying?  I could not speak.  His fear was mine. 

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: Kay Peters

William Palmer: He Pours a Small Glass of Milk

September 7, 2022 by PBQ Leave a Comment

Scrolls down. Two young women  take off their clothes but keep on their stilettos.  They kiss but don’t mean it. He can tell.  He sees the curve of red scars under one girl’s breasts.  They take turns bobbing between each other’s legs.  He doesn’t know why he watches.  God, he and Betty used to swell […]

Filed Under: Issue 102, Poetry, Poetry 102 Tagged With: William Palmer

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