Observation of a Man in a Diner

He walks into the diner, alone, but he looks around.

Blue flannel and jeans, stringy brown hair, all 1990’s.

He sits in a booth by himself

Pushes his silverware out of the way,

And covers his eyes with his finger tips for a time

— Perhaps as respite,

Perhaps meditative.

His right leg bounces, dirty jeans,

Dirty under the nails, dirty tennis shoes.

He has ordered a coffee and a mimosa, but I can’t help think he is too young.

He feels a little better once he gets his food.

His leg stops shaking.

He smiles at a girl passing by, who doesn’t notice him.

“Diner Observation #1” by Vanessa Cate

Artwork: The Undone by Charles Wilkins

Alone in Arms

ankles rest in wrists

below knocked about knees

limbs weave

around

seeking sanctuary

alongside

lukewarm skin

Alone Again, Naturally

A green eye nestled between faceless,

slate

stones

sits-

as lonely as a mountain.

Beaten, stained,

and abused

by the wandering wind,

crumbles into sand

that rests

beneath the heaviness of the ocean.

I am a rock.

“Along the Ocean Floor” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Thief of the Sun by Tijani Djindjic

Forget Forever

sticky lids give way

no match for the stupid strength

of curious children

eager to consume colors

the colors

which they were promised would swirl

swoop

slow to a still

but unwise eyes shut as quickly as they open

sick from

leaking fat pinks

blubberous boiling blues

seeking to settle back

into beds they remembered to be warm

to forget forever that raging storm

“Forget Forever” by Meaghan Merrifield

Thoughts on Blonde

What is it about

fair blonde hair

that makes me feel less nervous?

Whether it be warm and gooey

like honey

or pale

and soft like

lemonfeathers,

it always baths my mind in

calm.

So-

just before

the daylight dies

–just before the dawn of dreams

I wish for a woman

with locks of light

to make my night as warm as

tea.

” I wish for a Woman” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Emotional Ups and Downs & Fogpak #3 by Filmout

In the Obscuring Mist

I kiss the air for she is me.

In the darkness there’s a body there.

Sultry night on top of me.

I hold myself — I kiss the air.

My body pale make love to thee.

You blind me with black widow hair.

You blind my eyes — I cannot see.

I hold myself and kiss the air.

You seduce with trickery.

You trick me with your shadow snare.

I bare my soul for you to see —

Alas that there is no one there.

“Untitled” by Vanessa Cate

Artwork by Hugo Barros, Louis Riley, and Random Dan; click on photos for more information

Never Yours

When a girl has sails in her eyes

do not try to kiss her ruby-stained lips

or pet her porcelain wrists

for she

belongs

to the salted waves of adventure

that crash

and break

against your hopeful

hands

“Advice for The Optimist” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

One is the Loneliest Number

Today begins our newest series:

One is the Loneliest number:

Art, poetry, and miscellaneous pieces that explore isolation, abandonment, imprisonment, separation, and loneliness

Artwork: The End of a Love Affair by Hugo Barros