A Website of the Radical Imagination
Roxane Beth Johnson’s first book of poetry, Jubilee, won the Philip Levine Award for Poetry and was published by Anhinga Press. In awarding the prize, Levine commented: “These luminous poems depict a world I never knew—or knew as a child and since forgot—and they do so with the authority of a totally mature voice. The … Read more
People who speak Spanish all have outside jobs, my daughter announces as the Mow ‘n Blow crew descend from a truck to ravish our lawn. I read her a book about dark children dancing, playing drums with wrinkled elders, eating fried plantains. Bored, she grabs Dr. Seuss. I’m not Latin Mommy. I’m light pink like … Read more
‘I am me.’ Pessoa. Once upon a time–How now can I begin like that? It’s June 30, 2000, it’s morning still cool although the murderous heat is waiting impatiently in the high branches of the eucalyptus. You shake your head no. Heat is an abstraction. Those are four black crows, you insist, the same ones … Read more
A hooker was in trouble, She twisted on her bed And when she could, she whispered, And this is what she said: ‘Go out and find my true love, the one who did me dirt. I’m sure he’s with another – don’t give the lady hurt. But tell him what transpired, He ought to know … Read more
incarceration rates per 100,000 in 1992 indonesia incarcerates 22 and other countries are very poor you see mother india incarcerates 23 a real land of the brave and home of the free greece 60 and denmark 66 yes they have criminals and they make their laws stick japan incarcerates 36 industrial, rich and yet not … Read more
Lover, tell me what you see down there. I tried a mirror, but it’s hairy down there. Jewel of many names – lotus garden, nappy dugout, yoni, down there. Lilith got bored with missionary. Kneel and taste the honey down there. Adam refused. I need a woman under me. Besides, you bleed and pee down … Read more
Tune: A Day in the Life (Beatles) I read the news today OOOOOOOOOOOOY VEY! About a lucky Prez who stole the Parade And tho the news was rather sad Well I just had to laugh Looking at the comic photograph. He blew Saddam’s brain out in a fallout shelter But he didn’t notice that the … Read more