Michael Keshigian

Eventually

Staring from the moon
in a dream,
I saw
people of Earth
meandering aimlessly
from minute cavities,
following burrows
to dutiful destination
and back again,
some moved faster,
some carried more,
others were prostrate
to fantasy,
but above each hill
hovered ghosts of intentions
not resting, but preparing
singular openings
where well meaning
will be placed.
 

Thief

Two days ago
the sun caught me stealing light
to illuminate a poem,

demanded restitution,
then reported me to Mother Nature
who posted my likeness about the land.

Soon, the ocean, forest, birds, flowers, et. al.
filed suit for substantial abuse
and complacent philandering without permission.

I pleaded guilty;
admitted taking breath from wind
for deliverance,

marshmallows from the sky to sweeten song,
and rage from the ocean
to instill a sense of urgency.

Convicted and confined to a windowless room
no writing, visitation
or glimpses of stolen sights,

I was sentenced to imagine beauty
without embezzlement
and the wholesale exploitation of words.

 

Writer

He imagines us on the beach,
soft sand at our feet
just after lunch
when warm rays and a delicate breeze
bid us rest.

He considers my arm around her waist,
my body sideways against bikini curves,
surrounded by seagulls
that squawk for attention
and the litter seas throw.

It's been so long for him.
He has difficulty deciding
what may be real
and occasionally doubts
the idea of our very existence.


Mike Keshigian's poems have appeared in Sahara, Bellowing Ark, ByLine Magazine, Fairfield Review, Red River Review, Sierra Nevada College Review and numerous other online and written journals. He has had three chapbooks published and multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. He is a musician and educator, performing and teaching on the collegiate level in the Boston area.

 Current Issue:
July 2007

Annabelle Butterworth
Patricia Cook
Joshua Cristiano
Michael Estabrook
Anthony Gee
Taylor Graham
Michael Lee Johnson
Jerry Judge
Stephanie Kemp
Michael Keshigian
Stephanie Kjaerbaek
Brian Mayer
Steve Meador
Jessica Sidler
Karla Ungurean

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