Issue 16
Winter 2004
Cathy-Ann
I write under the pen name of cathy-ann. i live near fresno, california. i have been writing seriously about one year. i appreciate the opportunity the internet provides new writers such as myself. my goal is to publish a book of my poems.
CHANGES
turning the crackling leaf
over and over,
no phylum depicted with
the autumn chill.
stacked like a mountain
next to the house
returning to mulch
when the season begets.
La Nina reorganized
variances in the temperate
zones with no guidance
other than the pull of
the moon and polka-a-dots
in the ozone layer.
communities rally around
color changes for tourists,
the consummate lookie-loos.
circle of botanical existence
so simple and compelling
spectators choose to experience
this natural phenomenon
as the tilting axis promotes
an harmonic kaleidoscope.
NO GUARANTEES
(count down begins)
first: months
second: weeks
third: days
fourth: hours
fifth: minutes
within seconds the final verdict is imposed
only the seasoned veteran retained
fresh ideas rendered hopeless
guile replaces remorse
along with little compensation
cars in line at the exit
deletion in the data base
already begunACTING GOD-LIKE
Manipulation of vulnerable beings
Predators of emotional reaction
Attempts to adjust thinking
Fooling with articulation
In order to control a set of
Self-imposed rules.
Acting God-like with assessments
Of personality traits
Convincing and conniving with
Untruths and over exaggeration.
Presenting an everlasting condition
Not relative to current matriculations
Prodding to undo convention
Risking ridicule to save face
In the hopes of masking self doubt.
All to protect one's sanctity and
Not violate presumptions of knowledge.
An ego so fragile that the least regression
Will fracture all the structures it is suspended on.
Supplemental doses of confidence and trust
Needed to rebuild the foundation lost for
Reasons not yet calculated.