Poems from Readers

A few weeks ago, we asked for more poems, and even published a piece called “How to Write a Poem” to help you along. Below, three of the submissions we received in response. To submit your poem, visit our web site or email us at news@strausnews.com

A Fire Across the Street

A warm summer evening

On a city avenue

Piercing sirens alert curious ears

Inviting neighbors out for a visit.

Across the street husky engines idle

While officials gate off crowds

Who look at the intense inferno

Speculating at the start of such cacophony.

Soon curiosity wanes and the introductions begin.

“Have you met my sister? She’s visiting for the summer”

“How do you do. I really like your jewelry.”

“My husband made it for me.”

“It’s a fine piece of toolery.”

“How is your summer?”

“Oh, not so bad. A bit hot though.”

“It’s been such a long time since we last talked.”

“Indeed, we must soon chat again. But for now I must go.”

A birthday party interrupted with cake still fresh

Sits upon a paper plate while neighbors meet

To affirm their existence

During a fire across the street.

Frank Theodore Koe

My uncle, Zev, the Brooklyn poet,

told me, Don’t worry about forgetting

things you can’t remember, just

write the damn poem, let it be

as long as it wants to be,

then cut off the beginning,

but he never said why

I should do that

nor what I should do

if the beginning is

all there is.

Jules Bacal

Invisible WallsOh many, many are the jails

An innocent one can go to,

There’s the jail of hating everyone

Because you know that they hate you.

The jail of being in the hostel bed

Of your friend who’s getting married,

When you haven’t even a boyfriend,

And must pretend to be ecstatic.

The jail of marrying the wrong man

Before you make the great announcement

That the next deed on your list

Is a single life commitment,

There are many jails I’ve been in

And maybe many where I’ll be,

But if they’re only psychological

My persevering mind will rescue me!

Esther Lazarson