Poetry
Read contemporary poems selected by Open Arts Forum’s editors, including visual poetry and work from the archive. Follow each poet’s name to discover more of their published work, or hear contributors in our author recordings. Writers considering OAF can read the poetry submission guidelines.
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PoetryI walk darkly on this mute spot
I walk darkly in this spot, mutely, unmeasured, only the energy of this one thought, how to be brave? are we all cowards? passing…
PoetryBarefoot Penance
I am not a difficult person especially when sleeping but last night, well, to whom do I apologize? I lost my shoes, first one…
PoetryThe First Vowel
At roll call each child says present and something arrives. Manjunath says present, a kingfisher lands on the window bar. Ayesha says present, the…
PoetryOn Bus 67
Lost in the reverie of the audible a man sits upstairs on the long journeyed bus and its route through commons and fields lowers…
PoetryHer
her heart was obsidian her brain neon her words static ◊ the streetlights buzzed like trapped tourists not looking at the road but straight…
PoetryAt the End of Everything
Our brother is dying His tired bones grinding to dust. Even without a body he yells with great fire in his voice. Enough rage…
PoetryTree Haunted
Nothing remains in this little town that knew me as a young girl except the stumps on our farm— elms, Douglas firs, and maples…
PoetryFernando Again
It’s a turning month, Marzo, brimming blue sky the red birch sticks and pine fans puzzling white flower boxes while stone lions grimace as…
PoetryCounting the dandelion seeds is futile
Counting the dandelion seeds is futile as is watching the tadpole waddle in endless circles within the confines of a jam jar when something…
PoetryShade of Green
Geese flying over an emerald expanse season of sound, rustle of a leaf rounding up of the fallen In the shade of a still…
PoetryBut Seriously…
Satire is dead, sarcasm is right behind and any outrageous vaudeville push-back is almost always true on its face. They’re either eating the dogs,…
PoetryA Love Poem
I hope there’s hope for you and flying on your bike with fireflies from men bend down, construction sites and when you float or…