By Dennis Patton
I SEE HER IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT
She says she’s not pretty, not a glamourous beauty queen; she’ll never grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
But that’s not what I see when she comes into view.
She lights up the room –
She is headline news.
— Mike Pafundi Deceased
DEPRESSION
Through the dark tunnels of my mind Trying to find my way, scared
So cold -- My breathing is shallow A heavy weight on my chest -I see an opening ahead. I
Begin to run. I’m about to reach
The light. It disappears!
It’s getting darker, I’ll walk on.
— Jeanette Heffington Benton
HAIKU
a brief thunderstorm gives the green meadow a drink on a warm June day
— Dean Henning Deceased
WHERE THE RAINBOW ENDS
I stood within a rainbow’s pot of gold, once as a child and once when I was old,
and watched the colors paint my outstretched arms.
I danced within that pastel sphere and know the mystery of why a rainbow charms the lives of all who stand within its glow.
Once as a child and once when I was old,
I stood within a rainbow’s pot of gold.
—Verna Lee Hinegardner Former Poet Laureate
—Pat Laster Benton
HAIKU
first day of summer an early-morning ground fog over the hayfield
RISE AND SHINE WITH POETRY
The nobility of day unfolds its light as familiar wind blows fragrance to fade away the darkness.
Eastern hills float golden rays where songbirds trill a kiss of peace. Butterflies rise like kites above a sea of blooms. Cricket strikes his cord.
The earth has folded out its rug of green beneath the tent of blue. The waves are fresh like Mothers’ wash that hung on
Monday’s lines.
With all the hues and specimens of song,
Nature offers the essence that plays the poets heart. Almost, with indignant shout,
“Come out, come out.
Rise and shine with poetry.”
— Dennis Patton Alexander
SENYRU
She was eating chicken Sign on back of her shirt Save the animals
— Cathy Parker Alexander
HAIKU
wind blows across lake bare limbs flailing up and down somersaulting child
— Sue Watson Benton •••
To submit poems for publication, please send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002, or patton_dr@ hotmail.com.