Posts from the “Poetry” Category

I’m Sorry I Never Went to War

Posted on December 3, 2014

By Amanda Klejeski for my brother The mortars fell I couldn’t feel the explosion The sun fried bare skin I couldn’t lick my chapped lips The darkness awakened demons I couldn’t squeeze my eyes shut The foxholes crawled with fire ants I couldn’t scratch and claw my arms into scabs The rifle magazine jammed I couldn’t beat the cold metal into action The clouds spilled sheets of rain I couldn’t curse the gray sky The machines of death stared me in the eye I couldn’t beg and ask God I’m sorry I can’t hear, Brother. I try to listen. I’m sorry. Amanda Klejeski is a junior at Bemidji State, majoring in English and creative and professional writing. She hopes to someday publish a book, live…

Categories: Poetry

Tagged: Amanda Klejeski,

Paint Samples

Posted on April 17, 2014

Prose poems and vignettes inspired by paint samples and their names. Planetarium By Zach Barnes I remember sitting with my grandfather, looking up at the starry ceiling while the presenter talked. My grandfather would lean over and point out things to me, showing me nebula, galaxies and black holes represented by twinkling lights, or the lack of. But I wasn’t really listening. I wasn’t even in the theater. I was out there already. Floating weightless, looking out the viewport. Eating a freeze-dried ice cream sandwich my grandfather bought me, sweet but crispy, the new texture interesting and repulsing me at the same time. Touching the viewport window and imagining the cold of interstellar space chilling my hand. Turning as the radio squawks and…

Categories: Poetry

Tagged: Caitlyn Otto,, Melissa Mathies,, Zach Barnes,

Griddle

Posted on April 16, 2014

By Joseph Christofferson I never liked lefse, never liked the way the sugar crunched against my teeth. You showed me how to put meat and cheese on it. People think I’m crazy for doing this. I guess their grandmothers didn’t know what you knew. Today my wife and I make our first batch. I have your griddle. She rolls with her grandmother’s lefse pin. I have been wanting to make lefse but couldn’t remember how. I made it with you so many times in your kitchen when I was young. The only advice I remember you giving was, “Until it looks right.” What exactly does right look like? I add flour to the bowl of prepared potatoes. Like you, I use my hands to…

Categories: Poetry

Tagged: Joseph Christofferson,

Intertwined

Posted on April 14, 2014

By Emily Rohlik I lie here untouched Unmoved by the sheets Unmoved by thoughts of you I look around and things seem simple I can feel the warmth in between. Our breaths in sync Slow and soft The gentle air brushes my back Stirring my hair and tickling my spine Like grass on my feet I feel the closeness, yet Sense the distance Time is moving, like summer In the heat, we wonder why Things are different. Time stands still. You shift, I shift We meet. Arms tangled like roots of a plant, Intertwined. Emily Rohlik is a freshman at BSU. Her major is undecided. She likes to write in her free time and when she is given a topic she can relate to.

Categories: Poetry