 Arlington Literary Journal an ejournal also known as ArLiJo, is located in Arlington, Virginia and is sponsored by Gival Press. The intent of ArLiJo is to feature a variety of authors/poets/artists from around the globe whose work provokes readers to contemplate issues, etc. The work chosen promotes understanding and sensitivity across borders, even if initially the work may cause one to take a double-take. Staff: Editor-in-Chief, Robert L. Giron Associate Editor, Sarah Fannon ArLiJo has reverted to a publication by invitation only. Any work published shall remain the property of the author/poet/artist and for any previously published work to appear the author/poet/artist must still retain the copyright of the work. Please note that ArLiJo is an ejournal. Payment for publication is a book from a selection of books published by Gival Press. |
Jacqueline Jules Featured in ArLiJo Issue No. 72 Hours A milestone birthday approaches, and my husband asks what I fancy. A gold bracelet perhaps? Diamonds? Pearls? My pirate heart has one desire. Hours altered by alchemy into a commodity like coins to clink one by one into a strongbox, hide under the floorboards, protect from thieves. Hours I can count and caress late at night when my fingers itch with all they have yet to hold. Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline Jules. Pedaling Truth The longer I ride, the less stable truth becomes. Blind bats and mice preferring cheese to chocolate have been debunked along with chopped earthworms that grow again from two halves and mothers who raise children immune to disappointment, illness, and grief. Too much of what I once pedaled faithfully is now a flat tire on a rusted bicycle. Searching for other myths to keep my wheels inflated I find comfort in the hum of spinning spokes, reminding me that what hurts now may not always be my truth. Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline Jules. Jacqueline Jules is the author of the poetry chapbooks, Field Trip to the Museum (Finishing Line Press) and Stronger Than Cleopatra (ELJ Publications). Her poetry has appeared in over 100 publications including ArLiJo, Poetic Voices Without Borders, and Gargoyle. She is the author of thirty books for young readers. Visit www.jacquelinejules.com Visit this author's homepage at www.jacquelinejules.com
Merrill Leffler Featured in ArLiJo Issue No. 72 Breakfast In memory of William Stafford This morning I'll skip the bacon and eggs and have a poem over light — two or three if you don't mind. I feel my appetite coming on. And even a stack of flapjacks which I love — with butter and boysenberry jam spreading their fingers of sweetness over the ragged edges — won't do me now. When this hunger's on, only a poem will do, one that will surprise my need like a stranger knocking at the door (a small knock — at first, I hardly hear it) to ask directions, it turns out, to this house. He's looking for me. Who are you I ask? Your brother he says, the one you never knew you had or the one who you've been trying to remember all your life but somehow couldn't recall until now, when he arrives. And there he is before me smiling, holding out his arms — and all this by chance. Do you believe it? So serve me up a poem friend, but just go easy on the tropes, for instance, synecdoche and such. A simile or two is fine and metaphor's all right. A rhyming quatrain, maybe on the side would be ok, but not too much — they sometimes give me gas. God I love a breakfast such as this. It gives me a running start and keeps me going through to dark when I'm as hungry as a horse. But that's another poem. Let's eat. Copyright © 2012 by Merrill Leffler. Reprinted by permission of Dryad Press. Biography: Merrill Leffler, currently Poet Laureate of Takoma Park, Maryland, is the author of Mark the Music, his most recent book. He has been active in the literary life of the Washington area as a publisher and teacher for more than forty years. |
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