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Poetry

14 April 2020 | NPM Poetry Webslam

By 

Morning
by Natalia Corres        
 
 
The cat is doing her morning laps,
mine and then my husband’s
as we sit captive in front of our computers,
working from home.
The dog has melted into a dark snoring
puddle on the carpet after our
morning adventure of a mile or more
in the neighborhood.
It is a pensive quiet.
We can feel the world breathing softly.
Waiting for the next chapter in
the story that is being written for us
worldwide; like the cliff hangers of old –
will there be a new challenge
as soon as this one seems over?
Or will we have a respite?
The cat cares not as long as my lap is available.
The dog continues his gentle snore.

Natalia Corres has worked in technology for a few decades and now spends her time in creative pursuits. An active member of the California Writers Club – Writers of Kern (www.writersofkern.com) branch, she lives with her husband, their dog and their cat in their sanctuary in suburbia.

13 April 2020 | NPM Poetry Webslam

By 

The Traveler
by Nelson Varon                                           
                                                     
Beads of sweat began to gather on his brow,                                                                                           
Waiting for their moment to slowly                                                                                              
Trickle down the face of the weary traveler.
 
Rather than over earthly roads,                                                           
His was an arduous, painful journey
Through times remembered.                                                                                                         
 
Bitter memories crowded the pathways of his mind.                                                                                
As droplets of perspiration merged with tears
Of long-buried emotions yearning to be released.                                           
 
Hidden for too long, they soon join forces to become                           
An uncontrollable flood of enraged sadness                                                
With power enough to break through the traveler’s protective facade.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                         

In addition to being a musician and a writer of song lyrics & poems, Nelson Varon was a NYC school teacher, the founder of Nelson Varon Organ Studios in NYC,       a published songwriter & author of PlayNow Method For All Organs. He wrote  feature articles for The Music Trades  magazine, and How to Open a Piano & Organ Store (a chapter in the industry publication, How To Open A Music Store) and the short story, Fixing Things. 

He was also the founder, publisher & editor of The Music & Computer Educator magazine, and the founder of Kern Piano Mall, in Bakersfield.

12 April 2020 | NPM Poetry Webslam

By 

Oma
by Anke Hodenpijl
 
 
Memories,
freckled with childhood secrets,
return her to the smooth, blue-sky place of her youth.
She smiles with each private thought
remembering coconut trees, rice paddies and long sunsets
a new doll for her birthday, Babu making gado-gado
and thinking these times would never end
 
she wants to live alone
says she has her thoughts to keep her company
needle point to keep her busy
and “Dancing with the Stars” to feed her fantasies
 
friends no longer visit
either dead or too far away
kids all live out of state
 
she sits in the back yard
hummingbirds and roses
coffee in a delicate porcelain cup
a morning breeze
 
a schoolgirl rides her bike home
brothers tease and protect her
tea parties with sisters
 
mother and father don’t die
 
 
No one tells me what to remember.
That’s why.
 

Anke Hodenpijl is a bedside singer, poet, gardener and safe spot for animals. She is inspired by nature, family, history, friendships and unfinished stories. Mostly, she is a grateful person.

11 April 2020 | NPM Poetry Webslam

By 

The Woman’s Plight

A Catena Rondo Poem
by Sandy Moffett
 
 
The woman’s plight in quarantine
Your clothes are all too tight
Your salon coif is turning white
The woman’s plight in quarantine
 
Your clothes are all too tight
You can’t even zip up your jeans
It might be due to chips and ice cream
Your clothes are all too tight
 
You can’t even zip up your jeans
Come on, it’s becoming quite clear
Get off of the couch, move your rear
You can’t even zip up your jeans
 
Come on, it’s becoming quite clear
This new normal is here for a while
The muu-muu is the new fashion style
Come on, it’s becoming quite clear
 
The woman’s plight in quarantine
Your clothes are all too tight
Your salon coif is turning white
The woman’s plight in quarantine
 

Sandy was born in Bakersfield, returning to her hometown in 1985.  Sandy has been married to Greg for 39 years, and they have four children and 12 grandchildren.

Sandy is a poet, lyricist and has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cup of Comfort and numerous other works. 

10 April 2020 | NPM Poetry Webslam

By 

Whittling
by Annis Cassells


Winter nights GrandPap sat
Snug near the coal stove
In the home-place dining room
 
arthritic fingers wrapped around
a time-worn pocket knife
 
scored a scantling of well-grained wood
with knife point markings true
 
His opening cleave,
Unlocked black walnut breath
 
Silent shavings lined his lap
Surrounded his straight-backed chair
 
‘Til bedtime, when links entwined
Created a perfect chain

Annis Cassells is a longtime member of Writers of Kern, a teacher, a traveler, a poet. Her first collection of poetry, You Can’t Have It All, came out in 2019.