PROLIFIC

she drives a Smith Corona

smashing through blockades

she finds the switch

that lights her mind

and once again turns words

into sparks and even stars

that burn the page and

shout across the night

can you hear them

typewriters…

jazz…

no sober poet wanders

beneath these city lights

Find more poems here. 

phantoms

outside-

the marquee lights

attract black moths

actors, dancers and musicians

the auditions have begun

inside-

the stage is lit

by the pallor of

gothic operatic types

posing in the balcony

wonder is written
across the young girl’s face
a storyteller’s gift

shadow of a ghost
she glides on memory
illusive and sad
always standing at the gate
never in my arms again

summer evening -
her yawn abruptly ends
my magic hour

in the dark of night
a young man strains to hear
the whispering stars

a surge of spring
rain falls on rain
why rise today

player

he mastered
the equations of chance

then cut the deck
with a hopeful hand

and the sense
to ride momentum

beyond the nearest
neon star

Find more poems here.

The fall of 1956 saw the publication of Allen Ginsburg’s Howl and Other Poems. Visit the City Lights Books site dedicated to this landmark event, including a History of Howl, Howl on Trial, and a list of Howl celebrations.

http://www.citylights.com/His/CLhowl.html

this morning she is

writing lyrics
in the dust
on parked cars
in the city

she schemes
a means to catch
a dying star
tonight

she lives
beyond her reason
and the boundaries
of her dream

hot summer night-
jazz poets in the kitchen
his Underwood on fire
her pencil moves at speed of mind
eraser burning

(the issue’s theme was “summer scenes”)

How do I publish my work in literary magazines?
How do I publish my book?
Do I need an agent?
Where can I find information on grants and awards?
How do I avoid scams?
Do I need to copyright my work?
How do I publicize my work?
Where can I find a writers’ workshop, conference, or colony?
Should I pursue an MFA?
Are there literary organizations that can help me?

Find the answers at Poets & Writers magazine:

http://www.pw.org/frequently_asked_questions/qcms.php/writers

for the beats

On the Roof

Do you recall
his old place
up on high street-
above the liquor store?
Wall to wall
with would-be writers,
a couple real ones too,
blaring bop…
and other vices.
The city lights
burned brightly then.
Wine in the kitchen,
tea up on the roof
and all the talk
of Truth-
and never
growing old.