Plum
by Michelle Quevedo
The other day on the road
You mentioned a plum.
All the conversation following it
fell away, forgotten. Continue reading . . . “Michelle Quevedo: Plum”
Kenneth Godoy: that it might tell them why
that it might tell them why
by Kenneth Godoy
in the beginning,
the god made earth and the skin of the world.
he made wind and a single gull
that wrapped itself in the coldness of sunlight. Continue reading . . . “Kenneth Godoy: that it might tell them why”
Gary and Meg
by Kayla Eby
A shrunken old man and
a shrunken old woman lean
across the rotted porch rail
into dazzling early light Continue reading . . . “Kayla Eby: Gary and Meg”
Richard Stoltzfoos: Dependence
Dependence
by Richard Stoltzfoos
I saw the pines inverted in the stillest lake,
With great roots gripping, hanging from the earth,
The earth that God sustains, we say, and spake
In princely stories of chiastic birth. Continue reading . . . “Richard Stoltzfoos: Dependence”
Come, Beauty
by Susan Schlabach
Come, Seeker-friend. Come.
Beauty is eager to be embraced.
Why do many, staring vacant,
Remain oblivious? Continue reading . . . “Susan Schlabach: Come, Beauty”
In December
by Rebecca Weber
The day is done. The fire dies
To crackling embers in the stove
While moonlight falls on field and farm
And on the freshly-frosted grove. Continue reading . . . “Rebecca Weber: In December”
Another Day
by Phoebe Anthus
Time is of essence I know,
but, I will wait to wash these fingerprints
from the paint around your pantry door till
another day. Continue reading . . . “Phoebe Anthus: Another Day”
Shelia J. Petre: Perils of the Profession
Perils of the Profession
by Sheila J. Petre
“Perils of the Profession” is published in Leaf 2022. Continue reading . . . “Shelia J. Petre: Perils of the Profession”
Lament
by Lori Hershberger
Over these hills, sing the song,
Sing it over again.
That Immanuel is come, is come,
Is come to the world of men. Continue reading . . . “Lori Hershberger: Lament”
End of the Party
by Karen Yoder
A blinding sun hangs low above Lake Erie
casting a path of coral like an aisle for a king.
Gulls cry farewell, and then
the carpet shimmers, narrows, dancing west to east Continue reading . . . “Karen Yoder: End of the Party”
Autumn Moon
by Michelle King
“Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower.” —Albert Camus
I.
The rustling gold of towering trees
Within a starlit canopy
Lay down Continue reading . . . “Michelle King: Autumn Moon”
Rachael Lofgren: Autumn’s Ovation
Autumn’s Ovation
by Rachael Lofgren
The scent of fall,
The leaves all gold
With sunsoaked air,
The damp sharp spice Continue reading . . . “Rachael Lofgren: Autumn’s Ovation”
Sleep
by Zhihua Wang
Since I got used to sleeping
on the floor, I figure I can travel
around the world now. The nights Continue reading . . . “Zhihua Wang: Sleep”
William Hoover: Sonnet for Wyatt
Sonnet for Wyatt
(June 7 – Sept. 29, 2021)
by William Hoover
Because he peered so sharply, he soon spied
That it was Earth, not he, most saddled with Continue reading . . . “William Hoover: Sonnet for Wyatt”
Obi Martin: The Three Stages of Creation
The Three Stages of Creation
by Obi Martin
Continue reading . . . “Obi Martin: The Three Stages of Creation”
Josiah Peachey: Garden of Hope
Garden of Hope
by Josiah Peachey
The church sat like a garden
strait backed rows of Eden
pasture of a people
peace of a long past Continue reading . . . “Josiah Peachey: Garden of Hope”
Lori Hershberger: Meditations of the Aunt
Meditations of the Aunt
by Lori Hershberger
For, lo, children are an Heritage of the Lord
As Arrows in the Hand of a Mighty One
Happy is he who hath his Quiver full
For they are like Olive Plants, the Offspring of Fruitful Vines; Continue reading . . . “Lori Hershberger: Meditations of the Aunt”
Richard Stoltzfoos: Seventh Summer
Seventh Summer
by Richard Stoltzfoos
And the evening and the morning were the first day. —Gen. 1.5
When resurrection’s rest has come,
And sundown started the Sabbath day, Continue reading . . . “Richard Stoltzfoos: Seventh Summer”
Imago Dei
by Gary Yoder
His bedroll hoisted on sagging shoulders
One foot before the other—
Deliberately—
South-bound on 501 Continue reading . . . “Gary Yoder: Imago Dei”