the usual struggle
by PAUL LOJESKI
thirteen. hormones.
argues everything.
wrestles every word.
twists logic back
and forth. the wind
lifts her and she flies.
she flies. hands
open, holding air.
mouth scowls,
brightens, repeats.
the father cowers,
wondering. the sea
rises, waves wild.
shore birds flit over
sand, hunting.
the mirage at the
horizon: quivering,
shaking, enveloping.
it is her, soaring. for a
moment, her moment.
Glitch
by PAUL LOJESKI
Her nose was broken.
The surgeon broke it—
for Beauty.
At the top of the hill
he stopped and turned
to watch the sun set
in summer haze.
That Lie
by PAUL LOJESKI
When I was
young, my
parents told
me this was
the best time
to be alive
because we
lived in
America,
the greatest
country to
ever exist.
I never told
my child
that lie.
Paul Lojeski’s poetry has appeared in journals and online, including at Counterpunch. He’s also the author of the satiric novel, The Reverend Jimmy Pup. He lives with his wife and daughter in Port Jefferson, NY.
Editorial Note: (Please Read Closely Before Submitting)
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To submit to Poets Basement, send an e-mail to CounterPunch’s poetry editor, Marc Beaudin at counterpunchpoetry@gmail.com with your name, the titles being submitted, and your website url or e-mail address (if you’d like this to appear with your work). Also indicate whether or not your poems have been previously published and where. For translations, include poem in original language and documentation of granted reprint/translation rights. Attach up to 5 poems and a short bio, written in 3rd person, as a single Word Document (.doc or .rtf attachments only; no .docx – use “Save As” to change docx or odt files to “.doc”). Expect a response within two months (occasionally longer during periods of heavy submissions).
Poems accepted for online publication will be considered for possible inclusion of an upcoming print anthology.
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