Author Archives:

Dead Boys by J.Khan Title and last line after “Dead Girls” by Kim Addonizio The camera pans hillside jungle before zooming to our hero, face up, body splayed, and stubbed by a missing limb. Next, the signature close up: angled … Continue reading →

On Holy War by Truth Thomas How fragile is the congregation of flesh and quiet are corpses that litter the ground. I pass your service, after most of the guests have gone. A headless boy stops and asks me if … Continue reading →

Oh My God by JoAnn Lord Koff Oh my God, who may not be the God you pray to, why do we kill each other and betray your word? God of many names, many sects, many ethnicities, various DNA, we … Continue reading →

To Live by Yerusalem Work I seek forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Adam, alayhi salaam, learned words of inspiration from God. Between us, is there forgiveness for what we have done? Rockets remind us we look upon the same … Continue reading →

Gaza by Gene Bruskin As a non-observant but well-qualified Jew, Having lost family in a Russian pogrom, Once visiting Israel, as an internationalist first, a Jew second, My Jewish side having long reveled in the Jewish Bund, The Workman’s Circle, … Continue reading →

Washing War Off Me by Susan Notar The sun hovers like a raw red egg yolk over the water at the edge of the horizon. Dogs dodge, children squeal. Somewhere a colibri sips sugar from a purple climber vine. I … Continue reading →

Pray for Peace by Ellen Bass Pray to whomever you kneel down to: Jesus nailed to his wooden or plastic cross, his suffering face bent to kiss you, Buddha still under the bo tree in scorching heat, Adonai, Allah. Raise … Continue reading →

A Pantoum Prayer for Nadeen by Carl Stilwell Eight people including 5-year-old boy killed by Hamas rockets fired into Israel. Israel airstrikes kill close to 139 Palestinians, including 39 children. “When I woke up I saw houses gone — nothing … Continue reading →