Throwaway Submissions by Charles Mookowski

Rebel by Ronoldi Valencia aka neon-shit

i still hear you is this for certain this isnt reality im not in this without you i morti will come and may wash away this greif life goes on and i rot again long for the sweet of your delicate gaze dreading forever in ever changing pain reign of woes the fodder duplicates paralysis stays souls once here now astray

The New Year by Jacob Reina

I could walk out right now

Onto the damp lanes

Lined with pavement sleepers

Beneath the midnight sky

Drained of all its wishes, untaken

(The offer won't last forever)

And make my long, lonely way

Toward the old almond orchards

Where I once devoured chianti

As a fat owl flapped its wings

Over the narrow canal,

Where the moonlight splashed, Dancing like a known drunk

That was when the almond shells fell

I grabbed them, flung them far

Far as these bruised arms could take

Listened to the song of new, found chance

And in such a state, a wild eruption

Of frantic doves, fleeing together, Rang on into the twin cloudless sky, Echoing from my blistered mouth

Yes (don't be fooled), that was my laughter

The Conversion

by Jacob Reina

It was here where it happened: The irises of your chestnut eyes Grayed as a lonely woman grays When she is left alone in a dorm Full of withered white daisies.

It was here, in this jaundiced field Along the river, beneath the bridge Of passing trains full of smiles And tears, where the horses Bowed to mourn your fall, Where your little body Lay limp in my arms.

And you were sixteen, But you were six and sixty And lost and eternal, All at once.

It was here, where the dirt And sweat and bruises And cuts all teamed Together Mocking my prayer;

For as the wind picked up, As the dust filled the air And cycloned your breath Far, far away, toward That fleeing realm I am too low to reach From where hearts Are moulded and woven With cruel plans Justice blared my echo, But we were met with silence.

Listen to the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar, for even nonbelievers can be moved by cinematic masterpieces. Play volleyball with your closest friends, release all your worries and troubles with every hit.

Nap like a ﬂuﬀy cat in a beam of sunshine, embrace sweet slumber without a care in the world.

Drink a coﬀee for bursts of energy and a tea for inner peace, let the swirling, earthy elixirs revive you from within.

Have a silly dance party with your little, cherish the innocence of her youth before it fades away.

Hang up sticky notes on your “okay wall, ” leave positive messages to uplift you and your kin.

Delve into worship music, for if the Lord exists, his music and presence will comfort you and honor your praise

Walk outside and bask in the rays of Vitamin D, for nature’s warm serenity will calm and heal you.

Revisit your favorite shows, like Star Trek, always remember “ad astra per aspera” and “live long and prosper.” Watch something funny to boost your mood, endlessly laugh at Wayne’s World and The Mask.

Ground yourself in nature, sink your feet into the dirt, get all itchy and embrace the beauty of the Earth.

Binge-watch movies you loved as a child, feel the nostalgia of Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Pet your sable shepherd and black kitten, caress their soft fur and hold them close as they nuzzle you and cover you in kisses. Take a reckless stage dive, Yogi and The Boo-Boos, turn your embarrassment into joyous memories

Mantras For A Class Full Of Stressed Poets by Karla Zalapa

by Jacquelyn Mejia

Guilty, you thought

Equal signs of open and close

Constrict the heart

Maybe, you could ignore it and sleep, maybe

Or Or

Or Sunday

You could puzzle what’s gone wrong and sick in the brain during prayer

Watch the helpless flapping of your Michael at the edges of clouds

You could drink the wine and sleep later

You should want nothing to preserve your devotion

Pick yourself up from the pews

Dented from countless pleas

Count each diminished chord

Notice the temperature?

It's happening again.

Fernweh by River Verdin

Most believe that the Sun and the Moon are opposites, while’s that’s true they also share much in common

They both shoulder great responsibility to everything in their orbits Placed into roles of significance

But where is the time for joy?

Happiness from fulfilling one’s role can only go so far

Does the Sun wish to see the stars at night? Does the Moon crave rainbow’s light?

There are times like the sunset and the sunrise, Dusk and Dawn Always crossing yet never truly meeting

This goes on for eternity.

Leave No Room For Pessimism by Destiny Delgado Gonzales

hold that feeling: believe it has a reason, see it in the briefest glance of the sun, who is somehow pin-pricked within the sky, one of many who don’t ask for a stage but revel in it; i figure i can be the same blinding sight: distinct by nature an inspiration who exists purely to guide: be etched into more: be made whole by taking a moment.