Featured Contributor Spring/Summer 2021
Poetry
James, a Best of Web nominee and three-time Pushcart nominee, has had four collections of poetry; “Solace Between the Lines,” “Light,” “Ancient Rhythms,” and “The Silent Pond,” over 1475 poems, five novels, and thirty-five short stories published worldwide. He earned his BS and MA from California State Polytechnic University, and his doctorate from BYU.
A Plea for Death
Creatures of the night, shriek, and groan ramming the toxic atmosphere in the cemetery with the scent of death. Night birds become soundless as something sinister approaches a fragmented tombstone etched in agony. In the far distance, the sudden haunting whistle of a ghost train resonates in the chasm between life and death: And the homeless living in misery, pray for the hooded phantasm with a scythe to terminate their agonizing existence.
Depression
The haunted dreams, of the drifting Somnambulist, Echo in the caverns of absurdity, Drown in the senseless mutterings That erode, the innocence of Her mind. Always at sea in the vastness of Bottomless pits of longing for that, which Is unattainable, She is lost in the vagueness of oblivion That troubles her unraveling hours. She sits at the edge of eternity, Which like the thundering weaves Of uncertainty, Pull her into the abyss. There is only darkness, Weaving in and out of her lungs As she is drawn further and further Down Into the ebony river Of her fears… Hopelessness, hollow and dark Consumes Her weeping mind, Until the incongruity of life Swallows her into a death-like Absurdity...madness
To see more of James’s work from this issue pick up your copy here.