because if you were out there by your own volition / the court of popular opinion would quickly take the / closed minded position that no matter the circumstances / of any situation…you must have brought it on yourself – Patrice Smith
Category: Poetry
Forgot you
“I searched in the yesterday/
the reason why/
I can’t find you/
in my present. ~Adriana Rocha
The Hungry Travelers – Return Journey
“Ach,
wenn man längere Zeit kein Fleisch gesehen hat” – Carol Stewart
Coda to Layla, for FSKB
“…and I’m thinking about being five /
with my toes on the edge of the curbside,” ~Lore Nissley
An Hourly Poem
So, what I want to know is /
can a poem get up in the morning, go to work, put in a good eight hours, / come home, change into its pajamas, have dinner in front of the television, / wake up the next day and do it all again?
Defining Whiteness
Whiteness isn’t the color of skin at birth;
/ whiteness is our system assigning uneven worth
Like Zen
Another fabulous poem by 45’s favorite, Michael Lee Johnson. Enjoy! #newpoetry
grave concerns
medicine deniedmother of necessityreturns with resolve homegrown herbal teaspennyroyal mugwortbecome black market toll point of a hangerwe’ll tear out our wombsthrow ourselves down staircases solder our vaginas shutexpediencyour only choice now we’ll deliver themthen smother them at birthbury the unwanted leave them out in the coldtoss them in the seafill baby boxes roast them broil…
Chicken Soup for the Soul Poem Nominated at Film Festival
The poem, “Breakfast in Northport” by Zorina Exie Frey was one of the twelve poets selected for Chicken Soup for the Soul‘s anthology, “I’m Speaking Now, Black Women Share Their Truth in 101 Stories of Love, Courage, and Hope (2020).” Her poem was also featured on Chicken Soup for the Soul’s podcast. Listen to the…
Ghost I am
Read more poetry by Michael Lee Johnson at 45magazine.com or visit him on Instagram @MLJPoetryMan1330
Closure
“You threw my name on a dirty floor
With the phrase “you disgust me”
Not a single thought
That I could possibly be the water
That should cleanse your sins…” @lulekamhlanzi #newpoetry #poems #45MagPoetryJournal #closure
Superstition
No longer do I wish up on
the evening’s first star.
My eye may catch a glint of coin
on the ground yet I only walk on.
Poetry by @reneebutner
45 Magazine Poetry Journal 