Exclusive Ink

Category: Poetry

  • ALL THE WHILE

    by PAULA

    The tintinnabulation of popping sparks
    brought life to the fireplace,
    but, eventually, everything becomes engulfed
    by the pressure of the flames
    and the embers settle.

    Don’t be stuck inside when the fire
    runs low, and you’re fed up of tending
    to the inevitable decline.
    Your arms grow tired, and
    Gas prices grow higher

    Get out before time runs out.
    Spin around and blow bubbles—
    calico ones, ones that don’t pop under pressure.
    Do the impossible, because under enough pressure,
    even graphite can turn into diamonds

    So bibbityboppityboop,
    here’s a carriage to ride away in,
    instead of being held back
    by the pressure of having to tend
    to those flames that died light-years ago.

  • SLEEP-DEPRIVED

    by KENYETTA and JENNY

    I’m sleep-deprived with drooping eyes,
    Stacking boxes high
    While sweat accumulates
    Within the goggles and gloves
    That strangle my skin.
    A sweet cry interrupts the sick monotony of
    Growling machines surrounding me.
    After waking at 4 in the morning,
    A melody and a bagel is all I need
    To retain my sanity.

    But I had an argument with my bed
    Earlier that morning. I didn’t want to
    Wake up. But it’s all cool.
    I just ate a wonderful bagel. That melody.
    On that melody, oh my One Direction.

    Those boys sound of ice cream, so sweet
    But cold. They say they know what makes me beautiful,
    But they sing to every other girl out there too.
    Still, they are my saints, my flame.

  • CAN YOU REMEMBER

    by ZURI

    Can you remember those first words
    that the
    brand
    new poet spoke, bright eyes
    wide
    as she looked
    at you
    and tried to explain
    herself?
    She’s just searching
    for
    real
    in the
    abyss
    of
    lies that lay
    down
    with her
    before bed
    and wake
    with her
    every day.

    Did you
    remember
    what she said?
    The words she blew across the room
    hopefully
    something
    she said
    landed
    on your
    skin
    or
    got under it.

    Maybe
    the way
    she took
    time to
    break
    words
    apart
    or the tears that
    might
    have slipped
    when she
    told
    you about
    her past, or what
    she hoped
    for in the future
    or the shit
    she deals with now.

    And who is she to hope
    that telling you
    what
    she feels
    in
    encrypted lines
    will make a difference?

    Why should you
    be the judge
    of a new poet
    standing in front of what might as well be an
    empty room?

    I guess
    it doesn’t matter
    because it is up to you.

    Are you
    gonna give this poet
    what she needs?
    To breathe easy,
    to plant new seeds?

    Or are you planning to pass her off?

    New poet
    needs a new future.

    Are you ready?
    Because I am.

  • BURGER

    by CURTIS

    Juicy red tomatoes fresh from the garden
    Tender, juicy, and delicious meat
    Freshly baked bread that seems like it never hardens
    It really seems like a tasty treat
    Spices and sauces that will blow your precious mind
    I think about it all the time
    If you add some fries you’ll be fine
    And you can top it off with some refreshing lemon lime

    After the scrumptious treat you might want to
    listen to some tunes
    Some relaxing, soothing, energetic, hyper, or some
    calming music to put you in the mood.
    Have you ever thought about how music can
    play a huge role in your life.
    It can determine if your choices
    are wrong or right.
    If you really look deep into it, music controls
    your personality, your attitude, your swag, the
    clothes on your back, and basically everything you do.

    If you go deeper in thought it controls
    the society we live in. If you go deeper it controls
    how people think of you and how you think of other
    people.
    If you go deeper it can control life or death

    If went this deep in an ocean you would drown
    to death.
    I will stop going so deep for now and give it a rest

    Now you’re probably so deep in thought about life,
    you probably want a delicious sandwich to tame
    you sudden starvation. so you go back and you eat your
    burger. And you think to yourself all of this from one
    bit of a burger.
    Brings a whole new meaning to you are what you eat.

  • ME AND MY BOYFRIEND

    by DESTINY

    Sugar Pie
    Honey bun
    You know that,
    I love you!!

    Roses are red
    violets are blue
    you’re the
    best boyfriend
    and I love you

    you light up
    my world
    you light up
    my life
    one day in the
    future I’ll be
    your wife

    our love is
    cool
    our love is
    kind, the best
    day ever is when
    I made you mine