Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

oppression

we stand atop mountains
stare back toward
an eastern sky
watch fighter planes
flitter between gray black clouds
and the warming rays of a rising sun

it’s a slow walk
down
through a graveyard valley
dodging tanks and
gatling guns
and doers of evil, hate
and discontent

we walk
hand in hand these final steps
before the battle stops
and someone cries,

all is well
all is well

and a shot cries out,
quelling the urge
to make a sound
as we sit in circles
wet from sudden rain

 

Jack Henry is a writer and raconteur living in the wilds of a south eastern California desert. when not chasing the myths and realities of the living and damned, he disappears across the sand dunes of Kelso in search of the endless whatever.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of Poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.