Photography © Jennifer Matthews

Cycles

Sun-sullied eyelids
settle at half-mast
scavenging an aberration of
molecular allure
from the morning coffee’s
steaming arabesque
as a memory of absence
in the prime time
of a palpable appearance
stamps a hollow throb on
the violated tribute
like a rubber stamp
on a death certificate
while the palest incarnation
of a powder blue sky
presses to negotiate with
visual malaise and its
lidded agents of
alarm clock defiance
as affairs of inverted sight
rankle what can be agreed
upon by wide-awake
confidantes at a distance
sizable enough to see
the morning for the origin it is
and to slight the passing
of its navy blue ancestor
seeing cycles in their place
in the way of soldiers signing up
for peace in perpetuity
in spite of fine print
drafting the unlucky ones
into dreams of powder blue

Steven Fortune is a resident of Sydney, Nova Scotia and a graduate of Acadia University (English Literature/History) where he served as Editor-In-Chief of the Arts Faculty journal and News Editor of the student newspaper. He’s released five poetry collections that are now out of print due to the closure of the publishing company in 2019. While still in business, he also edited several works for fellow authors in the company. Steven has appeared on CBC Radio, and his work has been featured and read on several radio and online programs. In addition to his poetry, he has collaborated with songwriters on lyrics, and recently completed his first one-act play, which garnered local attention, and was considered for a university festival. These days, he is focused on finding a new long-term publisher while contributing to journals and magazines, and hopes to continue his volunteer work, which involves organizing local poetry events and readings.

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.