Category: Uncategorized

Hidden behind
two different sized levels,
I saw it.

And the ache of my bones
reared up —
electric,
sharp edged--
I shrank 
in the ugly face
of its brutality.

Yes, I admit—
I shrank down
50 years or so
more or less—
a thirteen-year-old,
helpless, 
swimming in a stuttering stupor,
nose barely above water,
in the wake of this awakened
ache in my bones--
the sight of a metal yardstick
like the one my drunken mother
tried to break over my back 
as she had her wooden one.

And I, 
after all these years,
I still carry that ache, 
hidden, 
in the marrow
of my bones

My Last Innocent Year – Annette Kalandros

They’ve come before. Remember history. Remember the millions, the thousands, the hundreds– totaling seventeen million. And yet, always, they come. …

They are coming – Annette Kalandros

I’m awake and pretty much sober. Yet I do not wish to be sober. I want to swirlmy anger in my mouth, letting its tannins coat my tongue until my …

Awake and Pretty Much Sober – Annette Kalandros

My daughter, mine,   though you live   thousands of miles away sleep safe, my daughter mine. Though you live   where a man caresses a weapon of war …

My daughter, Mine – Annette Kalandros

The Well of Childhood Haunting – Annette Kalandros

snow on the mountains 
defiant of the warm sun
rests, sugar sprinkled—

—as I stand warming
in this brilliant sunlight bath,
the cross of snow melts—

no longer seeking
refuge upon my still chest,
where feeling returns.

Prayers for this world whispered lightly, softly as if fearful of offense. I wish to scream my discordant, unsung prayers into this world, letting …

My Prayers for this World – Annette Kalandros

This poem was featured on Braveandreckless.com when it was an active site.

The world burns away

beneath a star filled sky

yet contains not the magic

light of stars or the hope

glistening like joyous delight

in the eyes of children

looking into a night sky

filled with the wonderous glow

of dreams yet to be.

No, no dreams to be

for children grown whose

fear filled eyes

can never see dreams

can never see what should be—

their eyes overflowing

with fear of scarcity–

this flint of fear

igniting

the kindling of greed

and the world—

The world burns away

within hate,

becoming dusty ash,

for some God

to mold again.

I’m honored to be featured on http://braveandreckless.com

We, the dogs and I, stopped and watched a mockingbird chase a hawk away from her nest. She did not stop. She did not hesitate. Her bravery knew no …

Force of Nature – Annette Kalandros