Backbone Poetry Journal – May 2013

Edited by: Grace Ocasio

“I am astounded by each poet in this issue. Each one is a discovery,
a masterful word crafter, rendering images that pop on the page.
Not one character, word, or line is wasted. If the mission of poetry
is to inspire, then I confess that with Patrick Adigweme, Ha Kiet Chau,
Ernest Williamson III, Diane Judge, Wendell Ottley, and Shanice Shamzy
Thompson have moved me, challenged me as a reader to reconsider
subjects (romantic love and domesticity, for instance) that I have long
ignored. Their words engage, startle, and convict. My wish for each
and every reader is that the freshness and vitality of their language
resonates, resounding in the midst of life’s trivialities.”

Featured Poet: Patricia Smith
Three Poems

Two Poems
Ha Kiet Chau

Sunday
Patrick Adigweme

Hum, Hallelujah
Shanice Shamzy Thompson

Between Kisses
Ernest Williamson III

Packing Up
Diane Judge

Two Poems
Wendell Ottley

Review: When Kerosene’s Involved by Daniel Romo
Kate Marchetto