Testy Pony by Zachary Schomburg

I am given a pony for my birthday, but it is
the wrong kind of pony. It is the kind of
pony that won't listen. It is testy. When I
ask it to go left, it goes right. When I ask
it to run, it sleeps on its side in the tall
grass. So when I ask it to jump us over the
river into the field I have never before
been, I have every reason to believe it will
fail, that we will be swept down the river to
our deaths. It is a fate for which I am
prepared. The blame of our death will rest
with the testy pony, and with that, I will be
remembered with reverence, and the pony
will be remembered with great anger. But
with me on its back, the testy pony rears
and approaches the river with unfettered
bravery. Its leap is glorious. It clears the
river with ease, not even getting its pony
hooves wet. And then there we are on the
other side of the river, the sun going down,
the pony circling, looking for something to
eat in the dirt. Real trust is to do so in the
face of clear doubt, and to trust is to love.
This is my failure, and for that I cannot be
forgiven.

Cement Cloud by Bob Holman

Front window TV breaking news just breaking
Lucy at the assembly line. Must eat more pastries faster!
When One falls, I think if the Other comes this way
It would flatten my flat yet Dad waits for family to come
Home what is that a place of safety laughter breaks
The sky so clear and how beautifully plunging my Friends
From the flaming pickets of the “World” nefarious
Brilliance blinds from death even “Is the air controller's
Computer broken or what?” asks the newscaster when news
Is history lies jokes tell themselves leaving trails of skin

The panic from just outside is my story holes of plane
Flames of symbol clocks of hearts the ash and human
And human there is first the body keep telling yourself
That or anything because what comes next to LIFT us
Ineffable dies in the utter unspeakability political under
Standing or taking of everything the value of freedom
Of peace and the seed that grows into a home where
The door can open a fireball erupts your tongue
Is suddenly singing Remember eyes locked forever
On the double tombstone that is not there and always