top of page

Breath & Shadow

Fall 2010 - Vol. 7, Issue 4

"Sword of Sunlight" and "Life is Beautiful"

written by

Todd Hanks

"Sword of Sunlight"

 

Hope is the hand that

reaches from the whirlpool,

the flower that overlooks

the junkyard, and the

multi-colored sword of sunlight

that thrusts through stained glass.

The night is not only one color,

and when wind whistles

through your broken teeth

and you ride on the public's

shoulders to Hell,

try and climb from between

the fangs of the snake.

Don't let hope disappear

around a corner.

Ignore the cries of wolfhounds

and cruel words like black guns.

If you spit up blood in the

shadows of mars,

remember that hope

is as real as pain.

 

 

"Life is Beautiful"

 

Life is as beautiful as stallions running off a cliff,

beautiful as the dying blues man's final heartfelt riff,

beautiful as ballerinas dancing on a train track.

Life is as beautiful as angel's wings soaked in gasoline,

that send fiery exclamations into the heavens.

Todd Hanks has worked as a creative writer and journalist for several small newspapers. His poems have appeared in publications such as Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, Tales of the Talisman, Night to Dawn, Beyond Centauri, and the Kansas City Star. His book of gothic poetry, which is beautifully illustrated, can be purchased at several computer locations by typing his name in the search engine and the title of his book, “Grave Bits”.

bottom of page