firefightERS reUnion

undeniable brotherhood.
some you never forget,
others you wish you could.

they fight the fires 
that threaten a mother,
a child, a father,
even their brothers;
when things are slow, 
they’ll fight each other.

the end of every fire 
brings a retreat,
smokey assemblies 
in the middle of the street. 

they gather to eat 
in a single room–
and so do they sleep
from dawn till doom.


by K. Osei

sUicide

yesterday America
committed suicide
but she didn’t die.

she rose, with fist closed
and blood in her eye.

the sound of wind
whisked her ear,
evoking times of biased fear.

eighteen hundred eighty-five,
severed chains she arrived
to commemorate grand defeat
of dixieland’s southern heat.

cuprum’s shade
transformed with time
to patina’s fade
without a shine.

an idea tried by oxidation
rust-resistant collaboration,

fire still held high in hand
with promise of united land.

by K.Osei



gyPsophila


pure innocence wrapped in meek
spongy flesh, chubby cheeks

imagine such celestial scent
remembering not troubles went

vellus hair and cradle cap
sixty-four diapers and a nap

warm milk from a breast
weary eyes, my arms, we rest

heeding your cooing call
under your spell we fall

nothing real save you
even your smile, above mine true

between the labor of life and death
nothing so delightful as baby’s breath 

By K. Osei

finaL dWelLing

the road ends where the shadowy shanty stands alone,
amid solitude, silence and seeded fields overgrown. 

bypassed this road times before,
alluring whispers beneath implore

who lives there?

what form resides within such place
daunting darkness heavily laced

a door ajar, beckoned from afar
stoking curiosity.

primordial uneasy realm
enchanting creatures intimately found.
lodged the night and watched their plight

till aurora came around.

nocturnal storm to dawning mist
balmy breeze weave through vellus hair, 
evening scars turn to bliss.
scent of petrichor ease despair

morning milk flowed as silk,
warm and sweet – soothing his sigh,
before flailing arms reached a cry.
swaddle removed, cradled to skin
returned two to harmony again.

early spring removed the sting
as nutrients pollinate the place

a trillion flying forms; floating things,
flooded the atmosphere without care
and fairy flies feasted plankton in the air

by K. Osei

acQuiescent jOy

a falcon descended
in belated years,
with joy and tears
a legacy extended.

the summer of Chayton arrived in spring
like Mars, an uncommon thing,
not in the conventional sense
but rather, pain and scars:

crimson-drenched. 

until dawn, fatigue we fight 
despite bruised bonds

Chayton ruled the night.

field of trees bloom crescent moon
fluttering leaves embracing noon
such ocean waves driven of wind
perfectly synchronized reflection of light
rivaled the stars that clear vernal night
affably floating in a sea of blue
pure skies and shredded fleece passing through

how indifferent and magnificent you are. 

by K. Osei