On Friday, November 10th, Tarriona “Tank” Ball sauntered onto the Arthur Zankel Music Center stage like she owned the place. And that night, she did. Tank and the Bangas’ one-of-a-kind sound swelled to fill the space. Tank was backed by a four-piece band and trio of back-up singers, and the ingenuity of each individual was evident. Altogether, though, the group was amplified. Tank and the Bangas’ commanded the attention of their audience. Under their spell, the concert hall came alive, coaxed by robust rhythms and breezy beats. Tank and the Bangas’ on-stage symbiosis and infectious energy made for an impressive show distinguished from the classical- and jazz-oriented music events that the space typically hosts.
Read moreA poem to the bird I found dead
Pretty Little Dead Thing—
Sky Creature Hit Ground,
you were always invincible to me,
above the Earth’s cruel touch,
but It has taken you.
Read moreTo decompose
I wish to exist in the soft sunlight
that hangs low between fall stricken trees.
To shutter with the yellow leaves
as a gentle wind rolls through the woods.
The Futility of Words
Grief is a curious thing.
You disappear inside an ocean of get well soons
And what can I do for you?
But what do you say when you can’t see the body
When elbow bumps replace hugs
And hand sanitizer is more common than flowers.
What do you say
when you say good-bye through video chat?
Those pixels can’t capture the stench of dried sweat
And the rhythmic hum of the ventilator,
A drumbeat in a sterile room.
You are left to ponder your existence on a screen.
What do you say
To unimaginable loss
Shrouded in the indignities of politics.
With 32,972 dead
What do you say?
I love you could suffice
But the cotton of the mask traps the words
And leaves you unmoored,
Drifting,
Alone.
Crumbs of Thoughts, A Poem
Heaviness of my thoughts contrasts the stillness of the world of mountains.
Read moreWrite of Mourning, A Poem
The clocks mourn the loss, making the lost worthy of being a memory.
Read moreAlive, A Poem
I’m freeing my words for others and me to read, to hear, to judge, to see.
Read moreThe "Non-Marginalized" Black Woman, A Poem
When I open my phone and see the news, I always see something, something about the Black man and how he is being oppressed, but what about the Black woman?
Read moreAnd the Film Rolls, A Poem
The soundtrack blends horror and romance and tragedy.
Read moreWeekly Haiku: Roller Skates
The start of a new series showcasing weekly haikus. Submissions welcome!
Read morePieces of the Past, A Poem
I store my memories away in a box in my mind
Read more"The Fall of my Heart," A Poem
The Archer falls the moment, he releases the Arrow, the Arrow of Knowledge strikes at the center of my Heart.
Read moreWeekly Haiku: Perfection
The start of a new series showcasing weekly haikus. Submissions welcome!
Read moreComing up for Air, A Poem
Finally, I can breathe the air of strength.
Read moreWaves, A Poem
Worries blend into the vast waters.
Read moreWeekly Haiku: Sweeter than Fruit
The start of a new series showcasing weekly haikus. Submissions welcome!
Read moreWeekly Haiku: Golden Hour
The start of a new series showcasing weekly haikus. Submissions welcome!
Read moreA Weekly Haiku
The start of a new series showcasing weekly haikus. Submissions welcome!
Read moreEmily Bryne's Top 5 Poem Recommendations
As an English major, I could compile a pretty long list of poems that I think are phenomenal. But the five that I have chosen to me represent a combination of excellent writing, profound significance, and a certain uniqueness in their style.
Read more"Duplicitous Hope," A Poem
Hope sits proudly on both her shoulders —on one side, Hope whispers soft, soothing words.
Read more