The Landlady
No one gets in her way Runs a rental house Mattresses on the floor Always someone opening Closing front door Cheap rent Packed in like…
Only In America | Politics, Protection & Stupidity | COVID-19 | Coronavirus’ Days
We all have responsibility Some take it seriously Others not so much Givers Takers Ignorance Compliance Pandemic floating in the thin air Wear a mask …
CXIV
Sleep rough Dreaming all night Wake up Shaking Mind plays tricks Off and on all day Raining outside Pencil sharpener grinds No place to hide …
CXV
World spinning too fast Nothing manufactured to last Use the widget Tired of the widget Toss in the trash Copyright© Edge of Humanity…
CXVI
She Prays Mornings Nights Totally Convinced This is the reason She has a good life Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If…
CXVII
Destiny That is the excuse He uses for All The Failures in his life Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
CXVIII
The Astrologer usually right except she could not pick a husband Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
CXIX
He ran ran and ran But could not escape the past Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
CXX
Empty shell Stranded On the beach sand No longer Able to feel Happy or sad Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If…
Selected Communism Is Blind
Her argument was not convincing She relied on propaganda, not numbers “I do not support Universal Healthcare For All because it is Communism” Who pays…
CXXI
Con man Expert at selling brand Stoke their emotions Brainwash Uniformed Followers Tell Them What they want to her Light the match Enflame their fears…
CXXIII
He relied only on logic Never Trusted Intuition Not everything can be explained Good plans Poor timing Bad luck Trust the gut Don’t become stuck…
CXXIV
Hair turning gray Teeth starting decay He packed a sack Full of snacks Thumb up Caught a lift Complete flip Left reality Homeless Life of…
CXXV
He is able to convince the skeptics Borrow billions Play money For Eccentric ideas Every investor is looking out For the next great thing …
CXXVI
The powerful Understand Repeat To the people Over and over Falsehoods That Eventually Becames Reality Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
CXXVII
Clicking the pen Put something down on the pad I’m sad Squeezing the pulp Out of my brain It’s late in this game Please One…
CXXVIII
Not much left to do Just think of past Nothing new Couple slices of bread Leftover stew I miss her Life now a mess I…
CXXIX
Stuck in the 60s 70s Am I the only creature Who still uses A paper map? Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If…
CXXX
Life Did not Give me Fancy Dancy Ripe fruit Instead I mostly tasted bitterness Unable to recognize This man Eyes full of tears Copyright©…
CXXXI
Sitting on her Arabian horse Proud Life is good She lights a cigar Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped,…
CXXXII
Slow march Consistent march Walking off into oblivion Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved you, please…
CXXXIII
Shiny marbles keep on rolling However Retreaded tires last only short time Cheat poor Turn peasants into whores Snipping On Leftovers Copyright© Edge of…
CXXXIV
Decisions Made a few bad ones Who is counting? Then day becomes night The mind begins to bite Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020…
CXXXV
one candle is lit of course I write when light is just a bit pen and paper my close friends sometimes I’m rattled how some poems…
CXXXVI
longtime since opening the book Jack Kerouac The Dharma Bums wow termites sure had fun Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry…
CXXXVII
Tonight Fragrant angel’s trumpet flowers open Morning: Flowers close and beauty is gone. All day the tree is growing Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020…
CXXXVIII
he is a different ant instead of carrying a load following in a straight line he wandered off alone now difficult staying alive but no…
CXL
Heatwave Record highs Even iguanas hide I watch a lizard crawl along the patio Not sure if he will make it to the other side…
CXLI
my muse just walked away I try to write lonely time now awnings down on all the windows sitting in the dark shack slowly…
CXLII
dreams all night dreams so many dreams I wake up feet shaking nerves shattered look around searching finding but unable to grasp scattered bits of…
CXLIII
hot humid days heavy rain storms shack invaded I spray spray some more lemon juice mixed with vinegar termites scatter Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020…
CXLIV
Gigantic Boulder Rolling down the mountain Only option Get out of the way Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped,…
Looking Back | Three Favorite Haiku Poems By The Hermit Poet #3
1st published 9/22/2017 Predawn Middle East Slow peaceful walk listening To call to prayer Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
Looking Back | Three Favorite Haiku Poems By The Hermit Poet #1
1st published 12/25/2014 Eiheiji Temple Meditating on cold floor Candles burn slowly Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped,…
Looking Back | Three More Favorite Poems from The Hermit Poet #3
1st published May 15th, 2017 On the steps of Krak Des Chevaliers Walking with a cane Hauling her oxygen tank The old lady said…
Looking Back | Three More Favorite Poems From The Hermit Poet #1
1st published April 10th, 2017 Sushi Bar Ginza, Tokyo Sitting next to me The Japanese Gastroenterologist said “I could make much more money working…
DCLV
When I’m not feeling well Stopping to rest I think of wasted time Which only brings frustration Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020…
CXLVI
glass shatters on tile floor I crunch down my head into the pillow on the bed heavy cry competing with strongest rain coming down from…
Tropical Storm Rains Are Here | Hermit Poet is Ready For Roof Leaks
YEARS PAST DCCCXXXVII Originally published October 5th, 2017 I’m climbing a ladder hauling hefty buckets of tar sealant to the rooftop. Then…
Looking Back | Three More Favorite Poems Of The Hermit Poet #3
Poem 3 of 3 DCCCXX Originally published January 3rd, 2018 Bahia Walking along the Praia I met a lady With Long black hair streaked…
Looking Back | Three More Favorite Poems Of The Hermit Poet #2
Poem 2 of 3 DCCCII Originally published January 28th, 2018 Frenzied Flimflam Man Sitting next to conveyor belt Expeditiously Opening Can After Can Searching for…
Looking Back | Three More Favorite Poems Of The Hermit Poet #1
Poem 1 of 3 CMLV Originally published July 5th, 2016 Some place Central America Woke up soaking wet All through night He sweat Looking…
A Search For Tiny & Meaningful Expressions
Written by Susi Bocks @ The Short of It My love for the minutiae in writing began during 2018, as I learned more about poetry and…
CXLVIII
old worn paperback book falling apart I carefully patch together we are close friends forever Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
Submission
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey OBEDIENCE Like dogs We sit and we wait Like boards…
CL
Problems may stay around awhile, but eventually the wheel stops and life is back to normal. Ants march in single file getting the work done.…
The Woman In The Bar
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey LOCK-IN “How long have you been here?” Morning Afternoon Evening…
Looking Back At Three (Not All) Of The Favorites Of The Hermit Poet’s Poems # 3
Poem 3 of 3 DCCCLXXIV Originally published July 29th, 2017 The old gambler Lived in a small pool cabana At a rundown motel On…
Looking Back At Three (Not All) Of The Favorites Of The Hermit Poet’s Poems # 2
Poem 2 of 3 CMLXXXI Originally published April 17, 2016 Had a moment that day Decided To throw it all away Purchased One way ticket…
Looking Back At Three (Not All) Of The Favorites Of The Hermit Poet’s Poems # 1
I never wrote poetry until August 2014. That was the month and year Edge of Humanity Magazine first published on the internet. Since August…
CLIII
sitting on beach towel sipping lemonade oh-so slow no place to go wind begins to blow gigantic cloud now blocks sun I welcome break from…
Holding On To Humanity
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey 慈悲 I will not lose you Not to the illusions Painted…
CLIV
Sitting on my beach chair Who the hell needs a career? Catching rays Reading philosophy books all day I’m not a frustrated big shot With…
CLV
wall full of degrees hung straight no dust totally neat always bragging about expertise stuff self at dinner table enjoys watching others crumble unwilling to…
CLVI
The gift of power even a small amount can corrupt insecure individuals Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped,…
CLVII
Nothing left to hold on to Packed my backpack Maybe find something new NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST Does it matter which way? I roam the…
CLVIII
Start of Wet season Termites Nesting Chewing Flying around inside shack One Day If I’m still alive May Witness Collapse Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC…
CLIX
All 500 square feet Sometimes I think Shack too large Should move Close to the clouds One room hut will do I dream Taking sips of…
CLX
I’m a frugal chap Do not like to bust my back Nighttime Sleep on soft king-size sheet Spread out on beach Daytime SHAKE SHAKE My…
CLXI
Slow Burn Absorb the pain Hobble along with my cane soon only ashes Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
Doldrums
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey FORWARD – REWIND My pinned eyes close On their bloods and…
Fleeting Company
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey HOTEL REFLECTION I press the bell Check out my reflection And throw…
Hollow Voyage
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey NOWHERE BOUND I woke up this morning And saw a truck on…
CLXII
the satanic one flies low the satanic one controls the flow the satanic one creates undertow today the satanic one glows Copyright© Edge of…
CLXIII
sitting observing candle burn to the end I never understood how much hurt decimates nerves Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
CLXIV
Yesterday A storm was near Today The weather is clear Tomorrow Nothing to fear Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my…
“Si, hasta la primavera”
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey UNTIL THE SPRING Ugly are Those winter buildings Covered in underwear …
A Breeze Of Sorrow Passing Over Emptiness
Written By Poet and Photographer J H Martin @ A Coat for a Monkey AN ANCIENT SONG An ancient song Howls across Mad factory dawns Of…
Extinction
STOP listen to the warning dwindling compassion obliteration of planet What is our future? Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry…
CLXVII
Yucatan Peninsula Mexico lying in hammock cigarette hanging from mouth soles of feet badly cracked the fisherman mumbled to his dog stop licking bottle of…
CLXIX
moss clings to Buddha statue cowbell rings finches congregate to eat days pass seasons do not last small changes peaceful exchanges garden provides refuge from…
CLXX
looking at her paintings in the gallery she remembered young girl on the way to school learning from street graffiti Copyright© Edge of Humanity…
CLXXI
walking stopping the exhausted warrior turned around gazed at his foot prints then tossed his weapon into the snow Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC…
CLXXII
relaxing in hammock smoking pipe drinking beer watching bananas grow Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CLXXIII
sprinkling tear-drops continuity lost cold like winter frost Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved you,…
CLXXIV
recycle the bin What information is chosen? keep the minds frozen Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or…
CLXXV
simple Go stones placed tactically on wood board devour silence Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CLXXVI
worn out hiking boots I just keep moving along soaking wet but strong Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped,…
CLXXVII
warm mid-morning Iguana getting suntan on backyard stepping-stone Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved you, please…
CLXXIX
hot weather is here daily afternoon rainstorms bamboo on steroids Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CLXXX
chop chop chop & slice always taking is not nice sneaky like scared mice Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry…
CLXXXI
midnight bandits raccoons having koi dinner sashimi by the pond Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CLXXXII
hatching sea turtles marching towards the ocean no baggage just instinct Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or…
CLXXXIII
they come they go do not succumb to undertow maintain steady flow Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
CLXXXIV
sitting on beach towel drinking fresh squeezed lemonade watching tide come go Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
CLXXXV
loudmouthed old blue jay cold hungry eyeballs empty seed tray Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CLXXXVI
early morning bathe cool holy Ganges River brings contentment Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved you,…
CLXXXVII
cool under palm tree young man repairs fishnet continues tradition Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved you,…
CLXXXVIII
The Trader always glued to computer screens charts data news feeds today on top next day bleed wears the best threads custom made Italian…
CLXXXIX
hoisting mainsail leaving harbor for unknown I light my cigar Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CXC
humble on my knees casually pulling weeds garden comforts me Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained, or moved…
CXCI
spider crawling on wall rain stopped bananas will grow tall rooster calls Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…
CXCII
Tokyo room shared bathroom with thirty people saved Yen for sushi Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2020 If my poetry helped, entertained,…