A Poetry Showcase from Chuck Harp

Bio: Chuck is a winner of the Mad Cave Studios Talent Hunt. In 2022 he released his fourth poetry collection, People Watching. He published two works of fiction and multiple comics online and in print . His newest musical poetry project, Letters From The Lookout, released with the collective Katcheen Tongues. www.chuckharp.com

Past Shadows

His hands shook violently
as the mop water seeped
through his rough fingers.
What was once a well-oiled machine, 
Carl’s body was no more 
than a rusted old jeep. 

Smells of sweat and strength
filled his nostrils.
To some it’s objectionable,
vile to outsiders,
but not to Carl.

The shadows of past fighters
still stained the white mat.
Modern day gladiators 
fighting for survival in a world
that served them harsh realities.

But Carl missed it all.
And as he cleaned,
he could hear a faint bell 
ring out through his church.

(previously published at PUBLIC POOL (since discontinued))

Disheveled in Church

Twisted in
the stranded mind
imagination manipulates
the unlucky us
incarcerated with
the company
of cold shivers
known only as
ourselves,
in search of heroes
somewhere inside
our dilapidated castle
speaking curses softly
like bandaged tongues
of doomsayers,
never knowing
the patient grace
of leveling silence
necessary in times
of internal struggle
when life seems
far too long.

Lined Battlefield

Clicking the pen
like unsheathing the sword,
either creating peace
or collapsing to chaos.

Shit-Sandwich

What’s tomorrow gonna bring me
that today didn’t fail at first?
Immediate disappointment
getting shipped in overnight?
Fresh Regret cooking in the kitchen
ready to serve up a few morsels more?

For I only have a cup, half-full,
never brimming with self-worth
and I don’t think I can
muster up another day at the table
staring at cold leftovers
struggling to swallow one more bite
of a typical shit-sandwich.