And STILL……

I put your picture in a drawer

Removed the mementos of your presence

And still I miss you

I erased the messages from the machine

Took your numbers off speed dial

And still I miss you

Miss the way you make me smile

The space where I feel free

Safe and even silly

The expressiveness of your mouth

So beautiful when it smiles

And breaking my heart

When it shows your pain

With its frown

I fill my days with things to do

Words, causes, meetings

All to channel this need

This passion

To feel alive

To feel fulfilled

These feelings are my own

The universe promises nothing in return

So I expect nothing

This is acceptance.

But acceptance demands truth

Realization not denial

Acceptance of this precious now

Life will go on

And still I miss you.

Either Side of Eight Mile

A gun goes off

Someone lies bleeding

Not just on cold city streets

In pools of red, another dead

On either side of Eight Mile.

A mother cries

Her heart ripped with pain

The address may change

But it’s all the same

On either side of Eight Mile.

Babies make babies

While babies have babies

Then babies kill babies

Babies crying

Babies dying

Life begins then to quickly ends.

A community’s loss

Another childhood lost.

When will it end

And peace begin.

On either side of Eight Mile.

A personal note from the desk of:
Howard Ely, Managing Editor

Dear Michelle Brown,

I am delighted to inform you that your poem "Wild Fruit" has been awarded our prestigious Editor's Choice Award because it displays an original perspective and unique creativity -- judged to be the qualities found most in exceptional poetry. Congratulations on your achievement!