--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISSN 1063-8377 __ _______________ // ) | S T A N Z A | // \/ |_______________| // \/ The Free Online Poetry Magazine // \/ // \/ // \/ - A Forum for Poets of All Kinds to // \/ Share Their Work - // \/ _________________ //__/ - STANZA is free to anyone who wishes ()_\ \ ///\ to download it - | a RAM Online | __//__ | Publications | | | ________________________ | online | | | __/SPECIAL TEEN POET ISSUE!\__ _| periodical | /_______\ \________________________/ ()|______________| \|_______________) October 1992 - Volume 2, Issue 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cover art by SHADOWRITER, used with permission [_________________________________________________________________________] | | | Table of Contents | |___________________________________________________________________________| | | | Title Author/Poet Search Code | |{-------------------------------------------------------------------------}| | This Month in "Stanza"........................ Ryan MacMichael......... A | | How to Use the Search Codes............................................ B | | | | The Long Night................................ Tom Wischmann........... 1 | | Life in the Fog........................................................ 2 | | The Night Calls........................................................ 3 | | | | One Cold Rainy Night.......................... Tim Keene............... 4 | | The Real Me............................................................ 5 | | | | Young Love.................................... Erin O'Connor........... 6 | | An Unluminious Nightmare............................................... 7 | | I Died Today........................................................... 8 | | | | Thunder and Lightning......................... Robert F. Craven........ 9 | | | | "It's a thrill to be beside you..."........... Anonymous...............10 | | | | You........................................... Paul McAleer............11 | | | | My Love is Forever............................ CrystalMouse............12 | | | | Agony......................................... Nick Sciortino..........13 | | Love...................................................................14 | | | | Back Issue List........................................................ C | | Supporting BBSes....................................................... D | | The Final Verse........................................................ E | |{-------------------------------------------------------------------------}| |___________________________________________________________________________| ___________________________________________________________________________ | o All information Copyright 1992 RAM Online Publications. | | o All poems Copyright 1992 by their respective authors. | | o No part of STANZA may be reproduced, in part or in whole without | | permission from RAM Online Publications and its authors. | | o This magazine may be freely distributed in TXT or any compression | | format as long as no part of the magazine is changed and there is no | | fee involved other than standard connect/phone charges. | | | | STANZA, the Free Online Poetry Magazine -- ISSN 1063-8377 | |___________________________________________________________________________| [A] This Month in STANZA Ryan MacMichael What's up everyone? Welcome to yet another issue of STANZA. This month is a somewhat special issue as you may have gathered from the cover. I was looking around on a teen-only area on GEnie and noticed a poets topic. Naturally I stopped in. Though I waded through a lot of slush, I picked out several very good poems by young teen poets! If these guys keep on doing what they're doing, the poetry world will be in for a treat. From topics range from love to the nighttime, these kids can write. So enjoy this issue and let me know what you think. I'll pass any personal comments you may have on specific poems on to their authors for you. You may soon (as in by the time you read this, possibly) find STANZA being supported on the Portal online service. This should increase circulation quite a bit and get the word out. Gone until November... [ END - A ] [----------] [B] How to Use the Search Codes Ryan MacMichael The search codes listed in the Table of Contents are very easy to use. Simply load STANZA into your text editor, or viewer, or whatever. Then find the search code you wish to search for in STANZA, then do your FIND command and type: [x] where x is the search code. Simple! In the future, we may be lucky enough to have a specific viewer for STANZA. If you think this would be a valuable asset or would like to take on the task of writing one, let me know. [ END - B ] [----------] [1] The Long Night Tom Wischmann The light's are low, The radio's on. The night is falling, I want to go to sleep. It's getting darker, The radio's on. I wish I could go to sleep. But I cannot sleep. It's midnight, The radio's on. It's black in my mind, I want to go to sleep. The final bell tolls To signal Midnight is here. It's time for me to sleep, But I cannot sleep. The radio plays, Plays on and on. I'm going to sleep, But I cannot sleep... I'm going to sleep... [ END - 1 ] [----------] [2] Life in the Fog Tom Wischmann City Streets, Country Roads. Tenement Houses, Plantation Farms. Ancient Cars, Brand-New Tractors. Credit Cards, Bank Accounts. Tired & Old, Fresh & Young. Poor, Rich. Is it really that different? [ END - 2 ] [----------] [3] The Night Calls Tom Wischmann I hear the night calling, In the gentle whisper of the wind. I hear the night calling, In the chirps of the Grasshopper. I hear the night calling, The voice of the moon, The sound of the stars. It's echo draws out the truth, But it's truth is never seen. For the truth is drawn into the darkness, The great shadow of the night. I hear the night calling, And you hear it, too. [ END - 3 ] [----------] [4] One Cold Rainy Night Tim Keene I walked by your window one cold rainy night Saw you sitting there, such a beautiful sight But your face was wet with tears And your eyes full of pain Oh I wondered what was wrong As I stood out in the rain I stand out in the dark with my fears Built up in my mind throughout the years I felt dead in my heart A man with no soul Can you be the one That will make me whole? I know you felt your love was ripped apart The mark was missed my Cupid's dart Please don't dwell in the past See what our future will hold Give us a chance to show them all Let's create sunshine from the cold We can have a love that will always last Forget our sorrows and have a blast Our shattered dreams Can be made anew An everlasting love story By the time we are through But that is the future, this is the now You remain in your window, I make this vow To take you away From the hurt and pain But that will never be If I stand here forever in the rain [ END - 4 ] [----------] [5] The Real Me Tim Keene What do you see when you look at me? A fool who works in vain- A creature too wild to tame- A loner who stands on his own- A vagrant who has no home- An idiot who's totally nuts- A coward who has no guts- Is that what you see when you look at me? Why is it you stay away? What is it that I must say? Funny jokes to make you smile- Eloquent poems full of style- Friendly conversation over the phone- Undying devotion when we're alone- Promises that would never break- Anything at all that it would take- Through each night and day, I struggle to find what to say. Will you please give me a clue? What is it that I must do? Face the wrath of God's own might- Learn the secrets of human flight- Lasso the moon and put it on a plate- Find the patience to sit and wait- Swim the waters of the Seven seas- Travel across mountains, through oceans and trees- Universes die and grow again, but still I wonder what I must do? One day you shall see what makes up the real me. A friend in need when all seems lost- A fighter who'll win, no matter the cost- An extra hand when you're worn out- An extra mind to help with your doubts- I'll be there with you until the end- And always I'll remain your friend- Don't be afraid of what may be- place your trust in the real me. [ END - 5 ] [----------] [6] Young Love Erin O'Connor So big and bright, attatched to one long string Floating through the air as if on eagle's wings. On one end I stand, all of five years Blue eyes shining as the storm nears. I looked up at it, with love filling my heart Just as the evil storm grabbed it and tore it all apart. Out burst hatred, lies and pain, where I had thought only Love, caring and loyalty had once lain. I ran as fast as my stuby legs would go, through the terrible weather To try and gather the pieces and put them back together. After several tries, I gave up and sighed A single tear falling slowly from the corner of my eye. The very next day, where that tear had fallen A pure white rose was reaching to heaven. [ END - 6 ] [----------] [7] An Unluminious Nightmare Erin O'Connor Black is the night When the darkness takes your sight Scream with all your might But the emptiness will yield no light. You lay as still as a stone Not quite sure if you're alone Feeling so helpless you moan Shaking and sweating to the bone. Sleep if you dare You'll just begin a new nightmare The Night doesn't care It just sends you there. After you wake You tell yourself your dream was just a fake. But you saw that lake And the life that it did take. Was it all just a dream? Or is it realer than it may seem? You went down to that lake and saw a gleam. Oh, poor child, too far you did lean. Of course everyone says it was an accident, But you and I both know that it was meant. To your death you were sent Just because of a trip to dreamland that was spent. [ END - 7 ] [----------] [8] I Died Today Erin O'Connor She told me how you feel since I am restricted, I broke down. She told me what you did. I died today knowing what you considered. It pierced my fragile heart blaming a seven letter word. To laugh is only to cry cuz you're really dying inside... ...you plead towards suicide... Heaven would be blessed with your presence but I need you here by my side. You have many years to live and many more breaths to take... ...don't put your life at stake... If you passed away, by your own hand, my heart and soul would follow. Since you stole them a long time ago. My tear stained face, is no longer a disgrace. It's a symbol of how much I care, stepping upon that shaky stair. The first stair that leads to the House of Pain, no foreign land to my step. But this time it's a matter of life... ...and death... Running into Death's clutches, is not the way out. Take my hand and let me lead the way. Sometimes when I lay in bed, with wondering eyes, I can feel your breath, sweet breath against my cheek. It's a feeling of warmth and love, not coldness, hate and death... ...in which you seek... Exit that morbid nightmare, and enter my loving stare. If only you knew how much you mean to me. Your lips are moving near the kiss of the Devil. Open your eyes and see the sharpened point of His spear. You're just a fragile, shimmering tear intertwined in the fingers of fright. Please don't just live for me, or anyone else... ...try and live for yourself... [ END - 8 ] [----------] [9] Thunder and Lightning Robert F. Craven Thunder blossoms and roars from the clouds As I, cold, pull a blanket around me In preparation for the storm. A single candle lights my way Across a darkened page Aflood with love, life, and memories Of the living, the dead, the forgotten; The lightning brightens the sky And illuminates my book, my life, Before it falls away again Into the unseen thunder and silent darkness. Clouds open and depart, The sunlight is revealed, My book is so much brighter now, So much easier to read. I stand and let my blanket fall To set my sunlight free; I step outside and see a spot Where the grass is brown and scorched, A remnant of the thunderstorm That brought its mighty sparks. I stand inside that little spot, Blades still tipped with rain; I curl my toes in the darkened grass And am filled with my life again. [ END - 9 ] [----------] [10] "It's a thrill to be beside you..." Anonymous It's a thrill to be beside you, When the evening lights are low, Being near to you is a treasure, That can drive away life's woe; It's a thrill to touch your hand, dear, And to feel your angel kiss, For your velvet lips enchant me, With a magic kind of bliss; It's a thrill to dream together, Making plans on things to be, Your tender and understanding way, Means, oh, so much to me; It's a thrill to share your laughter, And to make your heart feel gay, Yes, I'm priveledged to be able, To help see you through dismay; Many are the joys of living, Each has a powr to fulfill, But just to have and hold you, Is indeed my greatest pleasure and thrill. [ END - 10 ] [----------] [11] You Paul McAleer Something about you draws me nearer. Is it your eyes? Many have said eyes can be the best part of one's head. Is it your smile? Maybe it's not just your smile, maybe it's the words that emerge from your lips. Is it you - yes, you! It _is_ you. Not as an object or a machine. But as a person. Something about you draws me nearer. And it is you. [ END - 11 ] [----------] [12] My Love is Forever CrystalMouse My love for you is as strong as steel, You and I shall love one another...forever. Love makes the world go 'round, Ours makes the universe sing with joy, Very few people have a love like ours, Eternity is the length of our love. I cannot imagine what you look like, So that must mean that you are too handsome to imagin. Friends forever and lovers forever, Oh, how we sing with joy, Right now we love one another, Everbody love's someone, Very few have found their true love, Everytime I try to picture you, I realize that you are my true love, Right now I want you to hold me in your arms...forever. [ END - 12 ] [----------] [13] Agony Nick Sciortino As I lay here dying, there is a deeper wound inside me. My heart is crumbling to pieces, it's ripping me apart. I'd really like to die now, the seconds seem like days. I know it would be easier, if I'd just let her go. But no matter how much I try, I feel I'm never going to die. Now the torture ends, and I am very glad. But now I know that my girlfriend, she is the killer. Now I lay here dead, on the kitchen floor. [ END - 13 ] [----------] [14] Love Nick Sciortino The feeling of love cannot be described. You need to be with her, yet you cannot. She is not where you are, it's breaking your heart. You long to see her up close, yet you're not allowed. Space has taken it's toll, upon your soul. Love weakens your brain, distance is the enemy. [ END - 14 ] [----------] [C] Back Issue List These are the back issues of STANZA. They are obtainable from the Writer's Ink RT Library on GEnie (M440;3). Included are the plain ASCII text versions as well as the ZIPped versions. Below the chart is a brief overview of each issue. MONTH VOL ISS .TXT .ZIP -------------------------------------- Nov '91 1 1 2437 2578 Dec '91 1 2 2535 2579 Jan '92 1 3 2577 ---- Aug '92 2 1 3457 3500 Sep '92 2 2 3533 3538 Nov '91... PREMIERE ISSUE... Poet of the Month: Elizabeth Millican... featured poets: Charles Daley, Edward Michalski, Robert Gratix, D. Scott Anderson, and Linda C. Shelton. Dec '91... Poet of the Month: Charles Daley... featured poets: Apurva Dave, Ryan MacMichael, Wild Rose, Kirk Haines, and Mike McVeigh. Jan '92... LAST ISSUE BEFORE REINCARNATION... Poet of the Month: Christopher G. Saypack... featured poets: Michael McVeigh, Ryan MacMichael, John Travailian, Apurva Dave, and Wild Rose. Aug '92... REINCARNATION ISSUE... Jason Colflesh, Kelly Ford, Todd Brendan Fahey, Elizabeth Millican, and Ryan MacMichael. Sep '92... Todd Brendan Fahey, Jason Colflesh, Wiley Pencil, and John Nichols. [ END - C ] [----------] [D] Supporting BBSes This is a new section in STANZA where I have allowed up to 10-lines for BBSes to advertise in STANZA. This space is ONLY available when offered by myself. It is to let the readers know of the systems that have helped support STANZA so much. Mainly they are very large systems who have helped in national distribution, etc. If you are looking for a good BBS to call, chances are you'll find one listed here. If your BBS is not listed and you feel it should be, please contact me and we'll talk. ___ AD #1: ExecNet, the Executive Network Information System ___ THE EXECUTIVE NETWORK INFORMATION SYSTEM! Come see the NEW face of BBSing! We run a revolutionary "virtual clock" system which lets you use your time WHEN you want to and HOW you want to. Eight hours of connect time and 32 MB of download ability each call! Don't be fooled by ads claiming no download limits, they restrict your access time instead! At ExecNet, YOU decide how YOU want to use your account! Come and see for yourself! If your needs require the best and then some, call our registration node at (914) 667-4567. [ END - D ] [----------] [E] The Final Verse Questions and submissions should be sent to editor Ryan MacMichael at: GEnie : R.MACMICHAEL InterNet : ryan.macmichael@execnet.com Prodigy : XVJJ45F VirtualNet : 52@6291 US Mail : Ryan MacMichael Stanza Magazine 22 Lightning Dr Medford NJ 08055-9752 o All submissions can be made via e-mail on any BBS that I am on, on the network addresses listed above, or the above US Mail address. With US Mail questions and submissions, include a SASE for a response. o STANZA is published monthly by RAM Online Publications with a temporary release date on each issue of the third Monday of each month. o If you are on GEnie, you may visit our home on the Writer's Ink RT (M440;1) at Category 46, Topic 8. This is a GEnie*Basic service that is part of your $4.95/month (US) subscription fee. But wait! We have a second home! Over in the GEnie Lamp RT we have our own library and category in the bulletin board! Stop by. This is a GEnie Value service priced at $6/hour (US). [ END - E ] [----------] [ :END - Stanza, 10/92, Vol. 2 Issue #3: ]