EPIPHANY by Max Reif

EPIPHANY
by Max Reif

I like to read a short story
not so much for the theme or plot,
but for when in the middle of it all
the character, whoever he or she
happens to be, takes
a moment and just looks out
over the landscape, toward the horizon.
That’s when, all stories forgotten,
I can feel myself, too:
simply here.

Max Reif was first surprised to pull his car over and give birth to a poem in 1968 at age 20, not even knowing he was pregnant! He continues to seek, (in the words of Meher Baba) “to penetrate into the essence of all being and significance, and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others…” Some of his stories, poems, jokes, reviews etc are at www.REALnothings.com

DESERT MIRACLE by Max Reif

DESERT MIRACLE
by Max Reif

Whose hand has washed the desert sand
and polished every leaf on every bush?

Who cleaned the sky
and brushed the distant hills,

and placed each pebble
where it needs to be?

And how
did he leave
so fast?

Max Reif was first surprised to pull his car over and give birth to a poem in 1968 at age 20, not even knowing he was pregnant! He continues to seek, (in the words of Meher Baba) “to penetrate into the essence of all being and significance, and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others…” Some of his stories, poems, jokes, reviews etc are at www.REALnothings.com

TIME BRIDGE by Max Reif

TIME BRIDGE
by Max Reif

Walking back to my car
in a small lot near the post office,
I see the building where Paul
lived as a young bachelor years ago,

remember how I didn’t knock
that one time because through the glass
I could see him, making out on the couch.
Of course that was before
his marriage and divorce,
before his grown kids were born.

As I walk past today,
it seems Paul could still be in there,
a young man making out.
The building will always be
a landmark in my world.
From among its blank-faced neighbors,
it will call my name when I pass.

I reach my car across the span
of decades and drive away.

Max Reif was first surprised to pull his car over and give birth to a poem in 1968 at age 20, not even knowing he was pregnant! He continues to seek, (in the words of Meher Baba) “to penetrate into the essence of all being and significance, and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others…” Some of his stories, poems, jokes, reviews etc are at www.REALnothings.com

Persimmons by Max Reif

Persimmons
by Max Reif

How did persimmons
get that reputation
for puckering your mouth?

When ripe,
they’re sweet
as mangoes.
Should any of us
be judged
before we’re ripe?

Max Reif was first surprised to pull his car over and give birth to a poem in 1968 at age 20, not even knowing he was pregnant! He continues to seek, (in the words of Meher Baba) “to penetrate into the essence of all being and significance, and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others…” Some of his stories, poems, jokes, reviews etc are at http://www.REALnothings.com