Philly Poetry Chapbook Review is pleased to present three original poems by Bart Edelman as our fifth of six biweekly featured poets of the Spring 2025 issue.
Poems
Man on the Street
Has a take on the situation,
But chooses not to share it.
Removes himself from social media.
Keeps a rather low profile.
Does not live the life of Riley.
Dabbles in nothing more
Than traffic patterns allow.
Goes by a different alias,
When his last name escapes him.
Fears retribution from sources
Who remain anonymous, at best.
Believes only in what he sees
Before him on the dinner plate.
Attempts to reconcile hostile forces
With the daily weather report.
Builds a backyard bomb shelter;
You know, just in case.
Writes his own epitaph,
So the goons don’t screw it up.
Irma
Devours each word spoken.
Collects them like candy—
The sweeter, the better.
Calls a spade, a spade,
Unless it’s a diamond;
Then all hell breaks loose.
Clubs the king of hearts
To an unceremonious demise—
Half an hour before bed,
When it well suits her.
Lives alone in a tannery.
Knows every hide by name.
Tries not to judge them
For any sins committed,
While they were still alive.
Dances the cha-cha-cha,
On the roof with the guys—
Or ladies; it doesn’t matter.
Spins yarns around the moon,
Praying the sun breaks free,
At least daily perchance.
Offers her body to science,
As a gesture of good faith.
Told she will need to wait,
Until the final hour arrives,
Sighs twice, bats her eyes.
Curves
Since life throws you curves,
Breaking every way but loose,
It’s time to leave the batter’s box.
Tell the pitcher you’ve had enough.
Hightail it out of the stadium.
Remove your grass-stained uniform,
Before you change your mind.
You won’t be the first player
Making a career move,
Deciding it’s not in your interest
To prolong the inevitable.
After all, you barely hit your weight,
The last few unproductive seasons—
Well below the Mendoza Line—
Where Mario waits patiently,
Offering you the broken bats
He’s been saving for decades.
No, find a position on another field,
Far from the cross-eyed umpire,
Ready and willing to call you out.
About “Irma”
Quite frankly, Irma’s you, me, the sky, the stars, the sun, and the moon. She’s everything around us one day – nothing particular the next. But, yes, she has a sense of style, a modicum of grace, and she recognizes her place in the cosmic order, where revolution rules every other Wednesday and twice, of course, on Sundays, especially in autumn. If you’re lucky enough to spot her on the street, which is no small miracle, offer her a pastille, or two, and call it a day.
Author Bio
Bart Edelman’s poetry collections include Crossing the Hackensack (Prometheus Press), Under Damaris’ Dress (Lightning Publications), The Alphabet of Love (Red Hen Press), The Gentle Man (Red Hen Press), The Last Mojito (Red Hen Press), The Geographer’s Wife (Red Hen Press), Whistling to Trick the Wind (Meadowlark Press), and This Body Is Never at Rest: New and Selected Poems 1993 – 2023 (Meadowlark Press). Most recently, he has taught in the MFA program at Antioch University, Los Angeles. His work has been anthologized in textbooks published by City Lights Books, Longman, McGraw-Hill, Prentice Hall, the University of Iowa Press, Wadsworth, and others.
Contents
Book Excerpt: The Prize of Québec by Jennifer Nelson
“I tend to lean into the transconstitutory powers of ekphrasis. … Only in poetry can one go to the moon in a way that critiques the quest for the moon.” Read a poem from Jennifer Nelson’s new collection from Fence Books, On the Way to the Paintings of Forest Robberies.
Chapbook Poem: This Is How They Teach Us How to Want It . . . by Shanta Lee
“This poem explores the levels of our participation in handing ourselves over, often to the people, places, or things that deserve no such delight.” Read a #poem from Shanta Lee’s new book from Harbor Editions, This Is How They Teach Us How to Want It . . . The Slaughter.
Three Poems by Jonathan Fletcher
“Instead of having to choose between religion or the LGBTQ community (which I know many member of the latter feel they have to do), I think it is possible (and maybe even biblical) to integrate both into one’s life.” Read three original poems from Jonathan Fletcher, along with words from the author.
What Happened? On You are Leaving the American Sector by Rebecca Foust
“Rebecca Foust’s new chapbook of poems has a strange prescience. … Foust isn’t alone in making the obvious connection between Trump’s first term and Orwell’s dystopia.” Read the full chapbook review by new contributor Rick Mullin.
‘What if we started creating together? What if we looked at who we are from the side and saw a much more complete and honest perspective?” Read four poems by poet Sarah E N Kohrs, along with words from the poet.
Book Excerpt: Challenger by Colleen S. Harris
“If we look beyond the voyeuristic tendency to focus on the tragedy, what might we see? This poem was a chance for me to zoom in on the calm before the storm.” New poem from Colleen S. Harris’s new book from Main Street Rag, The Light Becomes Us, along with words from the poet.
Chapbook Poem: What I Did This Summer by Elinor Serumgard
“I love New Year’s and the promise of a new start, but I like to remind myself that you can start fresh at any point throughout the year.” New poem from Elinor Serumgard’s chapbook from Bottlecap Press, Analogous Annum, along with words from the poet.
Four Poems by Christa Fairbrother
“Since women aren’t allowed the power of our anger, we take it out on each other, and that’s what this poem is hinting at.” Read four poems by Christa Fairbrother, along with words from the poet.
Multilingualism and Metaphor: On Desire/Halves by Jaia Hamid Bashir
“Bashir’s elegant debut collection investigates identity as the result of choices between individual appetites and cultural frames. … [It] announces an exciting addition to the global chorus of contemporary literature.” Read D.W. Baker’s full review.
Five Poems by Jane Ellen Glasser
“In my fantasy world, I would be able to communicate with the animals I see every day.” Read five naturalist poems by poet Jane Ellen Glasser, along with a few words from the poet.
Book Excerpt: Ars Poetica by Leigh Sugar
“[C]ould there be, a poetry that does investigate the body, without explosion? Maybe even with an effort towards reconstruction?” Read an excerpt from Leigh Sugar’s book, FREELAND, from Alice James Books, along with words from the author.
“…she has a sense of style, a modicum of grace, and she recognizes her place in the cosmic order, where revolution rules every other Wednesday and twice, of course, on Sundays…” Read three poems by Bart Edelman along with words from the poet.
Chapbook Poem: I Worry by Flavian Mark Lupinetti
“I can’t begin to imagine doctors in Gaza courageously practicing medicine while intentionally targeted by the Israeli army aided by the United States.” Read the featured Chapbook Poem of the Month for June 2025, “I Worry” from The Pronunciation Part by Flavian Mark Lupinetti.