Featured WorksPoetry

Poetry: Blues Map by RC James

Blues Map

The blues
shake you to reflex,
you get up off
the killing floor,
eyes unflinching;
sardonic boulder
leaning into cool.

The last cigar holds
a last amusement.
The lady
in the midnight dress
knows your moods;
she’s a skylark
sweeping through
a vacant chapel,
sailing on your musings,
resting on the memory
you hand her
on your way back
into solitude.

When the time comes
to sing, there’s no tune
too distant;
you set it down.
close and humble.

Those who hear you
know which turn
to take
off Highway 59.

About the author

RC James lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico – cooling it in quarantine, waiting for release and relief like everybody else in these toxic times.  He occupies himself at the keyboard writing when circumstances don’t block the output. The rest of the time he plays blues guitar and harmonica.
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Created in 2014, Flashes is a privately owned literary website. We publish short stories, non-fiction, flash fiction and poetry. Our goal is to give talented writers a platform to showcase their creativity, with an emphasis on original voice, innovative style and challenging plots.
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