Spring 2008, Volume 4

Poetry by Emily Belzer


i am only a percentage of myself, in the rain

and the storm ceases long enough for the sun to push through clouds of damp cotton and calm the rain, long enough to illumine what is to come.

(each horizon is dark as the smoke from an oil fire.)

driving by the naval base there are three trees lining the chain-link. leafless, they are made yellow in the sun, behind them the dark curtain of precipitation.

(oh beautiful, blonde and barren trees separating two worlds, keeping the delicate balance between sun and storm! i long for you and i long again.)

but later the trees will disappear, their branches fading and graying and monotony will settle in at last


Emily reading BIO:  Emily Belzer is a recent MFA graduate from CSULB. she has a wonderful husband, named Ben, and two adorable cats, named Tiger and Sammy. She is ever inspired by all that is around her. When she is not working or writing, she can be found sudoku-ing or making greeting cards.