Yellow Mama E zine

So, You Never Hear or See Me Anymore but…

 

by Joan Leotta

 

If I were loud music

would you hear me?

 

If I were a phone

would you talk to me?

 

If I lit up like a neon sign,

would you see me?

 

I am, none of those

so in these last years, I am

unheard, ignored, unseen—by you.

 

But I am here.

I am brighter than neon,

a better conversationalist

than your phone,

capable of being louder or

softer than your music.

 

Your indifference reveals

the truth of you.

Though now invisible,

unheard by you

I wield more power

than you will ever know.

 

 

       Joan Leotta plays with words on page and stage. Her work has been published internationally, including in Yellow Mama, Mystery Tribune, and others, and has won some awards and been nominated for Pushcart and Best of Net. Her greatest satisfaction as a writer is knowing that someone has enjoyed her work. ON stage she performs folk tales of food, family, and strong women and offers a one-woman costumed show as Louisa May Alcott that has been garnering rave reviews. She can bring Louisa in person or on zoom to your group, focusing on writing, the Civil War, and sewing and Victorian Family Life.

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Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.