James Coral Jackson

James Croal Jackson is a Filipino-American poet working in film production. His latest chapbook is A God You Believed In (Pinhole Poetry, 2023). Recent poems are in ITERANT, Stirring, and The Indianapolis Review. He edits The Mantle Poetry from Nashville, Tennessee. (jamescroaljackson.com).

Mouton (Poem)

we drink loss

with absinthe on

powerful levels

to decrease

time click-clacking everything

strangers are strangers

are words and presence

you know the answer

more means more

and having more means more

and everyone needs to

this isn't earth in the end you need

to get used to

break your toxicity down

close these distances

decide what you care about

even if it's just a sightless mouth

slamming your control

with a dime smile

and funky top hat grin

a mouthful on your lips

and I want the other

an old man gazes

Passing Through the Nights (Poem)

& so these animals roam our home’s tender wilds

& helicopters buzz to the children’s hospital

& you’re beside me in bed separated by blanket reading

 letters from childhood. Dear Lions. The birth of me was special.

    & sure aren’t we all afraid of living in the past

(past the gingerbread house we walked and walked)

        somewhat certain there’s a time machine in the future with my name on it

      but I will not be a wolf. No,

      I will not whim to the moon.