Gary Beck has spent most of his life as a theater director. His chapbook 'Remembrance' was published by Origami Condom Press, 'The Conquest of Somalia' was published by Cervena Barva Press, 'The Dance of Hate' was published by Calliope Nerve Media, 'Material Questions' was published by Silkworms Ink, 'Dispossessed' was published by Medulla Press, 'Mutilated Girls' was published by Heavy Hands Ink, 'Pavan and other poems' was published by Indigo Mosaic, 'Once in the Bronx' and 'Iraq Monologues' were published by Atlantean Press and 'Escape to Cyberspace' is being published by Writing Knights Press. A collection of his poetry 'Days of Destruction' was published by Marie Celeste Press. Another collection 'Expectations' was published by Rogue Scholars Press, 'Dawn in Cities' was published by Winter Goose Publishing. 'Assault on Nature' and 'Songs of a Clerk' are being published by Winter Goose Publishing. His novel 'Extreme Change' was published by Cogwheel Press and 'Acts of Defiance' was published by Artema Press. His story collection 'A Glimpse of Youth' was published by Sweatshoppe Publications. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry and fiction has appeared in hundreds of literary magazines.---------
Reach
If you I touch,
not just your body
though it pleasures me,
but mysterious parts
that feel like kind hands
and comfort arms
that do not crumble
at impatient touch,
how far I could travel along you.
But you are roads and journeys,
mutilated stranger,
nearer than hope,
more distant than stars.
Dirge
The drab vision of time
chars our joy in creation,
like cemeteries of children,
tiny headstones in ordered rows,
the funerals signs of youth
beyond tears and caring,
lost despite the grief of elders
already doubting the baby faces
that smiled or frowned
will be remembered.