Labels by William Cullen Jr.

Handwriting from the dead

is what the nun said

his penmanship resembled.

She prophesied he’d never

get better

and he never did.

His suicide note

beautifully clear and concise

caught the essence of himself

written as it was

in the ink of his own blood.

He ended the letter

thanking his teacher

for being the inspiration

beyond his life’s calling.

William Cullen, Jr., is a veteran and works at a social services non-profit in Brooklyn, NY. His poetry has appeared in Camroc Press Review, Christian Science Monitor, Gulf Stream, Right Hand Pointing, Spillway and Word Riot.

Two Poems by William Cullen Jr.

The Lonely Hour

Clouds cross the moon
as bats slice though the air
doing their best at pest control
while a blind man sits on a bench
signing his love to a deaf woman
as fireflies flash in the dark
a church bell far away
begins to toll.

At Death Do Thee Mate

Love was the fish you couldn't catch
despite every lure you could find
it wouldn't even give you a nibble
so you threw your bait away
and swore a vow to be celibate
until the earth at last showed pity
and took you into her bosom
for better or for worse
no questions asked.







William Cullen, Jr., is a veteran and works at a non-profit in Brooklyn, NY. His poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Camroc Press Review, Christian Science Monitor, Gulf Stream, Pirene's Fountain, Poppy Road Review, Right Hand Pointing, Spillway, and Word Riot.

Interview w/ Poet William Cullen Jr.

1. Who or what inspired you to write poetry?

I spent a year once when I was in the army reading the selected poems of Pounds, Eliot, Yeats, Frost and Dylan Thomas over and over again. I mean I was even reading their work out in the field in a pup tent by flashlight! 

2. Do you have a favorite place to write?

No particular spot.

3. Who are your favorite poets, alive or deceased?

deceased: Pound, James Dickey. alive: Ted Kooser, Robert West.

4. What five words best sum up your personality?

romantic . . . questing. . .death before dishonor 

5. Other than writing, what else do you love to do?

I have made it three times into the world championships of horse racing handicapping (similar to the round robin events that lead to the championships in poker as shown on tv).

6. What are your current, and/or next projects?

I hope to have a first chapbook of about 20 poems ready for submission by the end of the summer.  Most of the poems have been written already so the real work is in the selection and arrangement and finding a publisher..

Blurring the Message by William Cullen, Jr.

The silence between us was deafening

but I kept my promise

and did not speak

but I couldn’t keep from blinking

in a Morse code from my heart

saying “I love you”

as she walked out the door.

 

William Cullen, Jr., is a veteran and works at a non-profit in Brooklyn, NY. His poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Camroc Press Review, Christian Science Monitor, Gulf Stream, Pirene's Fountain, Poppy Road Review, Right Hand Pointing, Spillway, and Word Riot.