MICHAEL C SMITH

I was a weird kid. 

By the time I was 10 years old, in the 5th grade, I had committed myself to memorizing The Raven by Edgar Alan Poe and had decided that I was a writer.  I was melodramatic…

Notes on the Recording of 'Hands of The Wicked'

I get the years a little mixed up. I think it must’ve been fall of 2007. My then wife, and I were up in the north Georgia town of Dahlonega, wasting…

Jesus in the Backseat 

I was turning 40 years old and my marriage was coming apart. The people and things and ideals I’d hung my hat of certainty on for most of my life were floating away like embers igniting…

“Born to Run” has been a mainstay in my record collection since I was in my late teens, which is a little weird, considering I was born 3 years after its release. I turned 20, some 20 years after it…

Untitled Poem 

She is a woman 

in full possession of her power 

on legs that part the sea 

like word 

The Word 

ancient 

and the earth and all that’s in it 

and I  

move 

to keep up 

She is child 

…

“The Art Collector" 

by: Michael C Smith 

Mason pulled the door tight. 1624 Langston Street, Apt. 52. “Thud” the deadbolt latch echoed into place, “clank, click” fastened the padlock. 

He shackles this one for Brenda. 

I kneel before your alter, Lord 

with all my impossible 

and not so impossible pasts 

with all that I must carry 

and all that I must leave 

I kneel before your alter, Lord 

with each face I’ve seen in each…

One hand on her thigh 

the other on her stomach, 

soft, white, comforting 

as if opening a treasure 

which will come spilling out  

in wordless prayer 

first soft 

then 

not so soft 

One hand on her thigh 

the other on…

My Grandfather had a tattoo of my Grandmother's name. He'd scratch at it when they'd fight and say "Katie! I wish I'd never got this damn tattoo!" Their relationship was never easy; he'd drink and she'd complain and they'd fight…

Recently I went record shopping at what is likely my favorite neighborhood record store. Often, I go without a plan; happy to peruse the vinyl, smell the air and capture a bit of my younger years flipping through album covers…