Two Poems by Mona Mehas

Mona Mehas

Mona Mehas (she/her) is a retired disabled teacher in Indiana USA with 7 chapbooks published and one novel, Under the Bubble (Between the Lines Publishing). Twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize (Paddler Press 2023, TV-63 Project, 2025) and Best New Poet (Lucky Jefferson 2024). She works with Cicada Song Press and Engage!, an online Star Trek fan magazine. Mona is always writing while perpetually distracted by her next chapbook. 

Portals of Presence

portals, realms of loved ones

overlapping with other 

portals, realms of loved ones

all on this earth

in the universe

a collaboration of portals

leading to realms

fear of the unknown

breeds hate in the dark

the realms are invaded

lives turned upside down

ripped at the seams

loved ones stolen

by weaponized beings

portals no longer safe

when ancestors return

they cry out in pain

like birthing mothers

at the scene before them

their sobs invite

little tornadoes 

sacred passageways

for all those lost

wrapped up in clouds

with eyes of stars

their steady presence

calms the skies

their fierce protection

quells the fire

welcoming

welcome in

sanctuary souls

A Poem Is

a poem is 

a hammer

the blunt end

flattens and traps

my breath, the claw 

wrenches out what was hidden

both dependent upon 

the wielder’s hand

a poem is

a knife

razor-sharp

lethal

jagged or smooth

cuts to the heart

carving story

into small bites

a poem is

a wooden barrel

toss everything in

seal it, put it away

later, the final product

has absorbed essences

yet is its own entity

it has legs

a poem is

a pencil

when sharpened

its lines are precise

when it breaks

the jagged pieces

poke holes 

in my heart

a poem is

a thesaurus

packed with words

alternatives

to enhance

improve

an attempt

to refine me