the worn comforter on my bed
my mom’s mother made
during blue winter nights
before flicking evening’s fire
on her lap it kept her warm
working patiently with grandpa there
rocking quietly next to her
in his favorite wooden rocking chair
an era when a glimpse
from outside on the back porch brought
stillness, star sparkle and shimmering brilliance
not yet dimmed by city lights
even radio was a novelty
funny voices, laughter, soft music and stories
for cold nights near the stove
with a capped kettle of warm drink atop
amber glow heated drifting vapors
sweet odors filled their home
and didn’t whistle, it wasn’t necessary
the kettle on the stove gave humidity
they were home in comfort, telling tales, wishing
recalling friends , family and holidays
at peace, and not going anywhere,
they knew they were already there
From a time when a comforter wasn't a forty-five
but could have been called a peacemaker.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
words and music by jack s.
part decorative wood from Lincoln’s time
half recently constructed stone storage space
all overlooks the economically withering small town and an ugly
car wash across the street with a coke machine that lights up
i have obtained a three thousand square foot
industrial building to write and play in
i like obtained because that
is more gentile than bought
and i didn’t buy anything,
i have embraced this space
it’s mine in my head, without papers
by word of mouth, mine
cause i’ve been in it
have photos and dreams of being there
producing massive amounts of gems
piles horded and distributed to the urchins
that look like overweight immature vandals
short people not developed in any sense
running in wild packs, probably to and from
that elementary school around the block
and the legends will be created
by slouching legions carrying torches in the night
mobs of immigrants cutting vegetables for soup
blocks away from any used car dealership and
churches with a monument for the poor aborted fetuses
and the saints of another culture, generations ago
that are told in prayers and whispers about
salt on the wound, would you do that
to yourself or animals unless for cooking?
i can get a caldron
it sounds more dramatic than a big pot
i’ll have to check if open fires are legal
but they won’t stop me from
dreaming about it
for all the belching smoke and the stench
i can produce in my dream caldrathon
half recently constructed stone storage space
all overlooks the economically withering small town and an ugly
car wash across the street with a coke machine that lights up
i have obtained a three thousand square foot
industrial building to write and play in
i like obtained because that
is more gentile than bought
and i didn’t buy anything,
i have embraced this space
it’s mine in my head, without papers
by word of mouth, mine
cause i’ve been in it
have photos and dreams of being there
producing massive amounts of gems
piles horded and distributed to the urchins
that look like overweight immature vandals
short people not developed in any sense
running in wild packs, probably to and from
that elementary school around the block
and the legends will be created
by slouching legions carrying torches in the night
mobs of immigrants cutting vegetables for soup
blocks away from any used car dealership and
churches with a monument for the poor aborted fetuses
and the saints of another culture, generations ago
that are told in prayers and whispers about
salt on the wound, would you do that
to yourself or animals unless for cooking?
i can get a caldron
it sounds more dramatic than a big pot
i’ll have to check if open fires are legal
but they won’t stop me from
dreaming about it
for all the belching smoke and the stench
i can produce in my dream caldrathon
Thursday, October 15, 2009
zero to
clean slate, zero to ten
open your eyes, smarty pants
wet drawers, feed me
little dickens
ten to twenty ain’t i neat
i can dance and go so fast, glug glug
pledge allegiance, watch me now
got it all, i am the one, what’s to eat?
twenty to thirty, the pink
on the ball, in the game
standing tall, so proud, i know that
watch me now, overdrive
thirty to forty, classic steps
massive energy, step aside,
no problem, i’m so fine
so fine, so fine, watch the line
forty to fifty golden dreams
in the pocket, earned my way
pretty nifty, what’s to forget
obsessive solid rocket booster
fifty to sixty, formidable style
i believe in god again, on the safe side
proof in the pudding, justified
lord of the rings
sixty to seventy, did i tell you
stop and think, time is faster, i remember
count my blessing, give it away, did you know,
didn’t use it much anyway
seventy to eighty, thrifty
still count for something, we always used to,
mark my words, I forget
what i know is slower
eighty to ninety, overtime
still can some, count me, don’t recall exactly
hold tight, what i mean to say
what’s to eat?
it seems so very long ago
go ahead, clean the slate
when will they ever learn? return to dust,
such is fate, and taketh away
open your eyes, smarty pants
wet drawers, feed me
little dickens
ten to twenty ain’t i neat
i can dance and go so fast, glug glug
pledge allegiance, watch me now
got it all, i am the one, what’s to eat?
twenty to thirty, the pink
on the ball, in the game
standing tall, so proud, i know that
watch me now, overdrive
thirty to forty, classic steps
massive energy, step aside,
no problem, i’m so fine
so fine, so fine, watch the line
forty to fifty golden dreams
in the pocket, earned my way
pretty nifty, what’s to forget
obsessive solid rocket booster
fifty to sixty, formidable style
i believe in god again, on the safe side
proof in the pudding, justified
lord of the rings
sixty to seventy, did i tell you
stop and think, time is faster, i remember
count my blessing, give it away, did you know,
didn’t use it much anyway
seventy to eighty, thrifty
still count for something, we always used to,
mark my words, I forget
what i know is slower
eighty to ninety, overtime
still can some, count me, don’t recall exactly
hold tight, what i mean to say
what’s to eat?
it seems so very long ago
go ahead, clean the slate
when will they ever learn? return to dust,
such is fate, and taketh away
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
here's how
the Lakota/Dakota Sioux word
“hau” means “hello”
still is used today
varients are in the native speech
of many plains indians
the Tetons said “howo” or “ho”
Omahas said “hau”
and when the eastern Americans
saw the iridescent colors
shimmering, turning, twisting in the wind
and cascading from trees in the fall
they all said
as we do today
“wow”
“hau” means “hello”
still is used today
varients are in the native speech
of many plains indians
the Tetons said “howo” or “ho”
Omahas said “hau”
and when the eastern Americans
saw the iridescent colors
shimmering, turning, twisting in the wind
and cascading from trees in the fall
they all said
as we do today
“wow”
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
number recorder
there was a guy in our town
had the job to write down the numbers
of every train car in and out of the mill
somewhere, someone might recall his name
a co-worker at that mill told me this years ago
witnesses at the time swore it was true
twelve or fifteen digits on every train car
how many I’m not sure, just say there were quite a few
the man’d watch twenty, fifty, or a hundred train cars pass
look at the numbers until the final car rolled on
then half his job was complete, he'd make a dash
into the office and write all the numbers down
had the job to write down the numbers
of every train car in and out of the mill
somewhere, someone might recall his name
a co-worker at that mill told me this years ago
witnesses at the time swore it was true
twelve or fifteen digits on every train car
how many I’m not sure, just say there were quite a few
the man’d watch twenty, fifty, or a hundred train cars pass
look at the numbers until the final car rolled on
then half his job was complete, he'd make a dash
into the office and write all the numbers down
Monday, October 12, 2009
the couple
after years together
it’s good you and i don’t dress identically
wear hair and shoes like one another
prefer to eat exactly alike
enjoy indistinguishable hobbies
have equivalent talents
read only the same books
think and talk as duplicates
because it has occurred to me
now that I’ve noticed in the mirror especially
visible proof, others see it too
for one – you’re shorter than i,
you see, we are different people
it's what makes the world go round
vive la difference
now how about a hug
it’s good you and i don’t dress identically
wear hair and shoes like one another
prefer to eat exactly alike
enjoy indistinguishable hobbies
have equivalent talents
read only the same books
think and talk as duplicates
because it has occurred to me
now that I’ve noticed in the mirror especially
visible proof, others see it too
for one – you’re shorter than i,
you see, we are different people
it's what makes the world go round
vive la difference
now how about a hug
Labels:
love
Sunday, October 11, 2009
i love you
i love you more than poetry,
summer days, hot dogs, warm sand, and baseball,
sweet corn, cross walks, my favorite books at the library.
green lights and Broadway musicals are nice,
so are pizza and spaghetti.
you are the sun and moon and stars for me
the clouds, the shining waves on the sea
practically, but not completely
not everything, i mean, sure, i love you
but i’m not ridiculous
summer days, hot dogs, warm sand, and baseball,
sweet corn, cross walks, my favorite books at the library.
green lights and Broadway musicals are nice,
so are pizza and spaghetti.
you are the sun and moon and stars for me
the clouds, the shining waves on the sea
practically, but not completely
not everything, i mean, sure, i love you
but i’m not ridiculous
Labels:
love
Saturday, October 10, 2009
awakened
awakened from dream
blink a few times
begin to function anew
somewhere beyond the swirling cosmic mystic
pull on my shoe
as into the drudgery i return
yes, did the socks already
it all comes back to me
looking out the window
while shoes, i lace ‘em
measure the weather
hasten out the door
and think of you
blink a few times
begin to function anew
somewhere beyond the swirling cosmic mystic
pull on my shoe
as into the drudgery i return
yes, did the socks already
it all comes back to me
looking out the window
while shoes, i lace ‘em
measure the weather
hasten out the door
and think of you
Friday, October 09, 2009
dark horses
loud as thunder charging dark horses
snorting, pushing, sweat, hoofs beats
just a thought
never met one, don’t plan on it
only an image, sound and the works
i’ll leave it on the way-back shelf in my head
may not mention it again
but you can never tell about things like that
just when you think you’re done with a thought
it pop reappears
well, i guess i don’t need a TV
giddyup… let’s get some oats
now is this a poem
or should i mark it down
as a dilation of my subconscious?
i’ll make a note to look into it
snorting, pushing, sweat, hoofs beats
just a thought
never met one, don’t plan on it
only an image, sound and the works
i’ll leave it on the way-back shelf in my head
may not mention it again
but you can never tell about things like that
just when you think you’re done with a thought
it pop reappears
well, i guess i don’t need a TV
giddyup… let’s get some oats
now is this a poem
or should i mark it down
as a dilation of my subconscious?
i’ll make a note to look into it
Thursday, October 08, 2009
snow birds
while what i write of frogs, robins
eagles, egrets and blue jays is true,
these small dark birds are unknown to me
they may be what some call snow birds
thirty or forth going fast, no pattern
landing everywhere in the yard
on the lawn, bushes, lily pads
the plank over the pond
completely scattered and quick,
when i stepped out on the porch
they departed, in many directions
not together, but nearly at the same time
the weather is chill now
already growing late fall
they may be what some call snow birds
for sure, can’t say, i’ve no idea at all
eagles, egrets and blue jays is true,
these small dark birds are unknown to me
they may be what some call snow birds
thirty or forth going fast, no pattern
landing everywhere in the yard
on the lawn, bushes, lily pads
the plank over the pond
completely scattered and quick,
when i stepped out on the porch
they departed, in many directions
not together, but nearly at the same time
the weather is chill now
already growing late fall
they may be what some call snow birds
for sure, can’t say, i’ve no idea at all
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Nobel Prize Poem
heads up, electorate,
hold it right there
keeps your hands where we can see ‘em
wagons in a circle, easy now, easy
at last they’ve given up
the attempt was never wise
there will be no Nobel Prize
for the discovery of curly fries
young lady in the short skirt in the first row
nice disguise, my eyes advise
you close your thighs (sighs)
there's no fries prize
hold it right there
keeps your hands where we can see ‘em
wagons in a circle, easy now, easy
at last they’ve given up
the attempt was never wise
there will be no Nobel Prize
for the discovery of curly fries
young lady in the short skirt in the first row
nice disguise, my eyes advise
you close your thighs (sighs)
there's no fries prize
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
discovery
took a drive out to the country
tree green's already changing
another month for full color
then leaves'll get crispy and blow
on the way back bought some sweet corn
at a well honored local farm
the kids are working today
another generation learning the way
briefly stopped at a farm sale and auction
saw the accumulation of years
another old timer is selling out
moving to town to be closer to hospital
you know, every line here is a story
every sight we saw is a poem
all we had to do was take a drive into discovery
and not so very far from home
tree green's already changing
another month for full color
then leaves'll get crispy and blow
on the way back bought some sweet corn
at a well honored local farm
the kids are working today
another generation learning the way
briefly stopped at a farm sale and auction
saw the accumulation of years
another old timer is selling out
moving to town to be closer to hospital
you know, every line here is a story
every sight we saw is a poem
all we had to do was take a drive into discovery
and not so very far from home
Monday, October 05, 2009
dream vs. think
she swirls in dream
sees people milling about
both big name stars
and unknown faces
has a fear of heights
but loves high places
when soaring like a bird
while she does that, i’m thinking
orderly in the dark
planning tomorrow
making mental notes
forever wide awake
as she dreams wonderful
night after night, it’s true,
I stay awake thinking, i think
or it’s what i dream i do
sees people milling about
both big name stars
and unknown faces
has a fear of heights
but loves high places
when soaring like a bird
while she does that, i’m thinking
orderly in the dark
planning tomorrow
making mental notes
forever wide awake
as she dreams wonderful
night after night, it’s true,
I stay awake thinking, i think
or it’s what i dream i do
Sunday, October 04, 2009
one day
one day you will
walk in their shoes
technology will enable you, more than
holographically, to be anyone, anytime
replay historical events
with you in the leading role
costume, makeup, sound, lights, music
action – the real thing
make the discovery, explore new lands
ride the wild horse in the wind, be the hero
wear the crown, sail the space ship spinning
through crack flashing bright lights of time
accept the award in front of the masses
take the bow, receive the honor
it’s the winning ticket
ladies and gentlemen, some day
right now splash cold water on your face
wake up, get ready, eat a half-ass breakfast
it’s morning, get moving
later you will fold back into dream
walk in their shoes
technology will enable you, more than
holographically, to be anyone, anytime
replay historical events
with you in the leading role
costume, makeup, sound, lights, music
action – the real thing
make the discovery, explore new lands
ride the wild horse in the wind, be the hero
wear the crown, sail the space ship spinning
through crack flashing bright lights of time
accept the award in front of the masses
take the bow, receive the honor
it’s the winning ticket
ladies and gentlemen, some day
right now splash cold water on your face
wake up, get ready, eat a half-ass breakfast
it’s morning, get moving
later you will fold back into dream
Saturday, October 03, 2009
early october
early October
Friday evening comfortable
i slip out to the back porch
sit on the old white wicker settee
drifts of light air on prevailing winds
bring the urgent tap, tap tap of snare drums
fractured crowd noise barely audible
dribble in with fragments of the field announcer
at the high school football game a mile away
in mostly quiet i see the trees, white houses,
all the way down a block to the church steeple
the pond falls ripples near me in the backyard
swirling clouds above
block out the moon and the stars
i think of Rome and California
places in between
once or twice,
faces from the years
parade by unseen
as memories not precise
and i remember you
Friday evening comfortable
i slip out to the back porch
sit on the old white wicker settee
drifts of light air on prevailing winds
bring the urgent tap, tap tap of snare drums
fractured crowd noise barely audible
dribble in with fragments of the field announcer
at the high school football game a mile away
in mostly quiet i see the trees, white houses,
all the way down a block to the church steeple
the pond falls ripples near me in the backyard
swirling clouds above
block out the moon and the stars
i think of Rome and California
places in between
once or twice,
faces from the years
parade by unseen
as memories not precise
and i remember you
Friday, October 02, 2009
over my shoulder
of course i recognize my inspiration
when i see it reflected back
no surprise, i put it out
to be enjoyed and used
as when releasing butterflies
expect them to flutter and breed
while always a few you'll find
dead on the sidewalk
when i see it reflected back
no surprise, i put it out
to be enjoyed and used
as when releasing butterflies
expect them to flutter and breed
while always a few you'll find
dead on the sidewalk
Thursday, October 01, 2009
safe keeping
three cop cars and a canine unit
popped fast in front of our house
suddenly neighbors were about
to wonder, confer and yap things out
seems a next door neighbor lady
hopped the fence slick as a goose
has a gun, is suicidal,
now she’s out there on the loose
an acquaintance drove by our group of talkers
reported, one street over
by the river, cops did the dance
and put the lady in an ambulance
one cop car in front of my house
was left keys, motor running
I thought to get in, can you believe it?
drive it around the block, and leave it
there was more than one witness
thank god I’m not witless
no one ever thought enough
to pay me to think, ‘cept funny stuff
popped fast in front of our house
suddenly neighbors were about
to wonder, confer and yap things out
seems a next door neighbor lady
hopped the fence slick as a goose
has a gun, is suicidal,
now she’s out there on the loose
an acquaintance drove by our group of talkers
reported, one street over
by the river, cops did the dance
and put the lady in an ambulance
one cop car in front of my house
was left keys, motor running
I thought to get in, can you believe it?
drive it around the block, and leave it
there was more than one witness
thank god I’m not witless
no one ever thought enough
to pay me to think, ‘cept funny stuff
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
blue jays
blue jays like peanuts
in the shell
but we crack them
to makes it easier for them
they take one away
up in a tree
hold it down with a foot
and crack it with their beak
here’s the system
he squawks when he’s around
we squawk back and
we come out with peanuts
throw two peanuts
the bird will fly down
picks up each, one at a time
and always leave with the largest
in the shell
but we crack them
to makes it easier for them
they take one away
up in a tree
hold it down with a foot
and crack it with their beak
here’s the system
he squawks when he’s around
we squawk back and
we come out with peanuts
throw two peanuts
the bird will fly down
picks up each, one at a time
and always leave with the largest
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
chill gusty wind
done’s summer calm
balmy nights gone
October wind crackles
closed up, heater’s on
branches in motion
snap sticks cascade
blue jay flew in
for a peanut i threw
fierce out there
no easy street
they goin’a make do
bird’s gotta eat
balmy nights gone
October wind crackles
closed up, heater’s on
branches in motion
snap sticks cascade
blue jay flew in
for a peanut i threw
fierce out there
no easy street
they goin’a make do
bird’s gotta eat
Monday, September 28, 2009
each night
Chicago radio news
some early morning
a quarter hour recap of
weather, traffic and murders
woman caught a stray bullet in the neck
two cousins 17 and 19 both in college
no known reason why it should happen
fifteen youths killed a fine student
and on, and on, dog’s blood
so sorry, brutal cruel, shame
as it goes on, many weep
a nation turns it’s head to sleep
some early morning
a quarter hour recap of
weather, traffic and murders
woman caught a stray bullet in the neck
two cousins 17 and 19 both in college
no known reason why it should happen
fifteen youths killed a fine student
and on, and on, dog’s blood
so sorry, brutal cruel, shame
as it goes on, many weep
a nation turns it’s head to sleep
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