my monkey cap
definitely the type
a chimp begging coins
along side an organ grinder
standing on the corner in 1930
or in the circus would wear
if he had a red cap on
and always did
with a string under the chin to hold it on
or if the animal was really clever
he’d pull it off, show his teeth and take a bow
not the sort of gear the stylish fellow’d wear
on a first date, an inauguration
or your wedding day
no one would be impressed
unless you weren’t totally in love and knew
it was heading for disaster anyway
but at home on cold mornings
with no points deducted for lack of charm
when insufficient warming sun rays come in the windows
a silly cap keeps my head warm while writing
and coincidently, i am ashamed to say,
sitting here eating peanuts
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
the comforter
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.
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.
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
Sunday, September 27, 2009
robins return
from an earlier account i see
the final day of august they left
all together now they’re back
bluejays, cardinals winter stay
alert robins all, use the same calendar
returned this final September weekend
to eat, grow strong, then fly south
when it’s red, while leaves fall
the final day of august they left
all together now they’re back
bluejays, cardinals winter stay
alert robins all, use the same calendar
returned this final September weekend
to eat, grow strong, then fly south
when it’s red, while leaves fall
Saturday, September 26, 2009
love test - completely accurate short version
question one
has he ever told you
that he’s finished watching
either live or televised sports
and would rather be
shoe shopping at the mall
with you?
question two
if the answer to question one is yes -
did you know he was lying?
question three
what’s for dinner?
has he ever told you
that he’s finished watching
either live or televised sports
and would rather be
shoe shopping at the mall
with you?
question two
if the answer to question one is yes -
did you know he was lying?
question three
what’s for dinner?
Friday, September 25, 2009
rock o' my soul
on the piano did a vamp
thought of old tunes
school choir did one
rock my soul, oh rock o’ my
clap your hands, let the thing go on
so wide you can’t it around it
after a while the pulse lifts you,
over an over, hypnotic
picks you up, take you down the street
remembered a long ago city kid
mister, i know where you got ya shoes -
you got ‘cha shoes on you feet
repeat the last line until
you're blue in the face
thought of old tunes
school choir did one
rock my soul, oh rock o’ my
clap your hands, let the thing go on
so wide you can’t it around it
after a while the pulse lifts you,
over an over, hypnotic
picks you up, take you down the street
remembered a long ago city kid
mister, i know where you got ya shoes -
you got ‘cha shoes on you feet
repeat the last line until
you're blue in the face
Thursday, September 24, 2009
i am Wicks, i'll be your server tonight
well, Wicks, hi, i’d shake hands but
obviously, you’re moving too fast
i’m jack, but i’d prefer you call me grandpa
no one else does
well they do once in a while
but they live a half a planet away
grandpa jack is what they say, but
plain grandpa is more enduring don’t you think
my grandparents lived thirty minutes away
but people didn’t drive as much back then
a half century ago, one i’d see one once a year
the other i’d see Christmas and Easter
anyway, doesn’t matter to anyone now does it.
say, my sister Nita taught me to drive
when i was eleven in her old Oldsmobile on Rye Beach Road
i’ll have to ask her if she was married then
parts of the story are unraveling
and half the cast have gone away
i’ll look into that, gone away stuff,
someday, won’t we all
listen, Wax, you don’t mind if
i keep talking to you, do you?
not out loud, in my head, think talk like
blink if you can hear me
obviously, you’re moving too fast
i’m jack, but i’d prefer you call me grandpa
no one else does
well they do once in a while
but they live a half a planet away
grandpa jack is what they say, but
plain grandpa is more enduring don’t you think
my grandparents lived thirty minutes away
but people didn’t drive as much back then
a half century ago, one i’d see one once a year
the other i’d see Christmas and Easter
anyway, doesn’t matter to anyone now does it.
say, my sister Nita taught me to drive
when i was eleven in her old Oldsmobile on Rye Beach Road
i’ll have to ask her if she was married then
parts of the story are unraveling
and half the cast have gone away
i’ll look into that, gone away stuff,
someday, won’t we all
listen, Wax, you don’t mind if
i keep talking to you, do you?
not out loud, in my head, think talk like
blink if you can hear me
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
key variations
musical keys themselves sound differently
this is something i learned
from my excellent classically trained teacher
who studied with a student of Franz Liszt
d was strong, military marches or something
i don’t remember any more,
except to say keys
have different affects and uses
i Googled and found emotions relating to keys
this age has lost sense of the variations of the keys,
volume and electronic reproduction
has diminished that nuance in their shadow
this is something i learned
from my excellent classically trained teacher
who studied with a student of Franz Liszt
d was strong, military marches or something
i don’t remember any more,
except to say keys
have different affects and uses
i Googled and found emotions relating to keys
this age has lost sense of the variations of the keys,
volume and electronic reproduction
has diminished that nuance in their shadow
beyond poetry
or maybe this is real poetry.
This is a thirteen year old
who has blogged for two years
and has four million followers.
At the rate I'm going
I could easily have four million followers . . .
in less then two million years. Wait - let me work on that math and get back to you.
(on the link: I love the photo of the designer and the blogger.)
This is a thirteen year old
who has blogged for two years
and has four million followers.
At the rate I'm going
I could easily have four million followers . . .
in less then two million years. Wait - let me work on that math and get back to you.
(on the link: I love the photo of the designer and the blogger.)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
cold blooded
she was looking for them in the pond
on an early fall crisp morning
thought they’d be in the water where it’s warmer
hey, she wants everyone cozy
they've come home for the winter
there could be more shuffling
now we’ve two large black bull frogs, two tiny small
and two medium leopard type frogs
it’s cool this mornng, but wait
until winter when the pond is frozen
the frogs’ll be on the bottom
sleeping in the mud, nighty-night
on an early fall crisp morning
thought they’d be in the water where it’s warmer
hey, she wants everyone cozy
they've come home for the winter
there could be more shuffling
now we’ve two large black bull frogs, two tiny small
and two medium leopard type frogs
it’s cool this mornng, but wait
until winter when the pond is frozen
the frogs’ll be on the bottom
sleeping in the mud, nighty-night
Monday, September 21, 2009
to the heights
to the Heights, a country small town
nearby, yet aloof from modern ways
where farmers and country survive
and some of their kids go away to school in the cities
take jobs, live afar and return now and then
for holidays, alternate years
their folks stay on
in touch with the soil
clean, neat and country casual for a Sunday
standing tall as they can
walking leaning, a bit slower
these remaining have been small town friendly for years
know the families, names from long ago
and can recall some of the faces
now under the headstones
on the treed lofty knoll
there is a chicken barbeque today
at this conservation club
no telling what they are conserving
kindness and good will for sure
the building is set back on a large area in an otherwise field
the road in waggers as if the guys who dragged it out
changed their minds two or three times before
they settled on how to get from here to there
and the twenty or thirty cars already there
were parked in the field over a few acres
like dominoes thrown out of a box
and where they landed is where they sat
independent parkers they are
this yearly event we’ve been waiting for
three hundred tickets were sold they say
the money raised will keep the group going
about thirty folks there at the start when we were
maybe fifty
half again that number just neighborly helping out
i didn't try to count, they were spread out nicely
rear double doors were open to the beginning
of the green and rust colored stick crackling woods
in mild temperatures and near idle breeze
on the cusp of another change
summer to fall
had covered long tables, sturdy folding chairs
set with plenty space between to walk
and clean silverware, no plastic for
these folk of dirt, cast iron, seed and steel
the building’s maintained in good repair
someday they’ll pave straighten that winding road in
or sell the whole damn chuck to a developer, if and when
barbequed chicken was the draw today
and these hens were as large as small dogs
and twicet as tasty as you could ever imagine
spoke with old Reece, one of the volunteers
heard he deeded his downtown brick building
the decorative grey century one on Main
resplendent with curiosities and used books
to the local historical society
our common friend dick, who visited us in Rome
will be coming soon, here’s where he was raised
with a smile on his face and mud in his toes
today's group was quiet well mannered
stayed on the business of eating
and getting to the desert table
in no rush orderly fashion
i had a slice of crispy near warm apple pie
made from experience by Aldean
as she stood alone by her kitchen window
taking care and good intentions
thinking of her family while using well hewn skill
that would’a made her mother proud
after we did the deed on the chicken
during which time we made new acquaintances
and refreshed old ones
we waved goodbyes and moved on
out the door and beyond
into our own tomorrow
nearby, yet aloof from modern ways
where farmers and country survive
and some of their kids go away to school in the cities
take jobs, live afar and return now and then
for holidays, alternate years
their folks stay on
in touch with the soil
clean, neat and country casual for a Sunday
standing tall as they can
walking leaning, a bit slower
these remaining have been small town friendly for years
know the families, names from long ago
and can recall some of the faces
now under the headstones
on the treed lofty knoll
there is a chicken barbeque today
at this conservation club
no telling what they are conserving
kindness and good will for sure
the building is set back on a large area in an otherwise field
the road in waggers as if the guys who dragged it out
changed their minds two or three times before
they settled on how to get from here to there
and the twenty or thirty cars already there
were parked in the field over a few acres
like dominoes thrown out of a box
and where they landed is where they sat
independent parkers they are
this yearly event we’ve been waiting for
three hundred tickets were sold they say
the money raised will keep the group going
about thirty folks there at the start when we were
maybe fifty
half again that number just neighborly helping out
i didn't try to count, they were spread out nicely
rear double doors were open to the beginning
of the green and rust colored stick crackling woods
in mild temperatures and near idle breeze
on the cusp of another change
summer to fall
had covered long tables, sturdy folding chairs
set with plenty space between to walk
and clean silverware, no plastic for
these folk of dirt, cast iron, seed and steel
the building’s maintained in good repair
someday they’ll pave straighten that winding road in
or sell the whole damn chuck to a developer, if and when
barbequed chicken was the draw today
and these hens were as large as small dogs
and twicet as tasty as you could ever imagine
spoke with old Reece, one of the volunteers
heard he deeded his downtown brick building
the decorative grey century one on Main
resplendent with curiosities and used books
to the local historical society
our common friend dick, who visited us in Rome
will be coming soon, here’s where he was raised
with a smile on his face and mud in his toes
today's group was quiet well mannered
stayed on the business of eating
and getting to the desert table
in no rush orderly fashion
i had a slice of crispy near warm apple pie
made from experience by Aldean
as she stood alone by her kitchen window
taking care and good intentions
thinking of her family while using well hewn skill
that would’a made her mother proud
after we did the deed on the chicken
during which time we made new acquaintances
and refreshed old ones
we waved goodbyes and moved on
out the door and beyond
into our own tomorrow
Sunday, September 20, 2009
free time
why knock yourself out on the internet
connecting with the world
when half the folks are not bright, half
scratch those – i’ll make this easy for you
that leaves three billion people
so you want them over for lunch or what?
make everybody a sandwich and what you spend
on mustard alone would run Norway for twenty-five years
keep it simple, you’ve heard that, right?
how about a few, maybe three or four friends
either that’ll be enough for you, or
you need to reevaluate your free time
connecting with the world
when half the folks are not bright, half
scratch those – i’ll make this easy for you
that leaves three billion people
so you want them over for lunch or what?
make everybody a sandwich and what you spend
on mustard alone would run Norway for twenty-five years
keep it simple, you’ve heard that, right?
how about a few, maybe three or four friends
either that’ll be enough for you, or
you need to reevaluate your free time
Saturday, September 19, 2009
mirror
In Anatolia, around the land that is now Turkey
mirrors of polished obsidian were used 8,000 years ago.
catches the eye
flashes the light
better than a still pond
you can touch it
pick one up
carry it around
hold one up to look where you’ve been
hold it down to see the sky
put your face in one
it won’t talk back
won’t make a sound
what is left appears on the right
repeats colors
specularly reflective
practical magic
safe to do at home
mirrors of polished obsidian were used 8,000 years ago.
catches the eye
flashes the light
better than a still pond
you can touch it
pick one up
carry it around
hold one up to look where you’ve been
hold it down to see the sky
put your face in one
it won’t talk back
won’t make a sound
what is left appears on the right
repeats colors
specularly reflective
practical magic
safe to do at home
Friday, September 18, 2009
weather whether
tv weather
showing maps and arrows
in red and blue is weather
you can see
radio weather
talks how it goes
though for tomorrow i doubt whether
anyone knows
showing maps and arrows
in red and blue is weather
you can see
radio weather
talks how it goes
though for tomorrow i doubt whether
anyone knows
Thursday, September 17, 2009
i'm not afaid
i’m not afraid
to go outside the box
though rather get paid*
an cure chicken pox
filling our time now
an eye to the weather
i mean, holy cow,
we’re sticking together
i’ll rub your back
you sip my cheap wine
give me your heartache
and i’ll show you mine
the world is our sea
i am your oyster
they get us surrounded
white flags we’ll hoister
we drifts and we hops
as poets we'll cruise
dance till we drops
or the ship’s out of booze
*laid, strayed, made, spaid,weighed, swayed
to go outside the box
though rather get paid*
an cure chicken pox
filling our time now
an eye to the weather
i mean, holy cow,
we’re sticking together
i’ll rub your back
you sip my cheap wine
give me your heartache
and i’ll show you mine
the world is our sea
i am your oyster
they get us surrounded
white flags we’ll hoister
we drifts and we hops
as poets we'll cruise
dance till we drops
or the ship’s out of booze
*laid, strayed, made, spaid,weighed, swayed
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
every year that passes
as i ladle up a smoking silvery spoon of time, though I don’t write or call
every year that duck squeak slip passes greased
finds me wonder why, and how you’re doing
in the golden yellow white days of summer, and another adobe fall
there is will be a small flower
something wild half hidden amid somewhere green
anywhere, i find one, anywhere at all, in between
no matter, it changes how I’m feeling that hour
taking up a petal, one will do
in vibrant color, texture, pattern, scent, then recall i will
from afar, time spent, and power from soft warm eyes
i think of you
every year that passes
as i ladle up a smoking silvery
spoon of time
though I don’t write or call
every year that duck squeak slip passes
finds me wonder
why, and how you’re doing
in blistering golden yellow white summer
leaning to another adobe fall
there is will be a small flower
something, wild half hidden
amid somewhere sometime green
anywhere i find one, anywhere at all,
in between, no matter
it changes
how I’m feeling
that hour
taking up a petal,
one will do
vibrant in color, texture,
pattern, scent
then recall i will, from afar,
time spent, and power
from soft warm eyes
i think of you
every year that duck squeak slip passes greased
finds me wonder why, and how you’re doing
in the golden yellow white days of summer, and another adobe fall
there is will be a small flower
something wild half hidden amid somewhere green
anywhere, i find one, anywhere at all, in between
no matter, it changes how I’m feeling that hour
taking up a petal, one will do
in vibrant color, texture, pattern, scent, then recall i will
from afar, time spent, and power from soft warm eyes
i think of you
every year that passes
as i ladle up a smoking silvery
spoon of time
though I don’t write or call
every year that duck squeak slip passes
finds me wonder
why, and how you’re doing
in blistering golden yellow white summer
leaning to another adobe fall
there is will be a small flower
something, wild half hidden
amid somewhere sometime green
anywhere i find one, anywhere at all,
in between, no matter
it changes
how I’m feeling
that hour
taking up a petal,
one will do
vibrant in color, texture,
pattern, scent
then recall i will, from afar,
time spent, and power
from soft warm eyes
i think of you
Monday, September 14, 2009
when old clothes were new
archeologists say
first clothes were made
seventy thousand years ago
more or less
before that? you tell me
what’d the cave man wear
sticks and clam shells?
maybe dinosaur skins
now in a cave in the Republic of Georgia
archaeologists have found colored fibers
that indicate the cave that may have been a factory
engaged in producing colorful textiles
found were strings and ropes
dyed fabric yellow, gray and turquoise
and one in pink, twisted together
carbon dated to thirty-four thousand years ago
scientists, not prone to speculation,
estimate that even then the fashion styles
changed every six months
and runway models were skinny
Scientists credited with the above discovery are
Ofer Bar Yosef, George Grant MacCurdy
and Janet G. B. MacCurdy of Prehistoric Archaeology
in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University
Bar Yosef and colleagues have been working in this cave since 1996.
first clothes were made
seventy thousand years ago
more or less
before that? you tell me
what’d the cave man wear
sticks and clam shells?
maybe dinosaur skins
now in a cave in the Republic of Georgia
archaeologists have found colored fibers
that indicate the cave that may have been a factory
engaged in producing colorful textiles
found were strings and ropes
dyed fabric yellow, gray and turquoise
and one in pink, twisted together
carbon dated to thirty-four thousand years ago
scientists, not prone to speculation,
estimate that even then the fashion styles
changed every six months
and runway models were skinny
Scientists credited with the above discovery are
Ofer Bar Yosef, George Grant MacCurdy
and Janet G. B. MacCurdy of Prehistoric Archaeology
in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University
Bar Yosef and colleagues have been working in this cave since 1996.
writing
Digging into my archive, to save you the trouble, I brought this out from February 2008.
writing’s a bit
like digging a pit
you have to know
how deep to go
what to do
when that work is through?
You cover that lover
and start on another
writing’s a bit
like digging a pit
you have to know
how deep to go
what to do
when that work is through?
You cover that lover
and start on another
Sunday, September 13, 2009
curtis mayfield
around somewhere, maybe in a box
i have his business card
should be framed like a trophy now
here' the story
saw him perform
in those early times, 1963
when i was young and had the stuff
to get backstage, no problem
i was writing, wanted to see
if he would do a tune or two of mine
he was very friendly, kind
but wrote all his own
rolled em out, played em on
it’s all right, people get ready,
anyway, it was nice talking with Curtis
i really liked his style
i have his business card
should be framed like a trophy now
here' the story
saw him perform
in those early times, 1963
when i was young and had the stuff
to get backstage, no problem
i was writing, wanted to see
if he would do a tune or two of mine
he was very friendly, kind
but wrote all his own
rolled em out, played em on
it’s all right, people get ready,
anyway, it was nice talking with Curtis
i really liked his style
Saturday, September 12, 2009
animals revisited
the house of the rising sun was sung
by Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley
and Gwen Foster in 1933
Tom learned it from his grandfather
Alan Lomax recorded his granddaughter singing it in ‘37
Roy Acuff in ’38, Woody Guthrie in ‘41
Led Belly in ‘48,
‘61 Bob Dylan did it
and according to punk archeology
in the British invasion of 64 the animals did it
many others have since recorded it
many other artists
2009 the dentist’s office
heard it on the radio, and kid next to me says
wow. the animals, oh, yeah!
animals lead singer Eric Burton 68 years old
lets dig up Mozart, blow some air in him
and see if he can open for the animals
just keep pumping air until
we get a beat out of him
by Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley
and Gwen Foster in 1933
Tom learned it from his grandfather
Alan Lomax recorded his granddaughter singing it in ‘37
Roy Acuff in ’38, Woody Guthrie in ‘41
Led Belly in ‘48,
‘61 Bob Dylan did it
and according to punk archeology
in the British invasion of 64 the animals did it
many others have since recorded it
many other artists
2009 the dentist’s office
heard it on the radio, and kid next to me says
wow. the animals, oh, yeah!
animals lead singer Eric Burton 68 years old
lets dig up Mozart, blow some air in him
and see if he can open for the animals
just keep pumping air until
we get a beat out of him
i can turn it on
a low level technician i am, i know
rank me where I ought to be
somewhere low
because a lot really blows way by me
dust puffs on light wind to vapor
it’s the way I see it
what I expect
don’t you feel it?
examining from the back porch
under moving tree shadow and moon light
watching lightning bugs while
making thoughts, stringing them together
that could be necessary, stringing
to adjust things not quite right in my reasoning
we’ll see, I’m not sure, no regret
rank me where I ought to be
somewhere low
because a lot really blows way by me
dust puffs on light wind to vapor
it’s the way I see it
what I expect
don’t you feel it?
examining from the back porch
under moving tree shadow and moon light
watching lightning bugs while
making thoughts, stringing them together
that could be necessary, stringing
to adjust things not quite right in my reasoning
we’ll see, I’m not sure, no regret
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
bloodlines
fractional Cherokee blood coursing
she stood the ladder
painting on high
four and a half feet
beyond fear
off to the side with pride in my eye
envious of her heritage advantage
i watched from my perspective
as a humble full blood
Kielbasa
she stood the ladder
painting on high
four and a half feet
beyond fear
off to the side with pride in my eye
envious of her heritage advantage
i watched from my perspective
as a humble full blood
Kielbasa
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
not the hanging judge
the frog tunes stopped
got real quiet hereabouts
don’t want to rush
to irrational judgment
but it looks like Herb stayed
and the nervous girlfriend
the one with the big eyes
might have split in the cover of darkness
this morning Herb is there
sitting on the same bar stool lily pad
like someone told him to freeze
he didn’t move a muscle (can't say hair,doesn’t have any)
we’ll move slow around, easy like
take our time, not make a sound
and count ‘em up later
to see who’s still in pond town
got real quiet hereabouts
don’t want to rush
to irrational judgment
but it looks like Herb stayed
and the nervous girlfriend
the one with the big eyes
might have split in the cover of darkness
this morning Herb is there
sitting on the same bar stool lily pad
like someone told him to freeze
he didn’t move a muscle (can't say hair,doesn’t have any)
we’ll move slow around, easy like
take our time, not make a sound
and count ‘em up later
to see who’s still in pond town
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
a frogs worth
summer now gone
September cool arrived
a few days of rain brought
warm damp last night
opened the window
imagined heard familiar
this morning M. saw him
called me to the pond
yes, after a summer scamper
to spend time with the girls
fall season approaches
(Errrb) Herb‘s home again
An hour later we see there are two large frogs in the pond. Maybe Herb brought his girlfriend with him.
September cool arrived
a few days of rain brought
warm damp last night
opened the window
imagined heard familiar
this morning M. saw him
called me to the pond
yes, after a summer scamper
to spend time with the girls
fall season approaches
(Errrb) Herb‘s home again
An hour later we see there are two large frogs in the pond. Maybe Herb brought his girlfriend with him.
Monday, September 07, 2009
days are like eggs
days are like eggs
some sunny side up
they’re hard, or scrambled
and, thank god,
always a few go
over easy
some sunny side up
they’re hard, or scrambled
and, thank god,
always a few go
over easy
Sunday, September 06, 2009
nature
of fish, birds, squirrels and frogs
there’s all kinds, good and bad,
each exhibiting different personalities
with examples for each
i told my brother what i had observed
he listened to my explanation
then told me i had too much free time.
in defense i maintain
it is better to observe nature
than watch television
there’s all kinds, good and bad,
each exhibiting different personalities
with examples for each
i told my brother what i had observed
he listened to my explanation
then told me i had too much free time.
in defense i maintain
it is better to observe nature
than watch television
Labels:
poems of nature
Saturday, September 05, 2009
old clock
old clock man was here
brought the metal guts
didn’t have to take
the heavy wooden case
just the grandmother works,
we talked of factories and parts
in America and Europe
how things have changed
of old cars, collectors, estate sales
and the time he opened
someone’s old dead clock
to find an equally dead
rattlesnake wound inside,
when he tried to get it out
it went back to nature
returned to dust
brought the metal guts
didn’t have to take
the heavy wooden case
just the grandmother works,
we talked of factories and parts
in America and Europe
how things have changed
of old cars, collectors, estate sales
and the time he opened
someone’s old dead clock
to find an equally dead
rattlesnake wound inside,
when he tried to get it out
it went back to nature
returned to dust
Friday, September 04, 2009
future talks
two more automakers are thinking
of launching an electric car
that was the promotional word – launching
it must be better if it sounds like a boat
and from here, a few days into the centu…
okay, actually a nine years into the
next thousand years
electric cars are the future
how’s that if you’re looking back?
and yes, I’ll take questions, go ahead
you there, the little one with the uh, . . .go ahead . . . -
why, no, I never knew the Earp brothers
was that kid kidding
or is the future that far ahead
that you forget
exactly where the past is?
of launching an electric car
that was the promotional word – launching
it must be better if it sounds like a boat
and from here, a few days into the centu…
okay, actually a nine years into the
next thousand years
electric cars are the future
how’s that if you’re looking back?
and yes, I’ll take questions, go ahead
you there, the little one with the uh, . . .go ahead . . . -
why, no, I never knew the Earp brothers
was that kid kidding
or is the future that far ahead
that you forget
exactly where the past is?
Thursday, September 03, 2009
apple cake
from a peg on the wall she took up
her worn canvas bag by the shoulder strap
said come on, we’re going to pick apples
near the corner across the street in the empty lot
there’s a neglected, half dragging to the ground,
poorly shaped, unremarkable old tree
not worth a glance,
and loaded with apples
we ate one to sample
half red, half yellow, a little strange to look at
but fresh off the tree
it was some old variety
forgotten, unattended and delicious apples
she filled the sack with a dozen or so
when she said she had enough,
we walked home
late that afternoon, after other tasks
by September sun streaming into the kitchen
she made an apple upside down
augmenting a vintage recipe found on the Internet
an hour after dinner
we each had a piece
of the best apple cake
i ever had tasted in my life
It would be too easy for M. and I to eat the whole thing, so I took the rest to my brother’s family. For us, there is always tomorrow.
her worn canvas bag by the shoulder strap
said come on, we’re going to pick apples
near the corner across the street in the empty lot
there’s a neglected, half dragging to the ground,
poorly shaped, unremarkable old tree
not worth a glance,
and loaded with apples
we ate one to sample
half red, half yellow, a little strange to look at
but fresh off the tree
it was some old variety
forgotten, unattended and delicious apples
she filled the sack with a dozen or so
when she said she had enough,
we walked home
late that afternoon, after other tasks
by September sun streaming into the kitchen
she made an apple upside down
augmenting a vintage recipe found on the Internet
an hour after dinner
we each had a piece
of the best apple cake
i ever had tasted in my life
It would be too easy for M. and I to eat the whole thing, so I took the rest to my brother’s family. For us, there is always tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
look around
look around, you’ll see
old rock musicians
like politicians,
have taught us
if you stick around
long enough
you can always
make a comeback
old rock musicians
like politicians,
have taught us
if you stick around
long enough
you can always
make a comeback
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
an afternoon out
taking a slow walking pace
a few hours into the hills
easy now, said to the horse
reined up content
took a look around
into the advent of fall
the weather is kind
warm another time
leaves are dry
the autumn sun rounds the hills
at a lower angle in the sky
now winter’s just ahead
another change underway
trees will turn
geese will fly
come on boy
that’s enough, say goodbye,
we’re going home now
a few hours into the hills
easy now, said to the horse
reined up content
took a look around
into the advent of fall
the weather is kind
warm another time
leaves are dry
the autumn sun rounds the hills
at a lower angle in the sky
now winter’s just ahead
another change underway
trees will turn
geese will fly
come on boy
that’s enough, say goodbye,
we’re going home now
orderly salad order
Memorize this important catchy little salad poem and teach it to your children.
Ohhh, America eats it first
Europe eats it last
to lose weight fast
they say, then hey
vinegar, as in salad,
curbs desire for sugar,
as in desert
don’t you know?
eat salad last some say
can you believe it? don’t rush me now,
salad after main course aids digestion
it also blocks digestion when eaten first
but eat it first and it’s a palette cleaner
salad first curbs appetite to eat less overall
The contents of the stomach are released slowly
into the upper intestine, 1 or 2 teaspoons per minute
in summation: eat salad in the middle
or avoid it altogether, then again,
when they first came to America
the boat ride made everybody sick and confused anyway
final tip for orderly salad eating
use a fork and not you fingers
unless you’re a monkey, then no problem
you won’t eat salad anyway except bananas
Ohhh, America eats it first
Europe eats it last
to lose weight fast
they say, then hey
vinegar, as in salad,
curbs desire for sugar,
as in desert
don’t you know?
eat salad last some say
can you believe it? don’t rush me now,
salad after main course aids digestion
it also blocks digestion when eaten first
but eat it first and it’s a palette cleaner
salad first curbs appetite to eat less overall
The contents of the stomach are released slowly
into the upper intestine, 1 or 2 teaspoons per minute
in summation: eat salad in the middle
or avoid it altogether, then again,
when they first came to America
the boat ride made everybody sick and confused anyway
final tip for orderly salad eating
use a fork and not you fingers
unless you’re a monkey, then no problem
you won’t eat salad anyway except bananas
Monday, August 31, 2009
robins gone
it's the last day of august
change is building in the air
worms are safe, robins gone
new bird children learned well enough
to wing away with the adults
in a few weeks they’ll return
to hop and peck around
for a few days of substanance
before the family flies south for the winter
free as a bird, means no luggage, to pack or carry
change is building in the air
worms are safe, robins gone
new bird children learned well enough
to wing away with the adults
in a few weeks they’ll return
to hop and peck around
for a few days of substanance
before the family flies south for the winter
free as a bird, means no luggage, to pack or carry
Sunday, August 30, 2009
wisp
get a thought
take it with you
ride away on it
you won’t fall off
a soft puffy cloud
that will evaporate
before you do
possibly
take it with you
ride away on it
you won’t fall off
a soft puffy cloud
that will evaporate
before you do
possibly
Saturday, August 29, 2009
when they were young
in the mid 60’s my buddy bill got
tickets to Mershon Auditorium
in Columbus, Ohio, a night
twenty-five hundred people packed in
we were the two white guys in the crowd
to see Gary U.S. Bond, Major Lance, the Drifters
the Temptations, The Ronettes, The Supremes
and Ray Charles
one after another
these great performers
huffed and puffed
and blew the house away
i remember when Ray was going into the falsetto
turnaround on Georgia on My Mind
there is a tiny pause at that point
the audience was silent in anticipation
a woman screamed out – Oh, sing it Ray, baby
Ray chuckled, the audience smiled and he did it
they all did it
knocked ‘em down
one after another
for everybody
all together
this night of music and love
tickets to Mershon Auditorium
in Columbus, Ohio, a night
twenty-five hundred people packed in
we were the two white guys in the crowd
to see Gary U.S. Bond, Major Lance, the Drifters
the Temptations, The Ronettes, The Supremes
and Ray Charles
one after another
these great performers
huffed and puffed
and blew the house away
i remember when Ray was going into the falsetto
turnaround on Georgia on My Mind
there is a tiny pause at that point
the audience was silent in anticipation
a woman screamed out – Oh, sing it Ray, baby
Ray chuckled, the audience smiled and he did it
they all did it
knocked ‘em down
one after another
for everybody
all together
this night of music and love
Friday, August 28, 2009
back to the dentist
back to the dentist
maybe i should rent a bed there
find some second hand equipment
and do it myself, then again
the government checking itself for corruption
is like me checking myself for a bad tooth
cause even if i find one
i’m not going to do an extraction
today the dentist was doing my back upper
and used a little mirror to see
seemed rather tricky to me
he had to pause for a few seconds for something to dry
both he and his assistant did a habitual freeze, waiting
playing statues, like a comedy routine,
i laughed, my mouth was full of equipment,
so i couldn’t explain to them what was so funny
and they looked at me
like what is wrong with this guy?
and I’m the one in the chair with my mouth open
with their equipment and hands in my mouth
maybe i should rent a bed there
find some second hand equipment
and do it myself, then again
the government checking itself for corruption
is like me checking myself for a bad tooth
cause even if i find one
i’m not going to do an extraction
today the dentist was doing my back upper
and used a little mirror to see
seemed rather tricky to me
he had to pause for a few seconds for something to dry
both he and his assistant did a habitual freeze, waiting
playing statues, like a comedy routine,
i laughed, my mouth was full of equipment,
so i couldn’t explain to them what was so funny
and they looked at me
like what is wrong with this guy?
and I’m the one in the chair with my mouth open
with their equipment and hands in my mouth
Thursday, August 27, 2009
drove to the college town
a half hour drive away
we had coffee and a scone
where young students were about
more life than we usually see
there was traffic and people walking
as we passed several houses for sale
nothing in particular for us
though we tried to like what was there
the town wasn't special today
it was fine, but didn’t have our names on it
up and down the streets looking
then a while later we drove back home
when you see it you’ll know it
that’s what we hear all the time
and although we desire a change
so far its gone out of its way to avoid us
we had coffee and a scone
where young students were about
more life than we usually see
there was traffic and people walking
as we passed several houses for sale
nothing in particular for us
though we tried to like what was there
the town wasn't special today
it was fine, but didn’t have our names on it
up and down the streets looking
then a while later we drove back home
when you see it you’ll know it
that’s what we hear all the time
and although we desire a change
so far its gone out of its way to avoid us
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
middle of the night
middle of the night
had an idea for a poem
didn’t turn on the light
didn’t write it down
i got up and walked around
didn’t smoke, didn’t drank
just thank, like thinking
cause it was last night
it’s all past tense
in the darkness
and i wasn’t tense
i rested well, i can tell
makes sense, i’m just saying
the idea escaped me
came in, went by
leaving nothing to hang it on
got away completely
like clothes on the line in high wind
that first flaps, then blows
whap - took wing and flew away
another case of talking in my dream
about some poem, to some people
it’s what they said, or so i thought
and then they all got up and left at once
the whole flock thought took to the air transparent
gone, before i wrote something down
it got by me and went away
past tense
had an idea for a poem
didn’t turn on the light
didn’t write it down
i got up and walked around
didn’t smoke, didn’t drank
just thank, like thinking
cause it was last night
it’s all past tense
in the darkness
and i wasn’t tense
i rested well, i can tell
makes sense, i’m just saying
the idea escaped me
came in, went by
leaving nothing to hang it on
got away completely
like clothes on the line in high wind
that first flaps, then blows
whap - took wing and flew away
another case of talking in my dream
about some poem, to some people
it’s what they said, or so i thought
and then they all got up and left at once
the whole flock thought took to the air transparent
gone, before i wrote something down
it got by me and went away
past tense
Monday, August 24, 2009
a dark figure
from the front step i saw
in the stillness of heavy dusk
a lone dark figure
amble my way down the street
perhaps it’s that bushy headed cute girl
with the cheery hello, who lives next door
that always sings walking her kitty
and has a happy word for everyone
i waited a moment
as the figure drew near i saw it was Rollo
the waddling ancient groundskeeper
from the local cemetery, tugging his little dog
and who rides the loudest riding mower in creation
always yells in your face, is irritating and grumpy,
with a chill in my spine i slipped into silent shadows,
maybe next time i'll say hi
in the stillness of heavy dusk
a lone dark figure
amble my way down the street
perhaps it’s that bushy headed cute girl
with the cheery hello, who lives next door
that always sings walking her kitty
and has a happy word for everyone
i waited a moment
as the figure drew near i saw it was Rollo
the waddling ancient groundskeeper
from the local cemetery, tugging his little dog
and who rides the loudest riding mower in creation
always yells in your face, is irritating and grumpy,
with a chill in my spine i slipped into silent shadows,
maybe next time i'll say hi
Sunday, August 23, 2009
dareson
i dareson give long sets of words
your time is tight
it might not be the right venue
to traffic in long verse
better to give a little now,
save the other thoughts
for some distant time
when i am not so terse
your time is tight
it might not be the right venue
to traffic in long verse
better to give a little now,
save the other thoughts
for some distant time
when i am not so terse
Saturday, August 22, 2009
summer gone
dark hard rain and coolness
how soon summer turned away
still another week before august ends
so quickly warm days have gone astray
just picked raspberries
it’s not time for apples
we’re not ready for pumpkins
corn and tomatoes are yet to ripen fully
how can days lounging at the beach be over
there are short sleeves and sun hats to wear
it isn’t time to put them away
need i collar up against chill wind?
where have they gone - the kids on bicycles?
even the mail man is bundled up
and sits longer in his truck
brutal quick summer why have you departed?
you’re the season we want to last
and went on by like no other has
so quickly you have passed
how soon summer turned away
still another week before august ends
so quickly warm days have gone astray
just picked raspberries
it’s not time for apples
we’re not ready for pumpkins
corn and tomatoes are yet to ripen fully
how can days lounging at the beach be over
there are short sleeves and sun hats to wear
it isn’t time to put them away
need i collar up against chill wind?
where have they gone - the kids on bicycles?
even the mail man is bundled up
and sits longer in his truck
brutal quick summer why have you departed?
you’re the season we want to last
and went on by like no other has
so quickly you have passed
Friday, August 21, 2009
jungle country vacation
when he was ten
and I was the age of lightning, long hair and magic
my son and i journeyed to Belize
to swim eat explore, and we did
returning through Mexico
border guards were hesitant alert
as we were afoot toting light luggage
but took a chance and let us enter their country
that overnight dirt road through jungle toward the north star
hobbling potholes packed on a tired rusty dull blue bus
amid ripe fruit, peasants, potions and shamans
my son secure and asleep, i fell into dream in some rear seat
awaken by rays of yellow dawn light, my head resting
on the breast of a congenial country woman.
we departed the bus later that morning
all waved to us, she was still smiling
and I was the age of lightning, long hair and magic
my son and i journeyed to Belize
to swim eat explore, and we did
returning through Mexico
border guards were hesitant alert
as we were afoot toting light luggage
but took a chance and let us enter their country
that overnight dirt road through jungle toward the north star
hobbling potholes packed on a tired rusty dull blue bus
amid ripe fruit, peasants, potions and shamans
my son secure and asleep, i fell into dream in some rear seat
awaken by rays of yellow dawn light, my head resting
on the breast of a congenial country woman.
we departed the bus later that morning
all waved to us, she was still smiling
Thursday, August 20, 2009
oldies
heard songs on a oldies station at the dentist
made me cringe, tell you way,
Buddy Holly, Peggy Sue,
get this: fifty years ago it was an oldie
it was recorded fifty-one years ago
i remember it the first time,
and they all sound different to me now
the individual instruments can be heard
how i process them in my mind
how they sound technically, remixed
the space between the notes
the sound with decent speakers
now reproduced in stereo
add my own playing, knowledge, abilities
all the sounds of the passing years
packed in my head
a half century of music
enough oldies, plenty, i mean it,
i’m full, where’s sophistication?
time to turn the musical corner
made me cringe, tell you way,
Buddy Holly, Peggy Sue,
get this: fifty years ago it was an oldie
it was recorded fifty-one years ago
i remember it the first time,
and they all sound different to me now
the individual instruments can be heard
how i process them in my mind
how they sound technically, remixed
the space between the notes
the sound with decent speakers
now reproduced in stereo
add my own playing, knowledge, abilities
all the sounds of the passing years
packed in my head
a half century of music
enough oldies, plenty, i mean it,
i’m full, where’s sophistication?
time to turn the musical corner
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
vacuum space time
The top paper among physicists in meeting Belgiam 2009
was presented by Nassim Haramein.
vacuum space time
warp space time
zero, zero, zero, zero, point one percent
of all space is material
way down, down
to the other end
into molecules
is infinite space
was presented by Nassim Haramein.
vacuum space time
warp space time
zero, zero, zero, zero, point one percent
of all space is material
way down, down
to the other end
into molecules
is infinite space
half
half is woman
Afghanistan is voting
the world is waiting
they are hoping
they can do
half are women
wake up
we are in
this world together
Afghanistan is voting
the world is waiting
they are hoping
they can do
half are women
wake up
we are in
this world together
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
the Commander
the Commander is flaps down
on approach to the final tarmac
wrapping up his mission
Pa is on the way out
or maybe in
depending how you read it
a few years ago he drove us
back from Tony’s Restaurant
in an Arizona hill town
as he sped hard to pass a truck
i commented, “so you miss
flying those WWII PBY’s, Tom”
we all laughed
and to tears will laugh again
saluting the Commander
on approach to the final tarmac
wrapping up his mission
Pa is on the way out
or maybe in
depending how you read it
a few years ago he drove us
back from Tony’s Restaurant
in an Arizona hill town
as he sped hard to pass a truck
i commented, “so you miss
flying those WWII PBY’s, Tom”
we all laughed
and to tears will laugh again
saluting the Commander
Monday, August 17, 2009
counsel
keeping my distance
working on other things
well, on the porch sipping coffee
while she does garden cleanup
the trash man is coming
i tell her it will be 90 today
interrupting drinking and heavy thinking
she calls me to help
as she attempts to stuff
a seventy pound glump of zucchini plants
into a thirty pound capacity bag,
providing counsel i advise
i can’t be done, won’t be done
and she does it anyway
then lugs all
to the curb for pickup
instead of yard work
perhaps i could convince her
to collect postage stamps,
they’re easier to lift
working on other things
well, on the porch sipping coffee
while she does garden cleanup
the trash man is coming
i tell her it will be 90 today
interrupting drinking and heavy thinking
she calls me to help
as she attempts to stuff
a seventy pound glump of zucchini plants
into a thirty pound capacity bag,
providing counsel i advise
i can’t be done, won’t be done
and she does it anyway
then lugs all
to the curb for pickup
instead of yard work
perhaps i could convince her
to collect postage stamps,
they’re easier to lift
Sunday, August 16, 2009
market watch
with real time quotes
I can watch it all
second by second
keeping a tight hand
today i set all in place
had my coffee
did other things
often reviewing
checked often,
after two and a half hours
i realized it is Sunday,
the market is closed
I can watch it all
second by second
keeping a tight hand
today i set all in place
had my coffee
did other things
often reviewing
checked often,
after two and a half hours
i realized it is Sunday,
the market is closed
Saturday, August 15, 2009
thunder blue
thunder blue
are you true
had to write that true line cause it sounds
like a mid twentieth century torch song
in a night club with burgundy velvet drapery
the clinking of glasses, voices and laughter
and a lot of smoking going on
this table, please
i want to be close to the band stand
lets put rain beating against the windows
and Bogart and Bacall hats down walking in the rain
this is where the thunder comes in
hey, there’s Gene Kelly
he wants to dance in the downpour
holly mackerel, it’s a musical
no wonder i got up early
i didn’t want to miss anything
spare a quarter, spare a quarter
you win some and you lose a few
there’s the line by the church
they feed indigents breakfast
that looks like your mother
and it’s you she’s carrying
how’s your cards look now
little smarty pants
are you true
had to write that true line cause it sounds
like a mid twentieth century torch song
in a night club with burgundy velvet drapery
the clinking of glasses, voices and laughter
and a lot of smoking going on
this table, please
i want to be close to the band stand
lets put rain beating against the windows
and Bogart and Bacall hats down walking in the rain
this is where the thunder comes in
hey, there’s Gene Kelly
he wants to dance in the downpour
holly mackerel, it’s a musical
no wonder i got up early
i didn’t want to miss anything
spare a quarter, spare a quarter
you win some and you lose a few
there’s the line by the church
they feed indigents breakfast
that looks like your mother
and it’s you she’s carrying
how’s your cards look now
little smarty pants
Friday, August 14, 2009
my son was here
now to put away in my head that my son was here
with his wife and two young daughters
children and grandchildren, ours for a week
they’ve gone back home
m. and i must reassemble,
meals once again quiet and simple
in the old house silent
where already clocks tick louder
we’ll drive fewer miles
with no one to show,
the heavy and hard to reach special chores will be undone
without assistance from the skilled, able younger man
and no one will thrill looking hard for berries, frogs or eagles
the happy calliope of the ice cream truck will pass barely noticed
soon leaves will dry crisp and golden unseen by them
as the flapping wings and honks of wild geese soar low overhead
seasons turn rolling like clouds on the wind
the lake will grow wild and thrash
then grey lie calm still, iced over
without their attention
while great joy lingers
there is also sadness in the wake
for all great moments are not all game winning seconds
the first and the fastest and the farthest and the medals
sometimes the joys are quiet
as were moments seated on the back porch
at night in low voice talking
saying nothing in particular
life is a trade of joys and sorrows
here’s a toast to them
warm toast and butter to the joys
with homemade jelly smeared all over it
with his wife and two young daughters
children and grandchildren, ours for a week
they’ve gone back home
m. and i must reassemble,
meals once again quiet and simple
in the old house silent
where already clocks tick louder
we’ll drive fewer miles
with no one to show,
the heavy and hard to reach special chores will be undone
without assistance from the skilled, able younger man
and no one will thrill looking hard for berries, frogs or eagles
the happy calliope of the ice cream truck will pass barely noticed
soon leaves will dry crisp and golden unseen by them
as the flapping wings and honks of wild geese soar low overhead
seasons turn rolling like clouds on the wind
the lake will grow wild and thrash
then grey lie calm still, iced over
without their attention
while great joy lingers
there is also sadness in the wake
for all great moments are not all game winning seconds
the first and the fastest and the farthest and the medals
sometimes the joys are quiet
as were moments seated on the back porch
at night in low voice talking
saying nothing in particular
life is a trade of joys and sorrows
here’s a toast to them
warm toast and butter to the joys
with homemade jelly smeared all over it
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
lincoln train
I found accounts that showed it came near the village of New London, Ohio, only a few miles from here. The year was 1865.
cool for April, spring came late that year
somber groups dispersed along the track
as far as the eye could see, neighbors in the night
reduced to profiles in the darkness
by the hour all were really tired
nervous in anticipation, wishing it’d arrive
3:25 in the morning, there about
there was a spot of wavering light in the distance
the same instant a voice cried out
then young Earl spotted it
“it’s coming” his wavering shout rang like a shot
over the now silent multitude assembled
some sobbing could be heard
as the lumbering of the locomotive slowly passed
the dark shadow of the funeral train
carrying the body of their fallen leader.
Monday, August 10, 2009
another season
i heard a frog voice last night at three
once every thirty seconds
old Herb did every fifteen
but that was a month ago
another month,
another season,
another frog?
you could spell the frog’s name Herb,
but what he said was erb
guess that’s herb with a small H
maybe frogs
have trouble
with their h’s.
once every thirty seconds
old Herb did every fifteen
but that was a month ago
another month,
another season,
another frog?
you could spell the frog’s name Herb,
but what he said was erb
guess that’s herb with a small H
maybe frogs
have trouble
with their h’s.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
spell
hands over apple carts
heels stomping knaves
strapped on a barrel
pearls hidden in caves
after line thimbles
knotted in haste
stumble and dribble
cookies to paste
orange, blue and pink
everything beckons
don’t even think
of askin’ for seconds
oh, i lost it
I did, more or less
t’was casting a spell,
least, that’d be my guess
heels stomping knaves
strapped on a barrel
pearls hidden in caves
after line thimbles
knotted in haste
stumble and dribble
cookies to paste
orange, blue and pink
everything beckons
don’t even think
of askin’ for seconds
oh, i lost it
I did, more or less
t’was casting a spell,
least, that’d be my guess
Saturday, August 08, 2009
where do i park it
in my head I still have
my 52 Chevy pickup truck
that i sold fourteen years ago
was the same make and model
as Phil’s who had the gas station
across the street when i was a kid
where we used to play
while he worked on cars
and i rode in the back when he took
his son and i out to the family farm
i found an old truck like it, loved it
got it back like old and new
it ticked, ticked, ticked
so now where do i park it
in my mind?
my 52 Chevy pickup truck
that i sold fourteen years ago
was the same make and model
as Phil’s who had the gas station
across the street when i was a kid
where we used to play
while he worked on cars
and i rode in the back when he took
his son and i out to the family farm
i found an old truck like it, loved it
got it back like old and new
it ticked, ticked, ticked
so now where do i park it
in my mind?
Friday, August 07, 2009
leaping leapers - good fortune
i fell, what the hell
washing the car
didn’t fall far
and i rolled
like Batman Senior. jumping out of an airplane
my feet didn’t tangle in the parachute
wasn’t about to break anything on the landing
not with a bucket in the way, not this time
lying on my back wet in driveway water
staying put, looking at the sky, like i oughter
knew i learned my lesson the last time
and that was the - way last time
i figured a clean front fender
wasn’t worth a month in a cast, not again
man, i was computin’ fast
tuck and roll, tuck and roll
now i have to call my friends
tell all the good fortune i’ve captured
or maybe just take a nap instead,
either way, i’m smiling, unfractured
washing the car
didn’t fall far
and i rolled
like Batman Senior. jumping out of an airplane
my feet didn’t tangle in the parachute
wasn’t about to break anything on the landing
not with a bucket in the way, not this time
lying on my back wet in driveway water
staying put, looking at the sky, like i oughter
knew i learned my lesson the last time
and that was the - way last time
i figured a clean front fender
wasn’t worth a month in a cast, not again
man, i was computin’ fast
tuck and roll, tuck and roll
now i have to call my friends
tell all the good fortune i’ve captured
or maybe just take a nap instead,
either way, i’m smiling, unfractured
Thursday, August 06, 2009
direct, indirect
being a direct descendant
of one hundred fifty ten thousand years
off the Polish isles near the bleak Russian tundra
i hugged a widdle blankie over my shoulder
my french/scotch/irish/cherokee bride
on the other hand, spurned all covers
as one born in the boileroom of the boiler making plant
generates her own heat and some for the city of Minneapolis
and for Pittsburgh
of one hundred fifty ten thousand years
off the Polish isles near the bleak Russian tundra
i hugged a widdle blankie over my shoulder
my french/scotch/irish/cherokee bride
on the other hand, spurned all covers
as one born in the boileroom of the boiler making plant
generates her own heat and some for the city of Minneapolis
and for Pittsburgh
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
special on the board
on the board two, scrambled with cheese
get the signal, shake off a menu
heavy hitter Nicky takes my order
try to see the newspaper
down the pipe, over the shoulder of
the guy at the table in front of me
on the board it's three for, two opposed,
the ayes have it, no rain today
on deck, waiting my order, making notes
off the board it’s two flips and a tuck
did a flip back and curl into reality
tasted good, grease is good
I like bacon, sipped coffee,
left a buck ride on the table
am I fit to drive?
get the signal, shake off a menu
heavy hitter Nicky takes my order
try to see the newspaper
down the pipe, over the shoulder of
the guy at the table in front of me
on the board it's three for, two opposed,
the ayes have it, no rain today
on deck, waiting my order, making notes
off the board it’s two flips and a tuck
did a flip back and curl into reality
tasted good, grease is good
I like bacon, sipped coffee,
left a buck ride on the table
am I fit to drive?
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
winky and blinky
winky and blinky out at night
by light of a cheddar moon
laughed til they cried and hung on tight
as they pranced to every tune
hop a diddle they could
crisp and doodle might
doing what they really should
and thusly passed the night
see the hours fly on by
wrapped to the skin in fest
spinning, swimming eye to eye
of course you know the rest
planted on a quiet hill
on the road to the hereafter
some say sometimes when nights are still
you can hear bits of their laughter
by light of a cheddar moon
laughed til they cried and hung on tight
as they pranced to every tune
hop a diddle they could
crisp and doodle might
doing what they really should
and thusly passed the night
see the hours fly on by
wrapped to the skin in fest
spinning, swimming eye to eye
of course you know the rest
planted on a quiet hill
on the road to the hereafter
some say sometimes when nights are still
you can hear bits of their laughter
Monday, August 03, 2009
poetry masters
oh yes, we’ve poetry masters
like America’s Walt Whitman
who thump covered a lot of bases
green waving fields, lightening flashes
blood red and dead gray fallen soldiers
bubbles of crystal clear rippling streams
by farmer’s long faces and torches
on the global sphere mystery and chants
for ten thousand of thousands of years
forward and back leaping
know how times have changed
for all of us
for in all of his words
of roots, songs, joys, and power,
of fury, nomads, nations, legions, submission,
banners, fires burning, pageants
and frost-mellowed berries
in those cherished times of olde
some lonely dim shadowed snowy eve
with walking staff and collar up
Walt never mentioned
stopping on his way home
to pick up a lotto ticket,
pizza with his favorite topping
or a movie
if here now, today
maybe stop for a pizza and a beer
i don't know, don't think he'd own a TV
and, stewards of the earth,
where'd the clear water go
like America’s Walt Whitman
who thump covered a lot of bases
green waving fields, lightening flashes
blood red and dead gray fallen soldiers
bubbles of crystal clear rippling streams
by farmer’s long faces and torches
on the global sphere mystery and chants
for ten thousand of thousands of years
forward and back leaping
know how times have changed
for all of us
for in all of his words
of roots, songs, joys, and power,
of fury, nomads, nations, legions, submission,
banners, fires burning, pageants
and frost-mellowed berries
in those cherished times of olde
some lonely dim shadowed snowy eve
with walking staff and collar up
Walt never mentioned
stopping on his way home
to pick up a lotto ticket,
pizza with his favorite topping
or a movie
if here now, today
maybe stop for a pizza and a beer
i don't know, don't think he'd own a TV
and, stewards of the earth,
where'd the clear water go
Sunday, August 02, 2009
ain't got money
even though we ain’t got money
i’m so in love with you honey
Kenny loggins wrote that near forty years ago
today i heard the anne murray recording
over the speakers at the festival
where the clock seems wound back years
in the heights
a small Ohio town
that managed to stay that way
this morning to the fire station for pancakes
this afternoon a short block walk
from the single village stop light
to a barbeque downtown
like it was
so it remains
small talk
happy voices
familiar faces
a peaceful village
god bless the little towns
i’m so in love with you honey
Kenny loggins wrote that near forty years ago
today i heard the anne murray recording
over the speakers at the festival
where the clock seems wound back years
in the heights
a small Ohio town
that managed to stay that way
this morning to the fire station for pancakes
this afternoon a short block walk
from the single village stop light
to a barbeque downtown
like it was
so it remains
small talk
happy voices
familiar faces
a peaceful village
god bless the little towns
Saturday, August 01, 2009
where'd de go?
no mosquitoes okay
but where’s the lightning bugs
or fireflies, as some say,
but that’s in other parts
not here in humid hot hell
take a breath and sweat
stick to the chair summer
winged beetleful ohio
where’d de go?
gimmie da glow
i wanna know
those delightful iridescent call 'em yellow lightning bugs
but where’s the lightning bugs
or fireflies, as some say,
but that’s in other parts
not here in humid hot hell
take a breath and sweat
stick to the chair summer
winged beetleful ohio
where’d de go?
gimmie da glow
i wanna know
those delightful iridescent call 'em yellow lightning bugs
Thursday, July 30, 2009
da filthy rich
yeah, buddy? you say
you got a million bucks
well that’s just fine
now take a step back in line there, son
we gots us some real money folk comin in
you noticed the world making money
and stealin’ what they have to
well, only out’a necessity, that’s all
i’m telling you, kid
they don’t mean nuthin’ by it
what chew called there?
yeah, you. . . .
oh, that’s fine, now like i say
the rich gets richer
while the rest of you Head Count
is not needed for much of nuthin’
unless is for being
good foot soldiers
we need those, you see
they pick up things on the parade grounds
and i don’t mean jes communicable diseases
hah, hah, pieces of paper and shit like that
an' they can walk in a straight line
an' everything
an' look fine for when
the real important people,
the important people, make their speeches
ya hear me? - don’t chew see?
now step a little closer,
crowd in here,
that’s it
so’s i donze haz ta yell
you got a million bucks
well that’s just fine
now take a step back in line there, son
we gots us some real money folk comin in
you noticed the world making money
and stealin’ what they have to
well, only out’a necessity, that’s all
i’m telling you, kid
they don’t mean nuthin’ by it
what chew called there?
yeah, you. . . .
oh, that’s fine, now like i say
the rich gets richer
while the rest of you Head Count
is not needed for much of nuthin’
unless is for being
good foot soldiers
we need those, you see
they pick up things on the parade grounds
and i don’t mean jes communicable diseases
hah, hah, pieces of paper and shit like that
an' they can walk in a straight line
an' everything
an' look fine for when
the real important people,
the important people, make their speeches
ya hear me? - don’t chew see?
now step a little closer,
crowd in here,
that’s it
so’s i donze haz ta yell
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
nightmare
i know you were renting,
well, your home is our house now
you see, we are going to buy it
would you move out please
wait, what i said last week
forget about it
yeah, cancel the movers
we changed our mind
see if you can get
your deposit back on the new place
oh, and here, this stuff
was in your mailbox
i guess it’s yours again,
most of it’s junk mail anyway
hope you don’t mind,
i clipped out all the coupons
well, your home is our house now
you see, we are going to buy it
would you move out please
wait, what i said last week
forget about it
yeah, cancel the movers
we changed our mind
see if you can get
your deposit back on the new place
oh, and here, this stuff
was in your mailbox
i guess it’s yours again,
most of it’s junk mail anyway
hope you don’t mind,
i clipped out all the coupons
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
when i'm flying
often we pass a certain high tension pole
supporting large power lines
that run for miles over the rolling country side
in mornings, large birds called turkey vultures or buzzards
set on the metal branches with wings partially spread
to dry them from nightly dew
one of the most skilled aviary flyers in the Americas,
these giants have been seen to soar
as long as six hours
without flapping their wings
today on the pinnacle of the tall vertical metal tower
a bird perched, wings fully extended
in it’s full six foot span
gallant as an eagle on an American emblem
seeing that bird atop all, in golden morning light
my wife put words in that wild creature’s beak
when she said,
“this is what i look like when i’m flying.”
at the same time
he whispered to me
“i can soar higher, longer, faster
than you can ever dream.”
supporting large power lines
that run for miles over the rolling country side
in mornings, large birds called turkey vultures or buzzards
set on the metal branches with wings partially spread
to dry them from nightly dew
one of the most skilled aviary flyers in the Americas,
these giants have been seen to soar
as long as six hours
without flapping their wings
today on the pinnacle of the tall vertical metal tower
a bird perched, wings fully extended
in it’s full six foot span
gallant as an eagle on an American emblem
seeing that bird atop all, in golden morning light
my wife put words in that wild creature’s beak
when she said,
“this is what i look like when i’m flying.”
at the same time
he whispered to me
“i can soar higher, longer, faster
than you can ever dream.”
Monday, July 27, 2009
tend your still
words on a note
i know i wrote
cause it was on a piece of paper
in my pocket
couldn’t figure why
i asked her and yes, she said it
that’s why i wrote it down
tend your still
nice words together
i asked what it means
she said it’s what you do
in West Virginia
i know i wrote
cause it was on a piece of paper
in my pocket
couldn’t figure why
i asked her and yes, she said it
that’s why i wrote it down
tend your still
nice words together
i asked what it means
she said it’s what you do
in West Virginia
Sunday, July 26, 2009
three steps
needed house front steps,
didn’t want wood,
in our town it’s normal to call a cement contractor
that’s a guy who has a truck and pours cement
not a problem, i’d call a guy, then another and another
the job to pour three steps was too small to be bothered with
they had big jobs, long driveways to keep them from tiny steps
so i thought and thought - and thought of stone
at the stone quarry they said they could do it,
cut Indiana Blue Sandstone i selected, and deliver it,
set the stone down one , two, three
all i had to do was provide the dimensions for three blocks
three weeks i planned. the first time i measured i thought i had it
a few days later i checked my figures and they were wrong,
so i did it again, three blocks, one, two, three on top of each other
it was many days to get it right.
i had to prepare the ground, no one else would do it,
so I raked, then measured the first block, the second had to fit
back under the wood of the door, and the third
had to be even with the inside floor. one, two, three
on and on i figured stone dimensions, and finally had it right.
the bottom block was largest,
the second and third were equally smaller.
it all would fit, everything tight.
the day they delivered the stone in a large truck with a crane,
they had one block cut wrong by two inches on one side.
I recalculated and told them put them down. one, two, three
in a half hour i had them down and perfect,
you can’t tell they made a cutting error.
now we have our three stone steps
the bottom, the second recessed under the Georgian doorway
the third level with the inside wood floor
come back in two hundred years, you’ll see
the house may be gone,
but the steps will be there
one, two, three
didn’t want wood,
in our town it’s normal to call a cement contractor
that’s a guy who has a truck and pours cement
not a problem, i’d call a guy, then another and another
the job to pour three steps was too small to be bothered with
they had big jobs, long driveways to keep them from tiny steps
so i thought and thought - and thought of stone
at the stone quarry they said they could do it,
cut Indiana Blue Sandstone i selected, and deliver it,
set the stone down one , two, three
all i had to do was provide the dimensions for three blocks
three weeks i planned. the first time i measured i thought i had it
a few days later i checked my figures and they were wrong,
so i did it again, three blocks, one, two, three on top of each other
it was many days to get it right.
i had to prepare the ground, no one else would do it,
so I raked, then measured the first block, the second had to fit
back under the wood of the door, and the third
had to be even with the inside floor. one, two, three
on and on i figured stone dimensions, and finally had it right.
the bottom block was largest,
the second and third were equally smaller.
it all would fit, everything tight.
the day they delivered the stone in a large truck with a crane,
they had one block cut wrong by two inches on one side.
I recalculated and told them put them down. one, two, three
in a half hour i had them down and perfect,
you can’t tell they made a cutting error.
now we have our three stone steps
the bottom, the second recessed under the Georgian doorway
the third level with the inside wood floor
come back in two hundred years, you’ll see
the house may be gone,
but the steps will be there
one, two, three
Saturday, July 25, 2009
dry my tears
dry my tears
in my dreams
i'm in my world
you are you
i may yell
but don’t cry often
hug my fears
then they soften
in my dreams
i'm in my world
you are you
i may yell
but don’t cry often
hug my fears
then they soften
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
M. is going shopping
M. is going shopping at trader joe’s
it’s an hour away
she’s taking me along
and will drop me off at a friend’s
who wants to show me his new bookcase - wow
that’ll take about a minute
so she told me to start now
to write down as many questions
about bookcases
that I can think of
it’s an hour away
she’s taking me along
and will drop me off at a friend’s
who wants to show me his new bookcase - wow
that’ll take about a minute
so she told me to start now
to write down as many questions
about bookcases
that I can think of
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
4:09 a.m.
when I wake
in the middle of the night
as I often do,
should I listen with headphones
to radio reports on the BBC
or listen instead to the silence
and think my own thoughts?
in the middle of the night
as I often do,
should I listen with headphones
to radio reports on the BBC
or listen instead to the silence
and think my own thoughts?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
check out time
quite a morning breeze
that knocked down
her favorite dark red hollyhocks
while she was looking
out the kitchen window
then she saw it leap
through the flowers
in blowing rain and heavy winds
that came for hours and hours
one more frog followed the exit sign
one more for the road
leaving only a pair
out there
a boy frog
and his girlfrog friend
loving right down
to the very end
that knocked down
her favorite dark red hollyhocks
while she was looking
out the kitchen window
then she saw it leap
through the flowers
in blowing rain and heavy winds
that came for hours and hours
one more frog followed the exit sign
one more for the road
leaving only a pair
out there
a boy frog
and his girlfrog friend
loving right down
to the very end
Sunday, July 19, 2009
as luck would have it
as luck would have it
an expression that grew because others
recognized it, picked it up and rolled with it,
it became a part of the vernacular
so, as luck did have it, seven old friends
happened together for an afternoon
to laugh and compare
review and declare
five friends stopped by our home
fifty years ago five of us were in that summer,
that particular time of our young lives,
before our first year of high school began
if we could have fed our friends
and wrapped them in blankets
they would have stayed all night
however, on improvisation we did okay
mark it as a day well done
in light drink, snacks, long talk and laughter
pile this onto our stack of pleasant memories
of life worth living - good fortune for us
an expression that grew because others
recognized it, picked it up and rolled with it,
it became a part of the vernacular
so, as luck did have it, seven old friends
happened together for an afternoon
to laugh and compare
review and declare
five friends stopped by our home
fifty years ago five of us were in that summer,
that particular time of our young lives,
before our first year of high school began
if we could have fed our friends
and wrapped them in blankets
they would have stayed all night
however, on improvisation we did okay
mark it as a day well done
in light drink, snacks, long talk and laughter
pile this onto our stack of pleasant memories
of life worth living - good fortune for us
Saturday, July 18, 2009
the whittler
sun shines on a small diner
built a century past
on what is still a quiet off street
in the little town
we enter, take a table
the business is slow
two quiet women are at one table
three happy workers lunch at the counter
they are having a good old time
we hear the youngest tells the others
he is going to whittle this weekend
then shows his new large very sharp pocket knife
they all marvel
then the older says what ever you do
be sure you don’t cut off your thumb
of course not, the younger says, but why say that?
cause the guy says, you’re going to need it
to pick up your finger
much laughter filled the room
built a century past
on what is still a quiet off street
in the little town
we enter, take a table
the business is slow
two quiet women are at one table
three happy workers lunch at the counter
they are having a good old time
we hear the youngest tells the others
he is going to whittle this weekend
then shows his new large very sharp pocket knife
they all marvel
then the older says what ever you do
be sure you don’t cut off your thumb
of course not, the younger says, but why say that?
cause the guy says, you’re going to need it
to pick up your finger
much laughter filled the room
Friday, July 17, 2009
Mexican food
Mexican food at a roadside diner
with a chic-latin name in Somewhere’sville, Ohio
the stucco outside painted red and blue, looks right
with food prepared by Mexicans
from ingredients,
though available locally,
were probably frozen and trucked
across long American highways from anywhere
pleasant low volume music was authentic
as I imagine were the workers immigration cards
I ordered three enchiladas stuffed with
some kind of white cheese - gooey
in a sauce once based on tomatoes
currently based on grease and memories
of how it could be somewhere
the beans and rice were good, so was the coffee
the cost reasonable, the food wasn’t terrible,
it also had precious little to do with Mexico
hey, you want good Mexican food
better go to California
with a chic-latin name in Somewhere’sville, Ohio
the stucco outside painted red and blue, looks right
with food prepared by Mexicans
from ingredients,
though available locally,
were probably frozen and trucked
across long American highways from anywhere
pleasant low volume music was authentic
as I imagine were the workers immigration cards
I ordered three enchiladas stuffed with
some kind of white cheese - gooey
in a sauce once based on tomatoes
currently based on grease and memories
of how it could be somewhere
the beans and rice were good, so was the coffee
the cost reasonable, the food wasn’t terrible,
it also had precious little to do with Mexico
hey, you want good Mexican food
better go to California
Thursday, July 16, 2009
the shallow cove
the shallow cove narrows
by brushes and thickets
our old row boat sparkles
under sunned running waters
when spring floods the low lands
all return and rebuild
for memories run deeper
than fat fish go up stream
by brushes and thickets
our old row boat sparkles
under sunned running waters
when spring floods the low lands
all return and rebuild
for memories run deeper
than fat fish go up stream
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
papoon
papoon, the Iroquois called it
when they gave it to settlers
along the Susquehanna river
around 1779
knee high by the fourth of july. we say
the Indians probably had a version
or made a motion with their hand
it was special for them also
it’s planted in fields prepared and well tended
now an American tradition
seeded in good long rows
they’ve got the procedure down pat
and hope for rain
the sun does the rest
tall and green with wispy tassels on the stalks
then pick it at the peak
old timers made pipes from the cobs,
you clean the golden vegetable, cook it
every one runs to devour the feast
sure tastes good
add butter and salt the way you like
I sure do, since I was a kid
means it’s really summer
sweet corn
when they gave it to settlers
along the Susquehanna river
around 1779
knee high by the fourth of july. we say
the Indians probably had a version
or made a motion with their hand
it was special for them also
it’s planted in fields prepared and well tended
now an American tradition
seeded in good long rows
they’ve got the procedure down pat
and hope for rain
the sun does the rest
tall and green with wispy tassels on the stalks
then pick it at the peak
old timers made pipes from the cobs,
you clean the golden vegetable, cook it
every one runs to devour the feast
sure tastes good
add butter and salt the way you like
I sure do, since I was a kid
means it’s really summer
sweet corn
Monday, July 13, 2009
sunday my brother
Sunday my brother
now an old fisherman
took us in his boat
up brown river
through turns and trees
years fell away in ripples
as in seasons long ago
when humid air was still
turtles, fish, mossy fallen painted signs
by snags from leaning, half sunken trees
a heron tall in the branches watching
the river course changes
from flood and growth
always changing
water up and water down
a golf course where a farm used to be
now many new houses
old shacks fallen
a corner where we camped
another where we fished
duck blind in the marsh
a spot we had ventured to
paddling a canoe up mud brook creek
by jumping fish, sleeping deer and water birds
some sweet summer ago
now an old fisherman
took us in his boat
up brown river
through turns and trees
years fell away in ripples
as in seasons long ago
when humid air was still
turtles, fish, mossy fallen painted signs
by snags from leaning, half sunken trees
a heron tall in the branches watching
the river course changes
from flood and growth
always changing
water up and water down
a golf course where a farm used to be
now many new houses
old shacks fallen
a corner where we camped
another where we fished
duck blind in the marsh
a spot we had ventured to
paddling a canoe up mud brook creek
by jumping fish, sleeping deer and water birds
some sweet summer ago
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