for six agonizing months
my new shoes often came untied
no matter how i tied them
finally took laces from old shoes i wear
changed longer new laces for the old with care
all fit in their new shoe lace places
my new shows are now staying tied
the faithful old shoes, however, i haven’t tried
Saturday, April 21, 2012
life is a car
how shiny cute in the showroom.
take it home and keep it clean.
friends comment when they see it.
keep it tuned, fluids up, taunt, looking good.
protected from bad weather, inspected,
for years return several times for checkups.
always be aware to avoid accidents.
though over time scratches and dings happen.
then when at last it is worn, aged, paint becomes dull,
more difficult or impossible to repair; it’s seen its day.
taken to a new home, or left unused, nearly forgotten.
that’s car life; leaving you with photos and memories.
take it home and keep it clean.
friends comment when they see it.
keep it tuned, fluids up, taunt, looking good.
protected from bad weather, inspected,
for years return several times for checkups.
always be aware to avoid accidents.
though over time scratches and dings happen.
then when at last it is worn, aged, paint becomes dull,
more difficult or impossible to repair; it’s seen its day.
taken to a new home, or left unused, nearly forgotten.
that’s car life; leaving you with photos and memories.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
so the marathon
so the marathon
number 18 in Rome. not my number.
didn’t run but walked instead
to see the start
under blue skies and helicopters.
we were on the small hill near piazza Venezia
they ran right by us, twenty thousand of ‘em
no, i didn’t count, someone else said.
one runner was shocked to hear
voices in the crowd shout “die” as
he ran by the coliseum.
he thought they didn’t like Americans,
but these were Italians
they yelled not die, but dai,
equivalent to “go for it”
or “give it all you’ve got.”
number 18 in Rome. not my number.
didn’t run but walked instead
to see the start
under blue skies and helicopters.
we were on the small hill near piazza Venezia
they ran right by us, twenty thousand of ‘em
no, i didn’t count, someone else said.
one runner was shocked to hear
voices in the crowd shout “die” as
he ran by the coliseum.
he thought they didn’t like Americans,
but these were Italians
they yelled not die, but dai,
equivalent to “go for it”
or “give it all you’ve got.”
sleeping or so then
sleeping or so then
sometime before three
caught myself dream weaving in and out
turnip trucks turn up as i meander
fast lanes, grocery lines, three apples
talking someone pleasant, bagger boy.
rolling in the sheet, passing hour,
then two more, still night
re-fluff the pillow ’nother time, now it’s right.
around four, passing minutes in fifteens
as i look now and then at the clock,
no stopping, it’s spinning on
then at five alive to morning
a lot of words and thought rush thinking,
am putting exactly this together
without note, nor music or computer
this stuff written down
on the backroad of my mind
takes jog maneuver, a bob and weave.
time for oat meal hot enough
brain sipping what i was dreaming of
recalling best i can, what’s fit to recall
writing , mostly awake now
yawning good day y’all to all, finally.
sometime before three
caught myself dream weaving in and out
turnip trucks turn up as i meander
fast lanes, grocery lines, three apples
talking someone pleasant, bagger boy.
rolling in the sheet, passing hour,
then two more, still night
re-fluff the pillow ’nother time, now it’s right.
around four, passing minutes in fifteens
as i look now and then at the clock,
no stopping, it’s spinning on
then at five alive to morning
a lot of words and thought rush thinking,
am putting exactly this together
without note, nor music or computer
this stuff written down
on the backroad of my mind
takes jog maneuver, a bob and weave.
time for oat meal hot enough
brain sipping what i was dreaming of
recalling best i can, what’s fit to recall
writing , mostly awake now
yawning good day y’all to all, finally.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
head's not empty
head’s not empty when
i lay there coated in dream dust
no sir, not a bit, you see
begins sometime after three
but im asleep so that’s a guess,
filled with visions more or less
bubbling walking, topped off
great adventure motion coastin’
the best, all rolling long, along
spinning, bubbling on and on, apply the brake;
smelling color, cooked well, dandy and polite enough,
good-time fancy dreaming 'til dawn occurs and i awake.
i lay there coated in dream dust
no sir, not a bit, you see
begins sometime after three
but im asleep so that’s a guess,
filled with visions more or less
bubbling walking, topped off
great adventure motion coastin’
the best, all rolling long, along
spinning, bubbling on and on, apply the brake;
smelling color, cooked well, dandy and polite enough,
good-time fancy dreaming 'til dawn occurs and i awake.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Roma's sun
Roma’s sun
is light you can dream on
you've heard of it. and so it is.
here so fine, this new day
softens colors
no winds to speak of
with river bridges
to look out over
up at pigeons
down on floating seagulls
i'm pleased to say this mellowing sight
is the the result of early morning pastel light of Roma
is light you can dream on
you've heard of it. and so it is.
here so fine, this new day
softens colors
no winds to speak of
with river bridges
to look out over
up at pigeons
down on floating seagulls
i'm pleased to say this mellowing sight
is the the result of early morning pastel light of Roma
Thursday, March 22, 2012
peeped out
peeped out this corner
of the muffin i was sleeping in
unfolded to a world of sunshine
over long green warm waving
howdy you and the day
blue sky, clouds rolling by
cookie cutter decorations dancing wow,
a happy dog skipping hills yonder
by fragrant flowers and a spinning water wheel.
kitty sunk down watching
from low in long waving green
wiggles forward
keeping a quiet low profile;
content as he ought to be;
perhaps a tad more alert than we
to the general overall goings on.
of the muffin i was sleeping in
unfolded to a world of sunshine
over long green warm waving
howdy you and the day
blue sky, clouds rolling by
cookie cutter decorations dancing wow,
a happy dog skipping hills yonder
by fragrant flowers and a spinning water wheel.
kitty sunk down watching
from low in long waving green
wiggles forward
keeping a quiet low profile;
content as he ought to be;
perhaps a tad more alert than we
to the general overall goings on.
Monday, March 12, 2012
reflections mid march
wardrobes reflect mid march
call it spring or thereabouts,
warmer, light jackets, more people talking,
now taking life at a slower pace,
ease and joy is growing,
morning chill has lessoned.
while i off one way, M. to the store
wait. read. making notes as i go.
called to happy birthday
professor Roberto in Torino
with two more years than me
it’s fine he leads the way
zippin’ afoot on streets i am.
practiced maneuvers take me through;
it’s repeating my self to mention, but then
that comes with my lease, i’m old.
M. rode the tram. no Billie Store today,
got a new one, kinder gentler.
M. said the tram driver drove with anger
as if he’d just broken up with his mother.
call it spring or thereabouts,
warmer, light jackets, more people talking,
now taking life at a slower pace,
ease and joy is growing,
morning chill has lessoned.
while i off one way, M. to the store
wait. read. making notes as i go.
called to happy birthday
professor Roberto in Torino
with two more years than me
it’s fine he leads the way
zippin’ afoot on streets i am.
practiced maneuvers take me through;
it’s repeating my self to mention, but then
that comes with my lease, i’m old.
M. rode the tram. no Billie Store today,
got a new one, kinder gentler.
M. said the tram driver drove with anger
as if he’d just broken up with his mother.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
airport security
M. when at airport security
the man asks her
“How many chicken legs do you have?”
she looks up worried,
“Chicken legs?”
he shakes his head.
took a breath, then he said,
“No, ma'am, check in bags!”
the man asks her
“How many chicken legs do you have?”
she looks up worried,
“Chicken legs?”
he shakes his head.
took a breath, then he said,
“No, ma'am, check in bags!”
Friday, March 09, 2012
Rome is always like this
walked down for wine
like a Johnny cash song
went down the line
and the morning’s fine
for venders and buyers.
on getting food for the table
that’s the general idea of it.
warm in the sun, cool in the shade.
Roma e sempre cosi
that's how it's made, i guess.
at the market i salute my friends.
making ends meet they are, listen -
resolute in packs and calls
over pole and canvas market stalls
a crowd of tourists browse not buying,
instead take photos of vegetables
after a night a carousing streets and alleys
that link and form ancient Rome in new times
in the initial hint of spring this year of 2012
not going to delve meteorologically, just got up, i’m sleepy
so i’ll just go out and buy wine, out there where i said,
so i can get on my way back home again and see what happens
like a Johnny cash song
went down the line
and the morning’s fine
for venders and buyers.
on getting food for the table
that’s the general idea of it.
warm in the sun, cool in the shade.
Roma e sempre cosi
that's how it's made, i guess.
at the market i salute my friends.
making ends meet they are, listen -
resolute in packs and calls
over pole and canvas market stalls
a crowd of tourists browse not buying,
instead take photos of vegetables
after a night a carousing streets and alleys
that link and form ancient Rome in new times
in the initial hint of spring this year of 2012
not going to delve meteorologically, just got up, i’m sleepy
so i’ll just go out and buy wine, out there where i said,
so i can get on my way back home again and see what happens
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
notes on to do
let's not call it poetry today
in my land of a stuff i write
this rich field is opened,
soil turned, dug up a bit
in the work area are partially realized
objects on the bench
moved around and dusted just enough
i can find most things when i need them
pieces for up future construction
some i know by partial-temporary names
and look for a glance to say "not yet"
others are forgotten and then rediscovered
mail arrives later,
one less thing to do for now
email anytime i care to look
it's a mystery - perhaps or perhaps not
too bad they don’t use horses
my granddad used to
wash them in the military
he wasn't a colonel
don’t know if grandfather had a brother
while some families
can track before 1600
only to uncover that the defect persists.
what did the Lord do the one day he rested?
did he have hobbies, wear shoes, have regular chores?
did God write poetry, or,
was fabricating the entire universe
enough creative expression to keep him occupied?
make a note: are we better than
bunnies, ducks and rabbits?
it’s good they invented eyeglasses
say, and when we’re done
are we really done?
in my land of a stuff i write
this rich field is opened,
soil turned, dug up a bit
in the work area are partially realized
objects on the bench
moved around and dusted just enough
i can find most things when i need them
pieces for up future construction
some i know by partial-temporary names
and look for a glance to say "not yet"
others are forgotten and then rediscovered
mail arrives later,
one less thing to do for now
email anytime i care to look
it's a mystery - perhaps or perhaps not
too bad they don’t use horses
my granddad used to
wash them in the military
he wasn't a colonel
don’t know if grandfather had a brother
while some families
can track before 1600
only to uncover that the defect persists.
what did the Lord do the one day he rested?
did he have hobbies, wear shoes, have regular chores?
did God write poetry, or,
was fabricating the entire universe
enough creative expression to keep him occupied?
make a note: are we better than
bunnies, ducks and rabbits?
it’s good they invented eyeglasses
say, and when we’re done
are we really done?
center in the heart
the ghetto piazza
border to yesterday
with benches to sit
where there is sun
between not so high old buildings,
piazzas large enough to linger.
this fine spot to pause
during the rush of pre mid day
softly cosmopolitan this part,
forgiving in manner,
proud and stable,
a center in the heart of Rome.
border to yesterday
with benches to sit
where there is sun
between not so high old buildings,
piazzas large enough to linger.
this fine spot to pause
during the rush of pre mid day
softly cosmopolitan this part,
forgiving in manner,
proud and stable,
a center in the heart of Rome.
song of the waters
song of the waters
quiet nearly, not quite,
there is a calming murmur,
thoughtless;
the sea in prayer
remembers with swirling soft motion.
how it moves
in seagulls and sun;
shining glimmers,
fish jumping.
the liquid heart of the earth;
the ever so. bloodline.
quiet nearly, not quite,
there is a calming murmur,
thoughtless;
the sea in prayer
remembers with swirling soft motion.
how it moves
in seagulls and sun;
shining glimmers,
fish jumping.
the liquid heart of the earth;
the ever so. bloodline.
all rights reserved
M. today suggested
after observing yet another
very large ass jiggle by and by
and jiggling, on and on
there, she pointed,
these could earn cash;
perhaps with a sign
on the backside.
advertising everywhere
a billboard butt - all rights reserved.
money earned could be donated;
either that, or buy a lot of Snickers.
after observing yet another
very large ass jiggle by and by
and jiggling, on and on
there, she pointed,
these could earn cash;
perhaps with a sign
on the backside.
advertising everywhere
a billboard butt - all rights reserved.
money earned could be donated;
either that, or buy a lot of Snickers.
Monday, March 05, 2012
street tapping dancers
in sun and springtime here they come
the two dancing girls are heads up, reeling
sunday in the piazza, prancing in style
see ‘em strut to the old tunes.
made note of 'em last time so i know
was four days shy of four years ago.
they’re still in uniform, taps and hopping.
get back, they’re doing to what was once called swing.
their vintage music in a box - hear it ring.
got the action crowd pausing at the thing.
a small girl picked up their mic, then
they gently coaxed it back again.
the songs from the forties were jumping.
a drunk got up in line, danced along for a bit,
his few practiced moves were brief,
just a minute in the sun, in his groove, to our relief.
canes, bold black and white costumes, top hats,
click-click, tap-taping, roll on sunshine, click, click,
coins drop in the hat, amid appreciative smiles.
rat-a-tat-tat, oh, they left the crowd clapping.
the two dancing girls are heads up, reeling
sunday in the piazza, prancing in style
see ‘em strut to the old tunes.
made note of 'em last time so i know
was four days shy of four years ago.
they’re still in uniform, taps and hopping.
get back, they’re doing to what was once called swing.
their vintage music in a box - hear it ring.
got the action crowd pausing at the thing.
a small girl picked up their mic, then
they gently coaxed it back again.
the songs from the forties were jumping.
a drunk got up in line, danced along for a bit,
his few practiced moves were brief,
just a minute in the sun, in his groove, to our relief.
canes, bold black and white costumes, top hats,
click-click, tap-taping, roll on sunshine, click, click,
coins drop in the hat, amid appreciative smiles.
rat-a-tat-tat, oh, they left the crowd clapping.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
no books
no books in piles around me anymore.
it’s electronic read things
manufacturing each other
while singing “robots are good cha cha cha”
i hear their chant in unison,
like the mechanical mice they practically are;
tapping feet to the beat.
enjoy their music? click, click, click.
people had to rest and eat,
even wanted money – hah!
the new system is up and running
serving the rich and whoever’s in.
so with technology improving
tell me when will i see
a little spilling over,
helping write my poetry?
it’s electronic read things
manufacturing each other
while singing “robots are good cha cha cha”
i hear their chant in unison,
like the mechanical mice they practically are;
tapping feet to the beat.
enjoy their music? click, click, click.
people had to rest and eat,
even wanted money – hah!
the new system is up and running
serving the rich and whoever’s in.
so with technology improving
tell me when will i see
a little spilling over,
helping write my poetry?
Saturday, March 03, 2012
first poetry written for a dolphin
hi, dolphin
sky is blue
water is too
how are you?
we call ourselves people
at least now we do,
that could change
please understand and forgive us
we are not as stable as you
and have a difficult time leaving
things as they are
and the world pristine
as it was in the beginning
sky is blue
water is too
how are you?
we call ourselves people
at least now we do,
that could change
please understand and forgive us
we are not as stable as you
and have a difficult time leaving
things as they are
and the world pristine
as it was in the beginning
Friday, February 10, 2012
the morning
with the commotion at night, the way
the moon and stars rock around
you’d think we would hear stretching sounds
or at least an echo
rising is the nature of the business
on the quick side of the clock
in first light, birds and critters, me and you
after a good sleep night, got ‘a go
the morning has its strength on then
straight up and at it, when, no horsing around
you can watch it go, my heavens.
time rolling into another new day rhythm
i love the sidewalks then
dashed with a streak
bright as butter yellow when
sneaking through the trees
the moon and stars rock around
you’d think we would hear stretching sounds
or at least an echo
rising is the nature of the business
on the quick side of the clock
in first light, birds and critters, me and you
after a good sleep night, got ‘a go
the morning has its strength on then
straight up and at it, when, no horsing around
you can watch it go, my heavens.
time rolling into another new day rhythm
i love the sidewalks then
dashed with a streak
bright as butter yellow when
sneaking through the trees
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