Bush tells us in a serious urgent tone he needs
seven hundred billion by this weekend . . . right . . .
let me get my checkbook
how will this help the regular people?
was that war money or loaning money you need this time?
what kind of parachute is that? explain a bit
if i run my business into the ground,
who's going to bail me out?
I know this is beyond my usual lines of poetry but anytime nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars is on the table, i get a little out of sorts.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
modern times
who would have imagined
we'd have to line up and
take off our shoes
before we board an airplane?
it sounds like something
someone's grandmother came up with,
she should have kept to knitting
they don’t frisk our socks, as yet,
we’ll see how it goes,
it may be next, wanna bet?
then you’ll have to spread your toes
and shake out the rug
to get a glass of milk and a cookie,
how's that sound?
or maybe get on a scale naked
and buy your ticket by the pound
we'd have to line up and
take off our shoes
before we board an airplane?
it sounds like something
someone's grandmother came up with,
she should have kept to knitting
they don’t frisk our socks, as yet,
we’ll see how it goes,
it may be next, wanna bet?
then you’ll have to spread your toes
and shake out the rug
to get a glass of milk and a cookie,
how's that sound?
or maybe get on a scale naked
and buy your ticket by the pound
Thursday, September 25, 2008
speed limit
anachronisms are dialing a phone or rolling up a window
a misnomer is the “speed limit”, not the end at all,
not the fastest you can, only how fast you will go
and not almost, exactly
I propose the term should be simply “speed” so signs read,
for example, “speed 65 mph”. It will bring more opportunity
for the police to bring in revenue. Then they can also arrest you
for going above or below the posted speed. a two-for.
Extra money they make using less paint
and gaining fines they can send to me and
I will put it back into circulation, to the best of my ability,
no questions asked, glad to help.
a misnomer is the “speed limit”, not the end at all,
not the fastest you can, only how fast you will go
and not almost, exactly
I propose the term should be simply “speed” so signs read,
for example, “speed 65 mph”. It will bring more opportunity
for the police to bring in revenue. Then they can also arrest you
for going above or below the posted speed. a two-for.
Extra money they make using less paint
and gaining fines they can send to me and
I will put it back into circulation, to the best of my ability,
no questions asked, glad to help.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
the seat belt light came on
the seat belt light came on
the Captain came on the speaker
told us to remain seated
and buckle our belts.
it's an hour and a half into the flight
he reminds us it's a no smoking flight
also, we shouldn’t disable the
smoke detectors in the restrooms,
it's time they write new scripts.
i looked out the window
we were over Casper, Wyoming
why didn’t he mention that?
.
the Captain came on the speaker
told us to remain seated
and buckle our belts.
it's an hour and a half into the flight
he reminds us it's a no smoking flight
also, we shouldn’t disable the
smoke detectors in the restrooms,
it's time they write new scripts.
i looked out the window
we were over Casper, Wyoming
why didn’t he mention that?
.
Utah
ideal passengers we
flew west and saw
antelope island at great salt lake
claims two million tons of salt, how’d they figure?
now there are four hundred bison
on this barren, treeless island, more or less
the island named by explorer John Fremont,
Kit Carson and others, who said they shot two antelope for food to eat
and named the island in tribute and thanks to the animals
Sundance in the mountains, as you’d expect,
wonderful, beautiful, tastefully done
excellent brunch
Rob Redford was a no show
a good
time had
by all ,
by-by all
flew west and saw
antelope island at great salt lake
claims two million tons of salt, how’d they figure?
now there are four hundred bison
on this barren, treeless island, more or less
the island named by explorer John Fremont,
Kit Carson and others, who said they shot two antelope for food to eat
and named the island in tribute and thanks to the animals
Sundance in the mountains, as you’d expect,
wonderful, beautiful, tastefully done
excellent brunch
Rob Redford was a no show
a good
time had
by all ,
by-by all
Monday, September 22, 2008
To Read
to read stories in this world
is to travel there, everywhere
mountain, sea, desert, city
trains, planes, on horseback, farms, so pretty
taste the dust, the cold, frost,
rust, ice, craters and gators,
soft waves on warm beaches
it thrills and teaches
set sail alone, all near
all here, all there
as you wander the globe
from your favorite chair
is to travel there, everywhere
mountain, sea, desert, city
trains, planes, on horseback, farms, so pretty
taste the dust, the cold, frost,
rust, ice, craters and gators,
soft waves on warm beaches
it thrills and teaches
set sail alone, all near
all here, all there
as you wander the globe
from your favorite chair
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Poetry I Hate
i hate using that word hate
i hate it, haven’t you learned anything?
it’s silly to hate
unless you're talking beheadings
or sitcom reruns
give me a break
i hate that too, break what?
bally wallys?
how about it? i think i could develop
a long term, serious
ballsup and retching
dislike for that too
hey, "ballsup"
that’s mine
i made that up
stick your happy face on it, vandal,
if you’d be ever so kind
soon as you withdraw your head out of your . . .
oh, never mind
i hate it, haven’t you learned anything?
it’s silly to hate
unless you're talking beheadings
or sitcom reruns
give me a break
i hate that too, break what?
bally wallys?
how about it? i think i could develop
a long term, serious
ballsup and retching
dislike for that too
hey, "ballsup"
that’s mine
i made that up
stick your happy face on it, vandal,
if you’d be ever so kind
soon as you withdraw your head out of your . . .
oh, never mind
Saturday, September 20, 2008
sweet dreams, my little ones
hey, be calm, relax
no need to kick and hold on tight
you probably won’t die of fright
tonight
when the time is right
you’ll softly elevate to the light
absolu-way-lutely out of sight
no kidding, now, nightie night
so without another peep
start countin’ sheep
shut your mouth
and go to sleep
no need to kick and hold on tight
you probably won’t die of fright
tonight
when the time is right
you’ll softly elevate to the light
absolu-way-lutely out of sight
no kidding, now, nightie night
so without another peep
start countin’ sheep
shut your mouth
and go to sleep
Friday, September 19, 2008
answer
to resolve the troubles of the world
religion, money, government, greed, fear, hate, all of it
don’t unify against it,
although that seems the way, it isn’t,
act independently
not unified
that is it
start by slowing the programming
turn off the TV, the media
you’ll get plenty of media seeping in, don’t worry,
the internet can spread the ideas, that is good
but not the same thought and ideas
we’ll have 6.7 billion people walking around
thinking for themselves
David Icke has a lot of it right
but the answer is not a unified response against the evil
break the chains
by not thinking the same way
think independently
use your head
religion, money, government, greed, fear, hate, all of it
don’t unify against it,
although that seems the way, it isn’t,
act independently
not unified
that is it
start by slowing the programming
turn off the TV, the media
you’ll get plenty of media seeping in, don’t worry,
the internet can spread the ideas, that is good
but not the same thought and ideas
we’ll have 6.7 billion people walking around
thinking for themselves
David Icke has a lot of it right
but the answer is not a unified response against the evil
break the chains
by not thinking the same way
think independently
use your head
Thursday, September 18, 2008
a change in the weather
yesterday In the final hour of afternoon
beyond, and just over the long road west
a giant red sun, larger than I’d ever seen her
waiting, hanging like a swollen planet Jupiter
poised for going down
i paused my car in the parking lot to see her
like a girl set for glamour, she wanted to be seen,
and now I know I’ve seen one of the best
a Goliath, placid and serene
then this morning
what surprise do i log
but a blanket, the complete cover
thick and heavy, dawn’s pearly fog
beyond, and just over the long road west
a giant red sun, larger than I’d ever seen her
waiting, hanging like a swollen planet Jupiter
poised for going down
i paused my car in the parking lot to see her
like a girl set for glamour, she wanted to be seen,
and now I know I’ve seen one of the best
a Goliath, placid and serene
then this morning
what surprise do i log
but a blanket, the complete cover
thick and heavy, dawn’s pearly fog
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Ohio Sweet Corn
way back
a’ fore's born
Ohioans crowed
‘bout their corn
folk’s different,
albeit dull to bright,
but Ohio sweet corn
they got that right
that damn sweet corn, clap your hands
damn sweet corn, damn sweet corn
sweet corn, sweet corn
oh, man, they got that right
(repeat and fade)
a’ fore's born
Ohioans crowed
‘bout their corn
folk’s different,
albeit dull to bright,
but Ohio sweet corn
they got that right
that damn sweet corn, clap your hands
damn sweet corn, damn sweet corn
sweet corn, sweet corn
oh, man, they got that right
(repeat and fade)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
town in my head
the old town’s in my head
or so my wife said
and looking around
i tend to believe her
cause it isn’t all here
like the market that was there
where is it now?
gone, i can’t see it
the pressed tin ceiling, wide wood floors,
tall shelves, the old doors,
a large revolving fan,
the man wiping his hands on his apron?
there locals gathered
to talk while they shopped
amid the chatter
stories were swapped
over the years changes were made,
so where did they go
the kids and the folks
that i can hardly remember?
now, even the lot’s vacant
but that was the corner
that had the store
that is no more, except what’s in my head
or so my wife said
and looking around
i tend to believe her
cause it isn’t all here
like the market that was there
where is it now?
gone, i can’t see it
the pressed tin ceiling, wide wood floors,
tall shelves, the old doors,
a large revolving fan,
the man wiping his hands on his apron?
there locals gathered
to talk while they shopped
amid the chatter
stories were swapped
over the years changes were made,
so where did they go
the kids and the folks
that i can hardly remember?
now, even the lot’s vacant
but that was the corner
that had the store
that is no more, except what’s in my head
Monday, September 15, 2008
generations have said the same
enough, I’ve had enough
generations have said the same
more than likely it is true,
before you slap yourself on the back
look around
greed and war
the world has dummied down
we’re not alone
I know it is so , I remember
so do you
running the hundred faster
doesn’t raise the bar for intelligence
listen to our athletes speak,
watch TV with attention if you have no strength to turn it off,
how long before you are
text messaging before the accident
everybody’s talking
who will listen?
generations have said the same
more than likely it is true,
before you slap yourself on the back
look around
greed and war
the world has dummied down
we’re not alone
I know it is so , I remember
so do you
running the hundred faster
doesn’t raise the bar for intelligence
listen to our athletes speak,
watch TV with attention if you have no strength to turn it off,
how long before you are
text messaging before the accident
everybody’s talking
who will listen?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
USS PROVIDENCE
In 1969 while serving as a Navy Journalist on the staff of Admiral Bernard F. Roeder Commander First Fleet aboard his Flagship USS PROVIDENCE out of San Diego I wrote a US Navy published book of poetry complete with wonderful photographs taken by Photographer Lt. Marc Schuman. Although I have copies of the poetry, I carelessly lost my only copy of the book. The following is one bit of poetry that brings to mind memories of that time.
rolling
in all
weather
seas
go on
forever
rolling
in all
weather
seas
go on
forever
Labels:
sea
Saturday, September 13, 2008
my niece had a baby
my niece had a baby
well she still has it
it was born today
that’s how she got it,
the conventional way
now you know everything,
that’s as much as i know
except that she’s a girl.
now, will she smile
when she says great uncle?
well she still has it
it was born today
that’s how she got it,
the conventional way
now you know everything,
that’s as much as i know
except that she’s a girl.
now, will she smile
when she says great uncle?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
village evening report
checking from our front step I feel a slight breeze out of the South,
in the East an oval, vertical-egg moon hangs, with blurry Mars to the right,
a few houses away at the corner an occasional car passes,
slightly left of the moon, two hundred yards from my door, a barge dredges the river
with constant engine hum and a soft horn blast every few minutes
and that woeful musical note echoes along the river.
sixty-six degrees at nine this Thursday evening
with ten thousand crickets, then a distant passing train horn,
while inside our home the sound of clocks ticking
accompanys the muffled turning of the barge engine,
and we’ll read until bedtime.
that’s this evening’s small village report
in the East an oval, vertical-egg moon hangs, with blurry Mars to the right,
a few houses away at the corner an occasional car passes,
slightly left of the moon, two hundred yards from my door, a barge dredges the river
with constant engine hum and a soft horn blast every few minutes
and that woeful musical note echoes along the river.
sixty-six degrees at nine this Thursday evening
with ten thousand crickets, then a distant passing train horn,
while inside our home the sound of clocks ticking
accompanys the muffled turning of the barge engine,
and we’ll read until bedtime.
that’s this evening’s small village report
piano heartbreak
eighty-eight years
well alert and knowledgeable
she studied in Europe for over twenty with a student
of a student
of Franz Liszt
first a pianist in concert
now in lesson
as i sat
performing a bit of flourish i added
to “constellation” by Mendelssohn
“jack,” she smiled touching my hand
and causing it to pause,
“you cannot improve upon the masters”
and what a heartbreak that must have been
for her to leave the lights and the continent
to end up in our lame little town
instructing second rate kids like me,
young and reaching to change and grow,
leaning forward into the newness of the future
well alert and knowledgeable
she studied in Europe for over twenty with a student
of a student
of Franz Liszt
first a pianist in concert
now in lesson
as i sat
performing a bit of flourish i added
to “constellation” by Mendelssohn
“jack,” she smiled touching my hand
and causing it to pause,
“you cannot improve upon the masters”
and what a heartbreak that must have been
for her to leave the lights and the continent
to end up in our lame little town
instructing second rate kids like me,
young and reaching to change and grow,
leaning forward into the newness of the future
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
military scientists
to evaluate their possible use in defense applications
military scientists launched a battery of tests on the intelligence
of elephants, because everyone knows they are smart.
a final group of twelve animals selected from around the world
were flown to an undisclosed military base
for complete mental exams.
the elite dozen pachyderms were ushered into a classroom
where it took four days to get them seated at their desks
before testing could begin.
expenditures for the nearly month long project
were in excess of eleven million dollars
and a whole train load of peanuts.
the end result was, yes they were smart,
but could not shoot rifles
as they have no thumbs.
military scientists launched a battery of tests on the intelligence
of elephants, because everyone knows they are smart.
a final group of twelve animals selected from around the world
were flown to an undisclosed military base
for complete mental exams.
the elite dozen pachyderms were ushered into a classroom
where it took four days to get them seated at their desks
before testing could begin.
expenditures for the nearly month long project
were in excess of eleven million dollars
and a whole train load of peanuts.
the end result was, yes they were smart,
but could not shoot rifles
as they have no thumbs.
Labels:
practically science
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
heaven's command
the crunching of empty freight train cars
backing into each other,
with no metal tearing, just boom, boom, ka-boom
was thirty-five liters of leftover August thunder
poised to tumble, then poured out at dawn,
over my head onto the bed,
in gusts of twisting dry wind without rain
drenching with
just noise this time
for all it shouted,
bidding wake up,
get going,
a slap across the cheek
good morning
backing into each other,
with no metal tearing, just boom, boom, ka-boom
was thirty-five liters of leftover August thunder
poised to tumble, then poured out at dawn,
over my head onto the bed,
in gusts of twisting dry wind without rain
drenching with
just noise this time
for all it shouted,
bidding wake up,
get going,
a slap across the cheek
good morning
Monday, September 08, 2008
long ago old faces
old faces in the echo bar
wept and laughed
all worn, wrinkled and tainted
looking into quarter beers on tap
or blended whiskey and water
sons and daughters
making visions for each other
about where they used to be
their living is courageous
their strokes are bold
paint them with thick lines
and somber colors
or what have you
they won’t mind
wept and laughed
all worn, wrinkled and tainted
looking into quarter beers on tap
or blended whiskey and water
sons and daughters
making visions for each other
about where they used to be
their living is courageous
their strokes are bold
paint them with thick lines
and somber colors
or what have you
they won’t mind
Sunday, September 07, 2008
writers beware, you hear!
no email submissions accepted
don’t even try, Fancy Pants
cause if we get one from you
a guy will drive slowly around and round where you live
sunk way down in the vehicle
only the top of his head visible
wearing dark glasses and a hat pulled low
yeah, kind ‘a like the Blues Brothers
only not funny and extremely ugly,
then we’ll think poorly of you all day and night
so forget about making email submissions
we’d rather chop a tree, use paper, stamps and mail carriers,
we’ll get into the Twenty-First Century
when you can wipe your butt digitally,
when we damn well feel like it
and not a year before
bring back the pony express!
and use glue often!
don’t even try, Fancy Pants
cause if we get one from you
a guy will drive slowly around and round where you live
sunk way down in the vehicle
only the top of his head visible
wearing dark glasses and a hat pulled low
yeah, kind ‘a like the Blues Brothers
only not funny and extremely ugly,
then we’ll think poorly of you all day and night
so forget about making email submissions
we’d rather chop a tree, use paper, stamps and mail carriers,
we’ll get into the Twenty-First Century
when you can wipe your butt digitally,
when we damn well feel like it
and not a year before
bring back the pony express!
and use glue often!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
witnesses
we saw two birds
driving down the road
well, we were driving
they were flying,
I said two crows, she said one
and a spotted red tail hawk,
witnesses
see what they can ,
see what they did
say what they see
but don’t always see as it was
driving down the road
well, we were driving
they were flying,
I said two crows, she said one
and a spotted red tail hawk,
witnesses
see what they can ,
see what they did
say what they see
but don’t always see as it was
Friday, September 05, 2008
a child of less than two
a child of less than two
and so attentive
that i gave his hand a pencil
to observe how inventive
the golden boy really was
kneeling on the chair
at our table
he pulled the paper under hand
and make it stable
looking me deep
in the eye
i sensed his mind unable
to say the thoughts
i knew he was thinking
then with a swift stroke
he made a mark at random
just a line
not definite or clear
without so much as looking
it seemed to me he knew
that there was no need
to continue the line he drew
and then we both were
somehow together in our way
he knew, and i too, that he
would learn to draw some other day
and so attentive
that i gave his hand a pencil
to observe how inventive
the golden boy really was
kneeling on the chair
at our table
he pulled the paper under hand
and make it stable
looking me deep
in the eye
i sensed his mind unable
to say the thoughts
i knew he was thinking
then with a swift stroke
he made a mark at random
just a line
not definite or clear
without so much as looking
it seemed to me he knew
that there was no need
to continue the line he drew
and then we both were
somehow together in our way
he knew, and i too, that he
would learn to draw some other day
Thursday, September 04, 2008
on the tracks
it’s not easy to tell, but it happened
when I was growing up in our village
there was a most likable kid everyone admired
his dad was a well liked preacher, and passed away,
one night on the kids birthday
the town was shocked to learn
the boy’s mom knelt down on the railroad tracks
before a train, and let it take her life
the tragedy deeply saddened all
now many years later i had returned to the town
never saw him around, but heard he was still was there
leaving in his same family home,
our house now was right around the corner,
he was a well liked kid when i knew him
though i never looked him up, i thought of him
and hoped to see him around
then one day i heard that the night before
the eve of his birthday
fifty years later to the day
when he knelt down
on the same spot on the tracks
where his mother died
and let a train take his life,
we don’t see on the outside
what one bares on the inside
when I was growing up in our village
there was a most likable kid everyone admired
his dad was a well liked preacher, and passed away,
one night on the kids birthday
the town was shocked to learn
the boy’s mom knelt down on the railroad tracks
before a train, and let it take her life
the tragedy deeply saddened all
now many years later i had returned to the town
never saw him around, but heard he was still was there
leaving in his same family home,
our house now was right around the corner,
he was a well liked kid when i knew him
though i never looked him up, i thought of him
and hoped to see him around
then one day i heard that the night before
the eve of his birthday
fifty years later to the day
when he knelt down
on the same spot on the tracks
where his mother died
and let a train take his life,
we don’t see on the outside
what one bares on the inside
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
green & alone or hard over stone
of two places I live
both places give
light, and to paint
oh, it is the light
Ohio, place of one home
same latitude north as Rome
so the light is the same
every day, every season
I choose light with green,
secluded and serene
or life crowded and quick
over stone and old brick
both places give
light, and to paint
oh, it is the light
Ohio, place of one home
same latitude north as Rome
so the light is the same
every day, every season
I choose light with green,
secluded and serene
or life crowded and quick
over stone and old brick
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
poetry al fresco
plant the seed
when weather’s fair
for poetry al fresco
under shade trees in nature,
taking inspiration
with someone dear
on a soft summer blanket
a wine glass to your lip
as sweetly you drank it,
slowly you sip
softly you touch
again, slowly you sip
and share warm embrace,
now, don’t drink too much
the wild scent of an apple
as sweetly you nibble
from the hand of the one who is dear
from the dear one at hand
from the one headed deer
deer?
hey, that’s a deer!
There’s a whole flock of ‘em!
grab the basket, let’s get out of here!
when weather’s fair
for poetry al fresco
under shade trees in nature,
taking inspiration
with someone dear
on a soft summer blanket
a wine glass to your lip
as sweetly you drank it,
slowly you sip
softly you touch
again, slowly you sip
and share warm embrace,
now, don’t drink too much
the wild scent of an apple
as sweetly you nibble
from the hand of the one who is dear
from the dear one at hand
from the one headed deer
deer?
hey, that’s a deer!
There’s a whole flock of ‘em!
grab the basket, let’s get out of here!
Monday, September 01, 2008
my garden
my garden today was weed crowded,
a task undone far too long
so that work today, was my purpose
the labor in sun was my song
begin where it needs it the most
do all that you possible can
after a rest on completion,
move forward, and do it again
each part of life is in motion
moving ahead in the flow
your thoughts are merely a notion,
love doing, and not what you know
a task undone far too long
so that work today, was my purpose
the labor in sun was my song
begin where it needs it the most
do all that you possible can
after a rest on completion,
move forward, and do it again
each part of life is in motion
moving ahead in the flow
your thoughts are merely a notion,
love doing, and not what you know
Labels:
poems of nature
Saturday, August 30, 2008
wooden ship sailors
wooden ship sailors
worked with creak and mast
on yawning, stretching hulls
amid thump and mallets
if only these men could spend
but a brief anachronistic moment
with today’s steel fleet
in dry dock
the sanding, poundings
would be cutting agony
leaving men begging to tend
the quiet luff of any canvas
worked with creak and mast
on yawning, stretching hulls
amid thump and mallets
if only these men could spend
but a brief anachronistic moment
with today’s steel fleet
in dry dock
the sanding, poundings
would be cutting agony
leaving men begging to tend
the quiet luff of any canvas
Labels:
sea
spider
oh my god
i heard her cry
what is it, call i
coming to the screen door
do you want to see
the biggest spider in the world?
i said yes dubiously
and cautiously went near
i looked and nodded it was true
yes, I saw it, large, fat and ugly,
as she used her shoe
to smear it to smithereens
believe me, you didn’t
want to be there,
this poem, like the spider
has a smashing ending
i heard her cry
what is it, call i
coming to the screen door
do you want to see
the biggest spider in the world?
i said yes dubiously
and cautiously went near
i looked and nodded it was true
yes, I saw it, large, fat and ugly,
as she used her shoe
to smear it to smithereens
believe me, you didn’t
want to be there,
this poem, like the spider
has a smashing ending
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