city life has so many faces
walking, standing, waiting,
on and off the buses
in and out of stores
you won’t see them all
when i was just about home
heading down a narrow way
a face in the crowd startled me
it was the recognition of a friend
that had caught me off guard
a friend now deceased
uncanny the resemblance
at first glance
stopping just ahead of me,
this man had his keys out for a door
same graying hair, same smooth movements,
equally well-dressed,
and as his head turned
he first casually looked my way,
then when his glance caught me
he peered directly into my eyes
i slowed my steps
and he smiled, first in apparent recognition
then his look changed to something else
that i couldn’t read,
we exchanged nods then greetings
i thought you were someone i knew, i explained
so did i, he said, you remind me a lot of a dear friend
we used to meet for a drink at that bar near the corner
he live in this neighborhood for quite a while,
then passed away a few years ago
Friday, March 06, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
how it began, went looking
checked for used cars on line
then went to a showroom,
two buses and a tram later
we were there
walked around ten minutes
looked at stickers on car windows
then went to our favorite
Indian fast food restaurant
to celebrate, hurray,
we went looking!
many long journeys begin before
you get in your car, or have one
then went to a showroom,
two buses and a tram later
we were there
walked around ten minutes
looked at stickers on car windows
then went to our favorite
Indian fast food restaurant
to celebrate, hurray,
we went looking!
many long journeys begin before
you get in your car, or have one
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
D.S. Al Fine
large and growing
the net brings change,
knowledge disseminates
for the world that will be
it is not important
flowers know
it is the sun
they wait for
the net brings change,
knowledge disseminates
for the world that will be
it is not important
flowers know
it is the sun
they wait for
Monday, March 02, 2009
fiction is stranger than truth
the one who said truth
is stranger than fiction
brought cookies, apples or flowers
to the teacher everyday
wagged his hand so much
trying to answer all the questions
that he lost blood circulation in his arm
they nearly had to amputate
always had hair evenly parted on the same side
wore a cute little red sport coat
kept it neatly buttoned
even on the playground
never believed in
monsters from space
tried to be the peacemaker when
we played cowboys and Indians
in short, was a dullard
possessed absolutely
not so much as a speck
of imagination whatsoever
ran under a tree in a thunderstorm
was struck by lightening
six times and was toast
I do so verify
is stranger than fiction
brought cookies, apples or flowers
to the teacher everyday
wagged his hand so much
trying to answer all the questions
that he lost blood circulation in his arm
they nearly had to amputate
always had hair evenly parted on the same side
wore a cute little red sport coat
kept it neatly buttoned
even on the playground
never believed in
monsters from space
tried to be the peacemaker when
we played cowboys and Indians
in short, was a dullard
possessed absolutely
not so much as a speck
of imagination whatsoever
ran under a tree in a thunderstorm
was struck by lightening
six times and was toast
I do so verify
Saturday, February 28, 2009
the best
the wellness of being,
goodness in all respects
remains a narrow line
to travel upon
to shift slightly
adjusting temperament
in kindness
and giving
in full field
out in the open, on my honor,
although it's a mess
we're all doing the best we can
I'm still working on the above. I read it again this morning and it didn't read well. It changed, or I changed. It didn't work. I changed the title and a few words and then I pushed it out the door anyway. I guess that's the best I can do today.
goodness in all respects
remains a narrow line
to travel upon
to shift slightly
adjusting temperament
in kindness
and giving
in full field
out in the open, on my honor,
although it's a mess
we're all doing the best we can
I'm still working on the above. I read it again this morning and it didn't read well. It changed, or I changed. It didn't work. I changed the title and a few words and then I pushed it out the door anyway. I guess that's the best I can do today.
Friday, February 27, 2009
four a.m.
i wake to put on neat earphones
with fresh batteries
and hear four a.m. radio
news from the BBC
fighting in the Congo, a report live from Deli
China in the headlines, corrupt leaders everywhere
staggering economies, some with more than they can use
and taking more, cities overflowing,
the world in disarray
TV pictures run in my mind
of a tired young woman with a bucket
getting water from a hole dug in the ground
somewhere on the plains in Africa
she is too thin and wears rags
a poor child stands nearby watching
all is dusty
there are no pets
there is nothing extra for them
this is their water
this is their life
while i sleep in a clean warm bed
with a comforting blanket
a refrigerator in the next room
a shower in the morning
i’ll make coffee and toast
play a digital keyboard
plugged into my computer
and know that even twisting, darting, colorful birds
under white clouds and radiant blue skies
will not turn a head
will pass unnoticed
by so many struggling each day to survive
i cannot help them directly
but i can notice
and compassion is a first step
toward resolution
admit they exist
with fresh batteries
and hear four a.m. radio
news from the BBC
fighting in the Congo, a report live from Deli
China in the headlines, corrupt leaders everywhere
staggering economies, some with more than they can use
and taking more, cities overflowing,
the world in disarray
TV pictures run in my mind
of a tired young woman with a bucket
getting water from a hole dug in the ground
somewhere on the plains in Africa
she is too thin and wears rags
a poor child stands nearby watching
all is dusty
there are no pets
there is nothing extra for them
this is their water
this is their life
while i sleep in a clean warm bed
with a comforting blanket
a refrigerator in the next room
a shower in the morning
i’ll make coffee and toast
play a digital keyboard
plugged into my computer
and know that even twisting, darting, colorful birds
under white clouds and radiant blue skies
will not turn a head
will pass unnoticed
by so many struggling each day to survive
i cannot help them directly
but i can notice
and compassion is a first step
toward resolution
admit they exist
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Franco
Franco is of indeterminate age
past mid everything, some wrinkles and thin,
of the seedy man who looks dangerous it’s difficult to say more
dull winter layers of tired clothing deceive
he fell into a coma some years ago
friend Alberto visited him in hospital
a watchful grave nurse shook her head
there was little hope afforded him
Alberto approached where the patient appeared clean and comfortable
as the nurse stepped out to leave mournful respect
the dormant Franco lifted an eye and whispered
“I’’m not gong to die, Alberto.”
and so Franco lumbers on, helping the piazza flower venders
moving things, making deliveries on stiffening legs
eyes that give him problems,
drinks too much when inclined, when he has money enough
his mumbled Roman dialect across
lips holding a burning cigarette,
looking up in apparent sneering smile over broken teeth
“sun is warm, the day is good”
past mid everything, some wrinkles and thin,
of the seedy man who looks dangerous it’s difficult to say more
dull winter layers of tired clothing deceive
he fell into a coma some years ago
friend Alberto visited him in hospital
a watchful grave nurse shook her head
there was little hope afforded him
Alberto approached where the patient appeared clean and comfortable
as the nurse stepped out to leave mournful respect
the dormant Franco lifted an eye and whispered
“I’’m not gong to die, Alberto.”
and so Franco lumbers on, helping the piazza flower venders
moving things, making deliveries on stiffening legs
eyes that give him problems,
drinks too much when inclined, when he has money enough
his mumbled Roman dialect across
lips holding a burning cigarette,
looking up in apparent sneering smile over broken teeth
“sun is warm, the day is good”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
pond in the woodlands
carefully I trod
amid bent blue grass and weeds
on low rolling bubbles of hills
around a dark pond
peppered with wild life
rippled in fishes
who keep eyes to the surface
watching bugs circle
when touching down,
with no warning become
a snack in a snap,
a quick fish’s morsel
in this natural chalice
harvesting life
teaming with chance,
is nature’s balance
amid bent blue grass and weeds
on low rolling bubbles of hills
around a dark pond
peppered with wild life
rippled in fishes
who keep eyes to the surface
watching bugs circle
when touching down,
with no warning become
a snack in a snap,
a quick fish’s morsel
in this natural chalice
harvesting life
teaming with chance,
is nature’s balance
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
with man
times are most difficult
going through a lot
she’s working way too much these days
and always with undue stress
it takes all she’s got
so very hard her life
handling however she can
she is not with child, you see,
much worse, she married him,
she’s with man
going through a lot
she’s working way too much these days
and always with undue stress
it takes all she’s got
so very hard her life
handling however she can
she is not with child, you see,
much worse, she married him,
she’s with man
Monday, February 23, 2009
nightime thought
resembling a wad of socks
little mental rockets explode,
shoot off then drop like rocks
into the back side pockets
of my mind
many engraved with happy faces
others wrapped, still sleeping
patiently wait to be taken out
each a little frosted cake
with a prize
in the middle
little mental rockets explode,
shoot off then drop like rocks
into the back side pockets
of my mind
many engraved with happy faces
others wrapped, still sleeping
patiently wait to be taken out
each a little frosted cake
with a prize
in the middle
Sunday, February 22, 2009
overnight
overnight
when sleek kitties creep under fences
lone dogs will bay
at a sound or a scent
moonless, under cover of darkness
stars are blocked by thick waving arms of trees
and flying vaporous clouds
a witches eve for brews and fires
on shallow brown river water’s edge
a large white bird is napping
as some do, standing on one foot
with head tucked under wing
above, the back road traffic has ended
and directly below the bridge
silvery stream water gurgles
then overhead a streak, the long white,
a lone gull shooting swift as an arrow on the wind
while some animals prowl night away
others sleep, practically smiling
dreaming of their friends and family
waiting for the morrow, sun again
when sleek kitties creep under fences
lone dogs will bay
at a sound or a scent
moonless, under cover of darkness
stars are blocked by thick waving arms of trees
and flying vaporous clouds
a witches eve for brews and fires
on shallow brown river water’s edge
a large white bird is napping
as some do, standing on one foot
with head tucked under wing
above, the back road traffic has ended
and directly below the bridge
silvery stream water gurgles
then overhead a streak, the long white,
a lone gull shooting swift as an arrow on the wind
while some animals prowl night away
others sleep, practically smiling
dreaming of their friends and family
waiting for the morrow, sun again
Saturday, February 21, 2009
i have no need to worry
i have no need to worry
my fortune's not behind me
this is what i have
and i’m sharing it with you
i wrote the Magna Carta
the sky i painted blue
you’ll always be another
God sleeps at night with you
steel hauled on rail
sent from man to man
the California grey on sail
to southern waters under sun
water cycles from air to sea through me
one night i made it rain
you are written in nature’s melodies
do you know that you remind me?
i hear the distant running dogs bark
and choose not to run again
by my means i remain this person
and you are able to run the way you do
my fortune's not behind me
this is what i have
and i’m sharing it with you
i wrote the Magna Carta
the sky i painted blue
you’ll always be another
God sleeps at night with you
steel hauled on rail
sent from man to man
the California grey on sail
to southern waters under sun
water cycles from air to sea through me
one night i made it rain
you are written in nature’s melodies
do you know that you remind me?
i hear the distant running dogs bark
and choose not to run again
by my means i remain this person
and you are able to run the way you do
if i write stories
if i write stories
they won’t be scary
only fuzzy animals in mine
all of them will wink and smile
my happy birds will fly and sing,
joy they’ll carry near and far,
my creatures won’t eat people.
Steven King, wait in the car
they won’t be scary
only fuzzy animals in mine
all of them will wink and smile
my happy birds will fly and sing,
joy they’ll carry near and far,
my creatures won’t eat people.
Steven King, wait in the car
way inner
can’t feel my face
by the grace that is saving us
in this place
where high above
stars ought to be over my head
on a night like this
I’ve got a ceiling instead
finding space
for glimmer
isn't easy
by the grace that is saving us
in this place
where high above
stars ought to be over my head
on a night like this
I’ve got a ceiling instead
finding space
for glimmer
isn't easy
Friday, February 20, 2009
Roma Old and New
twenty-five hundred years
of lost objects, spit and trash
split and bashed,
devils and angels
corners and angles
ground under the firmament
by carts, tramping feet and chariots,
covered by layers of stone and tears
worn smooth, remodeled, invaded,
sweat upon, bloodied on,
beaten down, burned,
demolished, polished and paraded over,
made new again
into the boring years and motorcars
when time passes evenly, eventually
like watching a candle burn,
artisans , widows, beggars and whores
Publicans, demogogues, farmers and stores
teachers, dentists and shopkeepers daughters
make bread, make wine
tend the animals
keep them fed and in line
crushed stone rolls well and blows like dust
in the wind on the sweeping wings of time
theirs, yours and now mine,
clamor carries on forever
in the magnificence of proper order
the significance of restructure,
honorable poets, let us drink to life
sing songs with laughter,
chatter long and loud and stall the vandals
of lost objects, spit and trash
split and bashed,
devils and angels
corners and angles
ground under the firmament
by carts, tramping feet and chariots,
covered by layers of stone and tears
worn smooth, remodeled, invaded,
sweat upon, bloodied on,
beaten down, burned,
demolished, polished and paraded over,
made new again
into the boring years and motorcars
when time passes evenly, eventually
like watching a candle burn,
artisans , widows, beggars and whores
Publicans, demogogues, farmers and stores
teachers, dentists and shopkeepers daughters
make bread, make wine
tend the animals
keep them fed and in line
crushed stone rolls well and blows like dust
in the wind on the sweeping wings of time
theirs, yours and now mine,
clamor carries on forever
in the magnificence of proper order
the significance of restructure,
honorable poets, let us drink to life
sing songs with laughter,
chatter long and loud and stall the vandals
Labels:
favorites
Thursday, February 19, 2009
dreams of flying
M. dreams of flying
soaring, looping in joy
picking lovely bright blue leaves
from the tops of the trees
I dream of flying
and I’m packed up to my eyes
with no leg room, jammed between
two sweating, farting, bad breath fat guys
soaring, looping in joy
picking lovely bright blue leaves
from the tops of the trees
I dream of flying
and I’m packed up to my eyes
with no leg room, jammed between
two sweating, farting, bad breath fat guys
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
letter to you
like a letter to you
it’s practically personal when I say
how’s it going? You doing okay?
take car of yourself, someone has to
we’re doing fine, the best we can
I said to take car but I meant take care, cause i was thinking
to mention we bought a car
did I tell you before?
we know our way around the city well because
we know the bus lines from years of practice riding
we just don’t drive where the tram goes
they go on tracks, and so far we don’t
I’d write a poem with birds and flowers
but we live our hours in the city
so this is filled with double parking and pedestrians
still, it’s so very stone old that it’s kind of pretty
hey, I’ve got to go now
time to turn down the lamps
I know this is a strange way to write you
but I’ve saved on the stamps
it’s practically personal when I say
how’s it going? You doing okay?
take car of yourself, someone has to
we’re doing fine, the best we can
I said to take car but I meant take care, cause i was thinking
to mention we bought a car
did I tell you before?
we know our way around the city well because
we know the bus lines from years of practice riding
we just don’t drive where the tram goes
they go on tracks, and so far we don’t
I’d write a poem with birds and flowers
but we live our hours in the city
so this is filled with double parking and pedestrians
still, it’s so very stone old that it’s kind of pretty
hey, I’ve got to go now
time to turn down the lamps
I know this is a strange way to write you
but I’ve saved on the stamps
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
certainly
do your daily deeds
take care of the needs
of those that depend on you
to do the best you can
if all begins to unravel
or gets rough around the edges
no matter, you continue,
turn uncertainty into certainly
it’s the only way, everyday,
you know it‘s true
that’s how life goes, so keep it up,
allow someone to count on you
take care of the needs
of those that depend on you
to do the best you can
if all begins to unravel
or gets rough around the edges
no matter, you continue,
turn uncertainty into certainly
it’s the only way, everyday,
you know it‘s true
that’s how life goes, so keep it up,
allow someone to count on you
Monday, February 16, 2009
in motion
in motion, a million wiggling amoebae
in the overflowing Petri dish
of cell phone talkers, rushing shoppers,
urgent motorcycles,
scooters, bicycles,
cars, trucks breathing fire,
varied species of shiny multicolored metal rhinos in commotion
once jaywalking in front of a giant i fell
broke my arm in three places
got up quickly
the bus elected to brake
and not hit me
most dogs on leashes pull owners,
while sensible cats choose not to run
remain near home
lick themselves senseless asleep in Rome warm sun
and rarely break anything
in the overflowing Petri dish
of cell phone talkers, rushing shoppers,
urgent motorcycles,
scooters, bicycles,
cars, trucks breathing fire,
varied species of shiny multicolored metal rhinos in commotion
once jaywalking in front of a giant i fell
broke my arm in three places
got up quickly
the bus elected to brake
and not hit me
most dogs on leashes pull owners,
while sensible cats choose not to run
remain near home
lick themselves senseless asleep in Rome warm sun
and rarely break anything
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