Poems

Society


We have stores that sell things,
Repairmen that fix them
And locks that protect them from thieves,
Firemen that put out the blaze
When they're burning away like leaves.
We have preachers to tell us we're holy,
And put us away when we're dead,
Shrinks who will listen and listen,
Or frequently zap us instead.
We have mommies and daddies who love us,
Assuming they do that is,
And grannies as fat as a whale
Who insist on a hug and a kiss.


9-12-13


Memories


Could I could remember -
Simply remember -
No iron recollection -
Just gentle voices
Encourage or echo
My thoughts -
The Muse in reflection -
Passive introspection -
I could relax and enjoy the earth -
What men have left in tact -
Even a friend who is gone -
Really not present in fact.


9-12-13








Bach


Everyone likes Bach.  Except the Yankees.
Tattoos, guns and rap.  America.
The opera is closing in New York.
There hasn't been an opera since Puccini.
And now they are performing Charlie Ives.
Music hath no charms.  He sold insurance.
And I'm a fool.  And I write poesy.
I'm Cassandra – pointing at the world!
But Yankees like it just the way it is.


9-12-13

Jill


I have a single friend.
Who needs any more?
Many miles away
Near a Jersey shore,


She writes poetry
With pictures you can feel,
And encourages my verse.
A magic that is real!


She's kind beyond compassion.
Without her I would write
As before – but nothing!
At night, in night, of night.


We've known each other months
But only through the mail.
The ocean won't endure.
Our friendship may prevail.


9-12-13

Larkin


Larkin's poems have no warmth,
Just icy English chill,
Cynical and bittersweet,
As the Muses will.


Poignance, sense and perfect form
Exactly as they seem -
There's madness there.  Or so oblique
They're useless as a dream.


8-25-13


Rebecca


A tiny angel from the sky -
There is no heaven -
I don't know why -
A gentle angel from the stars -
License plates on vans and cars
Assure me there are angels -
If only very few -
There's one in Denny's too -


9-12-13

The Story


“The Sphinx Without A Secret” -
Did Edna ever read it?
Did she know the story
When she wrote the “Bluebeard” sonnet?
Both are very clever,
Poignant and profound.
Genius made them both,
And very much alike.


4-6-13