For Arturo
Twisting a note from the end of a horn.
Body sweat dripping as he strains and sways.
A clarion blast of sound, loving the tracks he's laying down.
Pouring his life's blood out in the music.




Mistress
Sweet jazz threading it's way around the room,
Over tables and under doors. 
Through the alleys and down the streets.
Sweet jazz.
Flowing like liquid gold.
Sparkling in my mind.
Making me feel the richness of it.
Holding me with its magic.




Morning Detail
Dancing across the lawn, ooching and ouching my way along,
Feet and arms bare in the morning mist.
Quivering.
Moanfully regretting the decision not to wear shoes.
A neighbor, appropiately dressed, nods "Good Morning" to me
As he finishes his morning chores,
All the while, smiling at my silliness.





Lazy Day
On a pallet in a field I lay,
Squinting up at the sun filtering through the leaves.
My hands folded behind my head as a pillow.
Drifting in and out of consciousness.
I could stay here all day.
Urban worries seem so distant.
And I smile at the irony
That it is those very things that brings the money
To allow me to be 
Right here.





Fast Asleep
Early morning.  
The city decides to sleep in today.
It figgits under the blankets of the rising day.
I observe its slumber.  In the spreading light,
I see the remains of the night on its face,
But also the innocence of the new day.  
I sip my coffee and I smile.




Convictions
Whatever my heart is inclined to do,
I do it.
Whatever dream my soul is pining for,
I find it.
Whatever my mind is longing to express,
I say it.
Wherever my feet are pleading to go,
I go there.
But whenever someone tries
To make me do otherwise,
Standing over me with 'rods and stones'
That can only defeat and crush my 'physical self,'
I obey them.
My mother didn't raise a fool.





Maturity
When I was young and unknowing,
Innocence never having been a part of me,
I ran from old men,
Was afraid of dark places,
And enjoyed the wildlife.

But now that I am older,
And look at the world through ancient eyes,
I run from old men,
Am afraid of dark places,
And enjoy the wild life.
(Some things never change.)




Directions
I was born too late.
I'll die too soon.
I was a September baby,
That was born in June.

I grew up strong.
I learned my ABC's.
I took a quick education
In 'the birds and bees'.

I eat too fast.
I drink too slow.
I leave an impression
Everywhere I go.

I laugh a lot.
I seldom cry.
I don't like to smoke,
Get drunk or get high.

I invest my money.
I waste my time.
I save the nickel
But I 'blow' the dime.

I drive too fast.
I think too slow.
I don't try to profit
From the things I know.

I work to play.
I live to buy.
I can't sing a stanza
But at least I try.

I love to dance.
I hate to fight.
I'm the life of the party
When my mood is right.

I spend time alone.
I'm glad I'm free.
I want to grow up
To be just like me.





Euchre
Shuffling the deck,
The cards stiff in my hands,
The sound of their ruffle and flutter.
The sharp rap of cards on wood, stacked.
The precise cut,
The affirming tap on the top card.
All is good.
The game begins.

Click here to go back to Poem Index