The Newday

I saw a Newday outside my window this very morning, striding up my street in plain sight, not so very plain. Brilliant in resplendent colors, glowing gold and burnished red, aflame with luster, sparkling with a panoply of stars retiring for the night, a Newday breathing fire ready for mortal combat against fear, fatigue or…

The Blind Poet

All poets are blind or should be, blind to the world they see, yet given sight to see what is invisible.   All poets should stumble through other people’s lives, all the obstacles of a sighted world or what passes for sight.   All poets should write about what they cannot prove because no one…

Rachmaninoff

Do you remember? Sure you do. You remember the night, the weather, the stars. I remember everything. So do you. You remember the music, the masterpiece upon the air and my reply to your alluring look. You remember what you wanted. I do too. Yet what I did not know, what you knew and your…

Kindling

Long time now since my old friends and I got together. Axe in one hand, maul in the other, oak block on end, the thwack, clang and again, again until the wood gives up and lays open ready to light. As in life so in this. Strike and don’t miss. ♠

Migraine

My grandfather got them so they say, so bad he sat in his chair motionless, sweat dripping from his face, his hands gripping the arms of the chair, his feet planted on the floor, the veins of his neck keeping time with the pain until it passed, until the horrible presence went away, knowing it…

Scapegoat

“It’s like this,” he said. He said it real slow. Then he said, “Pass me that bottle.” The bottle held rye, a nice drink. Smooth and savory from single grain. He drank, but not too much, just a sip clean and neat. Then he put the glass down. The glass he’d poured into, his favorite…

The Second Fire

Prometheus brought fire to the earth we are told and lo, the Gods punished him, because Gods are wealthy and jealous of power. There’s a second fire we can bestow, if only we dare. The fire of love. Gods are wealthy and jealous of power. They seek to punish. We must beware. Reckless and heedless…

Hooks for Hands

He lost them by accident. One false move, one unguarded moment and he burned. They cut off what was left and right and fitted him with steel actuated by cables, attached to his shoulders by leather straps.   I found him smiling, greeting children and ringing the bell in a parade, having his picture taken…

Musicianship

Ever seen those guys playing their music? Rock and roll, rhythm and blues, classical or jazz.   It doesn’t matter what. They jive. They play their music. They listen to each other, fall in and out, nod and smile.   Ever seen those guys playing their politics? Can’t hit a single note. Got no rhythm.…

Intrepidity

A woman is singing at a banquet. Over one thousand people are eating and talking and no one can see the head table without binoculars. There is so much noise. The woman is singing at a banquet. She’s getting paid. She has a microphone. She loves music. It doesn’t matter. No one is listening. The…