Poetry

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. ♠

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…

“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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

I am the great God Con Ve Nience. Sacrifice to Me. Give Me everything. Sacrifice your time in the hunger for more time. Give to Me your treasure in the thirst for more treasure. Sacrifice quality, craftsmanship, reliability, dependability, durability and endurance for the sake of Me, always Me and Myself. I am Con Ve…

In the old days a man faced a six foot plank with a rip saw and he wanted two planks so he began. He marked the plank with a ruler and a pencil and he drew a line where he wanted to saw and he began. He began to saw all the way down that…

It isn’t really about the nicotine or the tars and resins. It isn’t about the warnings. It’s really about the snap of the lighter when you shut it, the placement of the flame so close to your face, the first wraith of smoke ascending into the air like your life and the love you feel…