This is another poem that came from a news story. This one was about someone young who made a serious mistake.
The Next Step
One slip into disaster
It couldn't happen faster
One choice can start
to tear a life apart
Soon the time will come
to face what has been done
Another choice comes into play
The path to take the rest of the way
Summon the courage you will need
to go forward at your own speed
Don't let one wrong step you take
be the last mistake you make.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Next Step
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
In His Garden
Today's posting is an ekphrastic poem, one inspired by another art form. The inspiration is the Water Lilies triptych by Claude Monet that includes panels owned by the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Saint Louis Art Museum. The three panels are being exhibited together for the first time in more than 30 years through the cooperation of the three museums. The inspiration for Monet's paintings of water lilies was the artist's own garden in Giverny, France.
In His Garden
In his garden,
the artist
created
in water.
In his garden,
the artist
discovered
a lifetime
of work,
transferring
impressions
from water
to oils.
In his garden,
the world
found an
iconic image
where oil
and water
mix perfectly.
In His Garden
In his garden,
the artist
created
in water.
In his garden,
the artist
discovered
a lifetime
of work,
transferring
impressions
from water
to oils.
In his garden,
the world
found an
iconic image
where oil
and water
mix perfectly.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Memories
I wrote this poem for a friend who was moving out of town, but I also shared it with the grief support group with which I volunteer. I think we always have to "start anew" after a loss and look to our memories to support us.
Sadly, I will miss a comment on this poem and all those going forward. My sister died suddenly at the end of March. She was a special part of my journey into writing poetry and I will carry her with me as I continue on.
Memories
Carry us with you
as you start anew
and we will always
be part of you.
When you need to laugh
or can't help but cry.
When the joy overwhelms
or the hurt undermines.
When you need support
or support others needs.
When the challenges grow
or the triumphs exceed.
Call on us often
no matter the mood
and we will always
be there for you.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Monday, March 21, 2011
No Closer
The moon was closer to the earth Saturday than it has been in 18 years. Unfortunately for me, the clouds were even closer.
No Closer
A closer moon
A brighter glow
What would
the nearness
help us know?
Would the view
of each crater
be greater?
Would a gust
kick up
moon dust?
What would
we see
due to
closer
proximity?
Our scrutiny
revealed
nothing new.
The crowd
of clouds
got the
better view.
No Closer
A closer moon
A brighter glow
What would
the nearness
help us know?
Would the view
of each crater
be greater?
Would a gust
kick up
moon dust?
What would
we see
due to
closer
proximity?
Our scrutiny
revealed
nothing new.
The crowd
of clouds
got the
better view.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mix Up
Some friends of mine were going to perform poetry and music one evening. Unfortunately, the bar they were going to perform in got closed down that day. They didn't find out until they got there and the door was locked. Just had to write about it. The situation also gave me a rare chance to combine poetry and basketball.
Mix Up
Amid the hustle and bustle
of basketball games,
the bar would offer
music with a poetry chaser.
An homage to the Doors and
reflections on "The End."
Alas, the end came
before the beginning.
There was only
one door through
which to access
this collaboration
and, to eveyone's surprise,
it remained locked.
The bar was closed,
not because of
a personal foul,
but due to
a simple violation.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Baby's Blues
This was one of the first poems I wrote as I began this journey of writing poetry. Even though my mother had died several years earlier, her loss through Alzheimer's disease was one of the first topics that came out in my poetry. I am the youngest in my family and my mother often introduced me as the baby. When I got old enough to roll my eyes at that introduction, she would remind me I would remain the baby, no matter my age. By the time she died, she no longer had that memory.
Baby's Blues
You said I'd always be your baby.
Now, you ask if I'm your sister.
You say I'm not your daughter.
You no longer know me,
but I'll always be your baby.
Baby's Blues
You said I'd always be your baby.
Now, you ask if I'm your sister.
You say I'm not your daughter.
You no longer know me,
but I'll always be your baby.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Snow in Spring
Last year, we had snow on the first day of spring. Today, we are having a thunderstorm in February. Today's post is about last year's snow. The thunderstorm will probably pop-up later.
Snow in Spring
Like snow on the first day of spring,
the unexpected falls in our path.
It may be serendipity or tragedy.
The former reflects the light
and covers us like a warm blanket.
The latter clouds our vision
and sends us sliding
down the street.
It is easy to snuggle up
to the pleasant,
but the painful tests our skills.
These are the times we must
remember to steer into
the skid and hang on.
Snow in Spring
Like snow on the first day of spring,
the unexpected falls in our path.
It may be serendipity or tragedy.
The former reflects the light
and covers us like a warm blanket.
The latter clouds our vision
and sends us sliding
down the street.
It is easy to snuggle up
to the pleasant,
but the painful tests our skills.
These are the times we must
remember to steer into
the skid and hang on.
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)