Recent poems
While I don't currently have time to submit for publication, I continue to write and have mostly returned to my first love: poetry. I still sit at the keyboard and try to put some of the poems in my head on paper ocassionally. ;) I'll try to make the time to add a few of them here.
Living in the Time of No Touching
(or Love in the Time of Coronavirus)
We lived then
through the time of no touching.
No more kisses.
No hugs.
Not even a handshake.
Fist bumps, or elbows.
“Social distancing”.
Don’t be passionate with your speech.
should a spot of spittle fly
the shame.
Sneezing or coughing
would bring looks even
when done into the crooks
of elbows. We all looked
for someone to blame.
Hand sanitizer gel flew off the shelves
then the toilet paper.
Panic shopping.
Empty shelves,
Then no one was out shopping.
Events were cancelled.
Schools were closed.
Teachers taught through screens.
Travel was restricted.
Countries were quarantined.
Gigging drivers delivered the goods.
Hustlers price gouged necessities.
We saw who had to keep working,
who took advantage.
Covid-19: a threshing machine.
Doctors and nurses in hazmat suits
seeing as through a glass darkly
the confused and frightened
with no comforting touch
or final goodbyes.
We lived through the time of no touching
and when the threat was over.
We had to look each other in the eye
and ask,
did love survive Corona?
(or Love in the Time of Coronavirus)
We lived then
through the time of no touching.
No more kisses.
No hugs.
Not even a handshake.
Fist bumps, or elbows.
“Social distancing”.
Don’t be passionate with your speech.
should a spot of spittle fly
the shame.
Sneezing or coughing
would bring looks even
when done into the crooks
of elbows. We all looked
for someone to blame.
Hand sanitizer gel flew off the shelves
then the toilet paper.
Panic shopping.
Empty shelves,
Then no one was out shopping.
Events were cancelled.
Schools were closed.
Teachers taught through screens.
Travel was restricted.
Countries were quarantined.
Gigging drivers delivered the goods.
Hustlers price gouged necessities.
We saw who had to keep working,
who took advantage.
Covid-19: a threshing machine.
Doctors and nurses in hazmat suits
seeing as through a glass darkly
the confused and frightened
with no comforting touch
or final goodbyes.
We lived through the time of no touching
and when the threat was over.
We had to look each other in the eye
and ask,
did love survive Corona?
Feelin' the Bern
Political underdog
fighting for the underserved
like a dog with a bone
he won’t let go of his ideals.
Taking nothing from the PACs
Bernie keeps his promise -- he has our backs.
Donations coming from you and me
workers struggling to be free.
Wages too low and rent too damn high
medical bills and student debt
to the middle-class we’ve said goodby
and on the streets live our homeless vets.
From Killer Mike to Dick Van Dyke
A.O.C. and you and me
We care about a woman’s right,
the planet’s plight,
racial justice’s fight,
and those fleeing to our country.
Not me. Us. Look at what we’ve done!
We won’t give up until the election’s won.
Don’t lose this opportunity!
Bernie Sanders 2020
Political underdog
fighting for the underserved
like a dog with a bone
he won’t let go of his ideals.
Taking nothing from the PACs
Bernie keeps his promise -- he has our backs.
Donations coming from you and me
workers struggling to be free.
Wages too low and rent too damn high
medical bills and student debt
to the middle-class we’ve said goodby
and on the streets live our homeless vets.
From Killer Mike to Dick Van Dyke
A.O.C. and you and me
We care about a woman’s right,
the planet’s plight,
racial justice’s fight,
and those fleeing to our country.
Not me. Us. Look at what we’ve done!
We won’t give up until the election’s won.
Don’t lose this opportunity!
Bernie Sanders 2020
Ode to Saturday Morning
Oh for a Saturday morning
to make French toast.
For this Saturday morning
to make French toast
from the fresh, soft French bread
leftover from last night’s dinner.
To use the organic eggs you bought this week
because you planned for this -- hoped for this.
To heat the seasoned skillet
beat the bowl of eggs
slice the pieces from the loaf.
Thick discs soak up light yellow liquid.
Saturated they sizzle
when they land heavy in the heat.
Watching and waiting for
golden dappled crusts.
Flipping until either side
looks beautiful on the plate.
Butter spread. Syrup drizzled.
Served and savored.
Oh for a Saturday morning
to make French toast.
For this Saturday morning
to make French toast
from the fresh, soft French bread
leftover from last night’s dinner.
To use the organic eggs you bought this week
because you planned for this -- hoped for this.
To heat the seasoned skillet
beat the bowl of eggs
slice the pieces from the loaf.
Thick discs soak up light yellow liquid.
Saturated they sizzle
when they land heavy in the heat.
Watching and waiting for
golden dappled crusts.
Flipping until either side
looks beautiful on the plate.
Butter spread. Syrup drizzled.
Served and savored.