In Walked Sid
July 3, 2006
This is a fantasy of the mind,
a song of the heart,
and a reality of the soul.
It is a true story:
IN WALKED SID
the saxophone cries harshly
where is Sid
where is Sid
where has that cat gone?
the piano starts to pound
where is Sid
where is Sid
who will play our song?
for so many years he gave anew
what he had received
never held back a single note
while through the reed he breathed
a reality to be understood
an affirmation
that life was good-
to listen not in the way we are told
but in a way that was rather, bold.
JAZZ was his religion
more than any other
saying in a million ways,
you gotta love your brother.
and as a singer never tires of song
and a bee never tires of flowers
we always dug that special man,
we were so damn glad he was ours.
So when we heard that he was gone
we went blue funk into black
as we began to realize
the cat
ain’t ever
comin’ back…
then imperceptibly at first
before we could hear
or see
a song washed onto this shore of souls
and some bop began to be
we couldn’t help but begin to smile
as the sun began to shine
and everywhere a cat could see
things started lookin’ fine…
then Sid blew out a rainbow of notes
to say everything is cool
out here we’re really cookin’ man
and Charlie Parker’s teachin’ school!
1999
breathe peace
July 3, 2006
breathe peace
into your soul
with every step
it is
the way
God is
in this world –
Spirit
2006
inspired by the writings of Tich Nhat Hanh
come dance with me
July 3, 2006
we can dance
in the meadow
of yellowbells
and pink jump julies
we can sing
amidst the lamoreux
and love me trulies
we can giggle
wiggle and pop
bouncing off each cloud
like a wild rain drop
2006
the almost-whistleblower compromising blues
July 2, 2006
If I do not
speak up –
who will?
If I do
speak up –
how will I feed my family?
If I do not
speak up –
how will I sleep?
(in front of the tv)
(clutching a beer)
Lucy got the shoot,
Sears catalogue
maternity bras
at least it’s a job
and more exposure,
she has to smile
and wear one side
partially unzipped.
that’s all we know
at this point –
around 150 pages in.
I am so jealous…
Work Dog
July 2, 2006
My dog would love
to work
like me.
I dream
of staying home
like him.
He gets too little
car time.
I get
too little
sleeping in.
He can go to work
for me.
As well
as I,
he can labor.
While I stay inside
our
cozy home
and bark at
every neighbor.
near death experience for squirrels
July 2, 2006
the frantic squirrel
starts one way then the other
into the bright light
negative is positive
July 2, 2006
we smell them coming
dark grumbling corpulent clouds
negative i ons
birds nestle Inn
July 2, 2006
the first drop will fall
then many over many
the birds nestle in
always chasin’ the Trane 1961
July 2, 2006
Rooster tie
trim lapel
flat top
be bop
to the station
cool cats
white cats
snap fingers
smoke lingers
all aboard!
we fly
past ghettos
like flipcards
junk yards
no one looks
to see
just wink
don’t think
time to drink
martini
qazse 