It jars and scars the brain
I cannot wrap my thoughts around the shame
of mansions high and hovels
by the side of roads
reality is virtual (not virtuous as we would hope)
where industry has power and might
just use it we could choose
for good but don’t always
solutions simplified to sound bites
billboards, powerpoints
calm me, balm me
entertain me but for God’s sake
don’t make me think!
I want it snack sized, fun sized
super-duper-fat and sweet sized
wait a minute no! Eat healthy
will the next coin be the water
be the heirloom seeds for real food
real thought, real moods
not those drug-induced ones
chemically altered food stays fresher longer
well preserved we are, but
hurricanes and droughts will come
and some will alter all
we can’t control a wall
of water washes over
washes under, wash away
the days of neighbors knowing
neighbors gone but we can talk
on facebook, twitter, email
bitter pills we swallow daily
facial spatial recognition
we can’t recognize our own
our faces in the mirror clearer
than the mud we sink in
time to think before we blast off
cast off from the sinking ship
we have become spectators in our own
lives spouting aphorisms mystically
sophisticated syncopated biorhythmic
lest we take the time to really be
there be where
we are living giving everything to
every moment affluenza
breeds contempt for people
they are throw away like styrofoam
to-go box passion chasing fashion
like we know the outcome
be the first is the new curse
liberals blame conservatives
turn right or left you still won’t get there
be ensnared by pride of sides
are you a Christian if you are
you’ll buy this product
vote your conscience if you have one
we can cure whatever ails you
even as our help impales you
on the poverty sword of you ain’t good enough
your house, your car, you won’t get far
but what’s the point
there is nowhere that you can go
the milk of human kindness now
is poisoned filled with BPA but don’t you worry
hurry scurry all you scientific pundits
fix it, mix it, give it to us
cheap and easy that’s the ticket
like a deer comes to a salt lick
you will have us in your sights
you feed on greed we have a barrel full
belly full, heart full, leaving room for nothing else
I cannot see the future answers
tomorrow is now for some and time is
warped and jagged those who lagged
behind the headlines
lost in deadlines, stand in bread lines
waiting for a bite, the loaves and fishes
ran out hours ago and nothing left
but broken dishes
vessels of laconic postures
don’t give me love
we are above it all it is
is tattooed on the back of
children we have shortchanged
thinking we were giving more
and now we shake our heads in wonder
how they do not appreciate
the things we did, the time we spent,
the money sent (that check will never come)
we bitch and moan and feign
a careless attitude while underneath
the fear runs deep and mighty
that somewhere a clock still ticks
and spits and sputters
hide the clutter, close the shutters
survivalistic hoarding gimme shelter
helter skelter used to be anomaly
now random shooting is the norm
we are assaulted in our homes
the breaking news takes form
within commercial framework
couched in terms opinionated
huddled in an easy chair
we get to share in others sorrow
shake our heads
no need to borrow trouble
I say just stay here
it’s safer, no one ever comes
to knock except the Church of Latter
Day Saints and even they
are scarcer these days
got no answers just a sandpile
buried head to stop
insane smiles
this ranting has no ending
just a time is bending round and round
I hear the sound and fury
but it’s signifying nothing
that I comprehend I spend my time
just marking disembarking from
this earth a dirge is playing
for the life of me I cannot see
except to think the sandwich sign
the guy was wearing we were swearing
he was crazy (maybe lazy) but I think
that chicken little had it right
he knew it and we disavowed
the answer in the words he spoke
the world is ending, sky is falling
fire and ice, well both are nice
but far to neat and clean
we’ve seen the signs but slowly
like a cancer, growing colder, older
molding ourselves into something
we can’t comprehend and why
I just don’t know, I sigh

A quote from William Gibson had my mind going “The future is already here – it’s just not very evenly distributed.”

I carry my cup
with me always
gathering as I move
through the world
filling it with things
named and waiting to be named
described width and breadth
scent of memory
like a scar that still
aches when it rains
raking my fingers through
as details fall from the tips
like drops of water

and if you were to look
you would shake your head
why would anyone
keep those things
why does this make me sing
and that leave me
feeling as though a cold wind
has blown through
leaving me hollowed out
and crumbling at the edges
how can I hold that feeling
of standing on a mountaintop
ready to fly in starlight

it never overflows
no matter how much I pack in
heaping one shiny thought
on top of another
nor leaks though crazed and cracked
when the world turns dark and ugly
and words are sharp and bloodied
I turn to my cup and sift
through the river rocks
and polished glass
rubbing them between my
hands til warm
as though they live
and in my mind
they do

Florida needs her roots touched up
and her foundation is sinking
into deep wrinkles of time
warm flesh has shifted and the thin
veneer of beauty is scraped away
revealing bleached bones
and a fondness for money
biting the hand she eats from
her poverty of spirit leaks
like the rusted vehicle she has become
and she wears her age like a shroud
walls keep ocean waves
from washing her clean
as she tries to stop time
but the sand has already run out

All the
Latest  lavender ladies
Tarted up in lacy finery
Golden tipped they dip
And sway in summer breeze
They please the eye and
Sidle closer please the nose
Their perfume lures assures
That though demurely standing there
Their leaves go prancing in the air
And give a glimpse of branch
How brazen still we smile
It is their season
To be young and fine
And strong
Til sun bleached heat
Leached then they’re gone

Image Credit Tommy Stone

whirly twirly seeds of sun
leaning gleaning coriolis
shaky droplets feed the need
elementary excitation just a myth
stare long enough to be eclipsed
drawn to vortex orange and gold
the pseudo forces run their courses
flaming torch against the blue
framed in greening preening
leaflets guaranteed to tower over
feed the birds and seed the earth
for next years crop will
be assured faces seeking
glory peeking at the light
axis spinning earth is twinning
all rotating orbit waiting
all the planets
crashing down a single flower
all the knowledge all the science
photosynthesis in compliance
with the books the pundits say
but you and I know a better way
to stand as still and yet align
my face to follow summer shine
to spend a life in wind or rain
turn to the light again and again

image credit Tommy Stone

Though flames took sky
and melted clouds
to shadows dripping over trees
the moon took on the
daunting task
pale and scarred
from years and years
of pulling oceans to and fro
she drug herself once more
to shield our burning eyes
from star shot heat
a darkness sweet
would cover us
in daylight dreams
just like the night
no sound was heard
no flash occurred
a kiss surrounding space
penumbra placed just so
for beauty of a mystery
the history of a galaxy

Photo credit: Tommy Stone