when summer arrives in my bonnie Dundee

May23

the day that summer arrived in Dundee
I took the long way home
getting off the bus on the Kingsway
cause in the sun I wished to roam

down Strathmartine Road I ambled
I smiled at all the passersby
and everyone I smiled at
responded with a cheery “hi!”

I tarried for a bit
when I got to Fairmuir Park
delighting in watching the people
who – like me – were out for a lark

through Hilltown I sauntered
so happy I overcame my fear
responding cheekily to the men
who called to me outside pub Shakespeare

as I turned onto Ann Street
the sun grew even brighter
my heartbeat, my very steps quickened
the bags I carried grew lighter

for Ann Street leads to home
and in my mind’s eye I could see
the garden that love built
my own little corner in bonnie Dundee

personal preference

May21

da older ah gets
da less ah likes folks
wit dey bullshit
dey backstabbin’
dey juvenile jokes
dey drunken dramas
dey stupid scenes
da older ah gets
ah much prefer machines

jes’ gimme mah Sony Bravia
it’s a 42-inch
always there fo’ me
in a pinch
da folks dat dwell in dat black box
nevuh gimme any strife
ah dinnae care dat dey’s imaginary –
dey enrich mah life

gimme mah stereo
wit its 5-disc CD changer
cuz all da voices dat pour forth
don’t belong ta any stranger
dem voices dat pour forth
nevuh bring me any grief
sunrise or sunset
dey’s a welcome source o’ relief

jes’ gimme mah laptop
or mah desktop PC
neither one has evuh tried
ta hurt or destroy me
now you might think me mad
try to say mah mind ain’t right
but ah’m far happier
wit dem anonymous bits ‘n bytes

yeah, with each passin’ year
ah likes people less
wit dey lyin’, wit dey lust
dey infernal selfishness
it’s got naught ta do with weakness
jes’ unwillingness ta cope
‘n ah ask no one’s forgiveness
fo’ becomin’ a misanthrope

closer

May20

it’s the dearness of him
the nearness of him
that wipes out her paranoia
the thought that she’s a wraith
he feeds her hungry heart
he’s the reason she has faith

it’s the funniness of him
the sunniness of him
that banishes the darkness
laughs away imagined fears
the stalwart sentinel
whose laughter dries her tears

it’s the safety that he inspires
the way he grants her every desire
every day he shows he loves her
reminding her she’s not alone
every day they make a memory
that makes their house a happy home

détente

May17

despite some similarities
there exist polarities
when one is angry
they withdraw
leaving the other
to shriek & caw
one shows sadness
by a lowered head
while the other gathers
photos to shred
two stubborn people
though neither heart is weak
both are too stiff-necked
to be the first to speak
thus each erects
their own private shield
awaiting the moment
when the other shall yield
eventually,
détente is achieved
leaving both parties
happily relieved

in search of refuge at the Eldorado Motel

May15

at the end of Broadway Avenue
by the ramp to four-eight-oh
lies a low-slung building
where certain people like to go
desperate or lonely people
in need of respite for a spell
make their solitary way
to the Eldorado Motel

it’s a weather-beaten building
stained by dust & pigeon crap
a place where long haul truckers
check in to take a nap
lonesome is a trucker’s life
they’re all wanderers nomadic
their return cannot be scheduled
all their visits are sporadic

men who hate their wives
for whatever reason
bring their other women here
for a night of carnal treason
while the neglected wife
a sad widow or divorcée
pays dearly for young male flesh
in vain hopes
of sending their pain away

all of us have been there
when we were young and dumb
impatient for the true love
that never seems to come
desperation & loneliness
bring their own special brand of hell
but love or refuge can’t be found
at the Eldorado Motel

message to my Mommy

May13

it’s Mother’s Day
and though I’m not around
it doesn’t mean
that I’ve forgotten the sound
of my name in your mouth
or the feel of your hand in mine
your voice in my ear
reassuring me all is fine

it’s Mother’s Day
and though I’m not there
don’t you ever think
that I don’t care
I’m grateful for all
you’ve done for me
and before I fall asleep
it’s your sweet face I see

on a Saturday in May

May12

the continental market
is in town
we ate spicy bratwurst
as we walked around
at every stall I squealed with delight
so he bought a little sumthin special for later tonight

he’s wearin’ the red shirt
the one I really like
teasin’ me that he feels
as if he’s on a hunger strike
because tea’s a little late
but I just laugh ‘n tell him “wait!”

he’s havin’ a fag
‘n a bottle of beer
I got my laptop
‘n a glass o’ wine is near
the smell o’ fryin’ onions ‘n tatties
is drivin’ both our stomachs batty

the pages of a cookbook
he flips
while I ponder
a meeting of lips
through the washing machine door
soapy water shows
I’d tell him that I love him
but there’s no need –
he already knows

shitstorm

May11

can stupidity be excused,
thinkin’ there was a bond?
there’s no answer to that question –
no right way to respond

into despair you sink
a hopelessness mind-numbing
yet you do not bite your tongue
just cause the truth is ‘unbecoming’

still, protest is futile
they care not if you cry
a pair of dull and dirty scissors
will put paid to their lie

tryin’ to sweep the turds of anger
into the bin does no good
the space is far too small,
‘n shit never fits the way it should

childhood’s friend [in memoriam for Maurice Sendak 1928-2012]

May9

good night, Maurice
good night, Max
in the night kitchen
floors shine with beeswax
the shelves all groan
with ingredients galore
and you’ll make smelly cakes
to sell in the corner store
for 50 cents or maybe a dollar

good night, Maurice
good night, Max
where the wild things are
you’ll find stacks
of M&Ms and bubble gum
Hershey’s Kisses line the street
and no one will ever yell,
“wipe your feet!”
when you come into the house

good night, Maurice
good night, Max
when you run into Ida
you can all play jacks
or checkers or Monopoly
under skies that are always
sunny and fair
I’ll see you outside over there
one day

those last five words

May7

we played with each other’s fingers
as in a circle we did walk
around the noisy playground
where girls drew hopscotch squares in chalk

you were wearin’ your favorite jeans
(the ones with the hole in the knee)
‘n the cologne I’d bought you for Christmas
(you knew the scent caused arousal in me)

as always your proximity
had me hot, my legs felt weak
it seemed that we walked endlessly
too reluctant (or scared) to speak

I remember a barking dog
I remember the way the sun shone
I remember a sudden urge to kiss you
passionately, as if we were alone

I remember fire in your eyes
an old man who threw the pigeons bread
the way you touched my cheek
just before you said:

“they didn’t lie – I did it
so now you know it’s true
‘n I ain’t sorry for my actions –
despite the hell that I’ve gone through

there are other things I’ve done
deeds I re-live when I sleep
I’m sure you thought you knew me well
but my secrets I shall keep”

I thought of our life together
heart fluttering like little birds
a life that evaporated
when you uttered those last five words

	The Emu on when summer arrives in my bonn…
	willowdot21 on when summer arrives in my bonn…
	willowdot21 on personal preference
	willowdot21 on closer
	Da Absentee on on a Saturday in May
	lynnkaren4101 on message to my Mommy
	lynnkaren4101 on those last five words
	willowdot21 on détente
	GJ Scobie on those last five words
	hollyannegetspoetic on in search of refuge at the Eld…
	willowdot21 on in search of refuge at the Eld…
	Androgoth on message to my Mommy
	kate58 on message to my Mommy
	willowdot21 on message to my Mommy
	aussieian2011 on on a Saturday in May

poetry and persistence

writin' cause I can.