I READ YOURS ONCE

Boss · Post by **Boss** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:36 pm

I drink coffee with two dogs
the heater makes its whining noise
I have a couple of friends
a pair of old moccasins
a digital watch you bought me
it's so out of date
some extra pounds from over the years
a caravan
two folders full of poems
many of late to you
a cold winter's day cursing my back
a family half gone
old books
old clothes
chipped teeth
and old love
I have Elgar Puchabel and Cohen
the new Simply Red album
a memory of David Suzuki
the forgotten forests and more
I have cheap cigarettes
cheap bourbon offering 440 ml a can
endless war on BBC and CNN
tacky hype on television
football gods
and movie stars
I read books about the human ape
how the chimpanzee is our brother
and books about G-d
the ceaseless yearning
the oneness of all

I notice children in the plaza
buying and selling like their parents
learning the tricks of the trade
learning obedience and deceit
and when to know the difference
I notice prestige cars glide by
into empty garages
loaded down with debt
that explodes into mortgage
holiday
new kitchen
diamond ring

I listen to love songs and dedications at night
to see if you are there
I reminisce
stretching my imagination
I remember the good times
and I have ample food
and drink
shelter
and a warm bed
who could want more?
six billion others write this poem
on different pages
I read yours once
but oh how it's changed
a bird she sings sweetly
a melodious song
I think of you
a stranger now
but you know her song
you heard it this morning
and you know that same stretch of sky
blanketing us
that same wine
same dance
we are not so separate
in our day of routine and nonsense
our curiosities read of the same book

I have aged and mellowed
but I still fear death
and those inexplicable forces of nature
that no one can control
not even in our insulated world of today
this empire of certainty
our laws set in concrete
yet something wild lives
it knows of thunder and the hunt
of anger
of making love

And I have read the stars
tried Tarot
even amateur psychics
they don't take me to you
a distant memory
soft
waiting
is all I need

Tri-me · Post by **Tri-me** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:15 pm

wow nice

greta · Post by **greta** » Fri May 27, 2005 4:16 pm

nice indeed

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:47 pm

Beautiful poem......!!

I like specially this:

six billion others write this poem
on different pages

and this:

and you know that same stretch of sky
blanketing us

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri May 27, 2005 6:22 pm

and you know that same stretch of sky
blanketing us

This is a verbatim thought that I have had and expressed to the person. We talked about it. Each amazed in our way.

Very authentic, true poem, Boss. Won't highlight particular aspects. I like it very much

.

~ Lizzy

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:41 am

I don't know how I missed this one. I can't say anything more than the usual

I really, really like your poem, Boss.

Maybe one day, I'll be gifted with the insight and ability to turn heartfelt feelings into articulate words. But....until that day, Gee, Boss, I really, really liked your poem. I can't crit it. I can only like it. Thanks.

Linda.

Boss · Post by **Boss** » Sat May 28, 2005 8:57 am

I'm touched by your poignant messages. They inspire.

Boss

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Sat May 28, 2005 7:21 pm

Boss,

I can't imagine what my inarticulate little messages might inspire. But, it can't be good!

Everyone else, though, seems to have a good approach.

Linda.

Critic2 · Post by **Critic2** » Sun May 29, 2005 9:06 pm

this is rather poignant and I enjoyed it. I have several "nits" on the meaning and some on the structure but they can wait if and until invited!

thanks for sharing.

Boss · Post by **Boss** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:09 am

One and a half years since my first post and little has changed. I still tune in to the BBC or CNN and hear Man's warlike dogma, watch the demarcation of the battle lines. They threaten each other with their arsenals of fire, of who has the biggest. As they did 1300 years ago in Mohammed's wake, as they did in Constantine's time circa 320 CE, as they did when Adam awoke millions of years ago on the continent of Africa; shorter than me, more hairy, gutteral sounds emanating from his throat, without a wardrobe of clothes - without any. The brother of the chimpanzee with so many Eves to know. And one thing I have in common with him is the desire for union - physical and emotional - with Woman. And as I re-read my poem I am dumbstruck by the dimension of her that is still missing. Religion, government and business offers me reward for my obedience, for my life. If I give in, submit to them, I will know better times. And this system moves into fragility with each passing day. There is a showdown around the next bend. Some people smell it, most are lost in their pursuit of happiness. They swear that their god is truth and they will live forever. They buy incessantly. They hang-glide. And I look at the time and remember the day she bought my digital watch in that huge shopping complex. A Christmas gift. It reads "4.21". And I realise that all of this, everything - including my watch - means nothing without her.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:53 am

What an astounding coincidence. I haven't been here in months and months, and I was sitting on my computer in conversation with someone, and then, this poem, by Boss came bursting thru once again, like late breaking news on CNN. I was amazed by the timing, I re-read the poem and it's as if the poem itself had pierced me personally. It was like an arrow, aimed for my heart, my nerves, my brain. Truly an incredible experience. OK. Boss, how'd ya do it???

Like the av. Lizzy. Ha! What a day! This is the capper. I still like the poem, but this was almost mystical in the way it transpired. A true event.

Tks. Boss.

Uh, I'm talking about how I'd 'forgotten' about this entire thread, this poem, and then thru the darkness came this beam of light in the form of a topic notif. - the first I've had in m.o.n.t.h.s. - and it couldn't be more fitting.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:46 pm

Hi Linda

~

It's great to see you burst back onto the scene in this way with this kind of serendipity

. Thanks for your comment on my avatar. I wish I could take credit for its creativity... it was a gift from Alexis/Judith

, one I deeply appreicate, the gift and the person.

I, too, enjoyed reading Adam's poem and this thread all over again

... and, now, your follow-up comments, Adam. An example of the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I wish you and your long ago woman could reconcile. I understand your desire.

~ Lizzy

mat james · Post by **mat james** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:30 am

walk in the sunshine Boss.
It has always helped me.
Turn the T.V. off
close the news paper
chat with friends

and walk.

Many love you boss
including us,
that's a start.