Hand outstretched, waiting
One orange leaf wafting down
Crisp cascade follows
Spread wide your fine nets
Fingers splayed, arms extended
Raking the glory
Try catching autumn
Crunch and crackle, red and gold
Store Fall if you can
Category: Poetry
Gutsy Potion
Don’t be skittish, dear
Brewing potions takes some guts
Among other things
(“The Witches Brew” by Adrian Higgins)
Tongue of toad, fileted
Eyes of newt, plucked one by one
Rattle of snake, sliced
(“Witch’s Brew” by Angus McBride)
Stir in spider eggs
Black widow for best results
Simmer, chant, enjoy.
Grave Matters
Photography by Julie PowellIf in death I succumb to the depths of a cold, dark grave, my dear,
Heart stalled permanently; no sights to see, nor sounds to hear,
Then why waste time on costly coffin accoutrement?
My nakedness will not offend worms in search of nutrients.
Why sing songs, most mournful dirges to send me on my way?
Just close the lid and lock it tight against the light of day.
Better still to light a pyre, or set adrift in Viking ship
Burning boldly through the night, ashes sifting, soul adrift.
Note: Look for more of Julie Powell’s photography at juliepowell2014.wordpress.com
The Passenger
Old cowboys don’t die
They board planes and fly away
Run down boots, no spurs
I picture his horse
Long put out to green pastures
Bent neck and swayed back
The man still stands tall
Smelling of leather and dust
Old straw hat in hand
I wrote this while waiting in line at a Southwest gate in Dallas. The photos aren’t great–I was trying to be surreptitious.
A Penny for My Thoughts?
Never in my life
Have pennies been offered
In trade for my thoughts
Should it happen now
I would most likely decline
Given inflation
Except, google says
The cost of thoughts have
Dropped to all-time lows
Little known fact, the more thoughts that are shared publicly the cheaper they become. Thoughts were 1¢ back in 1522 and reached an all time high of 79¢ in 1895. Once the patent for radio was gotten in 1896 thought value began to decline due to the growth of the newly patented invention. By the time of the first televisions, thoughts were only 54¢. After television, the value began to drop exponentially. Nowadays, with the invention of the internet, an individual thought is only worth about .000005¢.
All of these numbers are accounting for inflation.
Langston Hughes’s “Salvation”
Yesterday I published a piece called “Choosing My Religion.” My friend, Luri read it on Facebook and asked if I’d ever read “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. I hadn’t, but rectified that mistake immediately. Mr. Hughes has always been one of my favorite poets, this piece I’ve linked to just makes him more so.
http://www.spiritwatch.org/firelangsave.htm
Here are some more of my favorite pieces by Langston Hughes. His words are as timely as ever.
This first one’s my favorite:
The next one needs a fervent “amen!”
Wine Talking
Last night I imbibed
A Cabernet Sauvignon
Mellow vibes accrued
Sweet drifting on sips
This languid summer evening
Deep in these red cups
Oh, deepest vintage
Layered tastes on eager tongue
Rich flavors ensued
A Little Beach Music
“Besides,” she said, out of the blue, “We have nothing to gain now, yet nothing more to lose.
So take my hand, no, this one. Hoist me up from my place in the sand.”
Together they eyed the waves, sidelong glances at one another
Wedged between sighs masquerading as cogent thoughts. Neither had the means,
Nor the answers. “Will you love me still once this is done?” He asked.
“What makes you think I love you now?” She replied, as the gulls wheeled over head.
Unpeaceable Kingdom
Peaceable Kingdom Revisited
I woke from a dream, soft gathers of light, distilled spirits at the edges, last vestiges of night
Wandered in from the wastelands, shining city on a hill; I’d visited before, when the illusion held still.
Slept with the lions; lunched with the lambs, before this peaceable kingdom came tumbling down
Now the eagle has landed, poached, plucked, and sautéed; the bear lies in waiting, his meal already made.
The Peaceable Kingdom–Edward Hicks
Midnight Thoughts
From the border lands
We feel the children weeping
Lord, please hear their cries
Agents cold as ICE
Breaking families apart
Following orders
What would Jesus do?
We don’t have to speculate
Lord, hear our prayer
Matthew 19:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
