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Tuesday, July 10, 2018

I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN THIS LONG AGO IN HOPES YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IT AND STILL BE HERE



Online bullying?

when I was comin' up

it was up close
and personal
and in your face
(not Facebook)

one thing it does

when you're on the receiving end
is helps to build character

so develop a hard shell

kids
like that giant tortoise at the zoo
(and shine it with turtle wax)
and have some empathy
for your tormentors
for they are hurting
the same as you

and


consider the source


can't tell you how many times

that has seen me through

never once validated

or took their words
to heart

that's called knowing who you are


never knew anyone

of my generation
(them damn hippies!)
who checked out over it

cuz


there is a place

deep inside
at your very core
where no one can hurt you

find it


it is your strength

and your reserve
and one day
it will lead you
triumphant
into the sun




Sunday, July 1, 2018

LAST LESSONS OF THE AFTERNOON



Didn't send anything 
to your journal this time
didn't send anything to
your contest 
(after winning it last year)
give someone else a chance
I said
but the truth is it's just too much
goddamn trouble 
for little reward

Like a lot of things


Like life

mostly

But you're expecting

a poem 
of course you are
that's why you're here...

So let's not disappoint:


Last lessons of the afternoon

your last drive
I said, this misery must end

The rolling English road

bagpipe music
anthem for doomed youth

Buffalo dusk

full moon
what are years?

Look within

the lost man
not waving 
still drowning

I remember the woman

 at the Washington Zoo
wearing flames and dangling wire 
a kiss in space
a taste
tangerine
Xmas trees
the end of love
going
going
gone

All day it rained 


Fuck you