i’d walk up a hillside of daffodils and get down on my knees and pick whatever strikes me as perfect like you are i’d hike the trail to the creek that winds deep through the woods where beside me i still hear your footsteps you were here i can feel you on the trail i … Continue reading
Tagged with memories …
THE LOCKET in the Piker Press
Published in the Piker Press “Well I can’t help if it takes time. It does, right?” There were no customers in the store and Eunice had been vacuuming and was now back behind the counter, windexing the display case and fussing around with the jewelry inside. She’d worked here eighteen years and always had a sense … Continue reading
FINE PEOPLE
I see them every Sunday Those fine people going to church Dressed like they mean it Sauntering down the street Arms swinging Heads held high Going to the holy land Fine people Going to church. I have a random memory of being a small child and sweeping the driveway. My dad looked over my shoulder. … Continue reading
UNFOLDING
unfolding before me like a piece of paper that was folded years ago and lost in the bottom of some box up in the attic or in the back of a closet that you came upon and immediately recognized but had forgotten about ’til now unfolding before me bad memories good ones too that lead … Continue reading
NOT NIHILISTIC
First appeared in the The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature It’s a common thing around here. Family cemeteries in people’s backyards or somewhere on their land. On land that’s been passed down from generation to generation. There are currently laws on the books protecting this sacred land from development. Would you want to build a … Continue reading
WHERE IT’S ALL GONE TO SINCE
I’m moving soon which is fun and having company soon after and am jazzed. Particularly as friends are moving too and having company at the same place and time- all outside under a big summer sky. I’ve been told half-jokingly I oughta “register” at Target for the affair. Half-seriously? If you’re getting married you register … Continue reading
THAT DAY THAT NEVER ENDS
That’s what I want That day that never ends. Not because I’m too busy or harried Not because “there aren’t enough hours in the day” As people say Just because Some days are better than others You know they are memories as you live them You watch yourself like a fly on the wall And … Continue reading
OH WHY OH
you’re far, far away not me i’m right here it’s you that is gone and to where i don’t know yes you now you’re gone not so long ago not me you were here i remember your eyes the last time you were here yes you now you’re gone why, oh why, oh why oh … Continue reading
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD
Happy birthday It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you Over twenty years at least I remember the last time like it was yesterday But that’s not what I remember most I remember the day I forgave you For all the years of conflict and strife And for being a target Of your ignorance … Continue reading
YESTERDAYS
these are the old days the good times yeh that’s what they are the times you remember and never forget the ones you look back on with little regret these are your yesterdays the younger days that you’re pining for the past that you carry that keeps you awake at night up and pacing with … Continue reading
THAT DAY IN THE PARK
I wasn’t close with my dad. As a matter of fact, we were far apart for as long as I can remember. My mom told me that when I was still a baby I’d cry and scream when he held me. My dad would get frustrated and hand me back over to my mom. I’d … Continue reading
BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE
I don’t think she looked around in a while. When I walked in I couldn’t help notice several of the pictures on the walls were cockeyed. Not level. One in the living room-that seventies looking Buddha thing she got at the schlock market in Taos several years back, when she was honored with her lifetime achievement … Continue reading
SHE DID
My sweet old honey She stole my money It isn’t funny Yes she did My sweet old baby She left me maybe And drove me crazy Yes she did It’s been so long ago And it’s done even so Well I just didn’t know That she would Would I do it again? If I did … Continue reading
ON GETTING SENTIMENTAL
I don’t get sentimental about much, but when we have snowstorms, I often think back to all those years I lived in Allentown. On days when it snowed and school closed and work did too, around eleven am folks would set out on foot to fill the dive bars. Can you picture it? One year … Continue reading
TREE OUT IN THE WOODS
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone You’re gonna wonder where I went You’re gonna ask just what went wrong You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone Tell me what was I supposed to do? What would you have done yourself? If you had to travel in my shoes? Wouldn’t you walk on down that … Continue reading
ESSENCE OF YOU
at the foggy center of my mind i have a fuzzy picture of you it’s been so long you’d expect it be clear? i remember the outline of you and certainly the essence of you like when you walked into the room or when you were speaking the sound of your voice the inflection and … Continue reading
THE WAY WE DID
If anything I love you If anything I need you If anything I want you If anything I’ll see you I’m not sure when I’m not sure if But time will tell And so I hope That someday soon That we’ll be close And we’ll embrace The way we did.
DIFFERENT CHAIRS
sitting in my favorite chair so much has led here so much living and life with lovers and friends that i hardly knew so many people and places and experiences that are mine and they’re all mine alone sitting here smoking and drinking my coffee as i have so many times in different chairs different places many i’ll never forget but more i can hardly remember is there anything wrong … Continue reading
EYES OF YESTERDAY
memories consume me but not memories of people or events or successes and accomplishments i’m here with my head back looking up at the stars and thinking back over the years to times I did the same thing things are different now i remember being in places places i loved they’re all gone now i’m … Continue reading
PAPER-THIN
As long as I live and until the day that I die, there’ll always be little things that confound me. I mean downright astonish me! Well, astonish is too strong of a word, it’s just a case of wondering the whys of it. Like why do I wear a t-shirt for two hours and then … Continue reading
LIGHTLY ON EGGSHELLS
So it’s mucky. Steamy, you know. The air is thick and warm and a bit intrusive. Heavy. It sticks to the skin and the clothes and in those hidden spots too. Pea soup. I thought about you this morning. Well I woke up and made coffee and sat down in front of the fan to … Continue reading
NOT MUCH ANYMORE
It’s beautiful outside But I can’t see it The world has opportunity But I don’t know it All I know are these four walls And the inside of my head Not much beyond here Not much Anymore I used to see beauty And eat up opportunity But that was before And another person A person … Continue reading
WAITING ROOM SLEEP
It had gotten to the point where he could no longer control his relentless angst and frustration. It really had taken its toll over the last few months. Cara had so many issues, and right now the not-knowing-part was really the worst. How would it all wind up? He’d sat in this hospital for what, … Continue reading
PICTURE ME
The day that I told you not to come back I snapped a picture of you in my mind But it wasn’t of that day It was of the first day And the days and months after that When things were easy and needed no explanation When things were surely different Remember that? When I … Continue reading
BIG VALLEY
i’m on the cusp of a brand new beginning the unexpected is waiting for me i’m on the peak of the highest mountain the big valley is all i can see it’s the land where adventure does happen i’ll find out when i get where i’ll be the big valley is where i’ll be walking … Continue reading
SINK
I don’t wanna turn off the faucet It’s either a full on gushing with danger of overflowing Or drips slowly and painfully and loudly Drip, drip. The sink is full at the moment It happens sometimes when my mind is idle And when my heart is empty and lonely for you Times like now. I … Continue reading
MIDDLE RIVER
Sometimes, when I cross Middle River, my mind drifts backward through my past. I had a friend for a brief period of time, a good friend I’d say. We don’t know each other anymore, but that’s okay. I have good memories. We fit like a hand fits a glove, which is curious as we were … Continue reading
TODAY IS ABOUT TODAY
It’s early Thursday morning, which is cool. What’s funny is I’ve been up for about an hour, and in that hour, floating around in the back of my mind was the thought it was Wednesday. I got excited when I realized it was Thursday. But why? Why do I constantly feel the need to hurry … Continue reading
CAMERA
i smashed my camera i shouldn’t have done it it was impulse no doubt there are pictures of you in there i knew i couldn’t look at them so i broke it i knew it’d shake me up too much seeing you smiling before the shit so enthusiastically and memorably hit the fan yeh that fan … Continue reading
HEARTBEAT
The things I would Do for you If I had the chance If you were here And paid me some mind Which you don’t And never did But you could right? The things I would Say to you If our lives were different If we turned back the clock To those days when we met … Continue reading
CLICKED
I’ve looked for you every morning for weeks. I haven’t seen you in what seems way too long. We’ve been through so much together over the years and I just miss you. I so enjoyed those awesome pictures from your time spent in Cabo San Lucas by the way. You’ve lost so much weight since … Continue reading
NOT NIHILISTIC
It’s a common thing around here. Family cemeteries in people’s backyards or somewhere on their land. On land that’s been passed down from generation to generation. There are currently laws on the books protecting this sacred land from development. Would you want to build a house here? Word on the street is when folks try … Continue reading
GHOSTS
It’s a ghost town here Where are the faces I used to look into? They’re gone. It’s deserted here Memories still linger Of days now long passed But they’re gone. All of the places And seeds that I’ve sown The laughter and teardrops And people I’ve known They’re all ghosts.