Tell Me*

Tell me who you are

And I will do the same.

We can start this thing anew

With no need to cast the blame.

Tell me where you are

And I’ll do the same for you.

It doesn’t matter where we’ve been

Nor matter what we do,

Tell me what you want

And I will also tell the truth.

There’s no need to poke around

And play the lover’s sleuth.

But do not let slip too much.

Let’s hold our secrets dear.

Leave something silent, heart

Or we’ll have no reason for our tears.

We both know love is fragile

And melts like springtime snow.

Our hasty hearts must understand.

Our past reminds us so.

*I feel I must be clear....this poem is directed toward nobody. It has no past, present or future. Writing is a dangerous thing, and can be misdirected and misunderstood.

It Doesn't Matter (Who You Are)

I found an anchor in the desert

Beside the bleached skull of a bull.

I saw a cactus in New York City

In a tub that was about half full.

I found a rifle on the seabed.

I woke up in a cloud hovering the ground.

I even picked a tulip in the ghetto.

It’s crazy where the best things can be found!

I found my first wife in a church

And my second at a hamburger stand.

I discovered life is all a free-style

And God chuckles at our plan.

I rescued my dog from some fool’s gas pipe

And found my buddy behind a star.

Friend, life is an amazing, crazy ride

And it doesn’t matter who you are.

Wish I'd Said That #7

Fear makes people dangerous.

Lt. Joe Kendra, Colorado Springs Police Dept., Homicide Investigator (Ret.)

I'm Glad I Said That......

When a person has demonstrably proven they have your end in sight...believe them!

Yes. I said this. Its truth is immediate and raw. The reason I subscribe to this supposition is because it has been aimed directly at me, making me a believer. Never offer your hand to a person who has a weapon is his.
~~ James

Pirates' Chests

Pirates' Chests

What if

Pirates’ chests

Were not treasures at all

But the debris of things gathered

That least mattered

That represented the totality

Of a lifetime of pain

A clutter of unpleasant memory?

I mean

What if

Pirates’ chests

Were not treasures at all

But land mines

Intended to explode

In the finders’ face

That the Discoverer be left

To manage the brutality

Of assorted

And sordid experience?

Really.

What if

Pirates’ chests

Were not treasures at all?

And what if

Yo! Ho! Ho! And a bottle of rum

Were not a cheer

But a dirge for the burial

Of the digger

And a wee bit of toast

To send the unfortunate beggar

To the other side

Where all is not light and good cheer.

What if?

A Seat by the Window

A Seat by the Window

I like the lonely place 
Near the window. 

The one that understands 
What being alone means 

Yet enjoys the sight

Of a pedestrian along the walk

Or a new car parked at the corner

Without feeling a need

To discuss or describe the view.

It seems good

To let the world pass

Unmolested.

Neanderthal’s Date

I rode in on a Mastodon

And checked my club at the door.

I grunted to the hostess

And kept my eyes on the floor.

She was seated by the fire

Slowly sipping her wine.

I adjusted my bearskin coat

Thinking she was looking fine.

I ordered a glass of what she had

And wiped the sweat from my brow

Looking through the menu

Hoping for a side of rare cow.

I hadn’t done this in a long time.

We sat in silence all through our date

As I thought about what’s next

Considering my ultimate fate.

She finally said she was going to the restroom

And excused herself from the table.

But she never came back

And I decided her excuse was pure fable.

My Mastodon was double parked

So, I paid the check with some shells and beads

And dragged another dude’s date out

‘Cuz even a caveman has needs!

Wish I'd Written This #1

In the spirit of "Wish I'd Said That" I offer the following lyric, Mutineer,  written by the masterful Warren Zevon. Sadly, Warren is no longer with us, but his work lives forever. I encourage you to find him on Youtube. Mutineer is also wonderfully covered by Jason Isbell and his wife, Amanda Shires. Check out all Isbell does. Currently, he is the man to watch. 


Mutineer

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Hoist the mainsail, here I come
Ain't no room on board for the insincere
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer

I was born to rock the boat
Some may sink but we will float
Grab your coat, let's get out of here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer

Long ago we laughed at shadows
Lightning flashed and thunder followed
It could never find us here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer

Long ago we laughed at shadows
Lightning flashed and thunder followed
It could never find us here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer

I was born to rock the boat
Some may sink but we will float
Grab your coat, let's get out of here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer

You're my witness
I'm your mutineer
I'm your mutineer

Songwriters: WARREN WILLIAM ZEVON
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group