A LONG LOOK AT LIFE, Vol. 1: Prose &
Poetry
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The Poems
As I'm sure many writers of poetry have known for ages, relationships
with other human beings seem to spawn the majority of verse. I am no exception.
Thus Section One's poems have the common theme of "Relationships."
Section Two's efforts are mostly observational, hopefully relating to what
might be called "common life," in a unique and introspective way.
The third set of poems deal with how many of us have tried to deal with
-- to cope with -- the stressful variables of life. Written during a span
of more than 20 years, I am the first to admit, my poetry ranges from what
some might call "elementary" rhymes to longer non-rhyming poems,
to short prose. I couldn't change how they poured out from my heart and
soul and certainly didn't pause to consider meter or iambic pentameter.
That's for critics and academicians.
The Short Stories
In my high school yearbook, it says something like, "He suffered
occasionally from a rush of words to the head." That's how some of
these short stories came about. One of them, "Pica," was written
in one eight hour sitting. Reader beware -- they are not your usual fare.
The Personal Essays
In trying to decide whether to include these in this publication instead
of in the one which features my newspaper columns, the criteria was just
that. These are personal stories which, while similar to some of my newspaper
columns, were not written for that purpose. They are however, stories that
refused to remain bottled inside.
I hope you enjoy "A Long Look At Life, Volume 1: Prose and Poetry,"
and if you find one moment that touches you, encourages thought or discussion,
then my words have not only caressed my soul, but stirred yours as well.
Thank you for letting me share my look at life with you. Below I've provided
a couple of sample poems plus the entire table of contents. If you see a
title of interest, drop me a note and I'll share it with you. For other
comments, send me an e-mail. To order, click on the Amazon logo. Thanks
again.
POEM SAMPLES
LEGACY
- What will my legacy be?
- How will the world remember me?
- Or why should they know at all,
- Why should the world recall?
-
- It's not as if I've done something great,
- Like brought world peace, or crossed home plate.
- I've not even fathered a child,
- To tell tales of me, both good and wild.
-
- But my voice, I feel, still must be heard.
- I've something to say, but I can't find the words.
- There are no books with my thoughts written down,
- But I've seen a lot of life, I've been around.
-
- There are hands to hold and prayers to pray,
- Why can't I reach out today?
- And tell anyone who'll stop and hear,
- Of the dangers life holds, the loves, the fears.
-
- Why is my voice not above the din,
- Of drinkin' and druggin', of evil and sin?
- Why can't I say, "Do the right thing?"
- Spike Lee made a movie, others choose singing.
-
- I want the world, all the people, to be better.
- Perhaps I should write the Times a letter.
- But what if my message is lost among others.
- Why do I care? Why do I bother?
-
- I want all to know, there's a better way,
- We can live and love together I say.
- I should stop in the street and shout it,
- But actions like that only make people doubt it.
-
- So I'll stick to the written word I guess,
- I'll keep trying, I'll do my best.
- These words may never leave my desk or shoebox,
- But for now, at least, I've shed the locks.
-
- I've let out something I need to say,
- Writing is good for me that way.
- So until the next time I get the urge,
- To take pen in hand as I feel the surge.
-
- The rush of words from mind, from heart,
- My legacy? This is a start.
-
- CAPITOL HILL CRONE
-
- Scraggly, she shuffles through the streets.
- Always against the light. Horns blare.
-
- Inside brown paper luggage, her life.
- Lawmakers paths, she treads the same.
-
- The glowing dome doesn't shine for her.
- Hat pulled tight. Gray hair tucked, strands misbehave.
- Faded coat, worn and weary, cocoon the crone.
-
- Gnarled hands clutch a sack.
- Inside a rare treat purchased with infrequent pennies.
- Day old bread?
-
- Existence, not much more.
- Life? Barely.
- Tomorrow, the same.
-
- Of the people, by the people, for the people.
- On the streets, talk is cheap.
-
- THE RIVER
- Surrounded by silence.
- The ripple of water is a constant companion.
- And then there's the "distance."
- In the distance a faint motor hums.
- A dog barks.
- Over yonder.
- Green limbed towers
- border your path.
- The quiet is tranquility.
- No roar of tires on concrete rivers.
- No screeches, no sirens.
- The boat motor hums a pleasant tune.
- Sun bathing turtles adorn
- a brown shell that was once a tree.
- Surrounded by silence.
- On the river.
-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- THE POEMS
- Legacy
- RELATIONSHIPS
- Eternal Search
- One-Sided Love
- Someday
- Rainbows
- Hugs
- One Night In Sociology Class
- Coming Home
- Love Is a Four-Letter Word
- More Than
- Discovering You, Discovering Me
- Young Fool
- Eye To Eye Contact
- Innocent of Innocence
- He Who Hesitates Does Without
- Cold Shoulder
- If Looks Could Kill
- To Bee or Not to Bee?
- Beverly's Smile
- Beverly's Love -- Reciprocated
- The Shadow Knows
- The Complete Package
- A "Royal" Anniversary
- Helping Hand
- Dad's Birthday
- Key Chain
- OBSERVATIONS
- Capitol Hill Crone
- Waking Up
- Hallelujah, Colonel Sanders
- Convention
- One Win Shy
- Regular Army
- Patience
- The River
- Red Light Nights (D.C., 14th St.)
- Lightning
- COPING
- Sometimes the Words Won't Flow
- The Real Experience
- 28 Days In Paradise
- Pressure
- The State of Loneliness
- What Once Was
- Two Losers
- Death Year, 1992
- New Year, Old Grief
- God Has A Plan
- THE SHORT STORIES
- Dialogue In A Dark Alley
- Sob Shoppe
- Pica
- THE PERSONAL ESSAYS
- Gramps
- On The Inside
- The Winning Edge