Hmm. Comment

I will never forget.  I am so magic.  Life is a truce.  I see a contact that must be outdone.

Godzilla

Godzilla is one of the best creatures ever invented.  He really rocks.

Steak Surprise

“Why don’t you just tell them you don’t want to take the job,” said Robert.

“You always make it sound so easy,” said Josephine.

“At least you’ll get out of doing the marketing presentation,” he said.

“It’s more complicated than that.”  Josephine sighed.

“You’re crazy.”  He sipped his water.  ”You should stand up for yourself.”

“I told you,” she said.  ”It isn’t that simple.  They’re counting on me.”

“So let them count on you.  That doesn’t mean they own your time,” he said.

“I know,” she said.  ”I’m just nervous.”

“How could you be nervous?  They just offered you a new job.”

“You’ll get in touch soon.”  Her voice was crisp.

“You shouldn’t be so easy,” he said as the amber strands of hair fell across her forehead.  ”If anything – they owe you one.”

She shifted her lazy eyes up toward him.  He looked cross.  She knew he was thinking something.

“You just don’t give up trying when you own the ball,” he said frankly.   “The worst thing you can do in this life is not take what’s rightfully yours.  When I was a boy I helped myself out with a paper route so I could finally buy my own things.  And that was my start in this world.  I learned responsibility.  I learned patience.  That’s what you have to do here.  Be responsible.  Then your life will be easier. Things will fall into place. Then you won’t worry.”  He looked at her.  She thought he looked too smug for making a point.  He didn’t sound serious.

“Mary needs me,” she said.   “I promised.  I know I thought I’d take this  job in the end.  But it’s different.”

“Just don’t do anything you’ll regret,” he said.

“And don’t think you’re on the same side as responsibility,” she snapped.

“Harsh–No?” he asked glumly.

“You take it like you deserve it,” she said.  He winced as if the words were sharp.  ”Don’t make me sorry.”

“I’ll bite my tongue,” he said.

“Good,” she said back.

“Fine,” he retorted.  He seemed done.  They eyed their ice waters at the tips of their napkins.  The glass goblets were frosted over with a dew-like condensation.  But Josephine hated ice in her water.  It hurt her teeth.

“I’m really fine with it,” she said finally.

“You seem fine.  You’re not wavering on the issue.”

“No.  I wouldn’t do that without asking at least your advice,” she said.

“Glad to be along,” he said.

“You should be,” she said.  ”My mind is made up.”  He clasped her hand from across the table and squeezed it proudly.  They smiled at each other briefly placid.  The waiter then finally came with their steak lunches.  They were  both medium rare.

“Steaks up,” said the waiter, putting them down on the table.

“Oh thank you,” said Robert letting go of Josephine’s hand.  ”We both ordered the same thing.”

“And the same thing you’ll get,” said the waiter with a grin.  He eyed their waters as if they needed a refill.  ”Anything else?”

“No thank you.  That’s it,” said Josephine.

The waiter looked back to make sure for a moment.  ”OK, then.  Well, bon appetit.”  He turned and walked back to the kitchen.

When he was gone Robert said, “You’re really a tough judge, aren’t you?”

“Just looking out for the common good,” said Josephine.  They were quiet.  Robert’s knife cut sharply across his steak while Josephine stabbed at her salad.

“Are you really going to do that presentation?” asked Robert.

“All for one and one for all.  If I don’t it’ll come back to haunt me.”

He talked with his mouth full.  ”I’ll have to let you do what you think is right here.  You’re the worker.”

“Thanks, Robert.  I have to admit.  You’re really all heart.”

It’s A Zen Thing

Q:  What did the zen master say to the hot dog vendor?

A:  Make me one with everything!!

Silver Chair

My goblet with a plate of stone
A wind strong glows as I alone
Sit and praise and dream of you
And wish the piece of one true view

Soul’s vision was of love’s true bliss
The pride emerging through the mist
And leaning on another day
‘Til on the right from land astray

To weep for what so strong your keep
The long return from stubborn sleep
Your breath sweet notes of distant place
Long words of joy ring on your face

Can I sing again your song
Return again the angels’ throng
And save our hearts from mortal pass
My song with yours a crystal vase

But alone the sky above I cry
A placid space I keep on high
With doves’ sweet voice to lock the gate
My words etched firm on heaven’s slate

I cannot sink your wagon laid
The soul and gifts and all you made
High way of truth we once prepared
Kept here for love on silver chair

Land Of Gold

I was a king once
Long ago the land of fairies
Dragons and gold and soldiers brave
And peasants ripe with meat
And a stone castle up on the hill

Where freedom honored
And honey and myrrh ran rich
Where mercy taught
And the young were pretty
And cruelty couldn’t hear to exist
The one thing that would lead
To another was a dream

But the swell of the gallant
The skip of the weak
And pride’s stubborn farce
And the fire of demons
The castle overgrown with hyacinth
Make the sparrows alone sing
And my footsteps shall in rhythm be
The cold sunset
Of winter’s peaceful evening.

Untitled

Old, rough buildings burning down
Waterfall beneath the bridge
Carousel bright even light
Steady passionate slow dance

Untitled

Deep red of autumn leaves
Collect beneath old broken wells
Sterile and cold; the rain is bright
And the wind blowing dust through the slow creaking doorway

The Painter

The belltower on the old church started ringing as it was time for mass.  Scott never went to church, but he always walked by St. Luke’s since he lived just a block away.  They always rang the bell for a half an hour before mass actually started.  To wake the Sunday morning drunks, thought Scott as he walked past.

Scott had the baguettes he had just purchased tucked under his arm.  He had a swing in his step and was looking forward to eating them with his soup when he got home when he spotted Bea coming the other way.  She was cute and he remembered talking to her in the newspaper store where she worked the other day.  She beat him to the punch.

“Scott?” she said surprised to see him.

“Bea.  I remember.  From the newspaper store.” 

Bea nodded enthusiastically.

“Did you ever get your bicycle fixed?” Scott asked her.

Bea blushed.  “Yes, I did.  Thank you for thinking of me.  I had my friend Ed do it at the bicycle shop.”

Scott was nervous.  He remembered he had liked Bea the other day.  “Good.  That’s good,” he stammered.  “I’m sure he’s happy for the business.”

“He’s always happy when someone comes in,” said Bea.  “But it was the crankshaft.  Just like you thought.”

“Oh.”  Scott hesitated.  “I’m glad I could help.”  He smiled weakly.

“You really did, you know.”  She smiled back.  There was an awkward silence.

“So, did you ever get that Canadian journal in that I wanted?  The one you said you had to look for?”  Scott loved Canadian jokes since they were all about the north.

“No, we didn’t.  Sorry.  I think next Tuesday.”

“That’s OK,” said Scott.  “I’ve been putting off my R & R anyway.  No time.”

“Oh,” blushed Bea again.  “You must be busy, then.  Your artwork?”

“Yes, it’s my painting.  And my job at the boatyard.”

“Oh,” said Bea.  There was another silence.  “I’m sure it’s nice.  What do you paint?”

“I told you already,” said Scott.  Mainly abstracts, still lifes, impressionist stuff, things I remember.”

“Who do you sell it to?” asked Bea.

“I have a show at the Worthington Gallery next month,” said Scott.

“Oh, I know that one.  They have the pretty green awning with all the ruffles.”  Bea was eager.

“That’s the one.  In the Candlewood District.  Hopefully I’ll find some buyers from New York or Connecticut.  They’re rich.”

“Golly, tha’d be nice.  I mean, for you, I’m sure it would.”

“Yes, they’re always the best buyers.  I sold three at a carnival last June.  Made several hundred dollars.”

“That’s good.  Well, I’d love to see your show,” squealed Bea looking expectant.  Scott shifted the bread he bought and fumbled in his pocket for a card he handed her.

“Here’s the card for it.  It’s on September 29th.”

“Cool.  I’m there,” she said taking the card.  She blushed.  “You know, Scott, I really like film.  My favorite actor is Al Bricken.  Do you like him?”

“Yeah, I do.  He’s got a great sense of humor.”

“I saw ‘Land of Silk Flames’ the other night and it really spoke to me,” she said. 

“Yeah, I bought the book,” said Scott.

“Oh, wow.  That’s really neat.”  She was confident now.  “So, Scott, I was wondering, would you like to go see a movie with me sometime?”

Scott looked perturbed.  He wanted to head home and eat lunch.   The noise of the churchbells was bothering him.  And this girl didn’t even have a clue about how to fix bikes.  He thought about it for a minute with a queer expression.  “No, thanks,” he finally stammered with a rye emphasis.  ”I never get out much.”

Modern Wildflower

Wind
Bitter chill
Snow
Undone
Howl
Daybreak

Dog pack
Hover
Fresh kill
Predator
Warm meat
Snarl
Candle

Chisel
Driver
Pick
Throw
Move
Chorus
Solemnity

Trucker
Rush
Lengthy
Wildflower
Modern
Case
Yellow

Iron
Chain
Value
More
Love
King

Sibling
Am
Live
Tomorrow
New
Birth
Witness