Never judge a book by its cover. I learned this from a small incident that would almost disappear into the shadows of history, were it not for the power of memory that can’t help wanting to retrieve it, and others like it, and, too often, does. I was a handsome guitarist in a late-teens, 20’s and 30’s bar called the …
i do not want to lose
featured in the poetry forum August 23, 2016 :: 0 commentsmy keys
my mind
my favorite trapeze
a guitar string
the warmth of coffee
friends of the past
nor my coat
nor my hat
in the snowy blizzards
nor the functioning of
the a.c. in the summer
the buttons to my shirt
nor the hair on my head
loved ones
just
the one
immovable
that doesn’t
budge: weight.
editors note:
An endless conundrum; let go, hold on. – mh clay
Internet Dating
May 20, 2016 :: 0 comments
Mick went out that evening. There was the Purity Restaurant over on 7th Street and 7th Avenue. Mick was a little down on his luck, figured 7, 11…dice, numbers like that. Walked into The Purity. The place used to be owned by a couple of Greeks and is now owned by a couple of Italians. It also relocated from Union …
starbucks coffee brands
featured in the poetry forum April 16, 2016 :: 0 commentsbold is stronger
taste
less caffeine as
the roasting burns
the buzz.
pike is a stronger
buzz
less roast
as
preservation weakens
taste.
so you
get a nice high typing
in the morning if you
systematically
arrange your sequence
at a reasonable
price too, without
the cabal murdering you.
editors note:
The price we pay for free wifi. – mh clay
For Rosealie
January 8, 2016 :: 0 comments
Outside, the chair was right in front of the building, and they were drinking rotgut wine. I noticed two Latinos and a West Indian with one of those high caps with yellow, green and red swirls. One of the Latinos wore a waist length, brown army jacket. The third guy was in a big, overstuffed armchair, springs splitting through. He …
perfection
featured in the poetry forum December 5, 2015 :: 1 commentthis poem’s not going down
the way it’s supposed to be.
your reaction will probably
not be
the way it’s supposed to be.
my life is not
the way
it’s supposed to be.
my job…
the moment is not
the way
it’s supposed
to be.
my meditation is never
the way
it’s supposed to be.
every rule i read in a
book. they never apply to me –
they’re not the way they’re
supposed to be.
the food,
the drink,
the air
are not the way
they’re supposed to be.
agreements are not the way
they’re supposed to be.
expectations are
never, never, never the way
they’re supposed to be.
vacations,
recreations,
anticipated fun – they’re
not the way they’re supposed to be.
whoever made up these pictures
sure didn’t do it
the way
he’s supposed to be.
and yet
everything’s perfect
because nothing is the way
it’s supposed to be.
and THAT’S the way
it’s supposed to be
editors note:
We suppose so… – mh clay
King of the Nighttime
September 18, 2015 :: 0 comments
Nick was in the bedroom, occupied with a musical question. He held a red, Guild Sunburst acoustic guitar. Nick was a musician, and contributed to the support of the small family, along with Donna, the wife. She worked mornings as a kindergarten teacher in a private school. The school was one block east, on Utica Avenue. They were on East …
TWO HAIKUS
featured in the poetry forum September 13, 2015 :: 0 commentshaiku 1
there are few noises
sweeter than a car alarm
shutting itself off.
haiku 2
a single poem:
you are as rare as a day
in dark alaska.
editors note:
Sweet relief, the first. Erstwhile love comes, the second. We say “Thanks!” to Carl. – mh clay
THE WEDDING SINGER
June 19, 2015 :: 1 comment
Frankie Mann operated a small, Brooklyn music office. He often hired a junkie sax player named Freddie. Frankie’s father, Mambo, was a gangster down in Florida. He financed Frankie as a front. He also used a fat singer named Peter Vallone, who told jokes, usually with an Italian accent. Now Doctor Frankel stared kindly at Brown. Frankel sat erect in …
art
featured in the poetry forum June 12, 2015 :: 0 commentscreating it is always
fresh.
talking about it is always
stale.
editors note:
Still, a breath mint before speaking attempts the illusion. – mh clay