SweetHeart

Did you know that Love causes a physiological reaction in the human body? That the mind of a person pushes forth when a surge of Love enters the mainframe? Were you aware that the simple essence of a caress at the base of the neck will fill the brain with enough endorphins to create new life? That drugs are forever trying to simulate these sensations?

The reason that I mention these strange phenomenon to you is simply because I think that it's enlightening to discover the foundation for what we have when we are together. It gives me great joy to understand that there is a reason for the way that I feel when I'm with you. That it can be so thoroughly and wonderfully explained in this life. I find comfort in that truth, just as I find comfort when I look into your eyes and you show me another truth. I truly appreciate the wonders of our physical connection, just as I yearn for the dream that envelops us when you take me into your arms.

None of this may be new to you, or to me, but it will always be electric, reflecting the connection that we have. We are conductors for each other, shining a light forward onto each other's path. We are supports that anchor us with strength that forms into a cohesive combination of unlimited power and potential. We have a new hope with each rising sun that brings us together again, folding upon one another with the breath of each day that feeds our lifelines.

It's magical, isn't it? To grow up together within such a framework of happiness? It's physiologically imperative that we continue to give each other such wonderful gifts. They bring smiles and laughter and hugs and endearment and forever and hope and desire and pleasure and lust and comfort. To cherish something as divine as the warmth of your hand is more powerful than any self-help guru because it gives without asking and it nurtures. It's constantly evolving into new shapes and dreams. It's Love and every time you give it to me, I never feel the same again.

(Valentines Day 2010)

Carlos at the Bat

The outlook wasn't good for the Mighty Mets that day.
The score stood three to one with half an inning to play.

Molina's blast on top of the ninth set them to despair.
They were at the edge of elimination, it just wasn't fair!

But they might have a chance if they could just reach the top of the order.
Then Valentin gets a flare, Chavez a single and the crowd jumps with ardor.

Their Mets are still fighting and Wainwright's a rookie.
And Cliff Floyd's going to pinch hit, he's one tough cookie.

But then he whiffs, I guess the rookie's slider still has life.
And Reyes doesn't have a chance, is the end really in sight?

But look, in the batter's box, right behind LoDuca.
It's the mighty Carlos Beltran, his terrible swing ain't no fluke-a.

If they could just get another flare, a grounder with eyes.
Even a walk would do the trick, no opportunity will be minimized.

And sure enough he walks, the bases are loaded!
Mighty Carlos strides to the plate and 50,000 hearts get bloated.

Wainwright looks in, did I tell you he's only a rookie?
From the left Carlos gets ready, you know he won't be looking.

Everyone's on their feet, the sky is electric blue.
Then Carlos finds himself behind not only one strike, but two.

The crowd falls to a hush, shouts turn to whispers.
Mighty Carlos can't fail, he's not the disease, he's the cure.

Then the rookie looks in, checks the runners and lets fly.
Everyone waits with anticipation, the tension is high.
And the lifelong Mets fans simply want to cry.
Because Carlos, their hero, who was supposed to bid the Cardinals goodbye.
Mighty Carlos, the man they could always count on to at least try.
Simply let a wicked slider go right by.

Somewhere, someone is cheering, somehwere a city shouts.
Maybe in St. Louis because in New York...the Mighty Carlos has struck out.

--looking!

THE FLOWER THAT SMILES TODAY

The flower that smiles today
Tomorrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies;
What is the world’s delight?
Lightning that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright.

Virtue, how frail it is!
Friendship, how rare!
Love, how it sells poor bliss
For proud despair!
But these, so soon they fall,
Survive their joy and all
Which ours we call.

Whilst skies are blue and bright,
Whilst flowers are gay,
Whilst eyes that change ere night
Make glad the day;
Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
Dream thou—and from thy sleep
Then wake to weep.


--Percy Bysshe Shelley

Aural Pirate

When I sit on the sand and listen to the waves
Am I pirating from them?
Do they crash to their deaths,
The screams of agony drowned by the din?

When I hear the birds outside my bedroom window in the morning
Do I steal away their spirit?
Do they vanish hollow like their bones,
Flying south without their souls?

The conversation at the table next to mine,
Is it illegal when I eavesdrop?
Will they handcuff me to my chair,
Lock me up and throw away the key?

When my ancestors depart wisdom into my ear,
Am I allowed to hear?
Can I impart that same wisdom to my descendants
Or must I check the copyright first?

How can you copyright sound
Or the inflection and tone found in someone’s voice?
When I open my mouth to speak
Should I worry about breaking the law?

Why, that sounds like a fascist state to me.
Pretty soon my thoughts may become illegal,
Pretty soon we’ll be chasing a dream of what once was
When we used to be free.

Of all the beauty that exists in the world,
I would say that music is the most free.
It travels through the air
And never dissipates.

Zombie Heart

What can I do as I watch and wait and wane?
Tomorrow may fill the soul with love,
But Today I can only anticipate
What tomorrow may bring.
Feverishly I try to live and
Connect to the transitory that exists in the moment,
To the passion that pours forth
Amongst these weeds of despair
Tugging at the friable lines of my heart.

Golden, she loves.
What else does she know?
What else can she give to me
Within the beat everlast,
Within this distinct instant in time
Where she has settled.

Beyond the shadows that befall mortals,
From the break of frosted sunlight,
To the warm glowing bend of the silver orb.
Alight, her eyes will raise
This Zombie heart from its earthen grave.
Sighing in the soft rustle beneath leaves
Pursuing the soul that is today.

And yet, the future looms near
As I wax and feel and learn,
As my heart languidly undecays
And softens, dripping now,
Saturated with hope and beauty and love.

*******

This is a poem I wrote in June of 2000. I was trying to express my love for the woman of my dreams during a terribly difficult time in our relationship. When xtina found it recently and showed it to me, I read it and discovered that some of it was so obscure that I had no idea what I was trying to say. Then I remembered why I wrote it and what I was attempting to do at the time. This is updated and polished.

DID YOU KNOW (a poem for lucas)

Did you know that you were born to love art and music and poetry and beauty? To be strong and delicate, fierce and romantic. To embrace all that makes the heart expand.

Did you know that you were born to oppose violence because it decays the soul? To embrace the vast diversity of this world and to know that, above all, life is the most sacred.

Did you know that you were born small but meant to grow? That’s the way life works, you know? It’s called ebb and flow and you are its precious fluid.

Did you know that you were born to dream? To climb the stars and chase the tail of the comet. That’s how you became, you know? A dream swollen from the love of two.

Did you know that you were born to climb the tallest tree, the highest peak and shout “I am alive!”? To soar above the clouds so that you may see.

Did you know that you were born a myth, to be a hero, to be a friend? To make mistakes, to stumble toward your goal and doubt what it means to be human.

Did you know that you were born with everything you’ll ever need? All the answers to the dilemmas that shall rise before you are hidden within your precious heart. Seek and learn and grow and define.

Did you know that you are alive! And that alone is the most wonderful gift given to humanity and to us—your parents.

LEAFBLOWER (Nemesis of the Graveyardshift Worker)

Such wondrous visions as I sleep and dream
Golden nymphs dance on delicate darkness' edge
Teasing, enticing...........
WHIrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrwhirrrrrrrrrrrrWHIRRRRRrrrrrrrrrwhirrrrrrrrrrWHIRRRRRRR
Ohhhhhhhh, how I do loathe thee leafblower.