From the monthly archives:

June 2009

Should Have Known I Was a Poet

by Ken Robert on June 30, 2009

My mother’s told these stories at least a hundred times,
the ones ’bout how she knew that I’d lead a life of rhyme.
She says the radio was playin’ and the sun was in the sky
and she was washing dishes.  I was only two feet high.

Had my hands around the crib bars and a diaper round my tush
when I pulled up with my arms and gave my legs a push.
A song was on the radio.  It was a guitar playin’ man
and something in those chords made me want to take a stand.

It’s the dance she best remembers, the way I bounced and swayed,
and she says she can’t forget what she told herself that day.
She said, “Mary, don’t you worry none about that little boy
cause he’ll always have a song to fill his heart with joy.”

Hmmm, more to come.

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The Man on the Couch

June 28, 2009

I have not forgotten the man on the couch with his fists in his lap.
He was sullen,
broken,
downward glancing.
I have not forgotten the death grip with which he held his fears.
He was clutching,
squeezing,
never releasing.
The seal was tight and nothing came in and nothing went out,
no odor,
no light,
no recognition.
If he had released his grip, he would have [...]

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The Dissectors

June 25, 2009

The dissectors have arrived and they’re here to analyze that thing you found one cool, clear morning.
Bright, blue, and sweet smelling, it’s a small piece of fruit that you plucked from the corner of your heart without much planning.
But now they’re here  and they’ve brought their pins and scalpels and specimen boards. 
They’re [...]

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My Gratitude Moves in All Directions

June 24, 2009

My gratitude moves in all directions.Outward, upward, backward, and forwardit flows across the landscape,picking up stones and bits of soundthat it stores in a bottle we tip when the sun goes down.
At night, when you’re sleeping,it traces the outline of your shadowand wonders what you’re dreamingas it listens to you breathing.
It selects a moment from [...]

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The Various Ways of Ideas

June 18, 2009

Some ideas slip beneath the covers
and tell you stories as you drift asleep.
Others pinch and slap and kick you,
demanding that you get up, get up.
Then there are those that accost you
right in the middle of the cross walk
as you make your way from curb to curb.
And one day,
while you’re browsing the book shelves
and holding a [...]

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