Politics and holy stains
blame it on all past generations
to where you have evolved
without which them
never would have happened
now we understand
measures of pain are in us all
honor this or that
when meeting
we all have measured miles to keep
before we sleep in angels tending
all thru all our nights
now and then a visit
shovelling a hole he was
next to the grave of canine Rojo
from my window calling i
“what are you doing?!”
preparing to bury a dead bird
he says, walks to my window and shows me
in his careful hands
a dead Dove it was dead
burial complete he takes his leave muttering
“bad omen”
bad for whom he did not postulate
nor i
i/we wood shudder
enough
at the symbol.
Those who take the meat from the table
Teach contentment.
Those for whom the contribution is destined
Demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill speak to the hungry
Of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss
Call ruling too difficult
For ordinary men.
when she smiles
it’s a flitter
when she looks
it’s a glitter
every eye she sees
she’ll be seeing you
in the Rockies
in the Springtime
how
you say
might she retain
in her tiny brain
tinier heart
each and every touch?
a zillion beats per minute
oh human heart that jumps
what lucky good fortune
to know the flittering wings
keep time
with humming bird heart
Bush: We will succeed in Iraq because we have to.
Michael Graham: The Rolling Stones are so normal.
Imus: Do you really believe he snorted his dad,
Keith said it was just a joke?
Michael Graham: Who knows if he did,
he’s crazy enough to do it.
Reporter: In other words, normal is crazy?
If Senator Reid represents the democratic majority
why is he not a candidate for presidency?
Tell me how does it feel Imus
to watch a comedian eat himself to death
in front of your eyes – your mouth
cursing your workers for bringing the food
“out of sight out of mind”
well i’m sitting here out of sight
smoking tobacco next to my oxygen tank
but here is my mind
when adults’ actions are crazy
and they call it normal
they’re driving our kids nuts!
well not really
they are no different than the the flower children of the ’60’s
and their protesting the Vietnam War
and in the strongest voice they could muster
“We are NOTHING like them!”
Hang on Super Mustard Man
you are not alone.
tick tocks the days of our lives
fencing for safety of our hearts
blueberry pie or apple-pan-dowdie
we break our own hearts says Shorty
with fanciful expectations
elections whistling dixie
painted faces wiry smiles
counting down to Turkey day
who will be the pumpkin eater
who shoots off their thumb
when a simple thumb’s up will do
if we decorated Thanksgiving day
with Christmas decorations
and Halloween becomes thanks
can we save the leaves of Autumn
and let down our guard?
ultimate dreamer
knocks the socks right off the moon
lives to love again
I sing what you loved, my life
So you’ll come closer and listen, my life
So you’ll remember the world where you lived
As it grows late I’m singing, my shadow.
I don’t want to stay silent, my life
Without my faithful cry, how could you find me?
What sign would declare me, my life?
I’m the same one who was yours, my life
Not slow or delayed or lost
Come at nightfall, my life
Come remembering a song, my life
If you recognize that it’s a song you learned
And if my name you remember.
I wait for you at no place and no time
Don’t fear night or fog or rainstorms
Come on or off the pathway
Call me to where you are, my soul
And walk straight to me, my companion.
translated from Spanish by Jodey Bateman
Canto Que Amabas
Yo canto lo que tú amabas, vida mía,
por si te acercas y escuchas, vida mía,
por si te acuerdas del mundo que viviste,
al aterdecer yo canto, sombra mía.
Yo no quiero enmudecer, vida mía.
¿Cómo sin mi grito fiel me hallarías?
¿Cuál señal, cuál me declara, vida mía?
Soy la misma que fue tuya, vida mía.
Ni lenta ni trascordada ni perdida.
Acude al anochecer, vida mía,
ven recordando un canto, vida mía,
si la canción reconoces de aprendida
y si mi nombre recuerdas todavía.
Te espero sin plazo y sin tiempo.
No temas noche, nebline ni aguacero.
Acude con sendero o sin sendero.
Llámame adonde tú eres, alma mía,
y marcha recto hacia mí, compañero.
who listens to the Earth?
who now hears her impassioned plea for mercy?
who speaks for the Earth?
who watches as she burns?
who strips her of vital soil,
teeming wildlife, and helpless trees?
think of eons past
millenniums of slow, ponderous growth
and realize the Earth to be
so much older, wiser than we
feel the Earth breathe and sigh
a living being, one harmonious organism,
so much greater and more lasting than we
splendid diversity,
ever-changing patterns,
interwove, interdependent,
intertwined by life’s essence
yet each plant and creature an individual,
uniquely precious
who listens to the Earth?
who will now hear her call?
who among her children is worthy to inherit,
to be reformed by her coming natural judgement,
and learn to love again
her calm and ancient living voice?
.
did you get a plenary indulgence
for every house you built
for your growing family
who’s final number was nine?
)one for the house you built and lost
during the first Great Depression
)one for the chicken coop
you made into a home
)one for the chicken coop / garage
as number of babies grew
)one for the two story
when we reached the final number nine
ok she knocked two off
for bad behavior
he knocked off one
for good measure
now there is one
plenary indulgence
if Heaven is True
and yeah, i remember the rules
one plenary indulgence
is insurance into heaven
and yeah, i remember Catholic teachings
of … sure … you can buy a
plenary indulgence
with a little hard cash please
“the yellow green of springtime
promises potential
where the dead horse lay”
no i would not judge what’s your song
mother and father’s intention
is only a heart beat away
.