sometimes coffee in an Antigua cup
or red,
not often, tea,
loose or bagged.
does the string stop the drowning.
occasionally, dandelion,
bitter, mildly unpleasant;
such as a visit
to the deck, tidied,
vacuumed, except for a corner
kept with leaves
waiting for a spouse
to hurry up and finish up.
a three-way
confusion, static;
like a bus-hop,
it’s no party, not even
an old-fashion
party line.
not likely to listen
to reason, cutting
remarks, saturated
in control.
chocolate cream, distilled sips
in a cordial glass,
stem pinched by thumb
and pointing out tact.
sometimes wine, red
in a heaping purple goblet,
only a quarter full;
I’m no fool.
falling into the coolness
of rain, insane
how things change, shift,
stay strangely the same,
and out of order.
hey, while I listened,
a lingering trash bag
disappeared.
this is why
complaining is
for nought.
perhaps tomorrow
will wake up sunny,
and exhausted,
rumpled and relaxed.
a three way cheer
of tact,
bittersweet parched.
I don’t really need a dream vacation,
but if I had to choose a destination,
it would be a tranquil place like Antigua beach
(even though for me that's a little out of reach).
Nearby me there would be coconut palm trees,
and I would feel a warm, soft tropical breeze
coming from the stunning Caribbean Sea.
In a place like Half Moon Bay I might be.
I’d lounge on a chair set upon white sand.
Sometimes there would be a cocktail in my hand.
I’d take in nature’s beauty and read beneath the sun,
and later jump some waves or scuba dive for fun.
“Been there, done that” is my mood these days
now that I’ve arrived at my autumn-years phase.
Having sown my “adventure oats” when in my youth,
I’m happy simply being home, and that’s the truth.
Cooled off to take a sip; two.
Greedily waking up; fading
of the whole cup - butterflies,
trees, flowers; drips touching
the final vestiges of Antigua.
Fear ascended into the canopy,
slid along the line; work gloves,
gripping. Incomplete instructions,
lack of common sense, slowed
me down, with my feet off
the ground. Grounds remind me,
in this creamy, courage cup
to not give up, keep going with
support. I had to leap, to land
but otherwise I had support.
She, too, had courage, sans
my tears, my heart-pounding,
insane fear of flying; her words fly;
she’s shorter than I. She lands
on her feet. I’m behind. My friend -
a curious word; we shared a towel,
kissed dolphins; I hit her in the head
with a pingpong paddle (playing
doubles). Too close, these icons
of finance (we sailed upon a -ship
with). Friendship ebbs and flows.
You sea, you don’t need to pay.
Breach causes a realization. Suck-
cession of time and space, happy
place, but I soak in the memories
of once upon a time. Sipping,
sliding, incomplete instructions,
gliding, gladdened by adventure;
and even the brevity of affection.
All in on the last spin.
Tropical fruit wins.
With Antigua to boot
Trip cruise, swimsuit.
America's favorite game.
They win Alotta loot.
A wagon wheel across the stones
—ancient sounds
The death of night, the birth of dawn
—ancient sounds
The blood of my enemy drips from my sword
—ancient sounds
A voice from beyond, heard from within
—ancient sounds
(Dreamsleep: March, 2022)
I walk alone on the pier at dusk.
The fading sun slowly sinking west
Watching the cruise ship heading out,
Dreaming of sailing away to the isles,
Antigua, where surreal fantasies beckon.
I breathe in the brisk salty ocean air
And think about my recent lover,
Who sailed away to a distant port
One night on the arm of a handsome sailor,
Never to return.
written July 14, 2021
"Cherish is the word I use to describe
All the feeling that I have
Hiding here for you inside...."
--lyric from "Cherish" by The Association
writer: Kirkman Terry
In the innermost depths of my being
Vacation moments seldom ever shared.
Nestled amongst the dearest cherished times,
Memories carried with me, neatly tucked
Inside, loving moments I cherish most,
Experiences never repeated
In this lifetime and, perchance, nevermore
We so enjoyed traveling together.
Scaling the high points of Pinnacle Rock,
Then, we laid on the sands in Antigua,
Watched Arenal blow in Costa Rica
Embarked on the stern of the Fantasy
Holding my hand above St. Thomas Bay
Your sweet kiss in old Puerto Vallarta.
SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written March 30, 2021
For "Cherish" Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
A Sonnet in Blank Verse, 10 syllables per line
Checked with "How Many Syllables"
Antigua what can I say,
I went to the wedding of the day
I hoped on a plane and made my way
In the month of May
How I wish, I could of stayed
Do you think if I had pray
I would be allowed to stay
No way, I would only stray
Lay on the bay, eat at cafes
Sit in the sun, relax and have lots of fun
But let me not delay, I have to make my way
Otherwise I would miss that flight booked for Monday.
Yo solo quize amarte a la antigua
mandandote flores y poemas para hacerte mia
alimentando este amor que es mi fantasia
noches de pasiones mientras tus ojos me sonreian
Yo solo quize demostrarte este amor a mi manera
ser tu sol en el invierno y regalarte una rosa en la primavera
no tengo palabras para describir esta ancia dentro de mi
en las noches sueño contigo y durante el dia en ti vuelvo a vivir
Yo solo quize amarte con todo mi ser y mis fuerzas
el mundo tiene sus diversiones pero mi corazón se goza en tu belleza
no quiero darte tristezas sino cumplir todas mis promesas
amor como el mio no lo encontraras pues es una rareza
Yo solo quize amarte y que me amaras
y asi como yo me entregé que tu tambien te entregaras
fui un poeta que se perdio entre tus garras
ahora solo ahnelo con verte una vez mas antes que te vayas.
Mountains glow like amber
As being lit by an eternal fire
The sun sets slowly
Andean peaks embedded in clouds
Shadows spread on ancient sands
Berge glühen wie Bernstein
Wie durch ein ewiges Feuer entfacht
Die Sonne geht langsam unter
Anden Gipfel eingebettet in Wolken
Schatten ergießen sich auf altem Sand
Las montañas brillan igual al ámbar
Como encendido por un fuego eterno
El sol se pone despacito
Picos de Andes empotrados en nubes
Las sombras se desaguan en antigua arena
Reverberación de tela
Extiende tus ideas
Hasta el desayuno
Y de vuelta
Para quien mira con cuidado
La moneda se transparenta
Un pulso familiar
Tonadas de un botón pentagonal
Continuas espirales de papel
Antes caracoles sobre el mantel
Mañana más máscaras con maíz
A fin de cuentas, la misma raíz
Odiseas en cuchara de paja
Las cortinas cambian
Siempre en la misma ventana
Antigua marea de plata
Moderno cuaderno cuadriculado
Entre sus poros asoman los gansos
Producción de órbitas en masa
Diversas escalas
Extensas hileras de universos
Réplicas de un único cerezo
Aquel que aprendió
A extender sus brazos
Y entrelazar los dedos
Los parques son continuos
Se muere con la nota de inicio
Campanada cubista
Supresión evolutiva
Siguiente parada
Extensos campos de sombrillas
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