I have some fruit trees in my backyard.
Cooler dawns we ripely say hello, sweet
and sour occasions~ the lemons you know.
With a little cooperation, fertilizer, a bit
more water when dry, I find mostly sand can
be quite agreeable, even in a desert.
Diverted irrigation, flooding the property
every 2 weeks is a big help. Salt River
our wet angel. Occasionally the blanching Sun does feign
sympathy: a bit Less luster, grace enough that allows
clouding for a blessed evening drench. Now and
then on rising, a gentler gleam, for lingering morning dew
that does not go unnoticed and appreciated. At times occurs
a suspicious, easier on the eyes, toning down of
fiery afternoon skies~ maybe courtesy of UFO’s? I don’t know.
This time of year, in Phoenix, very predictable
temperatures: Half past hot or a quarter to Hell.
the desert is mystically alluring at sunset, looking docile and safe
few sights are as gorgeous as her evening skies of oranges and pinks
those who know, do not venture out after dark
for the desert is like a dangerous woman who looks unassuming
but is anything but
in the crooks and crevices of sand dunes and cacti there are dangers
hidden from most.
scorpions, camel spiders, tarantulas.
thorny devils, iguanas, and sidewinder rattlesnakes
the beauty of the desert sometimes obliterates these facts.
it would be rare to encounter a fennec fox, badger or muskrat
but they are there too, and could become violent if startled or crossed.
the desert is a beauty; but a vulture or bald eagle could swoop down
and carry you off and your little dog too.
She was certainly the most beautiful woman I would ever see.
Not appearing to age at all, the young lady's name was Nefertiti.
As my guide, Nef gently took me by the hand.
I saw a beautiful town where anyone else would see just sand.
There were no children in the town, but the adults did not age.
This was a place where the book of time turned no page.
The redolence of orange groves permeated the desert air.
Residents went about their daily business without a care.
I have to return to this place where nobody has to die.
This is a huge task, but it is something I have to try.
based on the novella "Now and Forever, Somewhere a Band is Playing" by the late Ray Bradbury.
1. To Fly
My father was an admiral, and so
I joined the Navy. Back in fifty-eight
to be a pilot seemed the way to go:
ship-sailors were committed to a crate.
Scrub decks? Paint rusting gunwales? That’s a ‘no’.
The Skyhawk was my weapon (and my fate!)
2. Rubicon Crossing
Some nations follow rainbows, I am told:
we thought, in Vietnam, ‘search and destroy’
would lead us to our fabled pot of gold.
For years we tried it, but it brought no joy:
we lost our nerve, and switched to ‘clear and hold’.
Saigon endured the selfsame end as Troy.
3. Brainwash
The Hanoi Hilton. Yes, I was a guest.
They found my father was a VIP,
and left off hurting me. Impressed,
they wanted to restore my liberty.
But if I left my buddies, I’d detest
myself. I turned them down. That’s decency!
4. Frozen Side of the Sun
Should politicians simply sing the song?
A woman voter told me, in the hall,
Obama was a Muslim. I said, “Wrong!”
I guess I lost her vote. I made the call
I knew was the correct one. I was strong.
Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all.
If you miss Arizona that much,
It’s not best to write a poem,
The best thing is to take a plane ticket,
If California tempts you as before,
The best thing is to take a plane ticket.
O cross the Atlantic,
It’s better than reading children’s books,
Visiting Beverly Hills or Phoenix under the sun,
It’s better than writing a love song,
It’s better than painting sunflowers.
Just leave his big yellow chair,
Turn off your television, throw away your brush;
If you miss Arizona that much, tomorrow,
The best thing is to take a plane ticket,
Go To New York, Boston, or Chicago.
I see your mane, in each passing cloud,
the smoky stallion’s poll to the withers,
its giddyup and gallop, at midday peak,
in this arid Tucson where cowboys trod.
On the open road, contented and sleepy,
I see the shadows that form like a blanket
over the mountains with their historic shapes -
points, arches, dips and waves corral me.
I see the buckets, saguaros, prickly-pears,
organ pipes, and stunning cacti blooms.
They pass me by in the wilderness, and
as I stroll the slithering dessert paths.
Smiling big on Tombstone’s dusty Allen street,
I look extra short, arm in arm with handsome
cowboys, in Cochise County, romanticising
the OK Corral, the Earps and Doc Holliday.
Modern Tubac with exuberant colors,
its crafts captivate and decorate
most homes North of Mexico’s border.
Turquoise Angel with Roses’ paintings, endearing.
Back in her Green Valley home - my relative
displays art from all over the world.
Her home showcases an adventurous past
and the calm and love of Jesus Christ.
3/9/2023
I dreamt upon
a blessed night
that suddenly
the world went
right
man turned from darkness
back toward Light –
I dreamt upon a blessed night
that evil had finally been
defeated – the Devil, sorely
retreated
for man had rejected darkness
in favor of Light –
and all of God's angels, rejoicing
reached down into the earth-grave
plucking from ashen depth all
those long deceived slave
as men, covered in soot
were lovingly lifted back into
heaven's healing, cleansing embrace:
At last!~ having turned from The Fallen
Prince's Snake-charmer Face –
for man had chosen Light
over Serpent-damnation...
Then, my bedside alarm went
off! – rudely awakening me from my
pleasantly dreamy-soft: “Life,”
the Buzzy said; “is not always
fair, yet bad reality often a survivable
Night-mare; close one eye, to let the
other see only what's fair – Maybe
next election, enough will try
good defection...and instead of
just an outright steal, votes tabulated
will be only those real....
hasty journey south
tombstone circle k
wade through
wanna be cowboys
and rv queens
to check out counter
and zip
outta the parking lot
onto the open road
only to be
cut off
by a paint truck
laying lines
really?
crawling
down the highway
slower than a snail
no way to get back home
now
slow motion
anesthesia fade
kicking in
paint truck procession
will it ever end
finally
interstate cruising
and bless my soul
heart of saguaro forest
rising out of an arroyo
red, orange
violet streaked glow
mountain silhouette
thick stately grove
of slender giants
ordered rows
like teeth of black comb
marching over mountains
straight into eternity
against a sky
that steals
every color
horizon bathed
In deep rich
tangerine gold
purple, crimson
streaks bleeding out
stretching wide
thinning
like long tentacle tips
tenderly tickling
mountains
hovering barely above
psychedelic gynormous
octopus
breath taking
Arizona awe
damn paint truck
almost missed it
Arizona
I live in the great
western state of Arizona.
She is beautiful to me.
Her mountains are high,
and they touch the sky.
Her rivers are wide
and full of fish.
The deserts are cold, and hot,
all on the same day,
nearly at the same time.
She is not for the faint of heart,
but for the tall,
the strong,
and the ever...
faithful.
History at every turn,
time revealed in layers,
shells on the beach,
now only dreams,
that seem to say
"Come, and stay",
"life is okay!".
The stars in the night, are bright.
The angels sing in God's light.
He watches us as we sleep.
He watches us as we toil,
on the road to our rest,
and fight to be the best.
In the day,
there are birds, and animals,
only seen by those that take
the time to watch.
The deer prance, the rabbits dance,
the wild pigs walk around every edge,
of the Grand Canyon,
and pledge to eat the weeds,
as fast as the goats.
I love Arizona,
because... I love Arizona.
Drip drip drop drop.
Don't seem able to stop
the drips and the drops;
water finding new ways
in, to seep sop, seep sop,
rain has such a watery plop;
slop slop slop slop
without a stop: from the
bottom to the top~ full
empty full empty, in my
living room not a plug
to pull; slosh slosh~ Oh
my God! Oh my gosh!
Till, at last!~ the storm has
passed, heat alone, will dry
my steaming.... So, once more
the sun has won – and now
the joyful cleanup fun. Messy
repair-work can begun (begin
didn't sound right:)) – heaven
knew I long awaited this
vacation, my angel really
needs
a different
occupation.
I am an old man
a deep well
an epoch marriage
a raven haired beauty
five above average kids
Orion deckhand and cook
teacher of the year
Bible study leader
jail preacher
song worship leader
NAU graduate --graduate school
ASU graduate --undergraduate school
life guard
breakfast cook
English tutor
Archie Brokeshoulder's well puller
grain elevator operator
pizza chef
dishwasher
mental hospital patient
prisoner
welder
all region linebacker
wrestler
pole vaulter
3 high schools
4 jr highs
2 elementary schools
8 states
2 dads
5 moms
6 sisters
4 brothers
13 presidents
I am an old man
I'll swim a mile
this morning
and dance
all night
golf tomorrow
backpack Europe
visit kids in Montana
come back to Arizona
visit kids in Kentucky
do more Europe
come back to Arizona
swim and golf
then who knows
India, Nepal, Tibet
I am an old man
looking for something
Sometimes our nature steps into the wild
Walking against the light into the shade
For it was her who could not bear a child
Politely took a part in what was played
Dying undear to dark decisions made
The past became a man and woman's pain
Into the night a thief took their Elaine
Consuming each with arctic hearts to break
While kissing Arizona in the rain
She wondered; should you give back what you take
A Brian Strand Premiere Choice
08-04-2022
I race toward my workspace, now battle station
Code Zebra, ASAP, batten down the hatches!
Ka-boom! Boom! Boom! A trance-like sensation
Shipmates scramble for smokes and matches
Ray, Dale, and Russ don’t show
I think: run, jump; if you die, die free
Not trapped and sealed in steel below
Not buried alive like me!
Kaboom! Overhead bolts shoot from the seams
Above is a warm Hawaiian autumn
I’m weak as blood from my neck streams
Where am I now? Of course, I remember
It’s noon, I have a date with a girl on the beach
She’s eighteen and a bit silly, like me
What a gorgeous sight, she’s now within reach
I’m so happy and complete, so free
7/12/22
Tears Of A Valiant Soldier Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Faraz Ajmal
Arizona
My home is in Arizona.
It is a hot state indeed.
That is exactly why
I am here.
It has a temperature in the summer
of over one hundred and ten,
then they stop counting,
as not to scare the newcomers
from becoming old-timers.
No.
They will run and hide,
when they find out...
the truth...
but not I.
I love the desert and the heat,
I love the way I can feel my feet.
I am always cold,
and it gets very old.
So bring the sun,
and let's have some fun.
Arizona.
A billowing sheet of white geese
Trundle across the street
Onto grass rich and green
From winter melt
Black river rolls like a fat man
Trying to get outta the way
Stumbles and falls
On smooth gray rocks
And tumbles merrily away
Sweet scent of decay passing
Cemetery opposite the river
Headstones flowing over hills
To distant and future days
Feet ache a little on the asphalt
I'm old not dead
Walk the water down
Geese eating cemetery grass
In my wake
Probably raining in Arizona
But I'll stay here a while
Maybe go to Boston
Easy in North Country
And won't be family here
To visit soon
So, yeah, probably hit Boston
Then I don't know
Be grass to cut when I get home
Say hi to the bars for a week or two
And I'll be looking for
Somewhere to go
Something to do
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