I think about what could have been
but it wasn't, was it, Ben?
We were the best, the real test....
a delusion, an illusion
Maybe I need a transfusion?
My dream you
and your real you have come loose
they are two different men
It could have been terrific, buit it was obtuse.
if they had been the same, we would have had a lot of play
but they weren’t, were they? Not even one single day!
We weren’t the same, no ding-a-ling
We had that brief thing
Not even a fling
It was not the Bogie/Bacall love affair in the air
But wouldn’t it have been great. my potential mate
if it could have been? Right Ben? Right Ben?
Humongous Egos
Miracle Man
3/18/2023
We all know someone so full of themselves,
they think their opinion is all that counts.
That the last word spoken is always theirs,
And every conversation the friction mounts.
Many think having money, position, or fame,
means the world evolves around them.
But they don’t see self through the eyes of others,
Lest some of their ways they’d condemn.
"Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly"
Lauren Bacall
“If you’re all wrapped up in yourself,
you are overdressed.”
The Wedded Unmother
Late the music played in the smoky air
in our noir Bogey and Bacall vignette,
and hands that stroked your silky chestnut hair
held a red wine and lit a cigarette.
Your soft skin smelt of aloes and citrus -
the smudge of fresh lipstick on your wineglass,
and what covet it was those lips to kiss -
in wine there’s love! In vino veritas!
Those bitter tannins with your sweet imbue
filled my soul and we played our wicked game,
and I knew no one could save me but you
for you, doll, are no ordinary dame.
If I should echo your whistle I’ll know
to just put my lips together and blow!
Written: April 2013
For Les
Note: Wicked Game is a song by
Chris Isaak. It was then
and will always be our song.
In vino veritas is Latin for
“in wine there’s truth”.
This was 1952, when men were too manly to like cats.
Anyway, we were told this often by old ugly bats.
But one day I was stopped dead in my tracks.
By the loveliest woman I’d seen; her name was Max.
Max had one of those faces like Lauren Bacall.
She was gorgeous and lovely, svelte, and tall.
She gave me one of those looks that made me wink.
This was in the days before men had to worry or think.
Would you go out with me? I asked in my nicest way.
She smiled and asked me how I felt about cats that day.
I knew immediately the answer had better be good.
So I lied and told her what I thought that I should.
She agreed to go out, and I had to learn to like cats.
The cat cottoned to me, and was soon curled up on my hats.
When we split up, she asked me to take the little guy.
I said yes immediately, and did not ask why.
You see I had fallen in love with the little kitty too.
That is what good guys who don’t know cats often do.
Best of all, he is a woman-attracting magnet you see.
I take him to the park and watch them running to me.
Tough-talking film-noir luminary, Humphrey Bogart.
His distinctive snarling voice and lisp set him apart.
Swept film noir leading lady, Lauren Bacall, off her feet.
Diminutive, sarcastic; played characters that packed heat.
Jasper J. Jigglebottom was stuck in the sixties, and proud of the fact.
He was on a movie set, admired by many for he could certainly act.
His job was to be available to stand in until the director yelled “take”.
The placement actor who stood in Bogey’s place when he needed a break.
He was dressed in the same dapper suit, a double breasted, jazzy plaid suit.
He smoked the same brand cigar, and wore the same wing tips to boot.
Jasper J. Jigglebottom was admired by those who could not do what he did.
A grown man but he had the keen wit and wildness of Bogart’s own kid.
How are those ear’s hanging? He looked up and saw Miss Lauren Bacall.
She was the most sensuous, sexy, woman of the sixties; a heavenly doll.
He nearly spit out his cigar, he was so gobsmacked by her beauty.
Let’s not lose it, the director admonished, reminding him of his duty.
So he tried to ignore her skin, her eyes, her hair, and her walk.
He knew he was practically in love, especially with her wiggly walk.
She’s something huh? Humphey Bogart said as exchanged places with him.
Jasper could not reply, but he had saliva precariously hanging off of his chin.
One more Day
Life is pointless, let’s end it all.
I'm not Brad Pitt and you’re not Lauren Bacall.
I drive a forklift and you stack shelves.
We’re only two inches, taller than elves.
End this misery, let’s call it a day.
No reason to live on our monthly pay.
Don’t give me that smile and don’t pat my back.
I’ve nothing to give you, there’s so much I lack.
Don’t bring me coffee and stare in my eyes.
And I won’t bring you flowers, as a surprise.
Stop telling me we can do it, life will change soon.
Stop reaching for the stars - promising the moon.
You know it’s useless, nothing will change.
We’re doomed for mediocrity - is that so strange?
Stop those sparkling eyes and beautiful smile.
We’re poor and we are hungry, bills in a pile.
Don’t cuddle me in bed, to take away the pain.
Don’t be so optimistic when you try to explain.
Life is my burden, it’s weighing me down.
But you stand there smiling, you never frown.
Perhaps tomorrow, will be better than today.
Your love has convinced me, so I promise to stay
I wake up screaming
Max the Axe has just chopped me into bits
It is not the first time
but this time I felt it.
I glare at my husband who is still clicking buttons.
Can you give that a rest? I ask.
He does not hear me.
He is in lahlah land
In video game world.
Being a detective
Solving crimes
Right and left.
He has no idea there is a real person in this room
For he is Sam Spade aka Humphry Bogart
Master detective with a Maltese Falcon
Who has not yet discovered Lauren Bacall
Living in the 60's
Over a bar in Los Angeles
Written: April 19th, 2020 Poetry Contest: Strand Pick C, Any Theme
Sponsor: Brian Strand Any Form
She has empty pockets, but she has the biggest heart,
She has all the words and the biggest smile.
This is the girl I want as my sweetheart.
Just one look, and I fall apart;
I would gladly travel a hundred miles.
She has empty pockets, but she has the biggest heart.
Mona Lisa, move aside—this girl’s a real work of art,
Her looks, well, they just beguile.
This is the girl I want as my sweetheart.
Her personality is truly off the charts,
You only meet such charm once in a while.
She has empty pockets, but she has the biggest heart.
You play Josephine, and I will be Bonaparte—
Who would not want to walk you down a church aisle?
This is the girl I want as my sweetheart.
Bacall film-star looks—if only I was Bogart!
She’s got film-star style, film-star smile.
She has empty pockets, but she has the biggest heart.
This is the girl I want as my sweetheart.
"You two are a match made in heaven. Or somewhere." - Richelle Mead
Madonna and child
Lucille and Desi
Bogie and Bacall
Dr. King and Coretta
Heck, even Bonnie and Clyde!
Bonds that can't be shattered with a hammer
True love, right or wrong; just as sinewy,
transcending time and death!
Date written and submitted: 09/03/2019
Writing challenge 1- September 2019 - 8 Line Form Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode (Winner: 2nd Place)
Checked with PS Grammar Checker
Black and white classics
When romance was romantic
“If you want me, just whistle
You know how to whistle, don’t you?”
An unforgettable moment
An evening of popcorn and snuggle
A warm glow
Lavender shadows dance by candle light
======
Quote from Lauren Bacall: To Have and Have Not
======
Bogie was curious and wanted to know
why his party balloons wouldn't grow
Bacall let out a sigh
same old reply
"just put your lips together and blow!"
3-19-18
The TCM channel caught my eye
playing movies termed "film noir"
intriguing movies where someone lies
and theres a body lying on the floor,
The old black and white movie draws me in
with Bogie and Bacall or Stanwyck and MacMurray
murder mysteries with shadows and grins
where the villain is calculating and very nervy,
A love triangle where three is a crowd
the villains conscience is put on hold
where my rapt attention becomes aroused
seeing the poor victim lying lifeless and cold,
I want to scream watch out they have a gun!
as I'm transported into the movie scene
feeling like I should get up and run
helping the naive victim out of their bad dream,
Its always too late as I can't realistically help
but I know that the bad guy will eventually get caught
with a detective or third party gaining facts that will melt
the "amnesiac" villains story they haven't yet bought,
The villain sometimes ends up dying too
or sometimes getting "cuffed" going into jail
either way these films make me want to chew
not only on my popcorn but on my nails...
6-27-17
Those eyes that connect beyond the story
That capture so strongly
Even in black and white the sparks are felt
And consolidate Bogey Bacall love
I walk the path of life today
and think on days gone by.
When we were young, and bold
and free, and oh so very spry.
We knew so very little,
were anything but wise.
Hand in hand and heart to heart,
each with the other's prize.
We ached to heal each other
whene'er there seemed a wall.
Our love so deep, we saw ourselves
as Bogart and Bacall.
Now years have passed, we've grayed
and frayed the edges of our lives.
Raised sons up now and sent them off
to cherish their own wives.
And life moves on. We're in the Fall
when most our duties done.
The pace is much, much slower,
are days a setting sun?
I surely think, still lots to do,
to experience and to see.
More paths to walk, and challenges
to meet, and things to be.
I walk the path of life today
with miles and miles to go.
Our love still there, and oft' declare
it still continue grow.
To grow, for this I know.
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