Best Tapes Poems
I am not a detective or a sleuth,
but what I write about is only the truth.
You are not going to like what I have to say,
but the truth has to come out some way.
September 11, 2001 is what I am going to talk about.
Now you don't have to believe this, but just hear me out.
Many people have come forward about the attacks.
They are physicists, and Ivy League teachers with facts.
They said when I saw them fall I was a little weary.
They said the building came down in a pancake theory.
This is impossible for it to fall that fast and that way.
They fell faster than free fall speed, something was moving it out of the way.
They mentioned the crash in the field,
and how no metal was found to yield.
Its a proven fact that 14 tons of steel can't vaporize.
The only way it can is by an illusion to your eyes.
Well lets say it did vaporize by the heat underneath.
What type of fire melts metal and leaves people's teeth?
That is how the passengers were identified.
Still not believing me, or on my side?
It took the fighter jets 80 minutes to get there.
Why did it take so long going 650 mph in the air?
This part might give you the chills.
The jets were confused because they were running the exact same drills.
Yes, two planes were hijacked and their target is the twin towers.
That is the exercise they were running in those fateful hours.
So now what about the plane that flew onto Pentagon's lawn?
No one knows, all the video tapes were confiscated in 5 minutes and are gone.
Where was Bush Sr. during this whole ordeal?
He was with Osama Bin Laden's brother getting a meal.
They were caught on video tape four blocks away.
When he was confronted about this he said “uummm...I have nothing to say.”
There are so many facts I am leaving out of this tryst.
If you want to see the evidence then on youtube watch 9/11 zeitgeist.
They're treasures to me, so I don't mind.
My Aunt Ellie in tow, right behind.
I climb the ladder, lift wooden door.
There are piles of stuff strewn the floor.
She recites the story about Aunt Jean.
How she cursed her antique sewing machine.
Under material, maybe old drapes?
My cousin's old stereo, played 8 track tapes.
There's a carpet remnant, rolls of paper.
Aunt Ellie says the 70s, I think much later.
A box of dishes, perhaps wedding gift?
Not used Thanksgiving, too heavy to lift.
A pile of records, Walt Whitman Victrola
A photo of a young man on Venice gondola.
It was where my uncle asked Ellie to marry.
Damn, I sure miss my late Uncle Harry.
I relish the memories in this dusty loft.
Didn't realize Uncle Harry liked to golf.
Aunt Ellie glances around, teardrops flow.
All she wanted were her Christmas bows.
11/26/2017
Written for Eve Roper
Photostory Contest
Took a 2nd place win.
UFOs have been sighted in Yorkshire,
a global hotspot it appears,
witnesses, mostly sober
to the moors and up over
have regularly seen them for years.
They all give them various descriptions,
some were captured on video tapes,
as they hovered and zoomed, no jet sound
or smoke plume,
and they come in a variety of shapes.
Several saw an enormous black cylinder
it slowly climbed up, then moved faster,
through the clouds it went scudding
like a giant black pudding
could it be Bolton has it's own NASA?
One arrived with three coloured lights, flashing,
seems like ET had finally phoned home,
as it buzzed the landscape
a triangular shape, maybe from the planet Toblerone.
Whatever these visual conundra,
their existence must convey some meaning,
I've seen them, a lot
mine are little black dots
and they tell me my glasses need cleaning.
6/8/17
A world full of different colors and shapes
As well as apes
Locations that do or don't sell crepes
Vines with or without grapes
Houses with dark or light drapes
That do or don't have cassettes and video tapes
Near and far from any capes
Surfaces continually getting more scrapes
Each having their own plate
A smile on everyone's face
While one said grace
By a fireplace
Flower vase
And curtains made of lace
Soon everyone took a taste
Then said it was a great
Especially the steak
Later on, all had dessert, which was home-made cake
It's all good if you can't relate
To anything I state
Or paint
A life that is quaint
Currently got no complaints
I ain't
No saint
A lot of things took restraint
Didn't want to let it go to waste
Couldn't always play it safe
Wasn't always worth the risk, and what I happened to make
I can't afford to take a break
Or flake and be late
That'd be more than a mistake
People being honest or fake and like a snake
There's always going to be love and hate
I do more than educate
But hold up wait
Let's get one thing straight
Drake
You were on Degrassi, and I'll put you into your place
See through, not opaque
Soft as a pancake
Grab, pull and throw you out your wraith
I don't care how much your being paid
You can catch a fade
What’s all this
Nonsense
Inch tapes out
Everyone measuring distance
They call it
‘Social distancing’
Never heard
Of any such thing
After all
Man is gregarious
He, she and us
Add to it
That one more bit
About ‘Self isolation’
Living all alone
Not a soul around,
Absolutely none
But wait
This we’ve
Already been practising
Bringing into our lives
The much required zing
Some dark, dingy place
Lying curled
Avoiding the world
Dodging prying eyes
Inventing all those lies
Two middle aged love birds
Coochie-cooing
Doing just our sort of thing
Our love
Since turning on
Its ignition
Has always been
On the run
Yes, I’ve tested positive
For CUPID-20
Me, supposedly vulnerable
Though, not exactly 60
Now you’ll say
I’ve to stay away
Ok, take it easy
Just chill mate
I’m ready to co-operate
But with a condition
The world I’ll shun
But lock me up
With her
Let my Valentine
Be my quarantine.
Splashed myself with Jovan musk..
to cover up sweat from the docks.
worked all day, back ached.,but I swear,
I'm comin' to see you bright-eyed one.
'Cause you were the best of times,
you were the worst of times, and
I swear to always love 'em both...
Quick fill up for the trusty Mercury..
picked through my favorite tapes,
while miles of curvy road fade to twilight.
Sister Fran said 'she'll be down in a minute',
I sit and talk to her and brother Tom..,
while you preen and finger the Aqua Net..
Fashionably late to the Sadie Hawkins dance.,
let it sway and twirl in your Farrah Fawcett waves,
acted bored at the tinsel covered gym,
friends in decoration committee made so fine..
And I care about you so, never want to let you go,
it's sure to break my weary mind.
Pull you close to let the street lights play..
pass my arm around elastic waist,
jean pockets were made to hook a lover
and I always love that bright eyed face.
Two fiery eyes shined in the best of times,
stormy reverie in the worst of times, and
I swear to always love 'em both...
I see your bright colored plumes and your cocky arrogant beak
you think you got a trumpet in my ear but oh ,you wait and see
how beautiful the end result will be, once you CLAMP
It is no ones business but my own what I write and re-write in
the name of perfection. Cat got your tongue? Well finally we
got some peace round here, I'm entering IT
Are you expecting those old parrot tapes to enter my heaven?
I'm busy inputting so I I can't hear your hell
so fly away from me bird from Alcatraz cuz I'm not this, OR
That,
I will not listen anymore. REMOVE
that silly grin off your plucky face and give me room to be
the best that I can be. I'm unreeling, re-dealing, getting
ready for the authentic manuscript of the Century. So bird on
you.... Get over YOURSELF
You don't own monopoly to my mind nor my imagination
get going bird, I got it covered so pluck those poisoned feathers
off my back and let me grow wings, that won't harm or attack
leave me in peace to write .
January 14, 2019
After checking the Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Wards catalogs until their pages were torn and faded, we took one last look at the sales ads in the local newspaper, donned our socks and sandal, and jumped into the station wagon to head out to that brand new shopping place called ‘The Mall’. Wheee doggies it was something. That joint was a jumpin’. It was cool and hip and out of sight. I mean it was really far out man. The mall had everything you could imagine, all in one building. There was store after store jam-packed with VCRs, rotary dial phones, cassette tapes, console TVs, One-Hour Photo, Blockbuster, and Toy’s-R-Us. It seemed like they had everything under the sun ready for a layaway plan.
After paying for the purchases with paper checks written in cursive, we’d head on down to the food court or the all-you-can-eat buffet for lunch. We’d sit on the red plastic-covered chairs and light up a couple of Kents, Chesterfields, Viceroys, Virginia Slims, or maybe some Lucky Strikes. We’d take a couple of pictures with our trusty Polaroid to commemorate the day by adding them to the family photo album. At the end of the day, the kids would jump into the back of the station wagon for a nap while we drove the two-hour-long trip back home. It was a good thing we only had to stop for gas once because, after all that shopping and eating, I only had two dollars left from the fifty we started out with. Seems like the high cost of just living is one thing that will never die.
On Main street’s sidewalks,
the store sign say they are closed,
is Christmas canceled.
Technology AND Human Relationship Poem
It was on an April day When I was returning home,
Earphones plugged to my ears, listening to Music in my cellphone.
Typing Messages fast to my friends in Facebook.
While I, laughing Out Loud to their replies made other people Stare and Look.
At Home I am worse than is my usual routine,
Watching Movies in Laptop While eating my Double bean.
Simultaneously, aware of "Todays News" on T.V,
I discuss with my friends' tomorrows plan......"Hmmm...YES!!.Shall WE!!?"- Until-
"PUT That Phone Down Atleast FOR A Second!!!!!"
Ordered my Mom sternly tapping her fair folded hand.
Not to test her patience, I went out , to the backyard-
There my little sister called out," Buffalo, Whale....Goatie, DOG".
I scowled and frowned taken aback by her words aloud. Where
My face softened when she pointed to the clouds
Together We saw them changing shapes
We smiled when we related them to rhymes from tapes.
We played, talked and pronounced words which were tricky. Until
Famished, We went to the kitchen and made sandwich, A-Mr. Mickey.
Maybe... I should say NO TO Technology!!!!
For blinding me from seeing and loving my dear family!!!??
HUH!! But what do I see when I enter our hall!!!
My family, crowded around the telephone making 'Phone Calls!!?'
My sister turned on the 'Skype!!' to talk to her spouse?
"What?" I Gasped,"YOU People ARE Into Technology, IN This House!!???"
"YES", they Laughed. "WE USE Technology TO Encourage AND Strengthen Human Relationships, Dear".
GOD Bless YOU ALL
Truth had me up against the ropes
and semi-concious without no boxing skills
Fear of it makes hair on my neck grow like minoxodil
Watchin the clock is ill when, faced with the truth
Parallels observing, amateur video tapes of
Twenty-one top notch NYPD cops get ill
Fill they minds not to kill still son, never revealed
True feelings, we speakin on the truth right now in itself is healing
See The Creator, created existence and balance
At right angles, unless it was conceived and stated
So whoever shall stray away from right lives wrong
The deliverance of the word false opposite of truth off course
Sure as my slave name sending
Troy Donald Jamerson paves the path, enabling truth
To stay stable and cling to EARTH!
Sorta similar to the way static electricity sting see
Truth brings light, light refracts off the mirror
Visions of yourself and error could never clearer
The truth is that you ugly, not on the outside
But in the inside on the outside you frontin you lovely
The discovery of these things and all are well-hidden
But when you in denial of self it is forbidden, that's the truth
"Images"
The God that never was, puts one shoe on at a time
And spends four hours in the make-up room
Putting on mascara and eye liner for the darker look
Occult man of seemingly rebellious nature
Is deified by the masses that show up to performances
He, a man of strong portrayal even at a skinny 155 pounds
Grows stronger with every compact disc sold and the overuse of base
Blowing out of a sound system which rocks the car next to you
While you wait for the light to turn green
Abandoning social mores of quietness well into the night
The appeal grows everyday for a man really just making a living
Out of his fans age group they have no idea what he is
Whether the media builds him up or tears him down
As a good guy to hate and a bad boy at heart
Any press is good press, though infamy might be better for sales
Topping the charts and making parents sick of his songs
He is a beneficiary of childhood splurging and so inclined to be
The adults wish for a mere fifteen minutes of his fame
So their children would listen to them with the same respect
But who were they when listening to cassette tapes?
And the bands of the eighties put on make-up then
A man of mixed persuasion people are drawn to his ambiguity
The role model singing about jail time and Hennessey
A toughness to some is a weakness to others
It makes you wonder if the man knows who he is!
Whoever that is and for all it's worth
There will be more than enough of him to go around
In his image that is larger than life
Not sure if this would be consider taboo
To even mention the view
Did I just hear her say the word touche
When the doctor proceeded to do what she had to do
With stage crew and camara in hand
Filming what little dignity I have left
Are the tapes rolling, I may need consoling
When this crazy trip finds somewhere to land
Do I even need to mention the day before
Pills and laxatives by the score
To clean out my innards must be least 10 pounds thinner
Need I say anything anymore
Back to the uncomfortable crowd
You can hear a pin drop at the sound
For them it's routine, for me a dastardly deed
Could someone please send in the clowns
Adding a touch of savoir faire
Excuse me, is there enough room in there
If things get a bit tight make sure the pliers are sanitize
Anyone up for a game of truth or dare
Doesn't get anymore personal than this
Best friends now without even a kiss
Operation at 7 film at 11
To be viewed YouTube via Internet
#sayitisntso #didhejustgothere #doyouhavenodignity
Just had my Colonoscopy this morning...nothing like a good follow up poem!
With warmest regards and the saddest lament
I write this small note with the best of intent
The newspaper’s account of your husband’s death
Made me feel as if I was short of breath
As the son of a Veteran who twice went to war
I’ve often wondered, what my life would have had in store
If my father had not returned home one day
And I had to share my grief on public display
I was not born the first time he went away
And was just ten when he left again, somehow feeling betrayed
I didn’t quite understand why he had to leave
It took a while to learn not to grieve
I read that you have two little boys, just six and eight
I can’t imagine what you say to make their restless dreams abate
My mind used to play out my greatest fear
Misplacing his last tape recording, saying his coming home date was near
On return tapes to him, I played guitar and talked too
Trying to make him feel like he was home, even if untrue
I write this note to help me remember
That even though my father returned in December
Many that go off to war, do not
And sons, daughters, spouses and families are caught
In a process of grieving that abates only with time
It takes as long as it does, there is no magical chime
To help you and your sons with your journey that I feared most
Enclosed is a contribution to their foundation host
Not at all a fair trade, just to help provide for their well being
I know you remind them that their father’s love is all seeing
Way back then when I was ten
the year was nineteen ninety-three,
Mom was so proud when I said aloud
that I made the school spelling bee.
Days of math sums and bubble gums
have faded through the years,
but I sing along to a certain song
and it still brings me to tears.
It was a big fad to dress all in plaid
and wear a necklace with a peace sign,
ponytails and ripped jeans worn by every teen
and neon colors were thought to be mighty fine.
I loved cassette tapes that let me escape
at least for minutes through my headphones,
while I would read and write notes in a Mead
after school when I was home all alone.
Kids shopped the malls and covered their walls
with posters from every teen magazine,
what made us sob was each new heartthrob
from every band, TV show and movie we'd seen.
With Rollerblades and a new pair of shades
we roamed the sidewalks until it got late,
our backpacks were heavy and filled with a bevy
of boring English assignments that could wait.
For many hours I could stay and sit and play
with Nintendo games, stickers and Treasure Trolls,
then aside they were tossed and some became lost
except for right here in my heart and my soul.
That time proved to be the most fun for me
O, how I wish that I could relive it again,
way back then when I was just ten
and the year was nineteen ninety-three.
Afternoons the sky shuts down around the swamp's warning tapes
propped up with restoration piping and dirt leak fencing.
We’re fleeing toward the wild, seeking the names and shapes,
the same way the Cedar Waxwing flit and grip for berries tree to tree.
Canada Geese are easy, they lead off down the lane leaving residue,
Widgeons have green stripes and gold stripes, one American
the other European, and they’re all mumbling our family phew-do
they didn’t burn the kid, they can’t keep the house clean, drugs…
Blink away the cold wind tears. Forget all that, only remember
Shovelers have the long low profile and the long bill from studies
in New Zealand, like a deep breath, we set aside work, unlimber
spy the race of killdeer away from their guarding territory in gravel.
Our boss didn’t try to replace us, he ducked out to a new job
leaving the crime ringing in our ears like the police car roaring past.
Head down, we tunnel under the high way finding the dunk and bob
of mergansers and their hallowed or red heads,
remarking differences when the sudden scream of honking
mallards flee up river. Caught off guard, we wonder did we cause
all this pain? The rise and dunk flying goldfinch happily chirping
cling to the thistle, their favorite waste near the waste water
ponds where all the Black River water flows for cleaning
spilling into the nesting lower stages of the tertiary treatment.
That’s all this is, treatment for the shock wave week riding
current events on our shoulders, almost like the red-tailed hawk
that screams and skims our head, rising up to the setting sun
turning the sky purple and pink and bruised. That’s when wood
ducks skim into view, our breath captured and then steaming undone
but soon the heavens offer confirmation, blue angels
with their huge oversized wings soar in pairs down as gift.
We hold each other then, let screams silence, detail enriched.