Duane Hanson maker of hypereal
gives his art a distinctive zeal
He loved all things down-to-earth
the common place gave his art its worth
Duane Bryers drew up the Hilda cartoons in the fifties
This is one, and she is truly one of the nifties.
You can tell she is a full size woman, comfortable in her skin.
She is an assertive gal in each cartoon she is in.
I have seen so many, and they are each rather fine.
Hilda is something, and she has a notorious mind.
She is happy to be full size, which is rare after Twiggy.
She is self-assured in each photo, not a big wiggy.
I really appreciate the pen of Duane Bryers now.
For Hilda is something; a big gal’s current “wow!”
I have looked up his work and I love it more every day.
Each one of his cartoons is a study in play.
On a cool October breeze in 1973,
A child was born with a blanket worn;
That baby was cute, little me.
Two days before Halloween,
The first things I have seen
Is nurses in white, hospital lights,
And my parents behind the clear screen.
Each year was the same
When the big day came.
I smile ear to ear whenever I hear,
"Happy birthday, Duane!"
I've always loved toys
Like other girls and boys.
But my happiness stopped
When I received new socks;
That took away all my joys.
Now I'm fully grown, sexy, and on my own.
Though things have changed
And are sometimes strange,
I'm grateful for the love my parents have shown.
I can hardly wait to celebrate year 48!
It's coming up soon,
But there's a question that looms
About the birthday gift debate.
I haven't decided yet on what I'd like to get;
But I want to be surprised when I open my eyes.
(Here's a hint: some cash and a pet.)
And for goodness sake,
There's a request I'd love to make:
I'm in the mood for homemade or take-out food;
Just don't forget my cake!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
My name is Duane and welcome to my world.
I live with my family and friends in the hood;
I'm not Denzel, but I still look good.
I love classic cartoons, video games,
Cooking good food, music, and dames.
I'm a very nice guy, so please don't judge;
I'm more than hot chocolate--I'm a bowl of hot fudge.
Some people think that I'm a little nutty;
I'll tell you some jokes if you'll be my buddy.
I'll be there for you when things get rough;
Like New Kids on the Block, I'm hanging tough.
Underneath my skin, I also have a heart:
Be careful with it or I'll fall apart.
Now I may not have a mansion, a yacht, or a Ford,
But I know that I'm nothing without the Lord.
It's like a salad without the dressing;
I'm totally grateful for all of His blessings.
I hope that we can get along
And pray that our friendship will always stay strong.
Before I end my poem and go,
There's one more thing that you should know.
We all have one life to live, okay?
Put a smile on your face and your troubles will go away.
Your eyes caught me by surprise
And your beauty, I did not realize
I did not realize until it was too late
I was yours period, no need to mitigate
For every moment we are together
You can tell it was meant to be forever
For every moment we are apart
Our bond to each other has a fresh new start
Starting new over and over again
Each one of us with a loving grin
Finally, a relationship with equal parts
Drawing us closer to one beating heart
Knowing that nobody has the love that we found
Both of us feeling a love that has no bounds
People are jealous of us as a whole
We can only hope that they can reach their goal
A million rising and settings of the sun
Our love will never be undone
For once there is no fear in the unknown
Only safety and security in the love zone
We put our trust in each other
You even call my mom “Mother”
Welcome to our family my darling dear
Will you hold my name and have no fear?
Duane LaChance August 2019
Dear Mom and Dad, it's me, your son;
Out of my brothers, I'm the handsome one.
You've been gone for quite a while;
I'm glad you raised me when I was a child.
There are many things I want us to do,
But it just isn't the same without you.
I'll never forget what you always said:
"A still tongue keeps a wise head."
"Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove."
There's nothing like a parent's love.
I'll always remember your smiles and laughs
Whenever I look at your photograph.
There are some things I don't understand,
But I'll leave it in God's unchanging hand.
Mom and Dad, I'll see you again:
You're in my heart from beginning to end.
Thanks for everything that you've taught me:
Love your son, Duane, and the Crichlow family.
Through graveyard
meandering, just
me and Dad
stories sad
abbreviated down to
mostly names and dates
So we tell
their stories by turns
like poor Duane
Dinwiddie
died at age thirty-three of
bee sting allergy
So tragic
how she caught a chill
Angeline
age nineteen
who died before her wedding
day, her groom grieves still
Or the war
heroes, Frank and Finn
taken in
the prime of
life, no child or wife, they were
just children themselves
Gunther Gold
did what he was told
gullible
on a dare
lost his life to win respect
bullies didn't care
Bartleby
hypochondriac
cough, sneeze, hack
was ignored
by the whole village, but he
got them back- with plague
Len Kramer
the lion tamer
tried to save
his wife when
she unwisely came in, but-
got eaten instead
Philetus
on flying trapeeze
an ace- the
very best
until he had to sneeze- then
sadly laid to rest
Then Daddy
looks at me and I
look at him
giving in
to sudden gales of laughter
glad to be alive
(NOTE: Although I listed this as a Free Verse, it is actually in Shadorma form...)
my life a shamble
a rumble of dogs
stella and chewy's
on my watch we eat
we pee the stairs
and with bounty
windex come handy
swiffer weeper
where are those eyes
duane reade smell good in the garden
abundance of roses the cat hides
tomorrow a new day to walk P T
Bam Bam a lots of action under kantha
the growl the drool we are all fine
Memorial Day is a day to remember those that have past
Keeping the pursuit of happiness in our grasp
They paid the ultimate sacrifice so willingly
Allowing all of us to have that barbeque under the tree
Take the time to visit a memorial or a grave
Or even go to see the Soldiers in a parade
Fly the flag in your yard with pride
In honor of those that have died.
Many a Soldier we have lost to war
I’ve looked at the numbers, not a pretty score
Millions of Soldiers have paid the price
They went to war and rolled the dice
Not knowing if they would survive or not
Pressing forward no matter the cost
Capturing a hill from an enemy force
Laying down their life; staying the course
Take a moment or two on this very special day
Make a toast; tip your glass for those gone away
Thank them for the freedom as you tip your brew
Make this special day all about them, not about you
Duane LaChance 2014
Its that time a year again, the time of year I feel artistic
Every Spring makes me feel terrific
I get out my thinking cap and write a brand new rap
A rap for all to hear, a rap for all to jeer, or if your kind a rap for all to cheer
This ode probably makes no sense, but it allows me to vent
Discussion of yesterdays losses and tomorrows promises
Maybe I will make you smile, or cause you to have some bile
That was gross I know, but this is just a show
A show of how words can come together and be in place forever
A show of how life can be sweet and kind, as for life you must find
Your place in this giant rock we call home, a place for you to bury the bone
Everybody should put pen to paper and we all should read the caper.
While this poem made absolutely no sense
I am sure it won't help me pay the rent
But I felt like writing a little note to share
If you don't like I really don't care.
Thank you for reading my prose
There are a select few that will get my pose
If you understand these words of mine
You will know I am having a great time.
Duane LaChance 2014
Oh weeping willow now i understand why you weep so much
You weep for all the world and all the people
You weep for the died and the living
You weep for the family of the died
Who have raised this child of the night
You weep for the dreams he had
You weep for the ones that never came true
You weep for the children that he left behind
You weep so much because the more you weep the more you understand life
Without the weeping willow we could never understand life
Dedicated to Duane S.
My Love, Today you are a year older
Our love has grown stronger and bolder
Today is a special day for you, I must express
It’s the day you were born into this world of mess
We met only a short time ago considering the years
We have already had our share of laugh and tears
I really start to think how it would have been
If you weren’t born way back then
...
The twinkle in your eye when you look at me
Provides me with a blanket of security
Your smile and laugh fill my heart
And I know we will never part
You were born Blankty one year’s ago
I suspect it was probably in a blazing snow
Cause only you would come out so bright
As bright as a winter storms finishing plight
My Love, Today is your special date
I am happily married to you although late
We will enjoy your special day today
We will enjoy our lives every day!
Duane LaChance 2013
You all were taken way to soon
To go and listen to an angel's tune
As you sit and listen to their song
You are not where you belong
You belong with your loved ones
Enjoying the thoughts of days to come
The world stopped on this day
They stopped and started to pray
I am a father, that word has new meaning today
I can't understand why you were taken away
As I sit and try to find a reason
I shed many tears over this act of treason
My heart goes out to the family and friends
Of the souls that met their untimely end
My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight
As you try to find solace in this plight
As to the ones who witnessed this attack
I know it will be a long time to bounce back
My thoughts and prayers are with you too
My family and I will pray for you.
Lord take care of these souls
Let them succeed in their new roles
Lord hear my prayer
Lord hear everybody's prayer
Duane LaChance
December 14, 2012
I have finally met the love of my life
It won’t be long and I’ll ask her to be my wife
I hope and pray she will say yes
As she is the one that makes me feel the best
We are two peas in a pod for sure
I have never known love so pure
When we kiss the world does not exist
Just her and I in perfect bliss
I see our future as clear as day
This is the girl for whom I will not stray
I love you Melissa, with all my heart
I know that I loved you from the start
I hold a special place for you in my heart
I will never be willing to let you part
My love for you is strong and true
I will live the rest of my life proving it to you.
Duane LaChance Sr. 2012
The trees are swaying in the wind
The moonlight trying to get in
To shine on two people who have just met
To light up their world so they won’t forget
They fell in love on a perfect July day
They promised one another to never sway
Falling in love on a perfect night
Falling in love was their plight
Having the wind blow ever so slight
Having the smell of the air on this perfect night
Made for a peace and tranquility that is hard to find
Made for two people to share nature’s kind
As the moonlight faded away early in the morning
As the sun started rising without warning
You could see these two people were in a good plight
You could tell that they were victims of a perfect night.
Duane LaChance Sr. 2012
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