Written: May 5th, 2025, for contest by Brian Strand
Painting by Peter Doig. A concise abstract on Abbey Road and its pivotal moment. He subsequently produced outstanding music. His music resembled pleasant dew cascading as melodic notes, like honey smeared on leavened bread.
******************
George Harrison
moving toward a liquid abyss
after Abbey Road--
where no sunlight can seep into the hall
surrounding the mirrored pool
he draws the guitar strings
with notched arrows
tipped in flint
striking sparks
like match heads ignited
on concrete sidewalks
during the golden hour
heavy with humid
condensation
coating every surface
with sweet dew
musical notes drip down
like honey spread
on warm yeasty bread
1)www.wikiart.org/en/joaqu-n-sorolla/church-roncal-stairs by
2)www.artgeek.io/exhibitions/5bfdb7a272a1460a46f77fab/5bfdb7a272a1460a46f77faa by T. C. Cannon
3)www.wikiart.org/en/johannes-vermeer/the-milkmaid
Harrison Ford of action movie fame
Han Solo, a hero's name he can claim
Though not a Jedi Knight
He fought for what was right
Always wound up with a beautiful dame
Then took the role of Indiana Jones
An archaeologitst who studied bones
Although he hated snakes
Indy had what it takes
An ample pair of courageous cajones
Paul wrote songs he
sang with his guitar.
The “cute” one, he
has come amazingly far!
The “smart” one John
went successfully solo, but
one tragic day got
murdered by a nut.
George, smoker, lead guitarist
and spiritual, “quiet” one,
got cancer. He’d composed
“Here Comes the Sun.”
Ringo, the Beatles’ drummer,
met his second wife
filming “Caveman.” They’ve enjoyed
a long, rich life.
My ode to William Henry Harrison, 9th President
of the United States, yet barely known.
A Founding Father’s son and longtime frontier resident,
Brave military leader to the bone.
His victories in uniform stacked up along the way,
rarely defeated at the battle line.
As President, though, died in office one month to the day,
now nobody remembers Number Nine.
He served the House of Representatives a term or two;
in politics, he always did excel.
First Governor of Indiana Territory, too -
Ohio’s 13th Senator, as well.
As Major General, Will fought the War of 1812,
as well as several wars along the way.
His worth, though, as a President, historians will shelve
for lasting only one month to the day.
He married sweetheart Anna in the Fall of ’95,
she bore her husband many children - ten!
Although her health was poor, Anna was Queen Bee to the hive,
their son’s son: future POTUS, Benjamin.
There’s no one I would rather have protect my garrison,
though in the end pneumonia held its sway.
A military hero, William Henry Harrison -
Ninth President, just one month to the day.
George Harrison
Quiet Beatle by comparison
Kermit the Frog was one of his peeps
Still his guitar gently weeps
Harrison Park is large
It has a trailer park
The people camp out
They spend their summer
In this park is a restaurant
All the food is home made
This place is always packed
They are enjoying their meal
The park has visitors
Rain or shine people come
To visit the small zoo
To see animals
There are cages with birds
They are different species
A partridge waits to show
His pretty feathers spread
For evryone to see
he likes to display them
For everyone to see
To show off his colors
he knew
his time had come
embraced it reluctantly
and completely in his way
with pen in hand
poised over paper
words seemed to come easily for him
and he used them
to describe the mystery
of beauty and resilience of life
in all he saw around him
the world could not contain him
his print pressed the earth with all the force
of energy and will he could summon from a body
slowly wracked and weakened with pain
but he persisted and endured
as he gradually wore it down
until the pain became too hard to bear
so he sat alone
in his cabin
trembling and fearless
while light slowly ebbed
into darkness and
silence ruled the hour
in his honor
Synonymous with my childhood
A metaphor for adventure;
If anyone could do it he could ,
His spirit never fractured;
He could beguile
with a whip or a blaster;
Or even with his smile,
Every tool mastered;
A Silver Screen Titan
Filled with sarcastic discord;
Each character an icon,
the unstoppable Harrison Ford.
Hope for eternal life
Always the firstborn son
Really glad to be alive
Ready to travel
Interesting story teller,
Smart
Only young for a short time
Nice and sweet, and proud of his accomplishments
a tribute to Harrison Hilley in my children's church class.