Long Howdy Poems

Clouded vision as I wake up early morning. Just before dawn, so the neighbor's still snoring. Got 2 messages from my boss sounding ticked. So, I got up, took a shower, made my self some...

Read More

GARLAND
By Kate H. Stark


It happened while practicing my violin. 

I practiced at home on a seat near the door.
I suddenly felt a huge urge to explore.  

The bluebirds were soaring up high in the...

Read More

Lust of the flesh is sin.
Sin is lust of the flesh.
Try repeating this one once.
What word was miss-pronounced?
Hearing is believing.
With fellowship and greeting.
Duffing our sacred billow caps.
To gifts of public speaking.
Thin ones borrow.
Plump ones lend.
Relieved,...

Read More

WARNING Don't Read


Before we get down to your last sites,
I think I should, really, try to relate.
That theyre, now,
only one, very hateful look,
away from you-and I must say!
That it appears,
they're real sick of your face...

Read More

not in the heart again
for chrissakes it's like Swiss cheese
decoffinated please I'm a yet ambulatory zombie
off his medication as usual
alternatives to logic 101 with Prof. Spike
far too much work for a dead end
saw his only...

Read More

We are indebted seriously 
To all free spouts covered 
Whose nozzles hardly suspire
And hanged up to rest in subsequent sighs 
But keep hoping the wait be over soon 

We are indebted seriously 
To all hands...

Read More

It's a hanging day in Wolf City, Wyoming, 1894.
They're gonna drop Cat Ballou through the gallows' floor.
Cat your time has come as you stand on the brink.
It's sure making you think
about your life of sin.
Why...

Read More

Author's note: This is an epic length poem that will have to be split into parts and will be serialized in successive posts.

Part 3


Dr. D. confers in panic 
with Rex and boys at the Limbo...

Read More

That be cold sun rose yonder, our heads be hot, I'd declare,
I'll get Whitey my critter, worked all night, best she nicker.
'Bout saddlin' her real tight, or I'll headlong out of sight,
I want movin' nice...

Read More

She came from out of nowhere 
Her hair flowing in the breeze 
Wearing a cowboy hat and boots 
With denim skirt above her knees 

Her steed that she rode upon 
Was as white as white...

Read More

As I waited on the Constable I wondered why the 
gate was open and the front door locked, by whom?
The Constable arrived blowing his horn at the front gate
in an old Dodge pick up, real...

Read More

Leading his horse in the heat of the day
Been gone a long time but he still knows the way
Just a few shacks when he went for the gold
He’d found a few nuggets but now he’s...

Read More

and some days sitting, looking out of the
open door, to the tropical sunlit yard, 
feels like being in a Goddam tomb;
but when the long-haired girls walk by 
and smile that smile, everything looks 
better and...

Read More

Meeting my homegirls Wilma Neels
and Kim Van Breda with shrieks and squeals
hasty introductions and we're on our way
for a night of reading at Poetry Café

We've Yasmin to thank for arranging the meet
with fellow Soupers, a...

Read More

“Howdy Amos”, “Howdy Seth”, without a glance.
Amos t’aint much for words as he stares straight ahead
His gaze as straight as his furrows.
Amos is what you might call a “deep thinker”.
I watch as he bounces up...

Read More

'Twas 
bit
of a joke
for most
of the folk
that had
rallied round
the town
'twas
the first
I heard
a bit absurd
so I
went and
asked around
'twas
up the
hill and
down again
until
I found
my friend
'twas
then I
learned
he too
not heard
what rallied
round the town
'twas 
curious
tad furious
that
neither
him nor I
heard not
a thing
about this...

Read More

She turns me around
Forty years ago
At High School graduation
And she says…
Something I can’t remember

It was probably something like,
‘Well, lookit that!’ or
‘Boy, Howdy!’ or
Some such encouragement

And… though I cannot remember it
Now, I would not part with...

Read More

In the ancient city of York 
My friends and I have been for a walk
Studying a little Viking history 
Instead of returning to the car
We decided to visit a bar 
That's when a nice American...

Read More

~ kisses, kisses, kisses... endless kisses ~ 

Sensuous kisses are those many sweet and kind thoughts of you that I have very oft. 
Intrigued Kisses are my eyes, at first glance of you, shining ever...

Read More

this will be good and slippery
in a whistling fall from grace
feel free to edit in a picture of your choice
the more grotesque the more accurate
while glancing at your wrist watch
over and over when you knew
your...

Read More

Ridin' Down The Slide

Now I'm not wild as cowboys go -
I drink some now an' then.
I play poker come Friday night
But that's about the end.

So how was I to know back then
The Devil'd come see...

Read More

We stopped fer a bite at the Gooseberry Patch, I reckon it wuz a week er so ago.
I wuz slurpin' my usual bowl uv chili - Boys! That stuff'll set yer ears aglow!
My spouse wuz...

Read More

"Howdy to you all from Colorado!  This is Cletus Schlunk reporting,
Where gossip is fair and balanced and there is little or no distorting!
It's the home of the Rockies, Broncos, Nuggets and potholes galore,
And old...

Read More

Marty's Diner is a cozy rendezvous for folks of this wee country town.
People come from miles about to enjoy the fixin's fer which it's renown!
It ain't a fancy place - I s'pose there's maybe a...

Read More

I saw an old man with a hard hat on
Walkin' down the road as the sky turned dawn.
I said, "Howdy Bub, where you headed to?"
He said, "Don't much matter - just west will do.
I been...

Read More