Long Opa Poems

Opa John

The caboose sits red—its iron spine cradles the earth like Atlas
rails stretching into nowhere. The stream murmurs softly
its voice threading through Ellie’s laughter like silver wire

"Do you see it?" I ask her my voice...

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YOUR FINAL STAND... GREEN SOLDIERS!
WARNING: ADULT SUBJECT, STRONG CONTENT


RIVERS of RED
   FACES of BLUE
      SKYS of GRAY
WHAT LESSONS can be learned from POLAND?

1945 my FAMILY fled the RUSSIAN...

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The Avenue of Gastronomic Delight

Down the broad avenue called Gastronomic Delight
City life gathers when twilight awakens;

In eateries, drive-ins, greasy spoons and taverns – jumpin’ joints jumpin’
Like Snoopy with his dish doing the suppertime dance;

Lured by...

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I need a page break
If you keep reading you’re about to catch bird flu
It’s changing seasons all around you
Sit back the words are causing your body to react
You feel like a woman going through menopause
Cold...

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Rolf was born in Wallertheim, in an optimistic year
Progress seemed to be everywhere, and not much to fear.
Then the reds took Russia, shook the world to the core
Millions killed when in power, a crime you...

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                             4/5/2025


On my picket fence, irritating, screeching...

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In the most interior halls
Of grandfather, opa, Herr Uberlebende
His mind
Behind the film that shrouds his eyes
(Fading, opaque, impenetrable)
There is a gap between the rooms that line the dusted floors--
A hole between the satanic years
When worlds...

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Tribute to a Greek-American

~~Peter Kogeones, RIP~~

Owner of the Grocery Diana,
on Halstead Street in Chicago
was the merriest Greek, I ever 
did meet!
He worked day and night and
brought joy to all.
Who came to buy products or
came for wine...

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"I have enough fight in me,to devour the world!"
              Zorba the Greek Movie
                ...

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Greek Festival

I've waited an entire year for this!
More exciting than Christmas,
for me...
If only I had a wish list.

The foods magnificent, the love
expressed tastefully, yet simply
extravagant.
The aroma of Frappes and gyros
set me reeling.
Stuffed grape leaves and...

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Grandfather,
How can I be proud of the things you have done?
The mistakes you have made?
How can I be proud of the things you regret?
The things you too would rather forget.
The memories that haunted you and...

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Opening
her dome like a
fresco
Pixels of
night gleam from
atop
As stars
wink, Neuth twirls
the nova
Lining her
cape with studs of
opal.
Entranced,
buds glide on a
lattice
Soaking in
the mist of
twilight’s
hems.
Calmly, the
moon dims the
magic
Embers like
beams of Sky Lady
invite 
Nestling air
for child’s bed
story’s yawn
To drift upon
eyes;...

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Ouzo, oh ouzo,can make your head verily spin
But it made me feel like I was morphing into Aphrodite's twin!
And, more potent were your eyes stare and long eyelashes.
Dancing the Greek soldiers dance, OPA and in...

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ke Motau šemane ya go ja di wela 
Ke Motau lesogana kgaah! Šateeh ka tsena 
Ke mopulana wa moswati 
Lesogana la go hloka nyatsi 

Tšešu ditaola ke rile go dirutwa ka tsena mong'waseloko ka yo...

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On this fine chilled day I find myself writing, not pouring a sad heart on this canvas, but sharing my joy with the world, there may not be a sad deep meaning, but these are...

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~~~~~OPA~~~~~


This is the happiest day of my year!
At Saint Basil's Festival, in my heart.
You would see fireworks and hear the cheers.
Nothing can keep me from this Festival apart.


It's the kindness of Greeks, so sparkly of...

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