Short Illinois Poems

I believe I know,
 —do you ?

(Chicago Illinois: July, 1977)...

Read More

Golden belt of corns,
Abraham Lincoln home in
State of Illinois...

Read More

gray skies drenching rain
luscious colors in hiding
until the rainbow...

Read More

the bank's,a glitter
fithered in the realm of thought
must have forgot mine...

Read More

Monmouth, Illinois
Wyatt Earp was born right there
Can that be OK?
...

Read More

Once you’ve hit rock bottom,
—you can never be controlled

(Chicago Illinois: Water Tower with Studs Terkel—July, 1977)...

Read More

Translation,
  the executioner of emotion,
  —and rustler of graves

(Chicago Illinois: Water Tower with Studs Terkel—July, 1977)...

Read More

If all Philosophy
  is a footnote to Plato

Then all Rock & Roll
  —is but a tribute to the Blues

(Chicago Illinois: August, 1994)...

Read More

There once was a girl from Illinois 
Who caused me a great deal of joy,
    I've not met her quite yet
    But she's one I can't forget,
So we should not fret, just enjoy...

Read More

Warsaw, Moscow
       cities in Indiana

     Pekin, Paris
       towns in Illinois

     All four northwest
       of the Iroquois...

     Don't ask me why I wrote this
       Ask me instead for a kiss...

Read More

Where I live
not a place less given.

No flashy lights,
no crazy sirens.

No crowded streets,
no rush hour traffic.

But, a little suburb that happened to be
an hour down from Illinois best.
CHICAGO!...

Read More

door opens
                                                      shots ring out
                                                no rhymes or reasons











In Loving Memory
           of
Northern Illinois Victims...

Read More

The hens have flown the coop
  Their owner mystified
He hit them with his silver spoon
  Didn't know they had pride

And now as folks leave Illinois
  Governor Pritzker, take a think
From the tap of the hen-owner
  You should no longer drink...

Read More

The latest Governor of Illinois is Mr. J.B. Pritzker
Your legislative accomplishments make me Illinois want to quit, sir
   You've legalized all abortions and recreational marijuana too
   Increased government spending; raised my taxes -- Farewell to you!...

Read More

I am so greatly concerned
  that I may just get burned
by this raging Corona virus
  My home state's in crisis  

Illinois, home to 13 million folks
  has 19 reported cases; no joke  
Sure looks as if we're all gonna die
  So, my dear friends ~ Goodbye...

Read More

Amber
Random, Daring, Sweet & Caring
Sister of 8 other siblings
Lover of music, creativity, & fun
Who feels pain, joy, & love
Who fears seperation, throwing up, & lost loved ones
Who would like to see snow, lightning storms & tornados
Resident of C.S. Illinois
Chafer...

Read More

Illinois daily news: hundreds of deaths, thousands of cases
Moms, kids and strangers playing outside, such happy faces

   37 I counted, 35 not wearing gloves or masks
   despite doctors' pleas ~ Is it too much to ask?





May 13 and May 14: 330 deaths; 4,916 new CV-19 cases...

Read More

I never thought I'd see the day
  when Illinois' leaders held sway
Taking the lead in this deadly war
  against a virus Mr. Trump tried to ignore

Hats off to Governor J.B. Pritzker
  and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
In tandem, they've conducted a blitzkrieg
  to get Illinois residents to stay put...

Read More

Sometimes,
in the shadows
of the early morning light

Resting in the 
shade,
awaiting the beginning

And hiding
from the end
of all that’s unpromised

I watch
the questions disguise themselves 
as often answered

And tuck
new whispers soft within, 
—a certain change

(Chicago Illinois: July, 1977)...

Read More

Sometimes,
  in the shadows
  of the early morning light

Resting in the 
  shade,
  awaiting the beginning
?
And hiding
  from the end
  of all that’s unpromised

I watch
  the questions disguise themselves 
  as often answered

And tuck
  new whispers soft within, 
  —a certain change

(Chicago Illinois: July, 1977)...

Read More

I want to die
in the winter,
—when it’s cold

With the reality
of being alive, stronger,
—than all fantasy of being

Where branches 
break crisply,
—like a soul in decision

And the wind carrying away 
on its distance,
—all strength and pain

I want to die 
in the winter,
—when its cold 

(Chicago Illinois: July, 1977)...

Read More

If you play enough of the game of Monopoly,
then you will know your way around Atlantic City.
You will see the avenues of Mediterranean and Baltic.
There are also Illinois, Tennessee, and Pacific.
From the inlet to Chelsea, it is all terrific.
However, there is one thing I would like to know:
Where do you collect $200 for passing “GO”?
...

Read More

I want to die
  in the winter,
  —when it’s cold

With the reality
  of being alive, stronger,
  —than all fantasy of being

Where branches 
  break crisply,
  —like a soul in decision

And the wind carrying away 
  on its distance,
  —all strength and pain

I want to die 
  in the winter,
 —when its cold 

(Chicago Illinois: July, 1977)...

Read More

Jewel Food Stores - Illinois



 Looking at that roast in the cart
 I savor its taste even now.
 Yet never thinking that for my part
 When I will cook it...or even how.


 But I take it to the checkout lane
 With all the other items that day.
 Finally having to leave it...to looks of disdain
 I didn't bring enough cash with me...all to my dismay....

Read More

you lean back
like you always did 
and blow

wearing your bell bottom slacks
cool 
just like you always were

I hear you now
maybe I always did
I just didn't know

it's all I ever wanted  to do
paint a picture
lean back
see 
feel
and hear the music

so please understand
I'm not trying to be you

I'm just trying



© Whit Howland 2019...

Read More