Short Nj Poems

a thunder
from here I am
going where you are.......can you hear me?...

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Brian died
taking
part of me
with him

The part
that he
lent me
in 1966

Brian died
and the
colors
diminished

The notes
out of rhythm
and time
— left unmixed

(Pet Sounds-Ocean City N.J.: July, 1966)...

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sun kissed golden face
                         outstretched arms with alms and grace
                                 prayers of peace embrace








Published in "The Journal", late summer issue 2022
(The Journal is a publication for the Upper Delaware River Region, serving Pa., N.J. and N.Y.)...

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If I gotta problem
it's mine, all mine,
property righted supreme

If I gotta problem
I need a solution
so bad, I'll sometimes scream

Used to be at my mom
or my husband or kids
and occasionally even a boss

now I get it that mom's and bosses
dad's and losses
kids and quids and whatcha dids

aren't the problem.
Don't know zactly what prob is yet
but least I'm closer....

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Hovering in the
Clutter of poverty,
No smiles on their faces,
Looking skyward
Having a confrontation with God,
Their eyes the voices of their souls.
Their houses shout too,
We are enslaved!
The windows are dark and lifeless!
Who will hear them when they cry?
Not the landlord,
Over the jingle of his pocket money!
Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, N.J.

Cynthia...

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Worked a jigsaw puzzle
While listenin' to Queen
And workin' out your algebra
While waitin' sweet sixteen?

Or scurried off to India
Just 'cause the op arose?
Or painted toenails black and blue
With one splashed hot pink rose?

Have ya ever taken life so hard
It makes ya wanna cuss?
If so, my friend, sit down come in
you're down dead one of us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

just playin' around with NJ lingo...

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Dusk at the Great Swamp* in early Spring

Applauding 
at the curve of twilight
you’ll hear them: 
tree frogs.

Bending, feigning
one way then the other,
Greek dancers:
trees.

Concentrating keenly, 
with spy scopes
on distant rookeries: 
birders.

Disturbing the peace
of winter meditation,
rearing herself:
swamp giant.

Kathy Collins


*Great Swamp National
Wildlife Sanctuary
Morris County, NJ...

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Premiered at The Red Wheelbarrow Comedy Roost, 
Marlton , NJ – 6/18/2009	                 

ACT 1

Birmingham Grace
Dark Stockings 
Muse
Same Drop of Rain
In Other Words
Blacksmith’s Lament

ACT 2

Silhouette
Oral Sex
Silent Siren
Dangerous Cargo
All I Can Do
Sleeping
Dreaming of You
Beaumains in the Wilderness

ACT 3

Indian Summer
David and Bathsheba
Pennsylvania Fieldstone
Common Law Proposal
Somethin’ Right...

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Four firm tomatoes
left on the kitchen counter-
that's all you left me.

I watched you drive away
headed for Rahway NJ.

Nothing would ever be 
the same. Yesterday,
my landlord, Mr. Moanaster
came by to tell me how
all would be alright.

I want to say:
What do you no anyway?
I want to toss him in the street
along with the other 
pile of junk out front.

Instead I give a slight smile
and a resigned nod-

Invite him in.
Together we sit in silence
eating our tomatoes....

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