Arena
WE TRAVELED
BY RAIL
A SLINKY CAT’S
TAIL OF A TRAIN:
FLASHING THROUGH
STREETS AT FAIRLY
HIGH PACE,
STOPPING FOR
MORE TO JOIN IN
THE RACE
IT IS MEANT TO
PURLOIN THE
THE COSTLY CAR
TRIP, AND GIVE
YOU A SEAT
OR STANDING GRIP,
THE COPPERS
SLINK BY
IN THE WINK
OF AN EYE,
BOARDING TO
CHECK US OUT/
NO DOUBT
AND GIVE DIRECTIONS
WITH CONCISE PERFECTION
AS WE REACH OUR
DESTINATION
THE FAMOUS 8TH STREET
STATION:
THE GOLDEN LINE
SO PURE AND FINE
IT’S THE ENTRANCE
TO A NEW PLACE
WITH A CAPITOL
SHINE:
THE LOOMING ARENA
ALL FRESHLY BUILT
DESIGNED TO IMPRESS
DIG INTO THE HILT,
AS WE FALL INTO LINE
WITH THE HOVERING
MASSES
EVERYONE SCRAMBLES
FOR TICKETS AND
PASSES,
FOR SECURITY WAITS
AT THREE JAM
PACKED GATES
AND FUNNEL
THE CROWD
A TUNNEL SO LOUD
WITH COWBELLS
AND BANNERS
LOTS OF SWEET FACES
WITH VERY FEW
MANNERS,
WE CRUNCH DOWN
TO ONE AND PASS
THROUGH
THEN COME OUT
INTO THE QUEUE
WHERE SPOTLIGHTS
ABOUND,
BY RAIL
A SLINKY CAT’S
TAIL OF A TRAIN:
FLASHING THROUGH
STREETS AT FAIRLY
HIGH PACE,
STOPPING FOR
MORE TO JOIN IN
THE RACE
IT IS MEANT TO
PURLOIN THE
THE COSTLY CAR
TRIP, AND GIVE
YOU A SEAT
OR STANDING GRIP,
THE COPPERS
SLINK BY
IN THE WINK
OF AN EYE,
BOARDING TO
CHECK US OUT/
NO DOUBT
AND GIVE DIRECTIONS
WITH CONCISE PERFECTION
AS WE REACH OUR
DESTINATION
THE FAMOUS 8TH STREET
STATION:
THE GOLDEN LINE
SO PURE AND FINE
IT’S THE ENTRANCE
TO A NEW PLACE
WITH A CAPITOL
SHINE:
THE LOOMING ARENA
ALL FRESHLY BUILT
DESIGNED TO IMPRESS
DIG INTO THE HILT,
AS WE FALL INTO LINE
WITH THE HOVERING
MASSES
EVERYONE SCRAMBLES
FOR TICKETS AND
PASSES,
FOR SECURITY WAITS
AT THREE JAM
PACKED GATES
AND FUNNEL
THE CROWD
A TUNNEL SO LOUD
WITH COWBELLS
AND BANNERS
LOTS OF SWEET FACES
WITH VERY FEW
MANNERS,
WE CRUNCH DOWN
TO ONE AND PASS
THROUGH
THEN COME OUT
INTO THE QUEUE
WHERE SPOTLIGHTS
ABOUND,
THE DJ’S CRUNCH
IS A WAILING
SOUND:
A WELCOMING PACE
AS WE
JOIN THE RACE
TO FIND OUR SEATS
A QUICK RETREAT
TO LAVISH NEW
TOILETS: NOTHING
TO SPOIL IT (YET)
BUT YOU CAN BET
AT NIGHT’S END
THE CREW WILL
BE DUE
ARRIVING ON CUE
BREAKING THE DAWN
WHILE WE TRAVEL
ALONG,
BACK TO THE TRAIN
WITH A WEATHERING
BRAIN: OUR TEAM
WASN’T GOOD, BUT
DID ALL THEY COULD
AT LEAST
SO THEY SAID,
WITH A SERIOUS
FACE (A SHOT
IN THE HEAD),
BUT HOOPS WERE FILLED
BY THE OTHER GUYS
SO REALLY IT
WASN’T SUCH A
SURPRISE
ALONG WITH
THE DANCERS
AND STUDIO GLANCERS,
THE CAMERAS CAUGHT
SOME AND MADE
OTHERS RUN, WHILE
BEER WAS POURED
IN EXPENSIVE GLASSES
TURNING SOME FANS
INTO BASKETBALL
ASSES,
NOT REALLY,
(I’M KIDDING)
IT’S A COOL
WAY OF LIVING,
A PLACE FOR
ATHENA:
THE GOLDEN ARENA
THE OUTPOST
FOR KINGS
AND ALL THOSE
FINE THINGS!
©J.W. WINSLOW 12/1/16
Poor Mr. Gilmore!
POOR MR. GILMORE
WHO IS KNOWN
BY HIS FRIENDS
AS THE AVID READER
WITH THE POISON PEN,
SPEWING
AND STEWING
RAKING AND FAKING,
HE HASN’T GOT
LAID
IN AT LEAST
TWO DECADES,
BUT TROWLS
ABOUT
WITH HIS SNIPPY
BIG SNOUT
PUSHED AGAINST
WINDOWS OF SIN,
(HE JUST
DOESN’T KNOW
WHERE TO BEGIN)
GRITTING AND
GRINDING HIS
OLD YELLOW TEETH
HE REACHES FOR
ANYTHING
AND GETS HIS
RELIEF
BY SLAMMING
AND BAMMING
THE PAGES OF LORE
NO MATTER OR
MIND
OF WHAT GOES
BEFORE,
HOPING HIS SINEWY
CRABBED
LITTLE HANDS
WILL PUT FORTH
THE POISON
ALL CRITICS
DEMAND,
AND UPON
DISCOVERY
WITH A MAJOR
RECOVERY
I LAUGHED UNTIL
I COULD NOT,
BUT WONDERING
EXACTLY
WHAT WAS HIS
PLOT,
A FAILED YOUNG
WRITER,
OR REJECTED
OVERNIGHTER,
WHAT CAUSES
THIS NASTY
SICK SPEW,
HE WANTS TO
REMAIN
AT THE TOP
OF HIS GAME,
CRUCIFY
ME AND YOU,
WHO IS KNOWN
BY HIS FRIENDS
AS THE AVID READER
WITH THE POISON PEN,
SPEWING
AND STEWING
RAKING AND FAKING,
HE HASN’T GOT
LAID
IN AT LEAST
TWO DECADES,
BUT TROWLS
ABOUT
WITH HIS SNIPPY
BIG SNOUT
PUSHED AGAINST
WINDOWS OF SIN,
(HE JUST
DOESN’T KNOW
WHERE TO BEGIN)
GRITTING AND
GRINDING HIS
OLD YELLOW TEETH
HE REACHES FOR
ANYTHING
AND GETS HIS
RELIEF
BY SLAMMING
AND BAMMING
THE PAGES OF LORE
NO MATTER OR
MIND
OF WHAT GOES
BEFORE,
HOPING HIS SINEWY
CRABBED
LITTLE HANDS
WILL PUT FORTH
THE POISON
ALL CRITICS
DEMAND,
AND UPON
DISCOVERY
WITH A MAJOR
RECOVERY
I LAUGHED UNTIL
I COULD NOT,
BUT WONDERING
EXACTLY
WHAT WAS HIS
PLOT,
A FAILED YOUNG
WRITER,
OR REJECTED
OVERNIGHTER,
WHAT CAUSES
THIS NASTY
SICK SPEW,
HE WANTS TO
REMAIN
AT THE TOP
OF HIS GAME,
CRUCIFY
ME AND YOU,
BUT WE DARE
TO WRITE
AND CARRY
THE FIGHT
INTO THE RINGS
OF THE WORLD,
WHILE COWARDS
LIKE HIM
PREFER TO SWIM
IN THE BOWELS
OF HIDDEN
AGENDAS,
SO PLEASE
JUST REMEMBER
THERE ARE
TWO SIDES
TO THE STORY,
AND ALL OF THE
GLORY
IS SAVED FOR
THE BRAVE,
WHO KNOW HOW
TO BEHAVE
WHEN SLAMMED
BY A REALLY
BIG TURD,
FOR WE HAVE
THE LOVE
OF THE WRITTEN
WORD,
THE COURAGE
TO DANCE
AND FIND OUR
ROMANCE
IN THE PAGES
WE CREATE,
SO KEEP THE
DEBATE,
AND SOAR
MR. GILMORE,
WE REALLY
CAN’T WAIT
FOR THE NEXT
OPEN DOOR,
WHEN YOU CAN SLIDE
IN AND
RAPE US AGAIN!
©J.W. WINSLOW 11/1/16
IN A FLASH!
HA, THIS IS
NOT A PLAY ON WORDS
ALTHOUGH THEY MAY
BE DEFINED ABSURD,
OR A TRITE MESSAGE
ABOUT SUPERHEROS
OR METEORS OR BLASTS
WITH A ZILLION ZEROS,
BUT MORE LIKE
THE NEW WAY
TO TRAVEL AND
THRIVE
ON A SLICK SILVER KEY
CALLED THE
FLASH DRIVE,
THE BEEHIVE
OF COOL TECH
A SHINY LOGO
SO CIRCUMSPECT:
THEY DO AMAZING
THINGS
WITH A SMALL
LITTLE RING
OR A KEY
OR A SPHERE,
LOOK AT HERE:
WE CAN ENGRAVE
OR PAINT
MOST ANYTHING
QUAINT
(OR NOT)
YET IT WILL
BE HOT,
MOST LIKELY
YOU’LL FIND
A QUERY IN
MIND
WHEN OPENING
UP THE FOLDER,
WE ARE SENDING
THE GOODS
A LITTLE BIT BOLDER:
JUST PUSH INTO
A CONNECTION
OF VERY SWEET
TECH PERFECTION,
IT LOADS IN A
SECOND
FLASHING ONTO
YOUR SCREEN,
(TINY OR MEAN)
WITH THE DATA
MEANT TO
EXPRESS YOUR
SCHEMES
THE OBVIOUS
FIRE OF A
TV SHOW
DESIGNED
TO INSPIRE
DESIRE,
NOT A PLAY ON WORDS
ALTHOUGH THEY MAY
BE DEFINED ABSURD,
OR A TRITE MESSAGE
ABOUT SUPERHEROS
OR METEORS OR BLASTS
WITH A ZILLION ZEROS,
BUT MORE LIKE
THE NEW WAY
TO TRAVEL AND
THRIVE
ON A SLICK SILVER KEY
CALLED THE
FLASH DRIVE,
THE BEEHIVE
OF COOL TECH
A SHINY LOGO
SO CIRCUMSPECT:
THEY DO AMAZING
THINGS
WITH A SMALL
LITTLE RING
OR A KEY
OR A SPHERE,
LOOK AT HERE:
WE CAN ENGRAVE
OR PAINT
MOST ANYTHING
QUAINT
(OR NOT)
YET IT WILL
BE HOT,
MOST LIKELY
YOU’LL FIND
A QUERY IN
MIND
WHEN OPENING
UP THE FOLDER,
WE ARE SENDING
THE GOODS
A LITTLE BIT BOLDER:
JUST PUSH INTO
A CONNECTION
OF VERY SWEET
TECH PERFECTION,
IT LOADS IN A
SECOND
FLASHING ONTO
YOUR SCREEN,
(TINY OR MEAN)
WITH THE DATA
MEANT TO
EXPRESS YOUR
SCHEMES
THE OBVIOUS
FIRE OF A
TV SHOW
DESIGNED
TO INSPIRE
DESIRE,
WE GIVE A ZAP
OF SIZZLE ROLL
TO ENHANCE
THE PACE,
FILLING THE
ROOM WITH
MUSIC AND SPACE,
THE STORY
COMES NEXT
IN ARTFUL
SMART TEXT
WITH SOME QUOTES
FROM THE MASTERS
OF LITERARY SEX,
MEANT TO ENTICE
AND SHARE
WITH ADVICE,
SHOW ANOTHER
HIGHER UP,
AND ONWARD
AND HOMEWARD
TO THE BIG SKY
OF STREAMING
THE MEANING,
ENABLE
THE CABLE,
APPLY BY
DEVICE,
THE STORIES
OF MY WILDEST
DREAMS HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN
DESTINED FOR A
SMALLER SCREEN,
AND NOW
THROUGH THIS
KEY
YOU WILL SEE
LOTS OF ME,
PEEK THROUGH
THE HOLE
AND LOSE
ALL CONTROL!
©J.W. WINSLOW 10/1/16
(The Beautiful) Mrs. Lee
SHE APPEARED SEVERAL TIMES
AT A SLIGHT DISTANCE
TAKING TINY STEPS
WITH CAREFUL RESISTANCE,
QUITE A SIGHT
ON SUCH
ROCKY TERRAIN,
UNLIKELY TO BE THERE
I WONDERED JUST HOW AND
FROM WHERE SHE CAME,
BUT THIS IS A TIME
WHERE UNUSUAL CRIMES
AND ANTICS ARE PRIME,
I CONTINUED,
NOT QUESTIONING
OR TALKING
OR GESTURING,
JUST CLIMBING
EXPLORING A PLACE
NEW AND FREE
OLD WORLD HOUSES
AND HISTORY,
THEN CAME THE DAY
WHEN THE WIND AND
THE RAIN
WERE MISTING AROUND
AND THE STREETS
WITHOUT SOUNDS
GAVE FORTH
THIS LADY,
CLOSER AND SHADY,
SHE WAS COVERED
FROM HEAD TO TOE,
WITH A HUGE
UMBRELLA HAT:
IMAGINE THAT,
HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE,
AS I APPROACHED
SHE STOPPED AND WAITED
AND SPEAKING CLEARLY
HER WORDS WERE DEARLY
AND ALMOST NEARLY
IMPOSSIBLE YET SWEET:
“BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL
AND SO BRAVE”
IT WAS QUITE A STRANGE
THING AND WAY TO BEHAVE,
I SMILED AND WALKED ON
SLOGGING ALONG
AS IF AN ANGEL APPEARED,
IT WAS TOTALLY WEIRD,
BUT SHE WAS NOT DONE
WHEN THE TIME HAD COME
TO MEET ME AGAIN,
AND CONTINUE HER WHIMS,
SPEAKING HER MANTRA
AGAIN AND AGAIN:
“BEAUTIFUL” SHE SAID,
YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL”,
I THANKED HER
LIKE A CHILDISH TOOL,
AND WONDERED WHERE
SHE LIVED, WALKING AROUND
IN SATIN SLIPPERS
AND SHINY COATS
WITH A LOT OF ZIPPERS,
AT A SLIGHT DISTANCE
TAKING TINY STEPS
WITH CAREFUL RESISTANCE,
QUITE A SIGHT
ON SUCH
ROCKY TERRAIN,
UNLIKELY TO BE THERE
I WONDERED JUST HOW AND
FROM WHERE SHE CAME,
BUT THIS IS A TIME
WHERE UNUSUAL CRIMES
AND ANTICS ARE PRIME,
I CONTINUED,
NOT QUESTIONING
OR TALKING
OR GESTURING,
JUST CLIMBING
EXPLORING A PLACE
NEW AND FREE
OLD WORLD HOUSES
AND HISTORY,
THEN CAME THE DAY
WHEN THE WIND AND
THE RAIN
WERE MISTING AROUND
AND THE STREETS
WITHOUT SOUNDS
GAVE FORTH
THIS LADY,
CLOSER AND SHADY,
SHE WAS COVERED
FROM HEAD TO TOE,
WITH A HUGE
UMBRELLA HAT:
IMAGINE THAT,
HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE,
AS I APPROACHED
SHE STOPPED AND WAITED
AND SPEAKING CLEARLY
HER WORDS WERE DEARLY
AND ALMOST NEARLY
IMPOSSIBLE YET SWEET:
“BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL
AND SO BRAVE”
IT WAS QUITE A STRANGE
THING AND WAY TO BEHAVE,
I SMILED AND WALKED ON
SLOGGING ALONG
AS IF AN ANGEL APPEARED,
IT WAS TOTALLY WEIRD,
BUT SHE WAS NOT DONE
WHEN THE TIME HAD COME
TO MEET ME AGAIN,
AND CONTINUE HER WHIMS,
SPEAKING HER MANTRA
AGAIN AND AGAIN:
“BEAUTIFUL” SHE SAID,
YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL”,
I THANKED HER
LIKE A CHILDISH TOOL,
AND WONDERED WHERE
SHE LIVED, WALKING AROUND
IN SATIN SLIPPERS
AND SHINY COATS
WITH A LOT OF ZIPPERS,
THEN ONE DAY
SHE AWAITED ME,
STANDING SO QUIETLY
UNDER A TREE,
AS I APPROACHED
THE SUBJECT
WAS BROACHED
OF HER NAME,
AND OUT OF HER POCKET
CAME A VIAL OF LIQUID
HANDED TO ME WITH
HER GLOVES,
“YOU MUST TAKE THIS”
SHE SAID,
STANDING CLOSE
INSTEAD
“IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL
JOYFUL AND LOVED”,
SHE POINTED TO MY
FOREHEAD
AND CHEEKS WITH
A SMILE THAT
WOULD SEEK A RETURN,
AS I THANKED
HER WITH PLEASURE
A SMALL KIND OF
MEASURE
AND CARRIED THE
GIFT TO MY ROOMS,
WONDERING WHAT
KIND OF FOOLISHNESS
LOOMED, I OPENED
THE VIAL AND TOOK A WHIFF,
NOT VERY MUCH,
JUST A BIT OF A SNIFF,
ALMOST AFRAID OF HER SPELL,
IT WAS ALL SO ABSURD
AND NO ONE TO TELL,
I WONDERED ABOUT MY LIFE,
THE MESSAGES COMING
FROM ALL KINDS OF STRIFE,
AND WHO WAS THE
WOMAN, (THIS MRS. LEE),
AND WHY DID SHE FOLLOW
AND PICK ON ME,
IT SEEPED INTO MY DREAMS
AND WAKING STATE,
HOW TO INFORM
UNDERSTAND AND CREATE
THE MESSAGE SHE SENT
WITH BUOYANT
STRONG POWER,
STAY STRONG AND
BEAUTIFUL, HOUR
BY HOUR, AND NOW
I LOOK FOR HER
DAY AFTER DAY,
WONDERING WHAT NEXT
IT IS
SHE WILL SAY!
©J.W. WINSLOW 9/1/16
Forget Yourself
IT WAS A DAY
TO REMEMBER
KNEW IT WOULD BE
HOW COULD IT NOT
A DREAM FROM
YEARS AGO, COME
TRUE,
PERFECT WEATHER
COOL COMPANY
GREAT CREW
JUST ME
AND YOU,
PLUS SOME
CARROT BOMBS
DIVINE ROASTED ALMONDS
COOL TECHNICIANS
THE FAMOUS VIRGIN
COCKTAILS
ENJOYED ON THE SAME
PORCH WHERE HE
HIMSELF SAT DURING
MANY SOIRIEES
I’M GUESSING,
THE MASTER WITH
HIS DOG AND MASSIVE
STATURE LEADING
THE CHARGE,
HENRY WOULD HAVE
ENJOYED THE
BACK AND FORTH
THE TALES OF
INDECENT ACTIVITIES
IN THE OLDEN DAYS
OF THE BIG SUR
LEGEND, MOSTLY
PROBABLY REPEATED
A MILLION TIMES,
BUT IT IS TRUE
THAT THE BAD BOY
OF LITERATURE,
WAS A MAN WHO TOLD
IT LIKE IT WAS
AND IS,
UNAFRAID OF NAYSAYERS
OR ANYTHING
AGAINST HIS
RADICAL TALENT,
TO REMEMBER
KNEW IT WOULD BE
HOW COULD IT NOT
A DREAM FROM
YEARS AGO, COME
TRUE,
PERFECT WEATHER
COOL COMPANY
GREAT CREW
JUST ME
AND YOU,
PLUS SOME
CARROT BOMBS
DIVINE ROASTED ALMONDS
COOL TECHNICIANS
THE FAMOUS VIRGIN
COCKTAILS
ENJOYED ON THE SAME
PORCH WHERE HE
HIMSELF SAT DURING
MANY SOIRIEES
I’M GUESSING,
THE MASTER WITH
HIS DOG AND MASSIVE
STATURE LEADING
THE CHARGE,
HENRY WOULD HAVE
ENJOYED THE
BACK AND FORTH
THE TALES OF
INDECENT ACTIVITIES
IN THE OLDEN DAYS
OF THE BIG SUR
LEGEND, MOSTLY
PROBABLY REPEATED
A MILLION TIMES,
BUT IT IS TRUE
THAT THE BAD BOY
OF LITERATURE,
WAS A MAN WHO TOLD
IT LIKE IT WAS
AND IS,
UNAFRAID OF NAYSAYERS
OR ANYTHING
AGAINST HIS
RADICAL TALENT,
IT IS THE STORIES
OF HIS PERSONAL
ACTIVITIES THAT
TICKLE ME MOST,
HAVE YOUR CHOICE,
THE VOICE OF THE
MASTER MILLER
REMAINS IN THE BOOKS
AND STORIES
THE LEGEND
NUDGES US TO REVEAL
OUR SCANDALOUS
WAYS, JUST A BIT
WHILE IMBIBING
DESCRIBING
EMBELLISHING
RELISHING THE TALES
THAT LIVE IN THE LIBRARY,
A FAVORITE PLACE
TO READ MY BOOKS
BRING DYANNA TO LIFE
SOAK IN THE SUNSHINE
AND SALTY BREEZE,
FEEL THE PINE DUST
ON MY TOES,
AND DWELL ON THE
MYSTERIOUS MAGIC
THAT LIVES IN HIS FASHION,
THE ELEMENTS
GIVE US AWAY,
SO FORGET YOURSELF
AS HE ADVISED, FOR
“THE WORLD IS SO RICH
SIMPLY THROBBING
WITH TREASURES
BEAUTIFUL SOULS
AND INTERESTING
PEOPLE”…
NO TIME TO WASTE
HAVE A BIG TASTE
OF LIFE,
YOU HEAR?
NOW!
©J.W. WINSLOW 8/1/16
Heat
HE STANDS ON
ON THE PLATFORM
OF HIS DREAMS
MAKING THE
SOUNDS OF
MANY LIFETIMES:
ATTENTION TO
THE FINGERS
RANGING
UP AND DOWN
THE NECK
THE PEDAL
MOVES AT HIS FEET
THE SOUND BEGINS
TO A THRONG
OF WAITING RABID
FANS, READY
FOR THE FIRST NOTES
FAMILIAR YET
ANCIENT ROCK
HISTORY,
WILL HE SURFACE
TO THE LEVEL
OF GENIUS
EXPECTED
RESPECTED
REHEARSED
REVERSED,
IS THERE A FEAR
LYING IN WAIT
PUSHED BACK
BY THE NIMBLE
DIGITS, LONG
PALE HANDS
TRAVELING DEFTLY
PAUSING EVER SO
SLOWLY,
WAITING FOR THE
AUDIENCE TO
CATCH UP,
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
IN A PERFORMANCE
HONORING ANOTHER,
FOR THERE ARE BOUND
TO BE COMPARISONS
TEARS AND HOARSE
VOICES OF SHOUTING
SCREAMING
FLAILING
SAYING EACH WORD
ALONG WITH HIM,
UNDER THE BREATH
WATCHING A
TWIRLING
GRINDING ACT
OF GRACE, THE
RHYTHM BUILDS
AND FADES,
CLAMORING TO THE
TOP OF THE SCALE,
ON THE PLATFORM
OF HIS DREAMS
MAKING THE
SOUNDS OF
MANY LIFETIMES:
ATTENTION TO
THE FINGERS
RANGING
UP AND DOWN
THE NECK
THE PEDAL
MOVES AT HIS FEET
THE SOUND BEGINS
TO A THRONG
OF WAITING RABID
FANS, READY
FOR THE FIRST NOTES
FAMILIAR YET
ANCIENT ROCK
HISTORY,
WILL HE SURFACE
TO THE LEVEL
OF GENIUS
EXPECTED
RESPECTED
REHEARSED
REVERSED,
IS THERE A FEAR
LYING IN WAIT
PUSHED BACK
BY THE NIMBLE
DIGITS, LONG
PALE HANDS
TRAVELING DEFTLY
PAUSING EVER SO
SLOWLY,
WAITING FOR THE
AUDIENCE TO
CATCH UP,
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
IN A PERFORMANCE
HONORING ANOTHER,
FOR THERE ARE BOUND
TO BE COMPARISONS
TEARS AND HOARSE
VOICES OF SHOUTING
SCREAMING
FLAILING
SAYING EACH WORD
ALONG WITH HIM,
UNDER THE BREATH
WATCHING A
TWIRLING
GRINDING ACT
OF GRACE, THE
RHYTHM BUILDS
AND FADES,
CLAMORING TO THE
TOP OF THE SCALE,
HE HAS CLIMBED
ONTO THE MAGIC
TRAIN
AND KNOWS WE ARE
ALL THERE WITH HIM,
HEARING THE PAST
COME FORWARD
RIGHT NOW
WE SEE THE SLY DELIGHT
IN SHOCKING REALMS
IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE
THAT BOX WITH
STRINGS AND WIRES
CAN MAKE SUCH A SOUND,
WAILING INTO ETERNITY
BEYOND THE GRAVE
TO BECOME HISTORY,
A NEW GENERATION OF
SOULS
DROP TO THEIR KNEES
WITH THE SWAY,
CHORDS RUSHING
SLIDING
GETTING INSIDE
YOUR HEAD,
THE TRUTH OF
MELODY IS OBVIOUS
WHEN IT WORKS
THE MAGIC
GIVEN TO THOSE
WHO SEEK,
THE FINAL SOUNDS
RELINQUISH TO
A BREATH OF
AIR,
SILENCE
TEARS
SMILES
AND SOUNDS
OF BRAVO:
HE REVEALS
THAT SLY GRIN
THE MAN WITHIN
OPENED HIS GUTS
TO THE WORLD,
LIGHT THE FIRE
CRASH INTO THE
WINDS OF ASH TREES
ONLY ONCE
GONE NOW,
ONE AND THEN
THOUSANDS
OF HANDS
PROCLAIMING
THE GIFT
FROM GOD
CALLED MUSIC…
©J.W. WINSLOW 7/1/16
Go/Furs
WE ENTERED
THE GARDEN
(MY FRIEND
AND ME)
ANXIOUS TO
ADMIRE
AND EXPLORE
AND SEE
THE LUSH GREEN
MEADOWS
THE OLDEN
ROCK WALLS
THE SPROUTING
HYRANGEA
THE CROW’S
MATING CALLS,
DODGING SHARP
LEAVES
FROM THE TALL
HOLLY TREES
WE SOON FOUND
A SIGHT
AND WERE
BROUGHT
TO OUR KNEES,
NOT REALLY
OF COURSE,
BUT TRUE PURE
REMORSE
ACCOSTED THE
EYES
WHEN RIGHT
BY SURPRISE
WE CAME UPON
THE KINGDOM
OF MOUNDS
AND SCURRYING
CREATURES
MAKING SUCH
SOUNDS,
I JUMPED BACK
THINKING
THIS CAN’T BE
RIGHT (I WAS OUT
HERE SO RECENTLY
LATE LAST NIGHT)
BUT SURE ENOUGH
THE INVASION WAS
REAL, A MASSIVE
PERSUASION
OF PILES AND SOIL,
WITH HOLES AT THE TOP
NO WAY TO STOP
THE TREND
OR FIND ANY END,
THEY WERE EVERYWHERE
AND SOON TWO SMALL
EYES AND A NOSE
APPEARED
QUITE SUDDENLY
CLOSE TO MY TOES,
“OH LOOK” SAID MY FRIEND
WHO IS ALWAYS ON TREND
“ISN’T HE CUTE,
REALLY A BEAUTE”
LAUGHING AND
WALKING AWAY,
AS I STOOD THERE
IN WONDER
AT THE FABULOUS
PLUNDER, SHE TURNED
TO ME WITH A SMILE,
SUGGESTING A BOMB
OR SOME RADICAL SAUCE
TO ERASE THE NEW VILLAGE
TO A SMOOTH GRASSY
LOSS, AND THEN
ONCE AGAIN, HE POPPED
INTO VIEW, KIND OF
DEMANDING SOME
KIND OF CUE,
BUT WE TURNED ON
OUR HEELS AND
ADMIRED THE TREES,
THE ORCHIDS AND
ROSES, THE SWEET
SUMMER BREEZE,
AND FINALLY SAID
GOODBYE, AS I STOOD
IN THE DOORWAY
READY TO CRY,
SHE WAS ADAMENT
AND STOIC
QUITE SURE/ HEROIC
ABOUT THE VISITORS
GAME,
NO OTHER BIG NAME
WOULD FILL
THE BILL,
LEST I FORGET
THE DEEP
WINDING PIT
THAT ONCE HELD
SOUR GRASS
IT COULD NOT
SURPASS THE
END OF THE LINE,
I KNOW IT IS TIME
TO LOWER BOOM
MAKE SOME KIND
OF ROOM
FOR SMALL
GO/FUR GRAVES
I HAVEN’T QUITE
SAVED
UP THE POWER,
I WILL HAVE
SOMEONE ELSE
RELIQUINSH THE
BOWER,
SAYING GOODBYE
OR AT LEAST ADIEU,
FOR THEY WILL BE
BACK,
RIGHT ON CUE!
©J.W. WINSLOW 6/1/16
Chasing You (Into the Light)
THERE COMES A POINT
IN ELUSIVE GAMES
WHERE ONE MUST
GRAB THE RING:
DEDUCE THE
FEELINGS OF
EMPTINESS
FIND A GOOD
WAY TO SING,
THE YEN FOR
YOU CAME
RIGHT FROM
THE START
I WOULD NEVER
DENY THAT
AT ALL,
THE PIERCING
CRY OF ECSTACY
WAS ESCAPING
FROM MY HEART,
I WANTED SO
TO BE AWARE
TO KNOW AND
FIND
AND LAUGH
AND CARE,
SO WHEN YOU CAME
TO OPEN THE DOOR
SMILING
CHANTING
WANTING
MUCH MORE
IT WAS THE
FATEFUL TIME
FOR US TO BE,
TO SLASH THE RULES
AND FIND THE
TOOLS TO DANCE/
BY CHANCE
IT WAS NEVER
THE USUAL
VIBRANT CONNECTION
CEASING TO NOTICE
NO IMPERFECTIONS
BUT HAPPY INSTEAD
WERE WE
TO JOIN OUR FINE
BODIES IN MYSTERY,
WE MADE SECRET
BONDS
FROM THE REST
OF THE WORLD,
PAYING THE PRICE
NEVER
THOUGHT
TWICE TO WONDER
WHAT COMES DOWN
THE ROAD
MAYBE ONCE
BE ASUNDER
IF ONE PART DELAYS
THE OTHER ONE PAYS
REDUCING THE
DARKNESS TO LIGHT,
MAKING A PROMISE
TO ALWAYS BELIEVE
GIVE AND TAKE
SEND AND RECEIVE,
I NEEDED THE GUIDANCE
OF A SPECIAL HAND
AND YOU RECOGNIZED
HOW TO MAKE MY
STAND, IT WAS SUCH
AN IRRESISTABLE
POINT,
FINALLY SOMEONE
WHO REALLY GOT ME
BENEATH THE
SHINING SURFACE,
PEELING AWAY
FOR A CERTAIN
PURPOSE,
YOU LURED ME IN
WITH INTENTIONS,
AND NOW THE
DIMENTIONS OF
PASSIONATE FANCY
HAVE TAKEN ON
THE CHASE,
FOR I MUST ERASE
THE OTHER
DEAD ENDS
THE TALKERS
AND FRIENDS
SURRENDER MY
MOST PERFECT
THING:
A LOYALTY LOVE
THAT ISN’T
NOT QUITE,
HERE I AM
CHASING
YOU INTO THE LIGHT.
©J.W. WINSLOW 5/1/16
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
THE WIND BLOWS
AND ALL AROUND ME
I SEE GREEN:
THE TREES AND
BRANCHES
THE VINES MEANDERING
ABOUT IN MESSY BEDS
FULL OF ANCIENT HYDRANGEA
AND PERHAPS A STRAY
MONARCH
IS FLOATING IN
THE RAYS OF SUNSHINE
THAT ENCOURAGE
WILD STRAWBERRIES
AND IVY CLIMBING
OVER THE NEIGHBORS FENCE,
IT WAS A SURPRISE
THIS PLACE
WRAPPING ITSELF
AROUND A POET’S SOUL
UNAWARE OF HOW
DEEPLY THE CHANGE
WOULD COME UPON ME,
THERE WERE ALWAYS
CURIOUS ROOMS
AND CROWDED FRENCH
ARRANGEMENTS OF
FRESH BUDS
IN A CAJUN VASE,
IS IT MY MEMORY OR MAYBE
IMAGINATION,
THEY FADE TOGETHER
YOU KNOW,
AND WHEN I FOUND
THE HOUSE
OF BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
IT WAS AS IF
SOMETHING MEANT TO BE
HAD OCCURRED,
THE PICTURE IN MY MIND
WHEN I DREAMED OF
WHERE I WANTED TO LAND
HAD BEEN MISTY AND
FOGGY, WITH A HIGH
WALL OF WILDFLOWERS
TENDER PINK ROSES
AND GLASS DOORS
TO EXHIBIT THE SPLENDOR
OF NATURE,
SO LEST YOU HAVE
FORGOTTEN
THE JOYS OF DREAMS
AND THE THRILL
OF LIFE
TURNING AROUND
TO EMBRACE
AND CHARM,
YOU MUST COME
WITH ME ON THE
DAY YOU CHOOSE
TO VISIT,
AND IMAGINE THE
TOWERS OF EMERALD
AND WALLS OF LEAVES
SET AGAINST THE
BRIGHT BLUE SKY,
AMAZING BURSTS OF
WHITE BUDS
ON BARREN
APPLE TREES
A PATCH OF CLOUDS
DRIFTING BY
AS THAT OCEAN BREEZE
CARRIES THE
FRAGRANCE
OF SPRING,
I AM HERE
AMONGST THESE
THINGS
PLANNING
LIVING
BREATHING
CREATING IN
A PLACE THAT
HAS WELCOMED
ME HOME…
©J.W. WINSLOW 4/1/16