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I KEEP YOU
IN A SPECIAL PLACE
RESERVED
FOR THE FIRST
MORNING SONG
AND THE LAST
SOARING
NOTE
THAT COMES
IN THE EVENING
WHEN SECRET
DREAMS
OCCUR
OF WHO YOU
ARE
AND WHERE
WE WERE,
ONCE IN A
DREAM
LONG AGO
THAT HAS
TRAVELED THE
YEARS
TO DIFFERENT
STOPS ON A
JOURNEY
THAT NEVER
ENDS,
GOING
FROM BEND
TO BEND
SOMETIMES
SCREECHING
TO A HALT
WITH PAINFUL
NOTES
YOU RAIL
AT ME FOR
MY HESITATION,
BUT I HAVE
MY REASONS
THE SEASONS
OF MY HEART
DEMAND
ATTENTION,
THAT WHICH
YOU CANNOT
GIVE,
FOR YOU
LIVE
IN ANOTHER
WORLD,
LEAVING ONLY
ONE LINK
OF MUSICAL
MAGIC
BETWEEN US,
AND THIS
MORNING
WHILE I
LISTEN
SECRETLY
QUIETLY
JOYFULLY
IN AWE
OF YOUR
ENDLESS
TALENT
FOR THE SOUNDTRACK
OF THE WORLD,

WE RIDE
ON SEPARATE
TRACKS
TO THE
SAME DESTINATION,
MANIFESTING
THE DREAM
OF CREATION
OF REACHING
OUR MARK,
CARRYING
THE LOAD
OF SORROW
AND PAIN
WHILE OTHERS
BELIEVE
WE HAVE
PERFECT LIVES,
IT BELONGS
IN A PRIVATE
PLACE,
THIS SPACE
WE SHARE
THE MAGICAL
MOMENTS
WHERE THE
THEMES
OF OUR LIVES
COME
TOGETHER,
AND WHAT IS
YET TO COME
IS THE BEST
PART,
IT WILL BE
A SPACE
WHERE
WE START
TO CREATE
THINGS
TYING UP
THE STRINGS
THAT CONNECT
OUR LIVES
FINALLY OUT
THERE FOR
ALL TO SEE,
JUST
YOU
AND
ME…

©JW WINSLOW 1/1/19


SUNDAY DINNER
CLEANING DAY
SITTING DOWN
WHEN TO OUR DISMAY
WHILE LIGHTING
THE CANDLES
THERE CAME SUCH
A POOF
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
NEAR THE FAR ROOFS
IT SOUNDED LIKE POPPING
OR MAYBE LIKE CRACKLING
REGARDLESS OF ALL
SOMETHING WAS LACKING,
WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER
AND SAID “WHAT WAS THAT”,
WHILE SUDDENLY NOTING
THE DARKNESS WAS
FLOATING
INTO THE ROOM,
AND THEN THE GLOOM
PREVAILED,
THE DEVIL WAS
SMILING
AND VERY BEGUILING
PULLING THE PLUG
AND SLIDING THE RUG
FROM UNDER OUR TOES,
WE SHOOK OUR HEADS,
WHILE NIBBLING
QUIETLY
FROM OUR SUPPER
PLATES,
THERE WASN’T A
REASON
FOR US TO WAIT,
I SENT HIM DOWN
STAIRS
TO FETCH
THE BIG LANTERN
HE HAD SCOFFED AT
ME FOR GIVING ONE DAY,
BUT NOW WOULD
BE PERFECT
FOR FINDING HIS
WAY,
IT APPEARED WE
WERE SUNK
IN A DIM
TIMELESS FUNK
WHILE THE TRUCKS
MADE THEIR
WAY UP THE HILL,
THEY RUMBLED
ON PAST
IN A QUIET
WAY,
SOLEMN
AND KNOWING
THEY WERE IN
FOR A STAY,

WHILE THE STARS
CAME OUT
AND TWINKLED AWAY,
“NO POLDARK TONITE”
HE SAID RATHER SADLY
WE BOTH HAD INCLUDED
THE PBS DREAM,
BUT SOMEHOW IT WASN’T
MEANT FOR THIS SCHEME,
SO I TOOK A BATH
AND HE TOOK A WALK
SNEAKING UP DARK STREETS
AND NOTING
THE TALK,
BUT BATTERIES
WORK
AND CANDLES
WILL LIGHT
AND MAYBE
WE’LL SURVIVE
THE REST OF
THE NIGHT,
EACH IN OUR
OWN LITTLE BED,
DREAMING OF
SUGAR PLUMS
THAT DANCE
IN OUR HEADS,
FOR SURELY
THIS DARKNESS
IS SOME KIND
OF SIGN,
A WAY TO BE
STRONG
AND SURELY
BELONG TO
A BRAVE NEW
STORY
A PART OF
OUR FAIRY TALE
AND STEAFAST
IN GLORY,
I WRITE THIS
LAST PART
FROM A PLACE
IN MY HEART
HAVING SURVIVED
BEING ALIVE
READY TO VIEW
A SHOWTIME REDUX,
WE DID MAKE
IT THROUGH…
HOW ABOUT YOU?

©JW WINSLOW 12/1/18

Little Bear

HE LOOKED AT ME
AND SAID I WAS CLEAR:
CLEAR AS A BELL
ALMOST INCANDESCENT
HE SAW TRANSPARENT
THROUGH MY BODY
TO THE SPIRIT
HOVERING INSIDE
I HAD NO
PLACE TO HIDE
AND IT WAS GOOD
TO BE UNMASKED
THERE IN THE BRIGHTEST
OF LIGHTS
WITH OTHER LOVING
MINDS WATCHING,
IT WAS NOT A DREAM
BUT SUCH A SURPRISE
AFTER THE LONG
SIEGE OF PAINFUL
EVENTS,
MIXED IN WITH JOY
AND THE OPEN ROAD
IN FRONT
LAID OUT AHEAD,
I HAD PRAYED AND
WISHED THE
NIGHT BEFORE
TO BE VERY OPEN
AND JOYFUL,
TO WELCOME HIM
TO MY STAGE
THE WAY FOR HIS
TALE OF THE
ESSALEN NATION
TO BE FORTHRIGHT
AND OUT FRONT,
TO CONNECT MY
BOOKS
TO THE PASSION
OF TRUTH
THAT LIES
WITHIN A LEADER
WITH HIS BIG
ROUND DRUM,
SINGING
ACAPELLA
FEARLESSLY
ON TV,
PROUD TO
RANK THE EMOTIONS
OF HIS TRUTH
OVER THE AIRWAVES
AND INTO THE
HEARTS OF
VIEWERS
WHO NORMALLY
SEE THE ART
OF THE NEWBIE,
OR SOMEWHAT
OF A COMEDY,

BUT NO,
THIS MAN
WAS ON A MISSION,
AND LATER,
AFTER THE SHOW,
HE BLESSED ME
WITH A LARGE
BEAUTIFUL
EAGLE FEATHER,
QUIETLY TURNING
THE SET INTO
A PLACE
OF PRAISE,
HE COVERED MY
BODY WITH THE
LIGHT TOUCH AND
SOFT AIMING
AT THE SKY,
FOR THAT IS
WHERE THE
EAGLE SOARS
AND FINDS
HER WAY…
AND WHEN
HE SAID GOODBYE
THERE WAS
A SMILE THAT
TOLD ME
HE COULD SEE
RIGHT THROUGH
MY BODY
TO THE SOURCE
OF THE ENERGY
THAT SPEAKS
ONLY IN MY PRIVATE
PLACE,
THERE IS
HOPE
FOR ALL OF US,
IN THAT ONE
MOMENT,
I KNEW
IT WOULD
BE RESOLVED,
THIS COMPLICATED
LIFE
STREWN FORWARD
TO THE
PLACE OF
CLOUDS AND
DREAMS,
I MUST
BELIEVE
AND SO
CONCEIVE
THE LIGHT…

©JW WINSLOW 11/1/18

secret
IT WAS THE FIRST THING
I SAW,
ARRIVING TO INSPECT
A DOUBTFUL NEW PAD
THE LUCK OF THE DRAW,
‘TWAS WILD TERRITORY,
NOT MY USUAL STOMPING
GROUND
BUT THE TREES THAT
ABOUND
KNOCKED
MY SOX OFF,
AND WHEN I SNUCK
IN TO PEEK AT THIS
OLD HOUSE
THE SURPRISE
WAS A SIGHT
FOR SORE EYES:
A SMALL COOL ROOM
BELOW THE REST
TUCKED AWAY
LIKE A SCAVENGER
VEST,
WITH LIGHTS AND
SHELVES
AND A COOL LITTLE DESK,
WHILE IN THE CORNER
BEHIND A DOOR
WAS A BRAND NEW
TOILET
TO EVEN THE SCORE,
SOMEBODY PLANNED
THIS SWEET SECRET
ROOM
A PLACE FOR
A SOUL
TO GATHER
AND BLOOM,
BUT MOST OF
ALL TO HIDE AWAY
AND GET SOME
PEACE FROM
THE WORDLY FRAY,
WHILE ALL THE
MEN THAT VISIT ME
EXPRESS THEIR
WISH TO LIVE
HIGH AND FREE
I HAVE KEPT IT
OPEN FOR MY
ART, AND SEE
THIS SWEET QUIET
PLACE QUITE
RECLUSIVELY,

BUT NOW COMES
THE TIME
TO SHARE MY
MOST PRIME
AND PRIVATE SPOT
WITH A MAN
WHO IS MOVING
AND CHANGING
A LOT,
HE IS MY BROTHER
MY FRIEND
AS NO OTHER
AND SOON TO
DISCOVER THE JOY
OF BEING HIS OWN
SMART WANDERING BOY
BRINGING THE BUDDHA,
A TWO WHEELED BLAST
THAT HE RIDES BY THE SEA
IN THE PALE OVERCAST
EMBRACING THE WAVES
HE HAS MISSED FOR SO LONG
NOW IS A CHANCE TO
CHANGE
REARRANGE
THE PATH FROM HIS CAVES
AND FIND A SWEET PEACE
WHERE THE MIND
STOPS AND SAVES,
HE’S LEAVING
THE PAST
AND ALL THAT BEHIND
A JOURNEY TOWARD
NEW THINGS
EMBRACING
MANKIND,
PACKING IT UP
SORTING
RESORTING
TO A GOOD
SLASH AND BURN
IT’S THE TRIP OF
A LIFETIME,
WITHOUT A RETURN,
THE CHANCE TO
BREAK OUT
TO BE WHO YOU ARE
TRAVELING SURE
WITH THE MOON
AND THE STARS,
SO I WELCOME
HIM HOME
AND OPEN THE DOORS
FOR A WONDERFUL
LANDING
NEVER WITHSTANDING
THOSE TIDAL BLUE
DREAMS,
NOTHING IS EVER
QUITE LIKE IT SEEMS!

©JW WINSLOW 10/1/18

THE HUGE SILVER
TRUCK ARRIVED
LUMBERING
UP THE STREET
RIGHT ON TIME
HE SAID,
JUMPING
WITH HIS FEET
ENCLOSED IN
BIG OLD
TENNIES
STOMACH
HANGING OUT,
SWEATING
IN A TIGHT BOLD
T-SHIRT
SMILING
LIKE A LOUT,
I SHOULD HAVE
KNOWN
RIGHT THEN
BUT WHEN
HE SNIVELED
ABOUT THE
DRIVEWAY
INCLINE
SLANTED
“WAY TOO HIGH”
TIME FOR
HIM TO SAY
GOODBYE,
MY MOUTH
HUNG OPEN
IN STOIC SHOCK
WHILE HE DUMPED
MY SHIPMENT
OFF THE DOCKS
ONTO A PLACE
BY THE SIDE OF
THE ROAD
WHERE THE
DOGGIES GO
TO DELIVER
A LOAD,
“SORRY MISS”
THE DRIVER SAID
“CAN’T DO NO
MORE, YOU’RE
STUCK WITH
THIS”,
GRUNTING SOME
WHILE HAULING
TWO BIG
PALLETS COVERED
WITH PLASTIC
WRAP
AND BOOKS
DISCOVERED
PEEKING FROM
A BREATHLESS TRAP,
WHILE ALL
THE TIME
A FRIEND OF
MINE
WAS WATCHING
FROM CLOSEBY
HE SHOOK HIS
HEAD WHILE
WONDERING
WITH A
SERIOUS SIGH,
AND SO I TOLD
HIM I WAS STUCK
WITH NO ONE TO
APPLY
SOME STRONG
GOOD FORCE
ON THE PAVMENT
COURSE
AND RESCUE
MY SWEET BOOKS,

ALL IT TOOK
WAS ONE GOOD
LOOK AND
THEN HE MADE A
CALL,
“NOT TO WORRY
THERE IS NO
HURRY,
I WILL FIX IT ALL,”
AND SO I WAITED
AND DEBATED
ABOUT ANOTHER
SHAM,
BUT SOON THEY
CAME,
THE SAVIOR GAME
TWO GUYS WITH
LOTS OF GRIT
SMILING, LISTENING
TO MY TALE
READY TO ADMIT,
RESTORE AND CARRY
THE LOAD
TO MY ABODE,
THE MIRACLE
WAS A SUPER JOB
AS I WATCHED THEM
MOVE THE BOXES,
PACKING THEM
INTO THE CAR
DELIVERING
ALL LIKE FOXES,
AND SO I GAVE
THEM WATER AND
ALMONDS
AND LOTS OF CHEER,
ALONG WITH EACH
A BOOK,
SIGNED BY ME
WITH CLARITY
AND THANKFULNESS
FOR THEIR CHARITY
ONE WENT TO LOU
BUT THE OTHER TWO
WERE DAUGHTERS
OF THE MAN
WHO LIVES NO LONGER
WITH THEIR MOTHER,
BUT LOVES THEM
DEARLY
LIKE NO OTHER,
THE BOOK WAS
SIGNED TO
FAITH AND
DESTINY,
A RATHER AMAZING
FACT: A MESSAGE
FROM MY ANGELS
TO ALWAYS STAY
ON TRACK,
THEY LEFT
TWO PALLETS
PILED WITH BOOKS
THAT HOLD MY
OWN SWEET HEART,
SAVING ME FROM
TEARS APART,
I HANDED THEM
THE BOOKS I SIGNED
THANKING THEM
AND ALL MANKIND
FOR KINDNESS GIVEN
IN THE SWEETEST WAY
SO I WILL LIVE
ANOTHER DAY
TO WRITE AND DANCE
MY LIFE AWAY.

©JW WINSLOW 9/1/18

PAGE TURNERS
FAST LEARNERS
INK BURNERS
BEGIN:
TIME TO SHOW
AND SMILE
AWHILE
MUCH TO
OUR CHAGRIN,
THEY FILLED
THE ROOM
AND THEN WERE
GONE,
STAYING SHORT
OR WAY
TOO LONG,
WANDERING
AIMLESS
CALM
BUT TAMELESS
FULL OF
SILLY QUESTIONS,
TOUCHING
THINGS
AND WRINGING
HANDS,
MAKING
THEIR
SUGGESTIONS,
MANY CAME
WITHOUT
THE CASH,
PERHAPS THEY
THOUGHT
IT CUTE
TO TORTURE
AUTHORS
FAR AND WIDE,
MAKING
THEIR DEBUT,
BUT THOSE
OF US
WHO’VE BEEN
THERE SOME
WERE NOT
SURPRISED
OR SAD
OR DUMB,
FOR REACHING
OUT TO
QUIET READERS
OFTEN LEADS
TO SUCH,
THEY CAN BE
SHY
AND WANDER BY
PEEKING IN
REVERSE,
THEN RETURN
WITH TIME TO
BURN,
READY TO CONVERSE,
ALAS FOR ONE
IMPATIENT SOUL
THERE IS A THING
CALLED SELF-CONTROL,
AND WAYS TO MAKE
THIS JOURNEY,
SMILE AND
NOD
SIT STRAIGHT
AND PROD AN
ARTFUL WAY
OF ASKING,
PERHAPS THEY
WANT TO
TALK ABOUT
THEIR TRIP
UPON A GUERNY,
OR BETTER YET
THEIR AUNTIE BETTS
WHO ONCE
WROTE POEMS
AND SWEET
VIGNETTES,

SO NOW YOU SEE
WHY SOME
GREAT AUTHORS
FIND THE CLOSEST
BAR
THROW BACK
A FEW
RETURN ON CUE
TO BE A FAMOUS
STAR,
SO IN THE END
AS BOOKBAGS
BEND
AND WE PACK
UP TO LEAVE,
WE ARE
REMINDED
OF ONE THING:
THE JOY
THAT BOOKS
AND TALES
CAN BRING,
WE AREN’T SUPPOSED
TO BE THE
HOST,
JUST A PINBALL
WHIZZARD
WHO SMILES
AND FROWNS
WITH UPS
AND DOWNS,
AND SLITHERS
LIKE A LIZZARD
ON THE FLOOR
AND OUT THE DOOR,
I SAY NO MORE,
WHILE YOU
EXPLORE
MY MIND,
I’LL SLIP
AWAY
TO GO
AND PLAY
AND LEAVE
YOU ALL BEHIND.

©JW WINSLOW 8/1/18

FREEDOM IS A
SOARING BIRD
RARELY SEEN
BUT OFTEN
HEARD,
WHILE LOVE ITSELF
IS A FREEDOM SONG
SHE FLOATS UPON
THE BREEZE
LIFTING
LILTING
RISING HIGH
AMONGST THE
TALLEST TREES,
SHE OPENS UP
THE COLDEST HEART
WITH WARMTH
FROM UP ABOVE
SHOWING US
THE SIMPLE THINGS
FLYING LIKE A DOVE,
WHEN SUNBEAMS
COME AND
PEOPLE RISE
SHE APPEARS
BEFORE OUR EYES
AND SHINES A
LIGHT
SO STRONG
AND BRIGHT
WE CANNOT
WAIT TO SEE
WHAT LIES BEYOND
THE HUMAN
BONDS
OF SWEET
PURE MYSTERY,
AND SO WE
OPEN UP THE
DOOR
TO OUR HEART
AND SOON RESTORE
A KIND OF LOVE
THAT SPEAKS
IN TRUTH
THE PUREST
INNOCENCE
OF OUR YOUTH,
HIDDEN THERE
FROM DAYS GONE
PAST
WHEN SECRETS
HELD THE
DREAMS
THAT OFTEN CAME
FROM CHILDISH
SCHEMES
AND BROUGHT
US ALL
TO DUTY,

WE KNOW
WE SEE
WE CAN’T DENY
THAT WHICH
FLIES THERE
IN THE SKY,
BEYOND THE
DEEPEST DREAM,
WHERE LOVE
IS BORN
AS THE PERFECT
GIFT
MEANT TO
STAY
COME INTO
PLAY
AND TEACH
US ALL THE
STORIES
LIGHT THE
PATH TO
HAPPINESS
AND JOY
AND SONG
AND GLORY,
SO FOR TODAY
I WILL OPEN
MY EYES
TO THE WILLING
LIGHT
REACHING OUT
FOR ALL THE
CLUES
THE PASSION
RISES
AS YOUR MUSE
AND BRINGS
A GIFT
OF JOY
AND SOURCE
FLYING
HIGH
WITHIN A COURSE
AMONG THE CLOUDS,
TO OPEN UP
THE HUMAN SHROUD,
RISE ABOVE
THE INNOCENCE
THE PAIN
THE COLD
THE INSOLENCE,
THE KEY TO
HEAVEN’S DOOR
AND SHINE
THE SOUL
OF MYSTERY
BRIGHTENING
THE LIGHT
WRITING
HISTORY
WHERE LOVE
IS THE CHANCE
TO SING
AND DANCE,
TO FIRE AND RUN
AND CELEBRATE
LOVE’S DOOR IS OPEN
FOR WE ARE ONE.

©JW WINSLOW 7/1/18

THEY COME IN MANY
SHAPES AND
SIZES
OFTEN SEEN
AS SWEET
SURPRISES,
OPENING UP
AND PULLING BACK
ATTACHED TO
A TRAIN
ON THE RAILROAD
TRACK,
MAYBE A PLATE
FULL OF TINY
LUSH BURGERS
OR LASSOS
AND ROPES
FOR THE
BRAWNY
SHEEP HERDERS,
BUT MAINLY
MY VISION
COMES FROM
THE LIGHT
THE OPENING
OF FANCIFUL
DREAMS OF
DELIGHT,
MY FRIEND
TALKS OF
TRAILERS
AND FISHING
AND SAILERS,
ADDING SOME
SPACE TO
THEIR
QUEST
AND EMBRACE,
THEY PUSH
ON THE PANEL
AND OPEN
THE FACE
TO CATCH
THE WILD WIND
AND WIN EVERY
RACE,
I PICTURE
MY MIND
WITH A SWEEPING
CLEAR SLIDE
A WAY TO EMBRACE
WHAT SLEEPS THERE
INSIDE

ENVISIONING
THINGS
THE IMPOSSIBLE
DREAMS
THE FORECAST
IS BLURRY
BUT FLOWING
IN STREAMS
OF THE ARTISTS
DESIRE
TO FUEL
THE FIRE
IMAGINE THE BEST
CONTINUE
THE QUEST,
SO LET NOW
THIS BE
THE SUMMER
OF SLIDERS
OF VISIONS
AND STREAMS
AND PHANTOM
LIGHT RIDERS,
OF BRIGHT
SUNNY MORINGS
AND LOTS OF
SURPRISES
STEP BACK
IN WONDER
AS YOUR STAR
ALSO RISES,
BELIEVING
IS PART
OF A STRONG
HEALTHY HEART,
SO SLIDE
OPEN THE
DOORS
AND WAIT
FOR THE SCORE,
BELIEVE IT WILL
COME
JUST WHEN
YOUR PLUM
OF A DREAM
IS AT HAND,
SO TAKE
A DEEP BREATH
AND THEN
MAKE YOUR
STAND!

C:JW WINSLOW 6/1/18

THE BAREBOOT
BEAUTY/
THE WIGGLE TOE
CHAMP
DIDN’T RECOGNIZE
THE TENDER
SIGNS
OF THE ARCHED
AND PAINFUL
CRAMP:
IT CAME UPON
ME IN THE RAIN
WEARING SHOES
OF UNKNOWN
VIRTURE
OLD AND SOFT
LIKE KINDERGARTEN
I WORE THEM
ONLY WHEN
I HAD TO,
NOT BY CHOICE
BUT TRYING
TO BE WISE,
AND NOW
I KNOW
(BY EXPERIENCE)
THEY WERE
NOT EVEN
MY TRUE SIZE,
I SPLASHED
ALONG AND
UP THE HILL
HOLDING MY
UMBRELLA,
THINKING HOW
I HATE THE RAIN
AND EVEN WORSE
THE SHOOTING
PAINS
THAT RACED
FROM FOOT
TO KNEE,
IT WAS THE KIND
OF SURPRISE
YOU REALLY
DON’T NEED,
AND SO BEGAN
THE VIBRANT
SEARCH
TO FIND
A SET OF
TENNIES,
SOME SWEET
NEW ONES
THE SNEAKER
KIND,
COOL AND SLEEK
WITH COLORED
LACES
LIKE THE WOMEN
WEAR IN
RUNNING RACES,
IT WAS TIME TO
SEE MY PERFECT
PAIR
AND MAYBE SOCKS
TO CLEAR THE
AIR,
AND SO I SEARCHED
AND LOOKED
AND SOUGHT
JUMPED RIGHT
IN AND SHORTLY
BOUGHT
SOME SLEEK
BLACK LEATHER
WITH COOL
WHITE SOLES
LACED THEM UP
FOR MY
SERIOUS STROLL,

BUT TRADGEDY
SOON
HIT ME FAST
AND THEN I KNEW
THEY WOULDN’T
LAST:
IMMMEDIATLEY
I HAD A BLISTER
AND TOES ALL
SQUISHED
LIKE MY
BABY SISTER,
I KNOW YOU
THINK THAT
I GAVE UP,
AND WOULD HAVE
IF I COULD
BUT SOMETHING
TOLD ME
TO TRY AGAIN
AS I SENT THOSE
FIRST ONES
BACK TO SIN,
NEVER EXPECTING
TO FIND A PAIR
THAT I WOULD LOVE
AND REALLY
WEAR,
IT WAS MOSTLY
JUST TO
SATISFY
MY NAGGING FRIENDS
AND BROTHER’S EYE,
BUT THEN
ONE DAY
THERE ON MY SCREEN
WERE THE MOST
PERFECT ONES
I HAVE EVER SEEN,
WHITE WITH ROSES
MADE FOR ME,
WHO WOULD HAVE
THOUGHT
THAT COULD EVER BE,
AND SO TODAY
MY STORY ENDS
WITH THE HAPPY
TALE
OF SILLY TRENDS
THAT FINDS ME
WALKING
SITTING
TALKING
STARTING OUT
WITH A SHORT
SWEET STROLL
IN A ROUNDABOUT,
THE PRETTY SHOES
ARE REALLY
SILLY
BECAUSE THEY
LOOK LIKE
A CALLA LILY,
OR MAYBE JUST
A FINE BOQUET,
WHO CARES
ABOUT WHAT
PEOPLE SAY…
I’M SMILING
AT MY SHOES
TODAY!

C:JW WINSLOW 5/1/18

I SHOWED HIM
THE UNDERBELLY
OF MY TOWN
PLACES SEEN
LESS ON TV
AND ADVERTISED
THINKING HE
WOULD BE
SURPRISED,
AND YET THE
PINCH OF
SADNESS
THAT ACCOMPANIES
A DARK PATCH
OF SAND
AND DEEP GULLIES
CARVED INTO MY
BELOVED
OCEAN
SURFACED BETWEEN
US
AS I SPLASHED
ACROSS THE
MURKY BREACH
COVERING MY
ANKLES,
HE CHOSE TO
ADMIRE THE
GRIMY TRACTOR
RUNNING WITHOUT
A DRIVER,
AND HANDED ME
A BROKEN SAND DOLLAR,
JUST A PART OF
THE PLACES I HAVE
COME UPON
AFTER THE
FLAME OF GLAMOUR
FADED
AND I WALKED ON
PATHS
BETWEEN THE
BUILDINGS,
INTO NARROW
ALLEYS
AND COURTYARDS
FROZEN IN TIME,
THIS PART OF
LIFE HAS BECOME
THE DEEP ADVENTURE
WHERE THE TOE
IS DIPPED FURTHER
INTO THE WATER,
UNCOVERING
LITTLE SECRET
STREETS
AND MUSKY
BUILDINGS
HOUSING THE
LIGHT OF BUSINESS
BEHIND
SCRATCHED
GLASS,

WE COME
UPON THE
MAN WHO GROOMS
HIMSELF
EVERY DAY
AS I PASS,
COMBING HIS
LONG HAIR
WEIGHTED WITH
DROPS OF A
BEACH SHOWER,
HE HAS FOUND
A PLACE TO
BATHE
WHERE A SECOND
OF PRIVACY
LIVES,
ACROSS
FROM THE PARK
WHERE TALES
OF GOOD DEEDS
AND FREE
MEALS ABOUND,
WHILE THE
CHILDREN WHO
KNOW NOT YET
OF THESE
THINGS
RIDE THE DENNIS
TRAIN,
CHASE WOBBLY
GEESE
AND ROLL OVER
IN THE GRASS,
AS WE STROLL
BACK TO
THE REAL WORLD
(THE ONE WHERE
MY SHINY RIDE
AWAITS)
WE HESITATE
AT THE SIGNAL,
EXAMINING A
FADED
CRUMBLING
GATE,
HIDDEN BEHIND
THE GLAMOR
OF A MUSEUM
ON THE CORNER,
IT IS
THE SECRET
OF THINGS TO
COME,
DISCOVERY
THAT UNCOVERS
THE REAL
WORLD,
PUSHED ASIDE
WHERE YOU
CAN HIDE,
WHEN THINGS
GET ROUGH,
PEEL OFF
THE TOP LAYER
AND DIVE
INTO MONTEREY
BAY,
WHILE A WHIMSICAL
TIDE
LAPS AT THE
SHORE,
STANDING
READY TO
EVEN THE
SCORE…
THERE ARE TWO
SIDES
TO EVERY STORY:
TODAY I WAIT
FOR THE
MORNING GLORY!

C:JW WINSLOW 4/1/18