Thinking this could
possibly be the worst
day before birthday
or just worst day
period, I must
find a way to
release the super moon
vibes, diatribes
nasty sides
scoring up the
town with me
on their back,
I lost my talisman
and found myself
so near to tears
I could not consider
all the years
we spent together,
a plain little copper
cross, the guardian
of my heart, the keeper
of my soul,
the gift of those long
gone who taught me
about love
and friendship,
of talent and
perseverance,
observance of the
moral clause:
a pause to reflect
upon the simplicity
of life, to be calm
in the storm, and
humble in the face
of glory,
and now such a
terrible end to
my story, escaping
from my ear this
morning, on a
pilgrimage of
another sadness,
rising out of the
dawn in a wet
rage, driving
across miles to
enslave my
poetic thoughts
be a perfect girl
love my family
and dote on my
friends, it never
ends
but this is a
blow, nothing
to reach up and
touch, dangling
there, supporting
my flights of
fancy, how could
I fail with my
copper cross,
now I am lost
without it: I
want to shout
never doubt
your dreams,
but words remain
my silent scheme,
I have only you
to share
my despair…

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 4/1/11

The spark of genius
is contagious:
submerge yourself
in deep music and
visual stories of
courage, watch
a sunset unexpected
and you are
connected to all,
the painter who
lives the true
gypsy life,
eschewing comforts
and fame
for the last
ray of light
that scene
which will
never come again,
the voices that
bleed out of
times on the road
it is a heavy load
to carry, always
wondering why
nobody notices,
but is that really
the point,
you are born with
the drive, the yen
to speak, begin anew
light up the sky
with music beyond
belief, so like a
thief in the night,
stealthily creating
despite what
they say, the
reward is sacred,
all yours to savor,
Rock on, angel
and hear the words
given across the wires…
INSPIRE.

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 3/1/11

How did you know
that the dawn
would bring a
sunrise so bright
while I was
racing out of
the night,
why did you
pick just
the perfect
music for
the new discs
and select
some fabulous
glass spheres
for my art,
how did you
find such a
mix of tunes
to make me
cry and dance
around the
room, throwing
off the gloom
to soaring states,
how did you
know that I
needed your
company to
soothe my soul
prop me up while
I watch the sight
we both dread,
a beloved person
fade away…
oh so slowly,
how can you
possibly see now
how much
you mean to me,
chicken spaghetti
and Hubs, even
a chilly house
is better than none,
but I sailed all
the way home
on your smile,
a big hug to wish
safe trip,
maybe when you
read this, it
will say it all…
doubtful.

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 2/1/11

What I had
in mind
was this
beautiful gift:
a fabulous
joyful pillow,
artsy and clever
bunched roses
in fabric made
of a silvery
soft cloth,
something fey
and perfect
for a designer
like my Mom,
so it arrived
as promised,
although
larger than
expected, but
very fine
nevertheless,
and I assembled
the cover and
pillow to make
her gift just right,
couldn’t wait
to see the sight
of that smiling
face, Christmas Eve
and all, but when
she opened it, (last
and most anticipated
present under the tree)
she showed another
kind of glee: something
tickled her fancy,
made her laugh, not
once or twice (that
would have been nice)
but instead an
eruption of howls
came forth, silly
giggling, laughing
chortling, until
we all were in tears
and she the most,
it was a toast to
a misplaced humor,
for a few minutes
she forgot about
everything except
how funny that
pillow is, so although
this was not the
concept I intended
it ended in the
SWEETEST CALL:
TICKLE
TICKLE, after all.

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 1/1/11

So picture this:
the tall stalks
of Pampas grass
swaying, fluffy
heads spraying a
bit of puff in the
breeze, while one
guest after another
ties a ribbon on this
field of bright soldiers,
it is a ritual learned
from travels to exotic
lands, where they
announce arrival by
adding their talisman,
all the guests at this
party are unknown
to each other, it is
the natural way to
introduce people,
the perfect gathering
something to talk
about, beautiful
conversations and
controversial art,
each contributing
something to eat
or drink, or think,
shining on a sunny
day with the autumn
leaves at bay,
the baby rock band
all grown up,
playing Hendrix
knocking their sox
off, and at last the
Actress arrives, an
appropriate entrance
with flash and smiles,
she makes me laugh
after they are all
gone, staring at the
blisters on my toes
from those fancy boots,
who gives a hoot…
the house is full of
good energy, the remnants
of love and brotherhood,
controversy, music and
one last beautiful wedge
Of brie…
for me

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 12/1/10

Eve of a new
quarter
century, in
a sober state
of mind,
not what you
think, this
is good
STRAIGHT ARROW
not sad and
morose,
but a day
to look back
upon twenty
five years
of struggle,
the uphill
battle that
has finally
evened out
to a continuous
effort,
a joyful celebration
of abstinence
from things
that held me back
no more, I have
reached a lovely
place, a landmark
But beware
they say, never
take it for granted
this clear head
the anxiety of
never knowing
and no crutches
but fresh air
and prayer
yoga instead
of smoke
walking the
Wild road
alone and
unfettered,
leaving it
all up to the
winds of change,
I must trust
not an easy
thing, but
what choice
is left, the
path is taken
the light
beckons down
the line,
DIVINE

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 11/1/10

The last hours
and minutes
linger before
some magic begins:
a full moon
in Aries,
the end of Summer
the advent
of Fall…
that’s all,
just a steamy pile
of circumstances
converging as
the months of
strange weather
and weird events
pull up short
and gasp a last
breath,
releasing me
to the future,
what should
occur and what
will, maybe overkill
to wonder at this
point, the path
is taken
the direction
forsaken in skewed
points of light
with truth or
dare as the daily
fare, and people
dropping like flies,
jumping ship
moving to Vegas,
disappearing just
when I need them,
so as my mother says
it is meant to be,
(figuring it all out
on your own)
always alone
but maybe not,
THE PLOT THICKENS…

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 10/1/10

Somethin’ strange
goin’ on here:
been dragged
over the coals
and revived,
slapped up
and written down
till I’m barely Alive,
the sun and
moon are just
spooning
soaring in
the Heavens
as I hightail
it home,
scurrying away
from the
strangest days,
people mad
at me
and then not,
never really
sure about
the plot,
characters
weaving in
and out of
a silly game
nevertheless
it’s all the
same old
same old,
Truth be
told, seeing
my brother’s
best Friends
again
was a hoot,
photos of me
as a tiny little
Bee, was I ever
that shy,
surrounded by
the big boys
of High School,
at my own party
they sit and
listen to me
read my book
and speak my
lines, smiling
at the proper
and correct moment,
the time warp
has made a full
circle, kindness
returns, in a rerun
the boss man is
nice after all,
now it’s my call!

 

©J.W.WINSLOW 9/1/10

Ya wonder where they
Came from,
Got their groove:
Listen up, hot
July day
EXILE smiling
From my mailbox
Jumping onto
The turntable
Sliding out
Of years ago
When they
Were so hot
And so young
Not afraid to
Try anything
Sure they
Could do it,
And the result
Is this nasty
Fabulous beat
Recorded in a
French basement,
Truly exiled
From Mother Brit,
They dig into
The blues, a very
Expensive garage
Band on the Riviera
High on life
And drugs
And local thugs
Who bring the
Color to the devil,
If you ever wondered
Why they are
Still around,
Listen up, kids:
Here are the seeds
Of great rock
And roll,
Smiling at you
From a new disc
And an ancient
Time steeped
In tight skinny
Pants and
Quick romance,
It was the way
Of the world,
They got it
Right, with a
Touch of sorrow
Plaintive in between
The beat, horns
Wailing, musty
Old walls reflect
The sounds of
The Stones,
Wishing they
Were home…

©J.W.WINSLOW 8/1/10

She wonders
why she is
still here,
climbing into bed
exhausted
after a long
dinner with
her kids,
laughing
teasing
full of rancor
and silly puns,
scolding and
yarns about
the past, that
only we know
and understand,
while I tuck
her into bed,
she bemoans the
length of her stay
on this planet,
and why she has
endured so long,
while I smile
and tell her in
a very loud whisper
(she cannot hear
without her aids)
that she must
accept her life
these days,
given as a gift
because I have
no idea of the
answer: SHE IS
HERE BECAUSE
SHE IS HERE,
only God knows
when that
will end,
so until then,
watch the sunrise
and the moon,
breathe deeply
the flowers
of the garden
lush with summer,
eat with relish
and drink with
joy, and feel
your children
love you,
she nods and
closes her eyes:
She is ninety six!

©J.W.WINSLOW 7/1/10