tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50542051797103019652024-03-08T04:32:37.195-08:00Poems to the Culture ListRoss Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-85514531686119200122017-04-27T13:18:00.000-07:002017-04-27T13:18:57.315-07:00<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">in Little Plum Park</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">full moon last night --</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">they say it will be </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">even better tonight</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">and perhaps the night after next</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">on wooden park bench</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">far from home, leaves waving</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">steam whistle blows -- antique</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">locomotive Kyoto Railway Museum</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">on my right young man</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">tossing baseball to young woman</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">recording whole drama on camera</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">selfie-stick in the current idiom</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">on my left old couple</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">unpack minipoodle from snuggly</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">then open lunchboxes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">pouring tea into ceramic teacups</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">leaves waving, water babbles</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">in lazy brook among</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">stepping stones while</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">pigeons prowl the underbrush</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span></b>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-87883668420142249432017-03-04T14:08:00.000-08:002017-03-04T14:08:10.216-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>smoke in your eyes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">when I gave up smoking cigarettes</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>seemed like the whole world staggered</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>to an end -- kalpas shaking</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>when I took the key right out my mouth</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>the howl -- like somebody forgot</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>to feed the cats -- it was like that</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>took the receiver off the hook</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>dial tone back in the 20th century</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>now white noise -- it was like that</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>fragments shattered on volcano shore</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>then the waves washed them away</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>blank mirror in your face</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>never did quite understand the meaning</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>of nicotine -- smoked a long clay pipe</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>for a time, packed with Balkan Sobranie</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>let us now meditate on the significance</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>of the filter, or exotic associations</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gitanes in the French Caribbean</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">unfiltered Camels in downtown New York</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>life measured out by tobacco</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>the habitual pose, gazing at autumn leaves</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>something to do with the fingers and lips</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>rolling ciggies, kissing tobacco</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>it did not seem particularly erotic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>seasons going by, nerves numb</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>gazing out at the sea, waves washing away</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>and brushing off the ashes, all the ashes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>when I gaving up smoking cigarettes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>it was like turning the radio off</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>that pulsing moment stopped time abruptly</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>a study of the limits of desire</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>when a lovely flame dies</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">haunted scent of ancient autumn leaves</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>--Ross Bender</b></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-42931233250981688302017-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:002017-02-17T08:46:09.937-08:00<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">caterwaul</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>the neighbors were making</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>lots of ruckus </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>last night </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>but perhaps </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>they were trying </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>to sing </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>bongos, ukeleles, clarinets, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>cowbells, castanets</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>and this awful wailing </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>but maybe </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>they were just trying </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>to sing </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thought it might have been cats </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>but it was the vox humana </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>about twenty-seven of them </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>and all prima donnas </b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>making a racket </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>attempting to swing </b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><div>
but heck </div>
<div>
to be charitable</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
maybe they were just trying to sing </div>
</b></span></div>
Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-87405567791053630592017-02-08T07:15:00.001-08:002017-02-08T07:15:17.869-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>return to the little rooms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">returning to the little room --</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">studio, efficiency, cubicle --</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">solitary cell in the brain</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">blundering home at odd hours</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">you miss the address, or the building's </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">down, burnt out, demolished</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">or the elevator refuses to pause at your floor</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">you wander out in the night mesh,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Manhattan street matrix</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(it was the decade of the solitaries</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">long-distance hollow-eyed striders</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">up and down the wounded bleeding avenues)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">at last, guided by some god's hand</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">you stumble home to the little room,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">safe place, asylum, it endures in time</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">narrow bed, desk and lamp, and in the drawer</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the deck of suicide cards, your old poems</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">cryptographic tomes line the shelf</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">reclining, you recite aloud</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the old bards gather</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">chanting greybeards join in</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">moonlight plays over the foot of the bed</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">autumn returns and in its clarity</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">angels take wing over Harlem</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">full moon slides and your mind to the west</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">over the cliffs to paradise</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">down to the river, onto the rocks of time</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-76904236500318695382017-02-01T17:53:00.001-08:002017-02-01T17:53:56.561-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>little rooms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">in the little rooms </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the trance arrives then departs</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">your Muse approaches</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">furious priests march in</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">beating their tambours</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the drums, the incense</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">imposing women,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">formidable as storms, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">rush over you</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">delirium in their wake</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the keys to the little rooms</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">to find them you consult </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the subway maps</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">these little rooms are always</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">similarly furnished --</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">a narrow bed, a lamp, a desk</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">reserved for you</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">in a decaying building</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">down in the slums of time</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-42301975632086781982017-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:002017-01-25T11:24:27.315-08:00<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BLACK POWER 50</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>living in the USA past five decades</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>been like participating in a slo-mo</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>slo-mo slow motion peoples' movement </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>or a lazy funky guerilla war</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Malcolm said: America is a Prison.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>hard to quarrel with that truth</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>world's first modern democracy</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>world's greatest prison nation </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>different gulags for different folks</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>graded by skin-color, IQ,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>different walks, defiant thoughts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>a cell awaits you tailored to your</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> very own personality</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>--Ross Bender</b></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-42039013967254696712017-01-09T17:45:00.000-08:002017-01-09T17:45:03.351-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>stupa</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">narcolepsy</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">this drowsiness</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">laid on thick by winter's</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">monochromatic brush</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">take the night train</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">the catatonic express</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">nod off</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">with a head full of snow</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">there are stupas </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">at my doorstep</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">shard upon shard</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">stone upon stone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-31376542768528155472017-01-04T07:29:00.001-08:002017-01-04T07:29:56.012-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>bardo</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">your face frozen in the window</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I bring food offerings</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">hieratic cats, their old souls</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">behind ancient eyes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">your body entranced in the sacral bed</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">anointed and unguentine</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">once we were entwined</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">under the pyramids, under the sphinx</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">soul's boat rocking</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">dark gelatinous waters</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">florid multiplex demons</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">stand at attention</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">this is not dying; yet it is</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">this is not a journey; yet it is</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">your face frozen in the waters</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">under the pyramids, under the sphinx</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-15718917596740993932016-12-27T16:31:00.000-08:002016-12-27T16:31:19.039-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>stunned morning</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">storm-driven birds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">gray smoke blown against leafless trees</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Scarlatti's liquid harpsichord gems trickling down</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pristine waterfall</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">stunned morning</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">jet contrails brushed white on cold blue sky</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">cosmic overtures</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the silver birds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">bare-limbed trees, upper branches</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">black on white chimney</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">distracted, you glance away</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when you return the shadow remains</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">mornings you help bring up the sun</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">seeking perfection -- sunrise across the street</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it plays on squat dormers, lattice work,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">stolid brick, yellow, aged</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">aged by this morning somehow enhanced</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you strive to conquer the music</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or to merely comprehend it</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">trash day -- recycling trucks grind by</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in stiff breeze red green white pizza box</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">skates across the street</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">smoke wisps in shadow etched</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">whitewashed brick wall of nursing home</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">bright morning sunshine</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">like old outdoor movie screen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-22725513139053702032016-12-27T06:40:00.002-08:002016-12-27T06:40:50.107-08:00<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>there are maps</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">down in the subway</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">there are maps</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">if you can read them</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you'll get where you are going</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">of course, even if you can't read them</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you'll get where you are going</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">anyway -- </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that's just how it goes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been studying this phenomenon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for some time now</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it's profound, yet simple:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you always get where you are going</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">to put it in other terms,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">as Darwin once said:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">'everything is the way it is</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">because it got that way'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-11008952621008299742016-12-20T08:46:00.000-08:002016-12-20T08:46:41.638-08:00<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">strange women approach me</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">strange women approach me on the bus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">wanting to know my business</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">they're subtle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">asking for directions</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">asking for a cigarette</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">don't they know you can't smoke on the bus?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">might be social workers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">might be ladies of the night</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">might all be a honey trap</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you never know</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when you're riding on the bus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">that's why I just say no</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">keep staring ahead into the distance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">watching the streets go by</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and the people dancing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">murals, coffee shops, hair-braiding salons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and days go by</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">you see women on the bus </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you think you recognize</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you might want to talk to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">or exotic women in rain ponchos</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">displaying Chinese character for "the way"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(in Japanese 'michi')</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">when you get a bit closer</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you see it's just some football loge</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you feel foolish for having asked</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"why are you wearing 'michi' on your poncho?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">these women must all think you're nuts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">that's why I just say no to myself</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when I get the impulse</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to talk to strangers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">keep staring ahead in the distance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">watching the streets go by</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054205179710301965.post-75172013814520073412016-12-16T08:01:00.000-08:002016-12-16T08:08:11.913-08:00<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>beatniks</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">the beatniks are back in town</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you read the message in their eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">old souls, and wise</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">sorrowful, deep soulful eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">don't look like beatniks though</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">more like the angels</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or Daoist immortals, balding</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">skinny, with grey straggly beards</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">don't wear those berets anymore</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">nor dress all in black</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">these ain't young hipsters</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">no, they the ancient survivors</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">beatniks gentle, been through the wars,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">flips, epiphanies, and highs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">now they down</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">down to the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">but they swing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">oh yeah, they swing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">like the stoned old crows</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">on the wing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">--Ross Bender</span>Ross Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961441169510484623noreply@blogger.com