Poetry Reading

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I’ve been invited to my first poetry reading and it’s a big deal, not just because it’s my first one, but because:

• It’s being advertised as an international event
• It’s a college event so there are many highly experienced and professional poets participating and watching
• There will be members from the local and international community attending
• Many of my coworkers will be there either watching or participating.

Who is “I”

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Blessed are the meek
who wrest to ignite the day
from the immobile, clutched in dread.
Quasi restitution illusions leak,
from those to distract the way.
Straight backed, they’ll fight till dead.

Will you be there holding flowers,
ash posies for the living or coins for the eyes?
Ferryman dismisses incontinent thoughts
and those he will not humor, cowards.
Prey on the humble and be despised,
cast to the void and left to rot.

Children, cup your hands to hold your inner saint
and place your soul in the heart of another.
Dismiss your mother’s failings and your father’s rage;
none of this was ever your fault, so don’t let it taint
the reflections of you. Rather,
build upon the blessings and turn the page.

The Shock Department

[The challenge of building poetry around a quote or several can push ideas to interesting places. This is based on quotes from Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's]

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“Everybody has to feel superior to somebody, but it’s customary to present a little proof before you take the privilege.”
-Truman Capote (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

Speaking from a jealous heart,
is begging for spare change
while holding out your amputated nub.
Your hands told you to fuck yourself;
they had better places to be.
You do nothing but waste their time in trivial pursuit.
(someone had to say it)

Assertions upon strangers
is standing precariously close to the 3rd rail,
one inch in the wrong direction and you’re shit out of luck.
At this very moment you could be talking to God for all you know.
Are you really willing to risk it?
It’s raining and the tracks are slick…it might already be too late.
Nothing likes the liquid electric like God…

Denial might drive the bus
but that prick’s reading your GPS.
What you do matters
only to certain people on certain occasions.

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“Leave it to me: I’m always top banana in the shock department.”
-Truman Capote (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

You’re in luck. I’m not God, I’m your unborn child.
You, remember me?
Right?
Last time you saw me I was on the ceiling, or headboard
or…yesterday’s dirty shirt…
I can’t quite remember.
But don’t I look familiar?

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“My yardstick is how somebody treats me.”
-Truman Capote (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

I’ve trained myself to tune out and tune in.
Never to forget to focus on the lightning in the rainstorm,
the wolf in the woods.
Distractions have a lasting effect
upon one’s tenuous perch.
If you’re too focused on your footing,
you’ll miss the little leaguer behind you with the baseball bat.

Words mean nothing; they’re just noisy air after all.
Actions are lead weights,
and one never knows when the flood is coming.

Most people deserve a chance;
few deserve patience.
Those who do are priceless.

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“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.”
-Truman Capote (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

I am in debt.

[Quotes obtained from: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?commit=find+quotes&page=3&q=Breakfast+at+Tiffany%27s]