New poems by James Downs
September 7th, 2016 by admin
A CUT ABOVE Stems lay flat when first cut for display . we can play like it is not a big deal or it will grow to full size of the sun . we tend to put emphasis where . we already want it to be… within all this change . it doesn’t and then it does . it’s Shiva god- head transcending stems lay flat when first cut for display . and then they don’t and then they doDay after day
Day after day
things fall from heights
and land with less or more force
and a light whoosh
.
something gets in the way
and we may have to
shove it aside
.
our hide is thick
indications of sterner stuff
inside
.
if we make a plan
and keep it close…to the
vest…we will know
what is best to do
.
the vines creep around the edge
of the river…its flow sustains
all it goes by
.
take a tip from nature
take a deep
breath in…then let it out again
.
Day after day
things fall from heights
and land in our
hearts
Exaltation
The larks exalt
around my head as if they
are not ready to leave
.
who said it was a lark
a gambol
to go off half-cocked
.
cattywumpus and
whomperjawed…a fool’s
errand if ever I’ve seen one
.
maybe if we do go away
it should be full cocked into
the night…I assure you
.
it will be a big gamble then…
the larks exalt… fly with
praise and we must
.
follow fearlessly
Haiku
growing up fast like
……..summer grass sprouts ready to
grasp hold…give a shout
for my grandsons
Alex and John
OPEN
We go to a place that
makes sense
.
the sound it takes
is like deer god
and bear god banding together
.
open my heart with
a belly knife
.
find a thread—pull it
see what
is raveling…what
unravels
.
courses take courage and
answers ache
.
of wine
and remembrance
.
if you have a dime
spend
the time it takes
to use it
.
no regrets…everything
is fine.
Ophelia why
Ophelia
why did you throw yourself
in the river?
.
despair is so finalizing
.
couldn’t you have just
gone someplace
else
.
solutions present themselves
.
to those who see…you didn’t have to
relinquish control over your life
just because someone
.
couldn’t handle the arc of his own
.
knife cut sharpness of the waves
tore you up and water filled your lungs
no chance to heal
.
no chance to breath your secrets
.
or any other breathing cut short
.
Ophelia why did you throw
yourself in the river?
Rippled
one is brewing up {from the waves}
brace yourself
we are from stars and water
.
and nothing stays the same
and nothing
changes from the sky
.
if we choose from among
a spoon and
a fork and one sharp knife
.
it all depends upon the need
the want or
any aesthetics we may find
.
turn around and see what’s
coming…find
a building and build it
.
storm is here soon…one is
brewing up
{from the waves} brace
.
yourself….we are from
out there and
there be dragons in the sky
THE STORM
The short hills undulate
comprise a falling off as
well as rising up
.
we keep walking
upon the grass
.
the storm builds up
like a wall…like
poem pieces
.
if you dive in
one end of the pool
.
surely you will
come out the other
a wet thing
.
get a handle on it
in your hand
.
what befuddles
you will wash
you clean
.
and you do not die
anytime soon
.
the short hill undulates
the storm builds up
and rains upon the grass
James Downs is this presses dear friend and my dear friend. He lives with his wife Joyce in Sonora.
Soon we will have out another book of his poetry with these and other poems. Find his first volume,
Merge with the river on our website and at Amazon.com.
Posted in: Uncategorized, Forever Journal