Without Campari

Without Campari

Without Campari, who can cope? 

I mean really, where would society be?

Okay, so I'm talking maybe 10% of humanity? No, that feels way to high. 

I mean, we're like 7 billion people, right?

So 700 million would miss it if it disappeared,

Like so much sweet vermouth or Bénédictine.

Would 700 million  mourn?

No. Maybe it's more like one percent.

70 million people without Negronis--is that right? (I know, no one said there'd be math.)

And the Negroni is on the rise in China, some even made with baiji.

Without Campari this poem would not exist; you wouldn't be thinking

What you're thinking

About Campari or about me. 

Careening down a gin-vermouth-Campari slope;

The same slope, the same trope;

You missed yesterday's edition. 

Without that bittersweet taste of existence 

There's nothing to cherish, nothing to miss.

Campari today, and for always. 

Without it we're lost; well,

The bittersweet lot of us cherishing the taste

That no one else can share. 

Take Care

I read he had a meltdown

I don't trust all that I read

I heard he's really on the edge

I take in what I need

I hope you're watching carefully 

I hope this will abate

I cringe each time I hear his voice

Like a comic strip of hate

We've never been united

Yeah, that's a heap o' bull

Our people don't all share some basic

Human rights beliefs

That every person counts as much

That we are all the same

Just naked souls without a hope

And hands that cannot touch

I read he had a meltdown

I don't trust all that I read

I heard he's really on the edge

I take in what I need

Tribes

Connected Microfiber 

Arching ‘cross the continent 

Talking cyborg semi-conscious

AI -driven nightmare of verse

Across the continent connected

Every road to every where

(Unless you’re headed to Ogunquit

No, you can’t get there from here.)

Prop plane flying overhead to

God knows where this hour of night

Propellers working hard to stay aloft, 

To offer refuge, offer flight

Tabla conga sitar feedback

Take me home with you tonight

Tabla conga sitar feedback

Take me home with you tonight

So many sad and disconnected souls

Seeking comfort, sharing hate

Or fear, it’s hard to tell;

Feel excluded then accepted

Yeah, acceptance does real well. 

Tribes of hatred

Tribes of love

Tribes of love

And tribes of hatred 

Not so different from above

Not so different from above

Connected by microfiber 

Arching ‘cross the continent. 

Apologies To George

The snows came in today
No not by a long shot

That's how very far gone we're gone 
The winds whipped in from the west

Not deep enough

But with a distinct northerly chill

And a good ten inches fell

When the snow came today I felt a chill

As many others did

It barked and clamored to take hold

Though I knew it never would

We see, we hear, we smell, we touch

We taste the bitter stillness

Like an echo of ancient battles

Can you not simply let go?

And let it roll

Let it roll

How many prophets must you kill?

Oh let it roll

Let it roll

Cause I know you have the will

Yes the snows came xtumbling in today

They shrieked and squawked and fell

And tomorrow we'll be scraping off

And listening for that knell

To call us home from our misgivings 

Back to dipping from the well

So let it roll, let it roll

Let it wash all over you;

Let it roll, let it roll

C'mon children ring that bell

Just let it roll, oh, let it rolll. 

Poseidon

If we could play, I'd play with you

Take it deep, take it down

Where it burns and wants to show

How everything still turns to gold

By pounding beats, reciting psalms
Though gods be sleeping
Not yet deaf

Still busy dreaming, new worlds brewing, twisting strands, combining forces

A new continent connecting 
Shore approaches
But I sail on wary--landing's just too final--even though the sand's inviting
Poseidon breathes, the skies retreat, in solemn lines of cirrus 

Reckoning 
Surprised and shaken
Taken aback at such a fury
Holding tight to the distant

Steady bearing through the darkness
Hold that line!
Breathe in deeply now
Taste the salt, it's come to find you
Take it deep, take it down
Four winds caress you

Ever coaxing, teasing, pulling, knowing, never telling, pushing gently, disappearing 

Only for a heartbeat to remind you

Hold tight! 

The near distance even unseen

Still approaches. 
Hold that line, just hold that line

 

Jupiter

Jupiter ascends, dangles, teasing proximity. While elsewhere humans starve. 

A good lens refracts all, from the source, bending reality to suit the eye. We behold the majesty, the despair, heartlessly, heartfully. 

"Tearful at the falling of a star," she said. Knowing many more would fall and leave us mourning, especially for those who never saw it streak and fade, exhausted from just Being.

Still Jupiter ascends, leaves no trail, makes no promises. Dangling there like a lie.

I just want to believe it, I'm so fucking tired. Just a shill--take me down a notch, howling at the sky, getting no reply, not soon enough anyway.

Can't you see I'm that star you saw? Supernova burnt to a micro-crisp. Trailing tears for those who missed the show.

Jupiter! Rise to your station, all truthfully radiant. You charmer, you vigilante. I'd follow if only you pointed the way. 

Titanic

Surfing channels
Sipping cordials
Goldfish pretzels
Ocean liner
TV pipe dreams
Quartet playing
Liner sinking
Tastebuds yearning
Lifeboats flailing
In the darkness
Hundreds drowning
As I'm thinking
North Atlantic
Prayers floating
Floating upward
Drenched in sorrow
Have we made it?
Am I waking?
Hold fast children
Unforgotten
Hist'ry's waiting
All must tumble
Frozen lips now
Take a deep breath
Let no anchors
Pull us backward
No erasing
No repenting
Sleep in kindness
Sleep in kindness
Sleep in kindness
Sleep in kindness