a neighbour
plays saxophone
somewhere down the street
it sounds like
they are at
an open window
practicing scales
bursts of pieces
previously mastered
other segments
yet to be perfected
those standard exercises
again and again
with missed breaths
and off-note *******
building in complexity
but slowed down
beyond recognition
with their concentration
no doubt
seething at times
behind closed doors
as fingers refuse
to obey
not moving fast enough
assuredly enough
it should annoy me
it usually would
this distraction
while I try
to read or write
the stumbling repetition
of practice failing
to make perfect
but today
there is a calming
in the familiarity
of it all

I look out at my hometown,
And what is it I see?
I see a stranger,
Bearded and haggard,
Staring back at me.

Oh, my hometown,
So filled with cherished memories,
What happened to your pastures and your fields,
Your farms and your special feel?
Where I explored so deep in my formative years,
Never able to uncover all of your secrets.

Your fields are now filled,
With cookie-cutter suburbs, million-dollar home-o-ramas, and strip malls,
Your farms a distant memory,
Your pastures destroyed and paved over,
Parking for the urban refugee.

You were a place of mystery,
A home for 8 generations before me,
But now you are nothing but a hollowed-out husk,
Gutted for profit and a name.

I just wanna slowly apply some pressure.
I knew you were special the second we started texting.
Give me a minute, I’m about to express my confessions.
Been waiting on you, to make a move, to make this move.
Cause you…cause you… you’re mine

You’re protected under my care when you’re with me.
You submit as much as you honor me respectfully.
And when you need quality time, just call me.
Im always here for you Ms. Lady.
Ready to be next to you, just you.

When you need me, baby I got you
Deep in these feelings, I’m so inspired
Share with me your thoughts and desires
I’m just so excited
Cause I’m ready to be next to you… Just you…


Now, I just wanna make things very clear baby.
I want this to be official and not a fling baby.
Cause I’m ready to receive this ring with some kids baby.
Gifts from me to you baby.

Cause I’m ready to be next to you…
Oh na na na, woah-oahhh.

Think I already said more than enough.
So let’s make this a reality and have some fun.
Baby I’m ready to fall in love
And show more of where this comes from
Happy to start this journey with you,
start this journey with you.

When you need me, baby I got you
Deep in these feelings, I’m so inspired
Share with me your thoughts and desires
I’m just so excited
Cause I’m ready to be next to you… Just you…

Strum out to me,
Oh music man,
That sweet mandolin tune,
Tell me the secrets of this world,
I'll keep it just between you and me.

I'll take my snippets of unfinished poetry,
And you take your unfinished book,
We'll mash them together into a chunk of clay,
And what results I think will do.

Let me take you in my arms,
And swing about the room,
To some merry little jig,
Only heard between us three.

Let's laugh to loud like *******,
And banter like buffoons,
Rant and rave like jabbering macaws,
And croon until we're blue.

Take care of me when I drink too heavy,
And nod along to my song,
Even though my guitar may be out of tune,
Carry my traumas when they become too crushing,
And say you love me too.

It's a golden hour,
Everything framed in a gentle light,
Rounding edges like a fine-grit sandpaper,
The sky such a beautiful shade of blue.

The sunset is an interesting one,
Sherbert orange clouds topped with a subtle purple plume,
Crowned with golden-yellow cirrus.

I stand in awe of this majestic sight,
Breath swept along this noble image before me,
Casting the air exhaled on the currents of this exalted visage.

Sing it softly as I try to get some sleep.