expectations held in a moments’ breath
before the start to Schubert's impromptu
we feel them coming
the lost children of the world
as if from a mountain path
along the first strains of the piano
        our senses hear them
before the lyric scene sets our vision
imagination shows us
bowls held by tiny fingers
hungry for life
starved for love, affection
and that expression of hunger as they march
little heads in unison
stretched in the downward direction
of the needy
the left behind
arpeggiated descending notes
depicting procession
a parade in our minds’ vision
        rhythms as they breathe
in and out
up and down
expectations of survival
for a life needing to be cherished
        tapped out with each shadowy step
are of harmonies in constant modulation
steps forward, toward the green valley
of hope just beyond
it rises as it does to greet them
open arms through a juxtaposition in the base chords
that suggest a tension that grows, then dies
into a reflective mood
one that welcomes
sunlit trees that invite
standing grand in their path
        softly on bare knees
we feel their relief, hear their prayer
as it is answered
free from pain comes the relaxed
tensions in diminutive harmonies
as the impromptu
like the children themselves
find peace in the effortless melody
of final notes
that drift away
into salvation

Jon Von Erb
6/2020




https://youtu.be/FxhbAGwEYGQ

I believe the entire country is held under a blanket of depression.
The very fiber of our 2020 existence is strained to the max. Bindings
that held us in safety and warmth for so long are now threadbare.
Deceitful lies have vomited on the wooly confidence that we trusted in to allow us to keep concentrating on work, home, family.

Through our own complacency, we have allowed dark spots to stain the thermal protection our government once provided.  Those who we thought upheld law and order in the folds of our neighborhoods have torn away our confidence, our trust, leaving racist lesions, tattered cloth we once took for granted. Presidential Incompetence has jeopardized our jobs, our hope for better education, healthcare, even the ability to walk freely down the street

Yes, depression has cloaked our soul and put away our hope
and our faith from covering ourselves, our children, and even our respect.  We must double knit efforts to overthrow the oppression that has left us naked in the midst of a corrupt and entitled government.  We must adorn our shawls of courage and stand up for what we have always cherished. Toss off spoiled and raggedy holdings and replace them with a diversely woven fabric that will carry us forward to a free and prosperous unity once again.

Jon Von Erb
6/2020

We,
caught in the tangles
of a once-thoughtful mind,
all too much in
‘Bogged-down’
mode to ‘let it go’!

We suffer, wait,
ask
when will we be free,
liberated,
let loose to give
our festival of words,
parade of thoughts
to the world?

Other minds,
need our guidance,
our wisdom!
Oh, frustration!
Oh, drat!

Desperate ideas
send sour to his stomach,
burn to lungs;
that have rested far too long.
Grumbles the hears
and, how he squirms!
Yet, messages fail!

until……

Of a sudden, a miracle,
a jolt really,
the pen is lifted -
we hold our breaths!

as…

Liberation begins!


Jon Von Erb
6/2020

You know,
they are all fab and fuzzy one moment;
flat-gone the next.

Wonder where part of your heart went?
Is part of your soul feeling tarnished?

Promises, they are full of them.
Ideas, fantasy-lovers, so intriguing;
feel like a puppet, a robot,
like you’ve been ridden;
a nouveau vacuum cleaner
suddenly replaced?

Some folks call them fickle,
others two-timers - me,

I call them slippers!

They try you on,
wear you out
and
before you get a chance
to be worn out,
they just slip away
leaving cold and bare!

**** slippers!

Jon Von Erb
6/2020

wondering through
the wonderland of your new spirit
snatching bits of heart and soul
my love catches star-points
that sparkle in your eyes

I stroll among your dawns
soar through the cobalt of your skies
turn your clouds of misty grey
into understanding adventure

and
I stumble    oh so humble
into your nights

here as I watch you slumber
it’s been a while
since I have become wrapped
in the tender moments
of a newfound love

held within your private aura
my love begs to cuddle you
bask in the breath
of your wonder


Jon Von Erb
6/2020

You know the kinda guy
that brings a U-Haul over on the second date,
don’t ya?

And that feisty gal
you just dated one time who calls ya every ten minutes,
don’t ya?

Ya know,
like a cat that thinks you’re a live-in diner
and moves right in!

Well, just for fun, the other night
I thought I’d treat my wife like I did on our 1st date
so, I dropped her off at
her parents’ house!

And, wouldn’t ya know,
the next night I was locked out of our house
sit-in’ on a suitcase
in a pile of everything I own!

I guess, ya just can’t
fun around with anyone these days.

*
Now I live in a U-haul
with a phone and a cat.

Triple ****!!!


Jon Von Erb
6/2020

Wreathed in cherry blossoms and
covered with a cloak of promises,
I search my word-withered mind
for a catchy poetic title to entice.

Marooned names scattered amongst
the catacombs of a dizzy literary mutt;
I believe are in need of a dusting.
Ah yes, dusting and cleaning is a must!

‘Sublime gifts transcend the artist’,
this we all know but, what if the gift fails,
gets caught in the cortex, mucked down?
Then where is a poet to turn to, I ask?

Wrinkling the silky fabric of confusion
my mind and his thoughts seem to be stuck;
perhaps a bit of expert ironing is in order!
I’ll see if Ms. Ironing is up for the task!

Jon Von Erb
6/2020