"astaire" poems
In My Salad Days
Salad Days
**Wikipedia:
Modern use, especially in the United States, refers to a person's heyday when somebody was at the peak of his/her abilities, not necessarily in that person's youth.**
~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Salad
Hints of tints of golden
pear skins,
combine with
ruby'd cranberries
each a face, the cheeks of alcoholic old men,
each wrinkle,
a life's recording.
All are mates for the
marcona almonds
nestling, playing hide n' go seeking
tween silk sheeted leaves of
butter lettuce.
All dressed to the nines,
underneath a top hatted, cravatted, Fred Astaire
marinade.
Coated, bathed, loved,
protected by a vinegar of balsams,
aged grape must, pressed,
a lovely, desirable color,
a brown and bronzed rust,
pressed, then left,
to easy rest for
oh so many years,
like I do, easy resting,
when you feed me in
My Salad Days.
The Days
Though it was a life, decades destructed
Millenniums of de minimus,
Forty plus Seders of exile, of hell,
Marked by promises, whispers, horseradish tears of
Next Year and Jerusalem,
Time steeped in a tradition of patient waiting.
Each year, recorded by a spot of red wine
Purposely Spilled,
By my father on unbleached Passover tablecloth,
To example, to symbolize that
Messiness in life,
Is O.K.
The Salad Days
Salad served with irony generous,
When beard greyed and scraggly,
White speckled, wisps of sea salt,
All my youthful greenery, long wilted.
Yet the words herein writ are my
Afikomen, my just dessert,
My victory song of Hallelujah
Just before we eat, celebrating
My Feast of Ascension, marking a
Delayed Arrival, yet right-on time of
My Salad Days.
It was only when
I was resurrected as two bodies,
A pair of cuffed links coupled,
In My Salad Days,
With the taste of freedom,
A first-born infant survivor,
Was I rebirthed, and to the fore, risen.
When words fell from smiling lips, and
Rain and tears flew upwards, and
Each and every breath was an
Amen.
Aug 15, 2013
Aug 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM UTC
As leaves of crimson fall,
& bleed like cherry wine
sleeping parrot greens,
they overtake mind,
I quietly approach,
set up a sneaky blind,
I spot a toucan looking tree
in colors rarely seen
it takes my breath away
in soft & brilliant sheens,
showing off the beauty,
& creating quite a scene,
Amber hues of mustard,
blending in with rust,
others look like wheat
that was baked inside a crust,
so telling you about it,
is something that I must,
Burning up the sky
in flamingo sunset pink
as if I'm in the Tropic's
just sippin' down a drink,
look at all the colors,
just amazing,
don't you think?
Like a lovely bird of paradise
is landing in my hair,
so I can write it down
a story we can share,
I'm jotting down the words,
like Ginger & Astaire,
Out arift upon the skies
I hear the weeping willow
I close my eyes to dream
& lay on leafy pillows
like sheets of iridescent,
quoting as they billow,
I stand in admiration,
a journey that I applaud
sent to me from heavens
from hands, a loving God,
leaves today are burning
stand mystified & awed
So beautiful & grand
your plumage is at peak,
waving me dear willow
I softly hear her speak,
Listen to the sounds
as they open up their beak
Go press a few examples
to savor every day
listen very closely
to every word I say
you take 'em out again
when the skies are turning grey
Cherie Nolan© 2016
Oct 21, 2016
Oct 21, 2016 at 9:03 AM UTC
I want to be the Ginger Rogers
to your Fred Astaire
the rocks of ice
in your Jameson glass,
I want to be the girl
you sing about
or the lit cigarette
your lipstick marks
Chanel rouge noir,
I want each embrace
you encounter
to touch me too
through the spaces,
I'd even be the words
in the book
you lift to read at night,
I just simply want to be
every single
missing piece
you've ever felt
or ever needed,
I want to be Cupid
stealing your heart
selfishly for
my own pleasure,
oh what toil and trouble
a girl unhinged
her unbalanced mind
bursting bubbles of blood
through her boiling passion
deep within the skin.
© Sia Jane
Dec 17, 2013
Dec 17, 2013 at 7:25 AM UTC
Somewhere in the slums
A little brown kid
With threadbare shorts
And bullet hole
Riddled
Shirt
Dances
Like the perfect
Fred Astaire wind up toy.
He grins like a brightly lit jack-o-lantern.
His cheeks are muddy
But
He grins
Wider and wider
Still,
Looking gratefully
At the sky.
Sep 25, 2013
Sep 25, 2013 at 9:29 AM UTC
A well-rehearsed dance,
the waltzing waitress tosses The Times
on table 1 as if she’ll actually finish
the Sunday crossword this morning.
She won’t.
Grease lined lights flicker on one
by one.
Like spotlights on a stage.
It’s show time.
Twostepping while taking down chairs,
she flows to the rhythm of ritual,
across a worn checkered dancefloor.
No applause.
In a dining room of Astaire’s and Rogers
she is the coffee choreographer.
Pirouetting to the ***
then a sidestep, quick! Quick!
Slow.
Warming up now, she stretches.
Switching on the metal machinery.
It grinds and growls as if it prefers
decaf.
Rings from rusted bells
hanging from the door chime
to the beat. This is her
cue.
Oct 14, 2016
Oct 14, 2016 at 10:09 AM UTC
What loving proof, is deemed unfair
If you danced away like Fred Astaire
No timing, rhyming, or cold stare
Can equally compare
The anguish if I lost you; dear
From the once conqueror of fears
Holding on to memories, Then **** it disappears
We could reminisce when we grew old
To way back in the day
Together, holding hands
From Brooklyn to the Bay
The cost is just a fraction
Of the amount that I would pay
To reach our love’s conclusion
If only for a day
You always tried to encourage me
When my head was in the clouds
And if our love became complacent
There was laughter to be found
You always kept me guessing
With your flare for life itself
I thought about confessing
The hand that I was dealt
It’s impossible to recreate
The pictures frame by frame
No time to rush, no time to waste
Our love could never fade
We set it free into the universe
With a message soft and pure
It traveled on an unknown course
But it was too hard to ignore
It’s mission to connect the dots
Of love and hates demise
It would appear you put me on the spot
Through a lame disguise
The gift of love in ones grasp
Will surely slip away
Don’t focus on the memories of past
When there’s still some time today
A way to compensate your fears
A way to feel redeemed
To spend the duration of my life
With the woman of my dreams
Sep 15, 2018
Sep 15, 2018 at 12:56 AM UTC
Hershey, black satin, as long as my torso
Diamond green comforting eyes
Velveteen curious nose
Tongue like a pumice stone
Her elegant but waddling stride
Powerful, confident and territorial
Sitting like a queen on her throne
Cat of mine, mother to be
Tuxedo, black and white, bow tie and all
White sock covered feet like satin gloves
Long white elderly whiskers
He reminds me of Fred Astaire
Quick calculated light on his feet
Shy yet debonair
Patient, watchful and full of pride
Father to be
Oreo, friend and foe
White as snow, black face and tail
Large circular patches of black
Fearless fence and roof climber
Youngster full of mischievousness
Paws in the air, tummy exposed to the sun
Purring so loud she vibrates
Kitty of mine
Aug 1, 2010
Aug 1, 2010 at 6:14 AM UTC
Almost
by Michael R. Burch
We had—almost—an affair.
You almost ran your fingers through my hair.
I almost kissed the almonds of your toes.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
You almost contemplated using Nair
and adding henna highlights to your hair,
while I considered plucking you a Rose.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
I almost found the words to say, “I care.”
We almost kissed, and yet you didn’t dare.
I heard coarse stubble grate against your hose.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
You almost called me suave and debonair
(perhaps because my chest is pale and bare?).
I almost bought you edible underclothes.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
I almost asked you where you kept your lair
and if by chance I might ****** you there.
You almost tweezed the redwoods from my nose.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
We almost danced like Rogers and Astaire
on gliding feet; we almost waltzed on air ...
until I mashed your plain, unpolished toes.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
I almost was strange Sonny to your Cher.
We almost sat in love’s electric chair
to be enlightninged, till our hearts unfroze.
We almost loved,
that’s always how love goes.
Keywords/Tags: Almost, love, lost love, loss, lost, relationship, relationships, hesitation, procrastination, hesitancy, vacillation, near, near miss, nearly, close call, miss you, missing you, missing, loneliness, lonely
Jan 6, 2022
Jan 6, 2022 at 8:54 AM UTC
Rock step, trip-le, trip-le
Rock step, trip-le, trip-le
Judah bids us "Good morning!" at nine at night,
He's like Fred Astaire,
Big moves and big ears.
Dylan is late coming in,
Sliding out of his leather jacket with a sour expression -
He's too cool for this game.
Lindsey drags in the speaker system,
All goofy grins and ugly sweaters,
And she's so happy to see us.
Rock step, trip-le, trip-le
Andy with his slick moves
and slicker hair.
Matt who always smelled strange
but lost to Kevin.
Susan with her tight, swinging hips
and constant critiques.
Pete thinks he can do this,
and then breaks your arm.
Caleb concentrates too hard,
and tries not to look you in the eyes.
Josh gets bored with the basics,
deciding to breakdance instead.
Rock step, trip-le, trip-le
Rock step, trip-le, trip-le
And after an hour of being passed from one lead to the next
Like a hot potato,
And then standing with your back against the basement wall
During the free-for-all,
You decide you rather be studying algebra
and leave.
Lindsey waves goodbye.
Nov 18, 2012
Nov 18, 2012 at 2:05 AM UTC
A bitter fuck-fest of lollapalooza.
Burn(ing) me, man. but don't taze me, bro.
If I got high on legalized substances, am I still escaping?
Metaphoric endorphin rushing as patio furniture sits silently,
slowly choking as I fill it with my own ***
I haven't written in so long, because I lack some passion.
I haven't written verbal joust in the form of bitter tongue because I felt it lacked restraint.
I ****** with a straight jacket; it felt great.
Perpetual virginity, a fool's errand running.
I have my V-card still; kind of... it's stunning.
I left a can of gasoline at an alien's house.
I came back and fire had engulfed what was left of my sorrows.
"I thirst," said He, the savior of the world.
Let's all ignore the singing signs of everything, boys... girls...
I have not a word to say in recompense for exploitation of your idiotic murmurings.
Well done, my good and faithful burdenings.
I can't speak to what hasn't yet been said,
but I can sure as hell guestimate, that we'd probably all be dead.
This **** ain't free.
Thank you, Kendrick Lamar, for reminding me.
This is me unfettered.
This is me unchained.
Give me a pen and some paper:
this **** will get strange.
I am Fred Astaire with a **** so fine, you'd think it's aged wine the way it twirls and floats.
Breaking up is ****** now put this poem down your throat.
Sep 26, 2015
Sep 26, 2015 at 4:16 PM UTC
Mr. Ivories
entertains with elan,
daily during cocktails on the mezzanine level.
Jolene always orders a Black Russian,
mine is a Dewar's and water.
We drop a fiver in his basket on the Steinway,
along with a request for "Ebb Tide",
Jolene's personal favorite.
He conjures an image of Fred Astaire at keyboard,
his tails flipped elegantly over the piano bench,
like long black raven's plumes.
Jolene points out two announcers from CNN,
seated opposite. Makes us feel
important by mere association.
Our waitress asks, would we like another round
before the hour's end, as we speculate
about Mr. Ivories' musical propensity.
Time escapes in moonlit harmonic vapors,
leaves us already longing our next soiree.
Feb 20, 2012
Feb 20, 2012 at 12:07 AM UTC
It occurred too
As most things don't to me
That these lapses
Lapses?
What were we on
Obelisk over 40
Or is it over and then under.
¿Cuál es tu animal favorito
I've left the list behind on the plane and not
I'm not sure I can collect my thoughts that way anymore
At least not for today
Why? I left those thoughts on a plane and it has already set its tail aloft for soft breezes
The air the air, soft as Fred Astaire
And Ginger Rogers, is the night
She wraps her hand into his
8 steps forward and a shuffle ball-change right.
But it is something else isn't it
Her bird like hips in a double tiered dress dripping with Swarovski and trimmed with ostrich as she descends the glass stairs from heaven onto a dimly lit ballroom
A slight curl of the hair and the sharpness of her nose the counterbalance to the wave of her *** in that beautiful ******* dress
Oh and Fred? You keep up. You do.
Apr 10, 2014
Apr 10, 2014 at 6:50 PM UTC
Uniform- Bloc Party
"There was a sinking disappointment as we left the mall-- all the young people looked the same"
Bought for a Song
All we could ever buy was bought by someone from something
An apparatus of production so maniacal; how could we know
what made our fingers bleed?
It was the sewing and the apprehension our hands holding string
we sat down in the factory but shortly stood up to sing
something forced us, past the window, it was still early
our minds returned to our benches our selves were in the seams
and we laughed, when we died, but it was all in jest
we knew someday we'd give our lives so your dog could own a sequined vest.
The Dog
Your dog's a personality, it's so lovely I'm impressed
It looks so jaunty prancing there, alive its sparkling vest.
Now tell me Baps, who made it? However did you find a sequined silver vest to fit on your canine?
It's really rather simple--it's not even that smart
I bought my dog this lovely vest at the giant mart.
The giant mart? How daring! How intriguing, I declare!
It contrasts very vibrantly with his top hat and black hair.
I tell you Baps, he's precious, look at him standing there!
I can imagine him singing show tunes like the late great
Fred Astaire!
"Yeah, you're right" Baps said, the conversation lingered there.
And I'd like to say what else was said, but frankly I don't care.
I hate these bitches' feelings, I don't resemble Fred Astaire.
I wish they take these things off of me.
Dogs don't wear underwear.
Mar 27, 2012
Mar 27, 2012 at 12:07 AM UTC
Oafie lingers before his mirror
Pointing at the slinger Dillinger,
In his black suit,
********* his loot,
He won't go in there.
Then Oafie puts an old coat on,
Posing before his cheval,
Sharing jokes with Robert Duvall,
Who lights a smoke for Lauren Bacall,
Who say his coat fits well.
I know this seems humorous,
But Oafie isn't left too much;
His acuity is out of touch.
But he played guitar like a harp,
Which sadly isn't that far off.
For now the famous visit often.
He shuffled stepts to classic Sinatra,
With Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
I'll visit Oafie one last time,
And slip a mirror in his coffin.
Jul 19, 2014
Jul 19, 2014 at 10:59 AM UTC
When she was very young she read Ann Frank,
And her daddy’s serial killer novels that he
Carelessly left in the bathroom,
Like a ****** weapon.
Strange dreams for a girl of eight,
Nazi’s and bodies buried under patios,
Insane neighbours thirsty for the blood of the innocent.
The danger of the unknown stranger.
When she was young she read Shakespeare,
Voltaire and discovered Fred Astaire.
Her faith in humanity was restored again,
She tap danced her fears away.
Oct 5, 2010
Oct 5, 2010 at 8:59 AM UTC
I've got a seahorse on my shoulder
and a feather in my hair
There's a motto on my wrists
that reminds me night is there,
A glass bottle on my hip
filled with sand that isn't fair
and a piercing in my lip
that I bite when thoughts are blared,
I've got eyes that watch with hunger
at what other people scare
and a mind that moves with wonder
at the sounds of Fred Astaire,
In my dreams I am successful
intriguing, debonair
Writing words that will inspire
Open eyes like crimson flare,
I've got notions that could change your mind
if to hear them you would dare
And this broken world led by the blind
with sight, we will repair
I see brighter skies for you and I
and though sometimes we'll err
The goal is not in being right
but to simply, be aware.
May 12, 2013
May 12, 2013 at 5:38 PM UTC
Let’s take a tour through the galaxy
I’ll show you the stars hung just for me
We’ll dance in their light like Fred Astaire
Quite the pair, ignoring everyone’s stares
We'll be the two hottest on this date tonight
Let’s overdress and wink when we fight
We'll cut spot to spot, swanky jet setters
Limousine roof out, we’re red carpet steppers
Piano keys open all the doors for us to go
Slipping back stage to see the real show
Sipping martinis till the next party starts
Tripping farther down the boulevard
We don’t ruin the night with conversation
You and me honey we’re a revelation
We don’t mix the night with conversation
You and me honey we’re a revelation
Don’t say it out loud I can hear you thinking
It’s not about talking it’s the champagne drinking
I join you for another glass or three
I like the way it makes you stare at me
I get stuck in your quicksand eyes
Your two lips become my slow demise
The darkest corner of this club sparks up
Like diamonds and gems you light it up
then...
Your hair’s a mess, my tux a wreck
I wrinkled your dress, you bruised my neck
You lost an earring, you bit my chest
My back is scratched and you’re still outta breath
We don’t ruin the night with conversation
You and me honey we’re a revelation
We don’t mix the night with conversation
You and me honey we’re a revelation
Apr 26, 2012
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:01 PM UTC
I wish I could dance like Fred Astaire.
Or Gene Kelly just to show you my moves.
I'm sure all of them would impress you.
I wish I have the charms of Cary Grant or Gary Cooper.
Since that seems to be the type to impress you.
Of the dashing looks of Tyrone Powers.
Since that seems high upon your list.
But, I'm just a me.
You have the grace of Grace Kelly.
And the independent heart of Katherine Hepburn.
And the good looks of Yvonne Decarlo.
All ladies of style.
Still, I'm just me.
Who else should I be?
If I pretend to be another.
Then I would be fooling myself.
And you would never see me beneath the myth.
So, I be me.
Until you see the best in me.
I know my qualities.
Aug 22, 2012
Aug 22, 2012 at 6:52 AM UTC
Once I was a thin boy
But now I am obese
I used to have a six pack
It’s now a tub of grease.
I used to run like water
And jump just like a flea
But now I’m old and shorter
And the fleas just jump on me.
In my eyes a youthful glint,
My teeth were pearly white.
Now I have a nervous squint
And my teeth come out at night.
I used to look like Elvis
And dance like Fred Astaire.
Now I’ve got a dicky pelvis
And very little hair!
Once the girls all loved me
They’d chase me day and night
But now I’m old and ugly
And the girls have all took flight.
Dec 29, 2009
Dec 29, 2009 at 11:50 PM UTC
No fanfare here
no trumpets
just a
so long and nice to seeya
and move along there's nothing to see
be a
darling
move along, please.
High above the bay of pigs
tables moved around,
no fanfare here
just the sound
of change being changed and
nothing to see here, be
a dear and move along, please.
On hallowed ground in hallowed halls where stalls are put out to catch those locked out or in depending on their point of view
I saw you dancing with Joe Carter, bartering your soul?
The devil dresses many ways and moves like Fred Astaire
I saw you dancing there with him
I saw you in the dim light on the last night of the proms
on hallowed ground in hallowed halls I wished I'd had the ***** to punch Joe Carter in the face
Mar 7, 2015
Mar 7, 2015 at 11:31 PM UTC
Sweet nicotine princess
Darling you're divine
The way you sip so proudly
Your glass of red wine
Who will be your next victim
Will it be her and her golden hair
Or him and his blue eyes
The way he dances like Fred Astaire
Many catch your attention
But something seems amiss
This one's not so easily ignored
Raven hair & green eyes you can't miss
And the feeling in your heart
That prompts you to change your ways
The feeling of undeniable love
From the moment you caught her gaze
Mar 24, 2014
Mar 24, 2014 at 6:05 AM UTC
I really wanted to hold your hand in the summer of 14 while driving listening to AM
I really wanted to continue our notebook of thoughts and ideas until it was full so we could put them to life
I really wanted to explore Dallas holding your hand even though you didn't fancy affection in public
I really wanted to make you smile for months and on, maybe even years
I really wanted to read to you while you rested your head on my chest
I really wanted to make you dinner at your house when you got hungry and there was nothing already cooked and ready to eat
I really wanted to be your Fred Astaire
I really wanted to play you songs on my piano when your sadness reached your beautiful soul
I really wanted you to be my 3am thoughts on how lovely you are and how much you amazed me
I really didn't want for me to be a common misconception
I really wanted to be with you, for a long time
I didn't fear loving you
I feared 'forever' ending
Mar 26, 2014
Mar 26, 2014 at 7:14 PM UTC
You have to circumcise me with precision,
don't surprise me
don't close your eyes and tell lies to me,if you cut me I will bleed and I only need you because my religion says,
I must do
well **** you and **** the pope we have been born in a world with no hope and you can't conceive or believe that it's true
that this son born of man is saying, **** you,
are we just peripheral to the spherical or can we see through to the satyrs who wax lyrical and do we care?
**** you, I'm not there and never was,religion tells me it's because I was unclean,
well
dream on genie and call me Fred Astaire,I've told you before that I am not there and now it's you that doesn't care,
well stick the knife in and let's be fair and cut my ******** so you can wear it on a chain and
pull me towards you
oh what pain,
but you'll enjoy making the boy in me
cry for you.
Jan 19, 2014
Jan 19, 2014 at 7:24 PM UTC