"barbeques" poems
During a walk through the hallway
of the primary school
I find hallways
filled with turkeys and leafs and stiff scrawled characters.
What is Mr. Smith's class thankful for?
Flowers and toys and cars and dresses and pink and purple and soccer and skirts and barbies and family.
How could you sum up all of the things you are thankful for in one word?
At the end of the hallway I am faced with a choice:
*What are you thankful for?*
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What am I thankful for?
Happiness, and family and security and nature and
friends.
I am thankful for friends.
I am thankful for laughs and chatts and cries and sobs and games and smiles.
I am thanful for ****** contortions and 80s dance sessions,
for inabilty to speak.
I am thankful for hobos, eating on the side of the road,
and for devious scheymes of intoxicatation.
Hep beni anlayan bir arkadaşım var müteşekkirim
and who listens to my sob stories.
I am thankful for singing in the rain.
And styling hair in the sink
for screeching and howling
and hissing.
I am thankful for obkirchergasses,
for Ströcks and for ice cream plarlours.
I am thankful for mentos,
and walnuts.
I am thankful for bad lip readings and hilarious youtube vidoes.
I am thankful for unknown languages and nymphs
and for eloquence.
I am thankful for good taste in music
and for strong opinions.
I am thankful for dancing indian pirates with demon chicks and fireballs.
I am thankful for two-headed teenagers and barbeques.
I am thankful for God and healthy choice prayers,
and Hawaii get aways.
I am thankful for huge, hanging sweaters and crazy, funky leggings.
I am thankful for deep talks about the world's lack of beauty
and for poetry buddies.
I am thankful for dodgeball playing mice,
and poor old wenches.
I am thankful for pirate and mermaid adventures.
I am thankful for the looks we get:
looks of loud disapproval,
and whispers of quiet exasperation.
I am thankful for golden men and loud singing,
for crazy dances with crazy cousins and cute brothers.
I am thankful for Aunt Jemima.
I am thankful for banging on metal bars with rocks and shouting at the top of our lungs.
I am thankful for climbing over gates in order to not step on cracks.
I am thankful for amazing humanities teachers.
I am thankful for a laugh when the day is over.
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How those kids manage to fit all of their thankfulness into one word is beyond me.
Even the one-word things we are thankful for, must be described with a million words.
Nov 22, 2012
Nov 22, 2012 at 7:42 AM UTC
through the spaces
between
curling flowers
and a lattice framed
yellowing
fence
i could see them
i could watch them
every
day
the barbeques
slamming of doors
pool parties
birthdays
late nights
x rated
the loudness of it all
left me panting
for more
&
living vicariously
through their lives
Dec 24, 2014
Dec 24, 2014 at 7:34 PM UTC
Pay your quarters
pay your dimes
you're paying for laundromat time
slowly spinning
forgotten
by
Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
Minutes become hours
and
there are still too many hours to go.
Any math class
intense gas
organized religion
waiting for the tow truck,
the bus
in
the pouring frozen rain.
Sitting in the E.R.
with a cut finger
waiting waiting waiting.
Sitting in the hospital room
with an elderly distant relative
you hardly know,
their funeral too.
At the grandparents house
with endless repeats of Judge Judy
on the t.v.
t.v. droning monotoning on and on and on.
Any work day
perpetually two thirty or three,
in meetings with presentations
with more presentations to go,
you're trying to be productive,
but all you know
is
laundromat time
slowly spinning.
Any night of insomnia,
betrayals endless loops,
anxiety rolling through,
following you from one cigarette to another
three o'clock
four o'clock
four-twenty.
Home movies of endless barbeques
I know meaningful to you.
Pictures of people's
cats and dogs
a hundred more to go.
Eight and a half months pregnant,
kiddie soccer on a Sunday morning at 7:30,
the middle school brass band
Friday night at nine,
yes, that's me
passed out and snoring,
laundromat time
a warm blanket
has
put me under.
Anybody else's endless fascinations
say
pictures of weather,
laundromat time sets in
as the
eye lids flutter
narcolepsy sets in with all of this clutter.
So the next time
you're standing in line
and the woman in front is telling
the clerk
every detail you never wanted to know
you'll think about these poor lines
and remember
you're spinning in laundromat time
forgotten by Einstein.
In fact these poor lines
must be feeling that way too
I am going to do you a favor
and
get back to you later.
Dec 28, 2014
Dec 28, 2014 at 10:54 AM UTC
Winter and Spring have long since passed,
cold wind, rain and frost belong in the past,
darkness thankfully no longer descends as fast,
long hot summer days arrive at long last!
Colourful flowers and plants, trees and shrubs
burst forth from hanging baskets, gardens and tubs
outside homes and shops, hotels and pubs;
brightening roadsides, roundabouts, parks and golf clubs.
Exams are over and school is finally done,
children everywhere mad to get out in the sun,
playing outside all day, having such great fun,
warm summer days being enjoyed by almost everyone.
People everywhere outside busy doing something;
weeding, mowing, watering, general gardening;
cleaning cars, washing windows, mending or painting,
or simply sitting out with the neighbours, gossiping!
Time for sunglasses, sun cream, getting a tan,
Wimbeldon, music festivals, holidays to plan,
ice lollies, ninety nines from the ice cream van,
water shortages of course and the annual hose pipe ban!
Time for day trips, sports, to picnic or sunbathe,
for the park or the beach, to swim or just wade,
to get burnt to a crisp or just relax in the shade,
for beer gardens, barbeques as the sun starts to fade!
People making the most of each sunny summer day,
determined to enjoy the sun, lap up every last ray,
each enjoying the summer in their own particular way,
“Long may it last”, people around the country pray!
For not getting a summer seems to be our worst fear,
but thankfully the summer seems to be finally here.
All around the country there is a party atmosphere
such a shame it cannot be like this all through the year!
Jun 9, 2015
Jun 9, 2015 at 3:59 AM UTC
Blue sky, yellow sun
Makes me feel a sense of fun
Happy faces, laughter too
Accompained by a splendid view
Children paddling, deep blue sea
Contentment now surrounding me
Sea **** drying on the sand
Lover's walking hand in hand
Dolphin's jumping in the air
Playing, basking without a care
Picnic's and barbeques on the beach
Boat's on the horizon, just out of reach
Cliff path, coastal walks, splendid views
Old fisher wives gossiping spreading news
Fishermen setting sail, off out to sea,
Going to catch some fresh fish for our tea
Myth's, legends, local history
About this place full of mystery
Everything fits, just like a glove
In Cornwall, the land I love.
Oct 13, 2010
Oct 13, 2010 at 2:46 AM UTC
Snow in March in England
Is utterly absurd!
Springs already started
There's white stuff everywhere
Last year there was a heatwave
Barbeques and shorts
Now it's Alaska
Now there's something wrong
If this is global warming
It rather takes the ****
I've seen warmer chapel hat pegs
The proverbial witches *** !!!
Mar 22, 2013
Mar 22, 2013 at 9:27 PM UTC
This train home is twice delayed,
it's ******** up the plans I've made
and in the pub I wish I'd stayed.
It's still not here yet.
I have no doubt when it comes soon,
I'll have to endure a banging tune -
from the Ipod of some drunken buffoon,
It's still not here yet.
I sometimes wish that I'd take wing -
Like Icarus or a feathered thing,
That builds its nest from twigs and string.
It's still not here yet.
I suppose in time we'll own a car
and avoid all those bizarre -
excuses from the conductor.
It's still not here yet.
In time we'll take drives to the beach
and let a wild dog off the leash,
while the sea wind steals our speech.
It's still not here yet.
We'll have a garden for barbeques,
with potted plants and stunning views
and comfy chairs in which to snooze,
but we're not there yet.
Mar 22, 2012
Mar 22, 2012 at 7:52 AM UTC
shifty-eyed sundays/summer smiles.
green backyards child-full,
meat eaters meat-eating,
bellies & throats conversation/food-filled.
young families flocking fawn-eyed to communion barbeques,
sweaty raspings/of feeding minds;
living-room, reading-room, lessons & phonics
shortwinded swindlings at tables of breakfast (equal portions)
---sub-divided.
categories..elements
systems of classifying,
lessons limping/near succeeding.
trekking inglorious [tired] track laps---round laps of track,
tried feet feet-walking
sleep-talking
waking, taking rests.
@ intervals,
(splashes of time) clock/clock-time.
sleep, repose, health profits;
restless prophets. word-of-mouth.
strange tongues, th'creaking of breaths,
classical forebodings---brow beating, war breeding.
wrist flickings/blurred strokes
markings/carvings---letters/numb3rs,
communicating---language speaking.
(overhearing.)
positive consensus
> press play.
un-buttoning buttons
soirée is overfinished, overture.
shirts come up/over/off---
bath's running---taps run-running,
clippings clipped from papers,
---snip-snipping.
crashing/slicing blades of scissors,
point-on-point.
television evening sign-off/lights off.
interestingopenwindowenergy,
an elegy..
under_scored.
Oct 27, 2011
Oct 27, 2011 at 9:20 PM UTC
My favorite color
is the space between the stars
But blue has many shades
And so does darkness
My favorite food
tastes of summertime
barbeques and family fun
but iron as well
My favorite song
Reminds me not of love
Not of loss or pain
But of my own power
My favorite story
Is not a love story, in truth
but a tale of strength
Romance as a side story
My favorite person
Is not him, or you
Not mother or father or friend
But myself
Apr 9, 2014
Apr 9, 2014 at 9:49 AM UTC
this Christmas the shoppers
are all buying up
due to the economy
having a slight pick up
stores are finding it hard
to service demand
as shoppers have a few
spare dollars in hand
healthier trade is happening
all over the place
smiles can be seen on
many a store owner's face
toys and barbeques
are selling like hotcakes
so too socks teddy bears
and garden rakes
this Yule Tide Season
is very much improved
as there is a lot of merchandize
getting moved
last year the economy
was in a down kind of rend
and people couldn't afford
to spend spend spend
Oct 25, 2014
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:08 AM UTC
Regatta days sees many boats arrive
some on the ferry and some sailed
Races round the bay and ice-cream
Barbeques hot dogs and burgers
much boat talk with winners and losers
All takes place just over the hill
through yonder meadow -
the barrier between high activity
and here enveloping silence and solitude
Jul 13, 2014
Jul 13, 2014 at 11:19 AM UTC
Seasons they come and go
Winter is long and cold
Log fires burning to warm your bones
Children singing carols in front of altars
Chestnuts cooked over open fires
Christmas Day comes then into New Year, slowly bringing optimism and cheer for the following year
Slowly Winter changes to Spring
Eternally hopeful with all that it brings
Lambs being born in open fields
Cattle outdoors grazing, milk and beef is their yield
Flowers starting to open up, daffodils, tulips, and buttercups
Brightening the landscape for all to see, days warming up nicely
Along comes summer
The sun is strong and days last ten hours long,
Children have no summer school, playing outdoors is the rule, splashing in pools, playing in the park, allowed to stay out until almost dark
Barbeques in the garden with friends and family, day trips to the beach and splashing in the sea.
Slowly, slowly the season changes to Autumn
Leaves change colours, dropping to the floor
Animals go in hibernation finding safe places to store; food for them and their young
Now the days are shorter we don't see much sun
Days shortening, darkness ascending upon us all too soon as the sun disappears to be replaced by the moon.
Soon it will be Winter again, central heating, heavy duvets, thick jumpers, raincoats and hot chocolate drinks, movies on Netflix all good reasons to stay indoors, snuggle up to a loved one and wait again for the Sun.
Oct 12, 2017
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:24 AM UTC
Spring break of roses, lilies, acorns, and unfortunate allergies
A fortnight to spend
Choosing our stars in the
unknown colored sky
You show me Orion, Centaurus, Canis, Crux
Only become brighter when
the days are longer nights are shorter
Summer months of hot sun, cool water, sticky lemonade
You show me water gun fights and barbeques
Poolside lounges,
I see your body
Not ******
Just mystical
Mystified
On how God could give us such a creature
that is so beautiful
Your hair, your eyes, your hands
as they hold mine
Dizzy but not confused
Given but not taken
Your fingers clutch harder
As the winds get frenzied, colder
The trees are now an array of colors
Too gorgeous to describe in words
The leaves fall and spin and twirl
You show me how they dance for us
You show me laughter in piles of leaves
You show me thankfulness in pumpkin pie and burnt bird
That gluttony is okay as long as it's your food
your food of corn and chocolate cake and bread
We go outside to accidentally sleep
Under our stars
but I remember
Your smile that was lit up by the starlight
Then it turned to the winter months
Where it is lit up by the shine of sun on snow
And we stay inside for the fire
and the chocolate calendars, for the presents, for the family
We go outside for the snow, the playtime, the giggles and the laughs
The red noses and the flushing cheeks
We stay outside to find our stars -
- gone
but not forgotten
You tell me they'll return and with it, you steal -
- one kiss
You show me love that I now can't deny
So I clutch your hand and tighten my grasp
So I know you won't let go
And when it turns to spring
So close now
I know
That I can tug you outside
While we're laughing at each other
And I can drag you to the grass
And point up and say
"Look, they came back."
And you'll say
"They never left."
Apr 3, 2016
Apr 3, 2016 at 8:31 PM UTC
Candles keep on burning and smoking
Birds keep flying and singing
And the silver of the black of yesterday’s night
Comes out only on pinned on the times
I seem to miss carnival rides of ecstasy
And stuffed bears with little orange bows
And ring tosses that lack aim and ring and tosses;
Just throws
While the rooftop I now sit on
In the final times of empty streets
That smell like stale popcorn
And paint from fresh vandalism
Will not take me back
Refuse to take me back
To school-less days
And fresh air that hinted purple dreams
Open oceans echoing full laughter
Wild hair, barbeques
Raw stories
Energy / Love / Energy
Even the floral print on my leggings
Is turning white
In fear of loose memories not sewed on yet
And a silver-less night of tomorrow
Maybe red will be the next best thing
Sep 13, 2014
Sep 13, 2014 at 1:50 PM UTC
*You are my sisters child not mine.
I think you were almost four back then.
it was so very long ago.
Your beauty astounded me.
You had me smitten then
and if truth be known
As you do now.
We were having a shore lunch by the lake.
The lake trout sizzled
in its butter on the barbeques.
When naked as a jaybird
You jumped from the dock.
Disappearing into the lakes deep waters
Into the world of minnows and trout
I jumped in to save you
but you were already at the surface
swimming in doggie paddle fashion.
Refusing my grip
in fierce independence.
A trait you still possess.
I saw the big sign
Danger No swimming
but I let you go staying close to you.
You were kept buoyant
by the fruits of the young
by life’s power that flowed from you
And for an hour
you stayed in that water.
You won’t remember I am sure
But I saw you forming
the great woman
that you became
As you scorned my help.
And swam to the dock
lifting yourself
onto its platform.
That’s the moment we clicked
Man and woman child
friends forever
an eternal unbreakable bond.*
May 13, 2016
May 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM UTC
The smell of sun-warmed skin mixing with salt air gives us sleepy eyes and soft smiles.
The dew gathering on cider bottles
Rolls,
Drips,
Settles on the porous slats of the table.
Waves crash lightly, distant and invisible
Claws scratch along the deck
After tennis ***** and plum stones
Stopping at the rails.
There is a quiet murmur of life in the neighbourhood.
The hum of barbeques.
Parties.
Bike-riding families laughing up the streets
And people like us,
Sitting outside, food and company
Soaking up the last of the afternoon sun.
Crumbs fall onto my skirt,
Black and stiff with dried salt,
Unwashed and unironed.
I brush off morsels of Galaxy Blue Cheese
Wellaby's Crackers -
Sun-dried tomato flavour.
Gluten-free.
Claws scramble towards my feet
Where three dogs vacuum my castoffs
As if they haven't been eating all day.
The Pogues declare that "the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day"
As my aunt laughs
Warm, harsh, and unashamed.
And it feels like Summer.
Apr 2, 2014
Apr 2, 2014 at 4:32 AM UTC