"benny" poems
Let me tell you about something I saw the other day,
when I was out walking through a field of hay.
The night was quite pretty, the air crisp and clear,
when I suddenly encountered a cat who was drinking a beer!
I walked a little farther and encountered some mice,
sitting around a card table, all playing dice.
The mice looked quite serious, they all dressed like thugs,
I was dumbfounded, and simply stared down from above.
Then I saw something that completely blew my mind,
it was a variety of animals, dancing in a conga line.
For hours and hours and hours they danced,
more animals joined in, even deer came to prance.
This party was larger than any I’d seen,
a couple of badgers were even smoking something green.
“Innocent” deer were snorting lines off of snakes,
and a couple drunk farm dogs were fighting with rakes.
A cat and a mouse were sitting in a barn,
entirely too drunk, they took turn telling yarns.
From across the field, you could hear an owl retch,
while a gaggle of geese slurred “Benny and the Jets.”
Sheep laughed, “Bahaha!” while dancing on tables,
the horses were getting it on in the stables.
This party was crazier than any I’d attended,
a pig even ended up losing an appendage.
As the sun came up, things started winding down,
all the cows went home, and the "Keg King" took off his crown.
I took this as my cue, it was time to depart,
so a couple mice and I hitched a ride on a farmer’s cart.
"Sayonara!" I yelled, "It's been lots of fun!
Everybody get home safe, try not to hurt anyone!"
But enough about me, let's talk about you.
That was my weekend, what did you do?
Nov 2, 2012
Nov 2, 2012 at 11:55 PM UTC
Enid removes her glasses
wipes them
on the hem
of her skirt
tries to clean off
the smeariness
she breathes on them
they cloud up
she wipes them again
I watch her
near the wall
of the playground
after lunch
waiting for her
are they better now?
she asks me
I look through them
the view is magnified
a million times
one big blur to me
yes that's better
I say
giving them
back to her
and watching
as she puts them
back on
pushes the wire arms
over her ears
then pulls the hair
over her ears again
is it all right now?
she asks me
sure I can see your eyes
clear as day
she nods
and looks
at the playground
and the other kids at play
why do some boys
call me four eyes?
or ugly bucket?
she asks
some kids are just finks
ignore them
I tell her
I can't help it
if I have to wear glasses
or am ugly
she says
intelligent people
wear glasses
and hey you're not ugly
I think you are
quite a pretty girl
as they go
she looks at me doubtfully
and then at the kids
and look Mrs M
wears glasses
and she's a teacher
and bright
Enid sighs and sits
on the steps
leading down
into the playground
even my dad thinks
I'm ugly
she says softly
you're old man
wouldn't know prettiness
if it came up
and introduced itself
I say
she smiles
do you think
I'm ugly?
I frown and peer at her
look I'm no expert
being a 9 year old kid
like you
but you can be
my Maid Marion
to my Robin Hood any day
could I?
she says
sure you could
she smiles wider
and says
thank you Benny
and walks down
into the playground
and goes play skip rope
with a couple of girls
by a wall
and I walk
down into
the playground
feeling six feet tall.
Mar 13, 2015
Mar 13, 2015 at 3:53 AM UTC
Helen saw
a man in
black leather
fall off his
motorbike
and under
a red bus
as she was
looking out
the window
at the back
of a car
that Benny's
uncle was
driving in
o my gosh
he's fallen
off his bike
she uttered
who's fallen?
Benny said
that man on
his bright red
motor bike
just back there
Benny looked
out the back
car window
but the car
had moved on
and all was
out of sight
are you sure?
Benny said
yes I saw
Helen said
he fell off
and under
the uncle
said that's bad
what a sight
but Benny
couldn't see
anything
just traffic
behind them
moving on
Helen was
in deep shock
and shaking
so Uncle
drove her home
and Benny
explained to
her mother
what Helen
had just seen
then drove off
with Uncle
to his house
with his aunt
waiting there
and cousin
and his neat
electric
toy train set
all laid out
ready for
Benny to
have a play
and Benny
hoped that
Helen could
come and play
another day.
Feb 29, 2016
Feb 29, 2016 at 1:29 PM UTC
My fantasies turned blonde in ‘seventy-six.
Bjorn, Benny, flickas, sailed from East to West.
Santa Lucia never shone so blessed
as she did in my private Euro-mix.
Perfect pop longs for that feminine fix.
Cassette wheels whirred – branding, then impressing
grooves upon the brain; my thrall confessing
love for Nordic light (in Disco metrics).
The names still strike flames, kindling bright renown:
Frida, Agnetha – your longships linger
Your Viking faces sacked my harbor town.
portaging hope to this shipwrecked singer,
enwreathing smiles to reach our further shore.
I Do… (times five – and will forevermore).
Jan 30, 2016
Jan 30, 2016 at 5:53 PM UTC
*Hello.
Hello.
Lillies please,
just a handful,
keep the change.*
He asked if they were for a loved one
No sir, for Benny, sir. He questioned the King.
With that I turned and left.
As I broke into the outside air,
my eyes turned to the sky.
It was no use holding back the tears.
He slept beneath the tree as his friends and family congregated
To abandon oneself to principles is really to die - and to die for an impossible love which is the contrary of love.
Oct 12, 2012
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:11 PM UTC
I stood in line
to be weighed
in the bathroom
of the nursing home
Anne crutched herself
behind me
you haven't
got a chance in hell
of winning
that chocolate bar Kid
she said
I've seen more meat
on a butcher's pencil
stuck behind his ear
might win
I said
might fly
she said
the kid in front of me
got on
the green metal scales
and the nun
moved the weight
along the top
not you Malcolm
she said
the kid got off sulkily
I got on the scales
and the nun
moved the weight
I looked at her
black and white
headdress
her pinched features
not you Benny
she said
I got off
and walked away
Anne awkwardly
got on the scales
holding herself
on her one leg
the stump
of the other
hanging there
best so far Anne
the nun said
told you Kid
you didn't
have a chance
guess not
I said
as she crutched herself
along side of me
not to worry
if I get the choco bar
I’ll give you
a quarter for being
a good friend
no other
in this **** hole
gets a look in
we went along
to our rooms
come in Kid
she said
I hesitated
come in
I want to
ask you something
I stood swaying
uncertain
what if
one of the nuns
comes along?
what if I don't give you
quarter of the choc bar?
she said
I followed her in
to the girls dorm
no one else
was there
just she and me
she closed the door
with her backside
right Kid
I want you
to do me
a favour
favour?
I said
sensing uncertainty
hit my gut
yes I want you
to sneak along
to the kitchen tonight
and liberate
some biscuits
liberate?
I said
biscuits?
yes you know
what biscuits are
don't you
those hard things
with cream in the middle
or chocolate
on one side
I know what biscuits are
I said
but what do you mean
liberate?
take some
from the big tin
they have
on the shelf
in larder
take?
I said
you mean steal?
steal
take
liberate
whatever word
you want
to use Kid
what if I get caught?
don't get caught
but what if I do?
Anne sighed
sat on the edge
of her bed
I thought you
were someone
I could rely on Kid
not some cowardly custard
yellow belly
I looked
at her leg stump
sticking out
the other leg
reached to the floor
if you're really good
I’ll let you touch
my stump
she said
no need
I said
I'll try tonight
sneak down
after lights out
good Kid
she said
she took my right hand
and lay it
on the stump
and held it there
it felt warm
and soft
she let my hand go
good huh?
wish the rest
was there
she said
off you go
and don't get caught
I nodded
and backed out
of the room
seeing her cover
the stump
with her dress
and smile
see you
I said
you bet
she said
I walked away
thinking
of the big steal
of biscuits
unthought through
by my 10 year old brain
as yet.
May 9, 2014
May 9, 2014 at 12:49 PM UTC
Where Gloria lies
Lydia once lay
Gloria's boyfriend
sleeps beside her
(Gloria)
& Lydia having to sleep
in the cot bed
feels the aches and pains
in a bed too small
and sits moodily
on the red tiled
front door step
gazing at the Square
chin in her small hands
pouting lips
the baker with his
horse drawn cart
goes by
the man with his boxer dog
walks on by
waves as he
is wont to do
his dog sniffing
the ground
her father's voice
sounding from indoors
her mother's voice
bellowing above his
Benny rides along
on his imaginary horse
& rides over to her
sitting there
what's up?
he asks
fed up
she replies
staring at him
my big sister
& her boyfriend
still have my bed
& I'm stuck in
the cot bed &
I ache & feel angry
& I could spit
I see
Benny says
getting off
his pretend horse
anything I can do
to help?
only if you kidnap
her boyfriend
& send him off
some place
Lydia says
what you doing
anyway?
she asks
standing up
& rubbing her behind
which had become
pins& needlely
I was going to ride
my blue scooter
but you can come
& we can share it
along & down
Rockingham Street
he says
she looks at him
& says
ok if I can
have a ride
even if it is blue
or
he says
I can ask my sister
if you can borrow
her red one
will she let me?
Lydia asks
sure to if I ask
nicely & promise
her some sweets
he says
ok
Lydia says
let's go then
so they walked up
to the flat where
Benny lives with his
parents & sister
& brother
& he asks his sister
who says yes
& so Benny & Lydia
ride off across
the Square
on the two scooters
& Benny has
(for safety against
bad cowboys)
his two 6 gun
shooters.
Jul 29, 2015
Jul 29, 2015 at 3:16 PM UTC
What gave you your direction?
What made you want to write?
What ever was the reason
that saw you editing all night?
Perhaps you loved Lord Byron
or for you was Poe the man
or maybe Keats or Dr. Seuss,
with his green eggs and ham.
What had you writing poetry?
Who did you want to be?
The answer to that question
is an easy one for me.
You'll probably howl
when you hear of my choice.
He's hardly a Jane Austin
or Helen Steiner Rice.
And it wasn't Charlotte Bronte
who gave to me the thrill.
But a little fat comedien
with the name of Benny Hill.
As a youngster I remember
his rather raunchy rhymes
that some would look at with contempt
but they did that in those times.
I just remember that he creased me up
and I would laugh and laugh all day.
I would memorise and tell to friends
when we all went out to play.
As the years went on and I read the greats
everything grew in my mind.
I read and read my poetry
anything that I could find.
But of all the brilliant scholars
that have written and do still.
None will grace my heart and make me feel
like that poet Benny Hill.
Aug 29, 2014
Aug 29, 2014 at 1:56 PM UTC
B-E-N-J-I
Come on you're way outta line
Hey, Hey
Say Hey
Out on the foreshore
Looking for some more Y'all
Come on you *****
Get out on the dance floor
Call for some more Y'all
Take me to the mall
Thinking bout you walking down the hall
For sure
Hey give me that
Picking up that shat
Put it under the mat
Ha...Ha, **** That!
I ain't no gangsta
Just a Prankster
Just wanna thank ya
For listening to my crap ya
Gotcha in the middle bit
Working for a Lil bit
Did ya see that ***
Y'all gotta go
Y'all wanna know
Where do I come from
Where is ma show
Yo Gotta Know
Yeah I Love you to
Playing it single
Looking for some insults
Running from my result
Of being an adult
Just wanna let you know
I think ya mums a ***
Oh, oh **** ya wanna blow
I'll show you where to go
There he is now you know
Ya ******* wanna throw a punch
But I'll eat ya for ma lunch
Come on bring me down
And I'll take you downtown
Oh No what the **** you know
Ya know nothing and that's how it goes
Whoa, whoa!
Back up the chorus
It's not all for us
It's all for one
But I'm not done yall
I ain't no gangsta
Just a Prankster
Just wanna thank ya
For listening to my crap ya
Gotcha in the middle bit
Working for a Lil bit
Did ya see that ***
Y'all gotta go
Y'all wanna know
Where do I come from
Where is ma show
Yo Gotta Know
Yeah I Love you to
They call me Benny
Just got change from a twenty
Y'all know so many
Wanna get me
But now you see
They all wanna leave
Because I ain't all that great
But still, they wait
Another rhyme on my hands
But I can't defend
Every man on this
God Forsaken Land
Show Me Where
I can put ma hands
On ya body
Can't touch me
I ain't no gangsta
Just a Prankster
Just wanna thank ya
For listening to my crap ya
Gotcha in the middle bit
Working for a Lil bit
Did ya see that ***
Y'all gotta go
Y'all wanna know
Where do I come from
Where is ma show
Yo Gotta Know
Yeah I Love you to
One More Time Y'all
One for the money
Two for the show
Three to get ready
And **** you to
I ain't no gangsta
Just a Prankster
Just wanna thank ya
For listening to my crap ya
Gotcha in the middle bit
Working for a Lil bit
Did ya see that ***
Y'all gotta go
Y'all wanna know
Where do I come from
Where is ma show
Yo Gotta Know
Yeah I Love you to
©2017 Written By Benji James
Jun 14, 2017
Jun 14, 2017 at 5:04 AM UTC
What's that
on your collar Sutcliffe?
O’Brien said
you got some
amorous sweet girl Eddie?
Danny D said
what is it?
I can't see
Eddie said
lipstick
I said
red stuff
where where?
he said
pulling at his white
shirt collar
with the red lipstick mark
he opened his shirt collar
and pulled it downward
how'd that get there?
he asked
your cousin still
staying with you
is she Eddie?
Danny said smiling
no not her
not that bucktooth *****
Eddie said
it must have been
my mum
she insists on
kissing me
before school
can't bring herself
to kiss your spotty skin
so kisses your collar
Danny said
she must have missed
Eddie said
how do I get it off?
who with?
O’Brien said
I ask that question myself
who's the lucky girl
what you talking about?
Sutcliffe said
how do I get
the lipstick off?
God knows
Danny said
soak it salt maybe
I said
but now
how now?
Eddie said
we walked on
toward school
Eddie rubbing
at his collar
with a greying handkerchief
that's the last time
she's going to kiss me
Eddie said
the red lipstick had smeared
more like a stain
it's worse now
I said
looks like a wound
thanks
he said thanks
you did it
not me
I said
what am I going to do?
can't go to school
like this
go home and change then
O’Brien said
I can't my mum's
gone to work
he looked at us
all tearfully
it's just lipstick Sutcliffe
no one's going to care
Danny said
of course they will
he said
especially Thompson
you know what he's like
he'll have out front
for a right pasting
if he sees me
come back to my place
I said
my Mum'll put it
into soak
and you can wear
one of mine
you'll be late
Danny said
you go on
I said
we'll get a bus
we can make it
if we run
O’Brien looked at me
you're all heart Benny
all heart
so Eddie and I
ran back to my place
and he took off his shirt
which my mother
put in soak
and he wore
one of mine
and off we rushed
to school on the 78 bus
Eddie all wide eyed
and I saw Fay
going to school
with her swaying hips
and blonde hair
and all I could do
was give
a keen eyed stare.
Oct 11, 2014
Oct 11, 2014 at 1:47 PM UTC
The sound of the sea behind us
the sand dune protected us
from a slight evening breeze
some Arab guy was playing a guitar
up at base camp
laughter from others
singing on the wind carried
and Miriam said
you want to make out Benny?
here?
I said
sure why not?
she said
won't they miss us?
I said
they wouldn't miss the moon
they're so ****** on
the Arab wine junk
they've been passing around
in that big jar thing
Miriam said
we were close in the sand dune
clumps of grass
and sand warm
my hand on her thigh
other hand about her neck
is it safe?
I said
safe for what?
she said
I haven't got no pox
have you?
no just wondering about
in case you know?
I said
got the pill
no worries there
now kiss me
she said
so I did
lips to lips kind of thing
her hand unzipping my jeans
her other hand around me
want to?
she said
the guitar was still being plucked
voices still sang
laughter on the wind
she had my pecker
between fingers and thumb
and talking to it
I was seeing the moon
over her shoulder
stars blinking
come on come
she said
then someone fired
a rifle in the air
silence followed
then chatter
we were well away
so it didn't matter.
Jan 13, 2016
Jan 13, 2016 at 1:47 PM UTC
in my dream
i'm on a plane
beside a horse
without a mane
and out the window
only sky
the color of No...
as deep as kites
And there was a boy
his name was Yes
and he held a rope
he stole from the dead
the aisle was lightning
speaking in tongues
the flight had arrived
but the captain was gone...
and i heard the wind
condemn the lit fuse
and the wings were clipped
and the stars removed
the ghost of Jack Benny
had swallowed the key
that opened the box
he left in Belize [ and ]
i sat in flames
and enjoyed a cigar
and i lit the ****** thing
to see in the fog
there was a girl
kept from the pilot
she was a threat
and you knew that she liked it
long in the tooth
but wrong for the mouth
i never heard
what each hell was about
but everything changed
the plane had landed
in the palm of a glass hand
random - Oh...
we had absinthe, guilt -
and candles
sand in our wounds
but only one camel
i sat for days in the night
and dreamt it
drank from the fuselage
of my symptoms
strode across miles
and miles of inches
doubting horizons
the sun had believed in
then you crossed my path
in a chasm
told me to open my eyes
if i had 'em
then you laughed
and it came out backwards
stole my joke
then you left what you
asked for...
saving my life
Oct 27, 2012
Oct 27, 2012 at 12:36 PM UTC
Clarinet man sits
Upon a New York cloud
Watching all the bustling
As his music plays so loud.
He watches over his children
Watches his family grow so old
He wonders if they remember
All the stories he has told.
"Of course they do," he says
Slaps his knee with his fist
"For they have my soul with them,
I am the moth among the mist."
He feels a nudge upon his back
Stops and turns to see
His good old friend Benny say,
"Come play a tune with me!"
Back to back
They faced each other
Put their instruments to their lips
And harmonized with one another.
As he is playing
Clarinet man is able to see
The best things in life
They are all free!!!!!
Mar 25, 2012
Mar 25, 2012 at 12:57 AM UTC
We visited
the Van Gogh museum,
said Dalya, Benny and I,
he loves his art, has
a Sunflowers print on
his wall at home he said,
I love Amsterdam,
love the laid backness of it,
we went to
the Anne Frank Haus,
too, hauntingly sad,
my Jewish relations
brings it home.
Benny came to my tent
(the fat dame was off
visiting the sights)
and we made love,
hoping she'd not return
too soon or at all,
the sounds from the camp-site
loudspeakers, rock music,
guitars and drums,
a slight wind shaking
the canvas, the sleeping bag
rough beneath me.
Van Gogh speaks to me
Benny had said, the yellows
and black, the assumed
madness, the birds,
cornfields, the sun.
I prefer Monet, I love his art,
his capture of nature
and the wild,
the touch of brush.
After making love
we lay smoking and talking,
I thought of the last
few days left before
homeward bound,
the farewell,
the parting
at the English shore,
we kissed
and made love once more.
Dec 9, 2015
Dec 9, 2015 at 2:25 PM UTC
Your old man
opened the door
and stood there smiling.
She won't be long
Benny boy
she's just making
herself beautiful
or haven't you
got that long?
and he laughed
and went back indoors
and left the door open ajar.
I stood there
on the red tiled doorstep
and waited
looking back
into the Square
seeing the man
with the boxer dog
walk past on his way
to the shop.
The milkman
was over the way
delivering milk to the flats
on the ground floor.
The door opened again
and your old man said
just off to the work
someone has to keep
the railways going
and he stepped off
down the steps
and away across
the Square
and down the slope.
Your brother Hem
came out the door
he stared at me
and went past
and around the corner
he didn't like me
since I beat him up
for throwing a firework
at my sister.
Then you came
to the door
in that white dress
and your hair in a mess.
Won't be long
you said
just got to have a wash
and be with you.
Ok
I said
see you soon
and you went back indoors
and closed the door.
I sat on the doorstep
watching the world go past
hoping you wouldnt be long
and sorted through
my small collection
of football cards
which ones to keep
and which ones to swap
at school on Monday.
I hoped you wouldnt be long
as the Saturday matinee
started in half an hour
and I hated
being late.
Aug 6, 2018
Aug 6, 2018 at 3:51 AM UTC
Lizbeth stood in front
of the tall mirror
inside her mother's wardrobe
she was wearing
a short black dress
her hair was tied
in a bun at the back
I stood watching her
uncertain why
we were in her parents' bedroom
and why she was *********
her mother’s clothes
hanging on hangers inside
I looked around the room
a big bed made tidily
a chest of drawers
a built in cupboard
a picture on the wall
opposite the bed
of some country scene
and above the bed
a huge crucifix
made from wood
with a plaster Christ
look at this one
Lizbeth said
I looked at her hand
taking out a long red dress
she held it up
then put in front of herself
and turned to face me
what do you think?
it's a bit gaudy
I said
shall I try it on?
no I can see
what it would
look like on you
I said
she sniffed it
she must bathe
in **** scent
Lizbeth said
she did a spin
holding the dress
against her
how do I look in it?
she's taller than you
it'll fit her better
I said
not so sure
Lizbeth said
hold this
I held the dress in my hand
she unzipped her black dress
at the back
and pulled the black dress
over her head
and stood there
in a white bra and *******
give it here
she said
and taking the dress
she put it on
her own black dress
was on the floor
here zip me up
at the back
she said
I zipped her up
at the back
watching the straps
of the white bra disappear
as I zipped her up
she turned on the spot
and looked at herself
in the tall mirror
well? how do I look now?
well at least
it's longer
than your own black dress
I said
it came to her ankles
she looked down at it
yes too ****** long
she said
unzip me Benny
she said
I unzipped her
seeing the strap
of the white bra
come back into view
she pulled the dress
over her head
and put it back
on the hanger
she stood there
in bra and *******
how do I look now?
undressed
I said
do you like me
like this?
I feel kind of
uncomfortable
you standing like that
I said
why do you feel
uncomfortable?
what if your parents
come home now
and see you like this
and me here with you
and you in your underclothes?
she smiled
guess they'll feel
uncomfortable then
she said
I picked up her black dress
best out it on
I said
now?
yes now
my parent's bed is over there
all made up and fresh
and waiting for us
she said sexily
I stood holding
the black dress in my hand
where are your parents?
out some place
when will they be back?
don't know
best get your dress on
and out of their room
I said
what about my room?
the bed's smaller
and unmade
and the room's untidy
but we can still
do it there?
I heard voices from downstairs
is that them back?
I said in a low voice
Lizbeth pulled a face
**** me yes
let's get to my room
and so she put
the red dress back
in the wardrobe
and shut it up
and we rushed across
the landing to her room
and shut the door
behind us
I looked around her room
it was as she said
untidy
the bed unmade
books
LPs
soiled washing
over the floor
and the curtains unopened
that was kind of close
she said
yes
I said
downstairs the voices
were loud
and a row seemed
to be going on
but Lizbeth seemed unconcerned
standing there
in her white *******
and bra
holding the black dress
gazing towards
the unmade bed
but I had other problems
swimming around
inside my teenage head.
Jul 6, 2014
Jul 6, 2014 at 4:13 AM UTC
My mother
is out shopping
but Benny
can't come around
as he has to work
as do my brothers.
I am left alone
in the house.
I lay on my bed
staring at the sky
through the window.
It is a warm morning
I can hear birdsong
and cows moo
from the farm.
Why did Benny
have to work now
of all times
I muse.
I remember
that time
when he came
and my mother
had just gone
out shopping
and we made love
on my bed.
This bed where
I lay now
and even though
I knew my mother
had gone out shopping
there was an odd thrill
that she might
come back
and it added
to the excitement.
But she didn't
and Benny had
just gone
when she drove back
in the car
with the shopping.
I ought to get up
and wash
and dress
but I want to lay here
a bit more
and imagine Benny
is here
and he's
beside me now
and undressed
and we kiss and touch.
I sense the electric
run through me
and I want him
and we do.
But of course
we don't.
I lay alone
staring at the sky
listening to birdsong
and cows moo
not making love
and nothing to do.
May 7, 2017
May 7, 2017 at 2:13 AM UTC
“The side of her head is shaved,
isn’t that weird?”
Afraid to admit my attraction,
I nodded in agreement.
And in a low voice
I responded with,
“yeah, weird…”
Yet again he pointed out,
“Look at her septum piercing!
Doesn’t she look like Benny the Bull?”
I looked away. Under my breath
I said, “I think…she’s cute.”
My friend turned
with simpering eyes.
“Really? Cute?
You’re a ****** too.”
I looked up, “I’m not weird.
I just think she’s pretty,
that’s all.”
He scoffed,
“Nah man, you’re really weird.
Tattoos and piercings aren’t attractive,
they’re weird but I guess weirdos
are attracted to other weirdos.
Flustered, I looked up to him.
“So what? Punk rock is pretty.
At least I’m not a pretentious ******* like you.”
And with that, I left him there.
© Matthew Harlovic
Mar 24, 2015
Mar 24, 2015 at 8:12 PM UTC
Asian faerie pirate
Beautiful pirahna
Dancing firelights
Conversion faeries
Benny Grunch
Phantasmagoric unicorns
Mardi gras
Terpsichorean cassowaries
King cake
Satircal parody
Highly intelligent humor
Unliving dead
****** hell
Planned obsolescence
French Quarter
Baton Rouge
Rock & roll
Dec 6, 2012
Dec 6, 2012 at 11:43 PM UTC
Did you get a photograph
of me standing by the camel
on the beach?
Miriam asked.
Yes I did,
I said,
the two Arabs
didn't look impressed
with you in your bikini though.
I was clothed;
it wasn't as though
I had nothing on,
she said.
No,
but you know
what they're like
with women,
I said.
****** them Benny,
I am here on holiday;
what do they think
I'm going to do
wear a long dress
and head scarf
in this heat?
Never mind,
I said,
it is done now,
and I have taken the photo.
Will you send me a copy
of the photo
once we are back in England?
Of course I will
if you give me your address,
I said.
Make sure it is an envelope;
I don't want my parents
seeing me in my bikini,
she said.
I will seal it in an envelope
out of prying eyes,
I said.
We looked out
at the Mediterranean.
The water was calm and blue
and the sky a kind of white blue.
The sun hot and pouring
its heat on us.
Do you miss me nights?
She said.
Of course I do,
but the tents are only made
for two not three,
I said smiling.
She tapped my arm:
maybe when your friend
goes into Tangiers next
we could,
she said.
If he goes,
I said.
Hope he goes,
Miriam said.
And the memory of her
in my tent
the other day
buzzed around my head.
Jan 30, 2017
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:24 AM UTC
"This is Tom Clay
on KRLA
It's seven forty eight
there's a sigalert
on the Ventura Freeway
and you are already
too late for work
might as well stay home
and
get into some rock'n roll.
Comin' at you with
Baby Baby Baby
by
S Bonney and the Velveteers"
Baby baby baby
won't you step outside
with me.
The moon light's bright
if I give you one kiss
would it be all right?
Baby baby baby
won't you step outside
with me.
The Aspen it's a quaking
my heart it's a breaking
my mind it's a trembling
my knees are a shaking
like Elvis on tv
Baby baby baby
won't you step outside
with me.
You said he was your best friend
the benefits part I don't think
I ever heard again
and any way
your eyes are shining
Benny E King is singing
a warm north west
desert wind is blowing
Baby baby baby
won't you
step outside with me.
"Remember in the department store
of life
the sports department is
always next to the toy department.
Tom Clay
KRLA, LA
signing off
L.A. it's your day. "
Aug 15, 2014
Aug 15, 2014 at 9:02 AM UTC
In class Mr Finn
talks about fractions
and denominators
and other stuff
I don't care to know
I see Janice
sitting at her desk
her fair hair
ribboned
and her small hand
and fingers
writing down
what he is saying
I scribble nothing
my page has a few
fractions and numbers
and my pen
drips blue ink
on the page
as I look at her
we went to the bomb site
off Meadow Row
last evening
(not too late
or her gran
will slap her one)
and we talked of Jesus
(or she was)
and how He died
and why none
of the disciples
came to his aid
Mr Finn says
Benny are you
listening to what
I am saying
about fractions?
Yes Sir
I reply
although I haven't
I have not a clue
what did I say
about this fraction?
He points
to the blackboard
I stare at the board
I missed that bit
I say
he sighs and repeats
(for me I guess)
what he has just said
Janice looks at me
she has lovely blue eyes
I smile
she frowns
Mr Finn talks
of improper fractions
and stuff
I study what
he's written
and think
school work
is tough.
Sep 23, 2016
Sep 23, 2016 at 2:09 PM UTC
After a long boring
science lesson
I had my sandwiches
in the lunch room
then went out
on the playing field
to find Yiska
hey Benny
Goldfinch said
how about a game of footie?
no I can't
I'm meeting someone
o not the girl again
leave girls to the soft heads
come play football
he said
but I walked on
and looked for her
and then saw her
with some other girl
plump girl with dark hair
and a green bow in it
I stood and waited
for her to go
Yiska saw me
and the other girl went off
giving me the cool stare
sorry just chatting to Mary
she's having problems
what problems?
I asked
girly problems
Yiska said
o right
I said
well where shall we go?
let's go to London
and see the sights
she said smiling
I mean now
here on the playing field
I said
up near the fence and woods
she said
so we walked up
by the fence
passed groups of girls
sitting and chatting and laughing
and the sound of boys
playing football way back
how was your morning?
she asked as we sat
on the grass by the fence
boring as hell
something about gases
and air or something
I said
and you?
netball then maths
then geography
where I nearly fell asleep
she said
did you miss me this morning
when I wasn't by your bus waiting?
yes I thought you
might be off ill
I said eyeing her eyes
no I was in the gym
getting ready for netball practice
yes I saw the short skirt
she smiled
you would
yes guess I would
wish we were at my place
she said
having lunch and such
but my moaning mother's home
and my big brother
comes home some lunch times
and I try and avoid him
why's that?
she looked at me intently
he tries it on
tries what on?
can't say but I prefer
not to be there alone
with him and he'd
tell Mum if he
saw us alone together there
she touched my leg with a hand
say nothing to anyone
why would I?
just in case promise?
of course my lips are sealed
I said
she leaned forward
and kissed my lips
then moved away
then we talked about other things
her mother's moans
and migraines
and depression
and I talked of my interest
in cars and birds
(feathered kind)
the school bell rang
and we got up to go
back to class and lessons
I wanted to kiss her
one more time
but with others there
I didn't dare.
Oct 20, 2015
Oct 20, 2015 at 2:53 AM UTC
Wander from Argyle Street towards the pyramid shaped monolith
past the oddly named Benny Hamish - Sicilian Couture Tailors -
through the automatic glass doors of persuasion
up the revolving stairs of many stairs
sail by the portly security guard
(who looks like he'd be out of breath after a 10 yard dash)
along the imitation marble airstrip
passed neon facades and signs for proactive self indulgence
toward the carousel of smoked-mirror lifts
that take the well heeled to their desired destinations
without having to worry about their Chanel leather clutch bag
and newly purchased Christian Louboutin shoes
and I sit people watching,
writing this poem on a borrowed napkin
with a discarded betting shop pen
amid a horde of timid stomachs and twitching wallets
faced with a thousand fast food offerings
and gaudy coloured tables and chairs
littered in the remnants of repugnant non-ecological eateries
and Styrofoam cups and re-composite cutlery
under Noah's grotesquely beautiful steel ark
lined in industrial tubing and chrysalis shaped netting
and giant Art Deco toothbrushes
and 30 foot wiggly mirrors
and stretched rhombus sails
acting as a blanket barrier
to the blue skies and arched sun of the outside world
somewhere between
KFC and Burger King.
Apr 19, 2016
Apr 19, 2016 at 7:25 AM UTC
Appointment to have ***** removed by robot-assisted surgeon.
Air-conditioned, no mosquitoes in the OR. When you arrive
You'll remove all your clothes. Naked before the ladies, nurses
Who have seen it all before. Mainly remember you're not unique.
Think about the government while they're mixing up the medicine.
There's always governance even if there's little or no government.
Back to counting backwards. Inside out, if I die, will I know it?
At 70, Jack's running the gauntlet with some skill!
Benny Golson wonders aloud what might have been
Had Clifford Brown not been killed in that auto accident.
Jack's girlfriend once said he was the reincarnation of Clifford
But he doesn't believe in ghosts, karma or an afterlife.
Benny's old girlfriend Betty inspired the tune Along Came Betty
And that's the most afterlife Benny or Betty's gonna get.
The Trojan bench being not as deep as the Greek
Once Sarpedon and Hector go down even the lucky shot
To Achilles' feet is not enough to save the town.
Aeneas is no match for wily Odysseus
Although unbeknownst to all he has the last laugh when Rome
Conquers Athens, the Myrmidons, what's left of Ilion
And the whole known world from India to Britain.
It's not bad to acknowledge death's primacy
Although after a while you stop remembering
To fear. That's when everything becomes clear
Purpose v. purposelessness matters less,
Anomie v. rule of law, that's a preference
Love v. loneliness, worth about 25 cents
Or a million bucks in the light of the holocaust.
Nothing but light, love and the majesty of death in the room.
Machines stand ready like marines, their beauty is in the motion
That overcomes inertia. The food supply is deeply compromised
So eat whatever you want. Mourning the dead is part of the business
Of healing and staying alive. When you get to the afterlife, walk with
eyes open,
Ocotillo and cactus may be in flower. The robot does the work,
imposes
Its own small order, like a girl on a bicycle with disorder in her hair.
Aug 11, 2015
Aug 11, 2015 at 10:35 PM UTC