"waterslide" poems
I suppose I should repose
explore new clothes since I've outgrown
every and anything in this ratchet city
every day I wish to make it out before I am 50
before my bones and motivation crack
before my smile lines and crow's feet are all I have
watching my sanity slip like my grandson down the waterslide
oh, why God why, did you never let me fly?
Was I caged or fearful? Was it staged or virile?
Was I ever able or just another one of your fables?
the man that would never because he never believed he could
Feb 9, 2022
Feb 9, 2022 at 8:44 AM UTC
It's the week of Giving
Thanks, and I'm thinking
Of the magical place of
My Dreams, the
Dream-state I existed
In my childhood.
Google maps is SCI-
Finite, and does this place
Justice like a squid
Quoting Revelation 1:
9 - the Island of Palmos.
But at least the squid
Was half-right -
Middle Park Lagoon
Had an island.
It wasn't just the little farm
Pond full of alligator snappers,
And indelible fish (carp, anagram:
Crap)
It was the surrounding woods,
The Leopard Frogs I could not
(And really didn't want to)
Catch. It wasn't the shoe-
Stealing muck-mud, the
Barely-4-foot deep water.
It wasn't Duck Creek flowing
Next door, flooding often,
Its waters spilling into the
Waters of the Lagoon, depositing
And withdrawing wildlife
At will.
It was my escape-pod in the
Mysterious Spaceship Earth
That was 1968-1984, for my Dad
Ed Scheck, was Supt. of Parks
And Rec in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He oversaw all the parks, the
Pre-Waterslide-Pool, the Bike
Trails connecting Davenport
To its bro/sis city.
My Dad had to work a lot
And me in the park was like
Me visiting Dad.
The Lagoon frozen when we
Had Iowa winter, and a very
Popular place to skate. I think
I loved the Lagoon more frozen
Than liquid. At night, I would
Cut through the houses on
Fair Meadows Drive, listening to
KSTT-AM blasting on the speaker
Attached to the light pole.
It was the scariest part of my day,
That little freezing trip from
Lagoon to Home.
And about the best.
In 1979, at sixteen, I applied
For employment with the
Parks Department, and that
Meant summers working at
Palmer Hills Golf Course.
And, winters, supervising
Middle Park Lagoon.
I got to skate out on the
Ice, the ice that would turn
To the watery body I loved
Most of all, and miss, to
This day.
From 1968 (5) to 1984.
The math doesn't add up;
Magic has no columns that
Add up at the bottom, because
Magic is bottomless.
Nov 23, 2014
Nov 23, 2014 at 10:09 AM UTC
Three children sit behind a dumpster
outside of the Pier Pizza Parlor
unaware that they are children
Seven years later walking past Bridge Square
a girl remembers
**** we're out of cigarettes
and my mom's fucken car is locked. man.
and joints rolled with single ply toilet paper
burning through precious *** in the seaside woods where Indians
used to die
She, curling hands,
flattens a photograph of three kids in swimsuits and baseball caps
crouched under the rainy eaves of a waterslide
lighting a one hitter and gazing at their tiny dying world
now like a centerfold
it's covered in lubricant sweat and spittle
after too much time under the wrong beds
She sits on this small fountain
wistfully blinking and ******* down the cigarettes she wishes she could lock back up
kneading her dead legs and wondering
if it's better to have a past smudged by erasers
or mottled with bruises
May 30, 2010
May 30, 2010 at 10:58 PM UTC
Bumpy reptilian skin splits to reveal
a placid galaxy of green cream
that moves through my throat
like a greased pig on a waterslide
and spreads like wildfire in my belly.
I am fueled by the divinity of now,
before the indifferent air of tomorrow
ruins such simple perfection
and the only option is to start over,
the pit,
only half above water.
Sep 27, 2011
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:29 PM UTC
So many girls have that waterslide nose
the one you had, the shape that tethers on the end
a curly-cue your teardrops pool in sometimes:
so many girls could look just like you
and I might actually acknowledge their blue eyes
not assume they are as brunette as the wool
below their clothes
but none of those girls would know my secrets or
obsession with Build-a-Bear bunnies
because they were never open on our birthday.
Apr 10, 2013
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:58 PM UTC
choked on pizza
lost my voice
you couldn't hear me anyway
I wanna lay here in a catatonic state
let me handle it my way
when is it appropriate
the right time to mention it
just wanna keep my mouth sewed up
it's your fault
you broke me
tiny shards of myself
now its your fault
now I take the easy way out
I would if I could
go back in time
roller coaster
without the climb
such a waste of time
you hunted me
hunted me down
Oct 5, 2010
Oct 5, 2010 at 5:59 PM UTC
When today is all red
but yesterday was full green
-remember, we’re all in this together
When you feel your belly wriggle
due to their infectious giggle
-know that there’s sugar with the spice
If you are doing three
transfers in fifteen minutes
-remember, we’re all in this together
If you feel the garden hose spray
of their amazing joy-full day
-know that there’s sugar with the spice
At times when the top of the first
feels like the bottom of the ninth
-remember, we’re all in this together
At dawn of Thursday’s Eve
as you feel a week’s worries start to leave
-know that there’s sugar with the spice
When the bus has not arrived
but your patience has departed
-remember, we are all in this together
When success smells like sweet grass
freshly cut, or a masterful CLP class
-know that there’s sugar with the spice
Should the day’s turmoil find you throwing
your bowling ball down the wrong lane
-remember, we’re all in this together
Should you feel your day’s ride’s
Slick with joy like a waterslide
-know there’s sugar with the spice
Oh when today is red
but yesterday was full green
remember, we’re all in this together
know that there’s sugar with the spice
and for all of our sakes
keep your stick on the ice
~
NM
*In loving memory of
Jon Wiebe (1993-2019)
Jan 6, 2021
Jan 6, 2021 at 6:09 PM UTC
I am dreaming of a white Christmas
I say stop, cause it's too **** hot for that
You see instead of skiing and skating on ice
We are having barbecues and swimming in the pool
And instead of Santa coming down the chimney he goes through the computer screen and uncle robbie and jim bob
And Jacob lying on the beach getting a tan and if they are dreaming of a white Christmas well stop cause in Australia
It's too **** hot for that
You see kids are riding their surfboards
On Bondi beach and santa will join us
Everyone is having fun
And robbie pulls out six pack
And said lets get out backpacks
And hike through the kangaroo island bushland
If you dream of a white Christmas
Well stop cause in Australia it's too
**** hot
You see we go off the Queensland and sere the big pineapple and then go down to Coffs Harbour to see the big banana and mum is sweating in the kitchen cooking the Christmas bird
And we go to jamberoo to slide down the waterslide
And uncle Freddie said ** ** ** look at me go
I am dreaming of a white Christmas
I should stop cause in Australia it's too **** too ****
Too **** hot
Oct 22, 2015
Oct 22, 2015 at 8:22 AM UTC
This is my side of
the bed. I have
lain here my whole
life. I daren’t
cross the threshold
to the other
side, which remains
spotless, impressionless,
free of wrinkles
and other signs
of life.
I lie like the lifeguard
tells you to lie in
the waterslide:
feet crossed at the ankles,
arms across
the chest.
I lie in perfect
coffin etiquette,
shaping myself within
intangible confines,
cozy and secure.
I have lain here my whole life,
and in my dreams
you are next to me—
I have prepared this space
for you
my whole
life
and I am waiting
patiently
for a sign
of
life.
I am waiting
for the sheets
to wrinkle,
and a mass
to take shape,
and the mattress
to indent,
and the pillow
to sigh—
I am waiting
for cold feet
to shock mine,
I am waiting
for strong legs
to ensconce mine,
I am waiting
for a torso
to touch mine,
I am waiting
for an arm
beneath my neck,
a hand on my
cheek,
I am waiting for warm breath
on my face,
and the silhouette of a face
to taunt me in
the shadows—
I am patiently waiting
for the day
I cross
the threshold
into occupied
space.
Jan 18, 2017
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:35 PM UTC
take my mouth on a ride
on a strawberry flavoured waterslide
by a cotton candy sky
drenched, soaked
in pink.
Mar 10, 2018
Mar 10, 2018 at 7:36 PM UTC
A fabulous day
to be had was in store
At Mash Brewery I casualy
strolled through the door
Our tables real long
30 + ladies are here
Eating lunch and chatting
with a wine,cider or beer
Then I spy the birthday girl
a friend I hold dear
Like all the other ladies
I bring birthday cheer
Then a call "all aboard"
gotta skull down my drink
To much of this
I'll end up feeling real stink
So out of the brewery
single file we go
To our white disco bus
with our Kiwi driver Joe
With a smile to our driver
I say "Kiora Bro"
Then we're off on our journey
to different Swan Valley locations
There's laughter even a waterslide to release some of life's frustrations
Then all to soon my journey
must end
Then I hear a voice say
"Come to Guildford my friend"
More then happy to ablige
It's back to my seat
with a skip in my stride
At the Guildford Tavern I decide l'd love to go the whole way
And on my girlfriends couch
tonight is where I shall stay
Today I'm having respite
so my sister I call to see
if in the morning
she's able to come and get me
She's more than happy
Glad I'm having fun
I love my sister
she's my number one
So off on our bus down
the Highway we roar
Singing
"Girls just wanna have fun "
we let our voices soar
With our trusty driver Joe
in our white bus
with the disco light
We laugh, sing and dance
our voices carrying into the night.
Feb 8, 2018
Feb 8, 2018 at 3:30 PM UTC
You came at me like a ride down a waterslide.
No knowledge of which way this were to go,
I tunneled and turned and soaked myself in something
I now need over and over again.
Aug 7, 2015
Aug 7, 2015 at 10:06 PM UTC
pull me quite, don't be polite
rest me on your palms, deathbed,
a plate that is also a mouth
your tongue my waterslide
i want to melt into your core
Nov 14, 2016
Nov 14, 2016 at 9:31 AM UTC
Beginning
The diaper rash
Scratching the eczema until it bled
Ruby Red Sea trickling from my nostrils
Mom and I on a mission for the bottom of the stairs
Baby's first autographed cast!
Upside down on the couch,
Laughing
Preteen
Awareness of death
Love letter with a thirst for embarrassment
Ruby Red Sea trickling from my forearm,
My thighs
Playing ***** in the park; wanting to forfeit
Makeshift waterslide,
Bruised
Teen
First attempt to meet God
Ambulance
Throwing beer cans at cars from the hilltop
Lucy, Mary, and Molly
Discovering self confidence
First love,
Six losses
What does it take to be a friend?
Young Adult
The difference between effort and ability
Self acceptance
Getting familiar with 4am
Summertime snow
Money hungry,
No, starving
Oct 27, 2017
Oct 27, 2017 at 6:15 PM UTC
"I oddly miss you",
words
slipped off her
tongue
like a waterslide
That's when the heart
goes
*** did I just feel?"
Jan 9, 2025
Jan 9, 2025 at 4:55 AM UTC
the term is spiral
but it's more a
plummet, a drop
on a rollercoaster
a downward spiral
sounds like a waterslide
all smooth splashes
bubbles of laughter
but it's more like
the cutoff when your
heart jumps out of the
hole in your stomach
just hold your
hands up and scream
when some get sad
you spiral slowly
things pile up and
they slip and slide
when i get sad it's
freefall but i guess
i'm used to
bumps on rides
but it's all in the
way we fall
Dec 27, 2017
Dec 27, 2017 at 11:53 PM UTC
Seas that have earned their sparkle from the sun, at its picturesque potential
perhaps something you know as your eyes
and a heavy overflowing jug of intelligence, wit, charm and understanding pours out at a waterslide's rate within your mouth
spikes of subtle sexiness
grow in your cheeks
topped with a tidal haircut
just so I can appreciate the rest
is what keeps me distracted
in the most interesting of classes
and gossip filled television shows
perhaps even xanax wouldn't be enough
I am yet to find the worst quality in me to cancel out the best in you.
zh (26/09/17)
Oct 1, 2017
Oct 1, 2017 at 2:55 AM UTC
asleep now sound
in the subterranean
crevices of all color and liquid schemes
as I slide rapidly, deeply toward the core
waterslide into the ether
opening to landscapes of stars
and closing again under walls of moving light
moving against and with me
alas I crash into a universe of blue
drown awake in the endless sea
blue beauty overtakes me
I could dream forever here
before I drift into eternity
this oasis
this Heaven imagined
I am plucked from the blue depths
dropped upon a spot of green
under a tree I awaken
with half the backyard yet to mow
Jan 22, 2021
Jan 22, 2021 at 9:17 PM UTC
I’ve been in Canberra for 40 long years
I had my fair share of friends and enemies oh yeah
A friend was doing tickle torture on me
Yes Canberra is home
I found the waterslide at Jamison was cool
But as I got older it became a fucken hole
No more pool parties no more
Yes Canberra is home
They had good movie theatres there
Like Electric shadows centre cinema and greater union oh yeah
Capitol in Manuka
Cosmopolitan in Woden
But now you still see them
But different names oh yeah
Yes Canberra is home
I went to see the cannons play basketball
It was fun and I got on tv
And I felt famous yeah
We drank coke and chips
And a pie by name
Yes Canberra is home
And cannons won a few titles yeah
I also went to the raiders matches
Even back in the days they played
In Queanbeyan yeah
An afternoon in the mighty struggletown
Watching the green machine play
Then the green machine played in Bruce
We don’t need to catch buses
We can just walk oh yeah
They won championships
They were the best
But from 1995 they lost their touch
Then in 2019 they got to their first
Grand final in a while
They played well but the ref
Robbed them of the match
To give the roosters their second
Premiership in a row
Yes Canberra is home
I am still here despite being mentally ill
I worked hard at north south and the rainbow oh yeah
Wasn’t getting much money
I just helped them out oh yeah
Yes Canberra is home
I started to work CPA
Where I worked hard at ainslie village
And actew and construction sites
I was getting paid $3 to 8-50 an hour oh yeah
Yes Canberra is home
I worked as a volunteer for the Belconnen magpies
I did the barbecue and I loved it for a while everyone was happy with me
Yes Canberra is home
I worked for vinnies in Belconnen oh yeah
When I was there I was more positive oh yeah
And I played Santa Claus at Christmas and I made the kids happy
Yes Canberra is home
Now every place in the world had
The coronavirus Canberra had very few cases but still needs to be careful oh yeah
But sport is still on without much crowd
But I still we still everyone still
Calls Canberra home
Aug 17, 2020
Aug 17, 2020 at 11:29 PM UTC