nothing
no thing
no nothing
no
begin
at the middle
go back
to the end
then circle round
to finish
at the beginning
once you figure
it out
let me know
I’ll be waiting
(D James)
Archive for the ‘art’ Category
nothing and nothing at all
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 February 2012 at 4:10 amlife in the city of cities
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 January 2012 at 3:06 amthe subway rises
from the mouth
of darkness
pulling cars across
metal track
to the top
of the mountain
the skyline
like a picture
postcard
at sunset
a symphony
at full tilt
a mass of steel
and glass
thousands
of lighted squares
and twinkling
red lights
reminds you
that this city
in its ebb and flow
was here before you arrived
and will remain long
after you are gone
(D James)
and so goes the morning
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 January 2012 at 3:30 pmstaring
out the window
watching the light change
bare trees
drag shadows
across gray
roof-tops
sunlight glints
off passing cars
the day goes on
with or without us
(D James)
climbing the mountain
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 January 2012 at 2:06 pmthe blank page
stares back at me
silently mocking
my attempts
to scribble
something
of weight
the blank page
like a snow-covered
mountain
challenges my ability
to communicate
and whisper-laughs
at my thoughts of words
until I say
to the blank page
“ok, you write something”
then there is silence
and I can finally settle down
to begin the work of stringing words
together into something that makes sense
to someone
somewhere
(D. James)
what are we
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 January 2012 at 3:57 amlight and dark
laughter and tears
never and always
right and wrong
bone and dust
blood and guts
intransigent and flexible
solid and liquid
everything
and
nothing
(D James)
the sound in between
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 January 2012 at 4:33 pmthere’s a moment
between the notes
when what lingers
is the dying vibration
of a sound
before the next key
is struck
when the world
makes sense
and life is found
in the silence
(D. James)
more questions than you know what to do with
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 January 2012 at 11:23 pmwhite sheet
blank paper
and the
screen in your head
goes black
who ever said
you can’t get there from here
didn’t know where you were
to begin with
so how did they know
where you’d end up
(D. James)
this is a test
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 6 July 2011 at 4:23 pmthis is a test
there is really
nothing
to say
if this were
an actual poem
we would tell you
how to feel
about it
or at least
express something
worthy of an
emotional response
(D. James)
putting it together
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 May 2011 at 3:55 pmand and and
adding to what
was said
and and and
bringing together
disparate thoughts
and and and
an endless string
of ideas
and and and
where I’ve been
and and and
where I’m going
(D. James)
fear fear
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 January 2011 at 5:23 amfearing fear
it morphs
into pain
fearing pain
it morphs
into anger
forgetting compassion
until there is nothing left
but rage
and this I fear
more than all the rest
(D James)
wandering through to the end
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 January 2011 at 10:56 pmlost under a sea
of unfocused thoughts
mind-numbing wandering
through disconnected
days of fear and self-loathing
wondering
where it went wrong
where I went wrong
feeling out of place
out of time
out of my mind
like a character
in an unfinished
Beckett play
waiting for something
like life
to begin
unable to go on
with no choice
but to go on
immobile
immovable
immature
with all the courage
of a well-fed
old house cat
wanting to know
how it all ends
when I should be thinking
where to begin
(D James)
dark places
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 15 December 2010 at 9:06 pmmy pen falls
from the table
into a dark shadow
kicking
to catch it
with the side
of my shoe
spinning
it skitters
into the light
much like my thoughts
on this deathly cold day
(D. James)
loss of balance
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 December 2010 at 7:01 pmit could break,
a mind,
from the pressure
all those thoughts
of what I should
be doing
what I did
wrong
asking why
the grace and ease
so longed for
seeming far off
impossible
hoping
for change
and then
don’t want
the kind that arrives
realizing
finally
it is not an answer
I seek
but a way to live
to think thoughts
and take action
generate some
confidence
take some
responsibility
for my life
because if I don’t
who the hell will
(D. James)
left behind
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 23 November 2010 at 12:06 amI remember
the past
as if it were
some one else’s
story
as if I
were some one
other than me
those days
and days
of years
the many nights
the horrible “mornings”
of the afternoon
washed clean away
by different thoughts
other actions
I remember a time
when I was
some one else
when I told
a different story
I remember as if
read in a novel
or seen in a film
I remember
so as not to forget
so as not to become
what I’ve been
what was left behind
(D. James)
dust
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 11 November 2010 at 1:38 amto dance
like the bones
don’t ache
to run
with the speed
of a panther
to laugh
with the abandon
of a child
to work
and play
and love
as if
I cannot fail
to sleep
like the dead
and dream
as the mystics do
this is how I wish
to spend
the days and nights
before returning to dust
(D. James)
train of thought
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 1 November 2010 at 3:50 pmthinking thoughts on
trains in tunnels
that take us to
toiling tasks like tinker toys
trudging to their terminus
can we keep
clear of calamity and
concious of creation or
will we wile awhile then
whip ourselves or
take the time
to think thoughts on
trains
while wishing
we weren’t wending our
way to work
(D. James)
short time now
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 October 2010 at 5:36 pmshorter the days
become
longer my heart
yearns for sunlight
and warmth
can we have life
without loss
and struggle
or is this all
just a matter
of how it’s seen
(D. James)
dream #1
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 August 2010 at 3:40 amif I told you again
would you know then
if I laid down and died
would you hole up and cry
if I loved you forever
would you do the same
if I made you my dream
would you sleep through the night
(D. James)
reminders
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 July 2010 at 6:19 pmflame under
black kettle
waiting for you
to come through
the door
the sound
of water
about to boil
your scent
permeates
the apartment
the water
whistles
everywhere
reminders
of you
this
is what I
came here for
(D. James)
a far goodnight
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 July 2010 at 12:51 pmdreaming
of the nights
to come
when you will sleep
next to me
praying for solace
in a distant land
too far from home
too far from you
wishing to wake
into the dream
of finally being
there
(D. James)
four day wait
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 July 2010 at 12:38 pmcounting the days
until
we are together
this
the last time
we will be separated
seems longer
than all the others
how can twenty years
apart
seem shorter
than
the next four days?
(D. James)
glorious
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 July 2010 at 1:05 pmtalking
through static
for hours
about life
about love
the past
the future
everything
and nothing at all
of all
we could do
with the time
there is nothing
better
than this
(D. James)
hold on to it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 July 2010 at 1:10 pmthere is a hole
where my solar plexus
should be
a missing part
of me
left behind
like something
I forgot
to pack
a piece
of my soul
resembling lack
hold on to it
I promise I’ll
be back
(D. James)
never want this to end
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 June 2010 at 1:38 pmthere seems
always a deadline
a date
in the
too near future
not wanting to board
another plane away from
you
how do we
stop Wednesday
from coming
(D. James)
limbo
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 June 2010 at 1:52 pmanother day closes
and my heart
is elsewhere
being neither
here nor there
stumbling
from sunset
to sunset
just waiting
to board
the next plane
to you
(D. James)
3500 miles
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 June 2010 at 11:41 pmthe time
between here
and there
from you to me
and back again
a journey
leading
to us
feeling
the fear
diminish
like distance
when we are
together
at last
(D. James)
small things
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 June 2010 at 11:06 pmcup of tea
on the table
burning cigarette
in hand
remembering
a gentle touch
a particular look
a simple word
realizing
it’s the small things
that make you miss
the one you love
(D. James)
coming together
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 June 2010 at 9:53 pmwaking with
thoughts of you
longing for
next time
dreaming
of the day
when the distance
is measured
by the length
of a room
instead of
the miles
of a country
(D. James)
contradiction of terms
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 May 2010 at 2:21 pmmessy business
this thing
called
life
no straight lines
or perfect circles
unchartable
unpredictable
erratic
like a riff
beauty
between
sour notes
brief
unyielding
amazing
painful
joyous
full of love
and contradictions
it couldn’t be
any other way
so why look for
what isn’t there
(D. James)
the varying movement of time
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 May 2010 at 1:25 pmhow it is
that time
moves
at different speeds
the hours apart
seem as days
days as weeks
then
suddenly
you
in my arms
and the days
seem as hours
hours as minutes
then I am gone
lost in a calendar
of waiting
until
I see you again
(D. James)
following a path
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 May 2010 at 1:25 pmyears ago
skinny kid
thought he knew
everything
full of bravado
and half-believing
how is it
we lived
through all that
and have come
to this
desire
still tugs
at us
reaching across
the years
the miles
our lives
converging
this path set
before we walked
upon it
no idea
where it leads
only where we’ve
been
maybe
this time
we’ll get it right
(D. James)
cycles
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 May 2010 at 2:20 pmout the kitchen window
the late afternoon light
plays like a sax solo
against the building
across the way
cloud wisps
catch pink
as the sun hits
the horizon
the azure sky
goes darker
by degrees
evening comes
stealth and still
like a beautiful lover
passionate, intense
another night
lies ahead
awaiting the dawn
(D. James)
distances
In art, audio, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 May 2010 at 1:59 pmcounting
the hours
between
here and there
more than
time
and greater
than mere
geography
wondering
how long
how far
before it all
comes together
(D. James)
wanting only waits
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 May 2010 at 2:00 pmtelegraphing
overt messages
through the ether
like talking
to you through
glass
none
but you
knowing their
true meaning
I wonder
what is
to be done
or should
I simply
be more
patient
waiting for
a reply
not an answer
for now
that would
be enough
(D. James)
a dream that dreams of some day being real
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 May 2010 at 2:43 pmstanding outside
in the rain
throwing stones
against your window
waiting for you
to open the door
(D. James)
this is what it sounds like when you’re not here
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 May 2010 at 12:03 pmall we have
are words
and I can’t find
any that fit
or don’t sound
self-serving
what’s left
is silence
maddening
deafening
unbearable
silence
(D. James)
JFK – 7 am
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 April 2010 at 8:52 amunfinished sentences
all these things
left unsaid
a hundred words
stale phrases
none of them
enough
talk all damn day
and I’d still
never get
to what it is
that pulls at me
makes me want to stay
should have tried
should have missed that flight
should be there with you now
should stop trying to make sense
of any of this
because all I want
is to be
where I’m not
all I want
is to be
where
I am
not
(D. James)
old flame same heat
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 April 2010 at 2:22 pma cold wind
comes through
like longing
how many years
before we’ll be together
my love
will death
take me
before I see
your eyes
once more
feel your skin
breathe you in
is there no
relief from this
yearning
is this to be
yet another
unfinished story
all those miles
all those years
all these trials
all these tears
don’t we deserve
a break in this life
or do we have to wait
until the next one
(D. James)
surrender #1
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 April 2010 at 12:21 pmwriting as if
tomorrow will
never come
leaving nothing
unsaid
not even sure
this is possible
if there is
more to give
you will have it
all I want
is a chance
to know
what kind of love
it takes
to give myself
to another
(D. James)
more than a thousand words and still not enough
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 April 2010 at 1:44 pmI look
at your picture
but it’s not
enough
there’s heat
but no fire
this facsimile
flat lifeless image
I want your
breath
your scent
you
all of you
this is just
not enough
(D. James)
temporal
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 April 2010 at 2:35 pmwaiting for you
to appear
wishing contact
knowing it’s just
a matter of time
because you want
what I want
even if
it doesn’t work
right now
it will
in time
(D. James)
you could call it that … yeah
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 April 2010 at 12:11 pmcan’t eat
can’t sleep
can’t stop thinking
of you
waiting for a call
e-mail
chat
text
something
to let me know
you’re thinking
of me
when I’m thinking
of you
knowing
it’s no good
being like this
but doing it
anyway
’cause there are
no answers
only questions
so why not ask
the same one
over and over
(D. James)
what do you say?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 April 2010 at 1:34 pmI’m asking
I’m asking too much
but I’m asking anyway
’cause if you don’t ask
you don’t get
and I think
you want me to ask
it’s why
you found me
waiting for you
to come around again
so I could ask
so I’m asking
(D. James)
this doesn’t happen
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 April 2010 at 2:03 pmto live
for a great love
something imagined
but never attained
a moment
in time
regained
an improbable
second chance
do you defy
the odds?
or is it all
rash insanity
fools folly
destined
to self-destruct
in the end
do we care?
not if we are driven
by our desire
think
this is our
destiny
perhaps then
we make it so
or burn in the fire
set so long ago
suddenly too close
(D. James)
unrequited love on a virtual platform
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 April 2010 at 2:09 pmI look for you
or the virtual
approximation
of you
the pull
so strong
the emotional
distance bridged
through half-sentences
in a tiny window
we abbreviate
and emoticon
our way through
complex emotions
rooted in a past
long before
any of this technology
existed
years go by
and then suddenly
you are there again
always reconnecting
always
at the wrong time
perhaps we had
our chance
back then
and it won’t
come around again
wishing
it were any other way
won’t make it so
but I still try
(D. James)
somebody to love
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 April 2010 at 12:26 pmwanting
someone
who gets the feeling
of all those words
in all those songs
like I do
someone fearless
who knows
the difference
between
pain and suffering
creating or courting
neither
but knowing
what it means
to feel deeply
to ache
to revel
in the glory
of being known
by another
like no other
to miss
the one you love
(D. James)
this is this
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 April 2010 at 2:16 pmthis is bad
this desire
this wanting
this is not me
this is not you
this isn’t even who we think
this is
this is some evil
this
this twist
this pain
this feeling
this ache for you
this is just a dream
this nightmare
this remembrance of you
this haunting
this stillness of still wanting
this with you
this ending that never ends because I don’t want
this to ever end never wanted
this to end always wondered why
this did end
this always ending
this
(D. James)
love at dawn
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 April 2010 at 1:52 pmwanting
to hold someone
at the end of a long day
not just a body
but someone to love
curled up in my arms
breathing quietly
the smell of hair
and warm skin
mixed with clean sheets
someone to wake up to
come the morning light
someone
who calls me baby
in a way that means
the world to them
can’t a man want
these things
and not think
he has to hide
his feelings away
I’m just asking
(D. James)
jump in … the water’s warm
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 April 2010 at 2:26 pmlooking
for what I want
in places I will not find it
thinking
look again
it’ll be there
this time
it’ll be there
now
check now
what about now
not yet
what about now
keep looking
in the same dead place
waiting for my life to begin
when all this time
it’s been right in front of me
waiting for me to see
(D. James)
everything there is … everything
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 31 March 2010 at 2:14 pmI want
to write
on the walls
spell out
all the
ideas
emotions
color
outside the lines
black pen markings
beginning in one corner
not stopping until I’ve planned out my whole fucking life
filling ten rooms with the words of my mind
the work of my soul
not stopping until it is all out of me
like some monster some wild thing
only then can I lay down to sleep
knowing when I wake it will all
still be there
but exposed out in the open
nothing to hide
(D. James)
should have been over awhile ago
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 March 2010 at 1:50 pmhere’s where
we get to that part
of the night
closer to dawn
than dusk
when the cars
rubber by
less frequently
and your
eyelids
will not
cooperate
everyone else
is long down
nothing
but the hum
of the refrigerator
to keep you company
and that last car
rolling past your window
won’t be another till dawn
best to wait for it
under the covers
if you’re lucky
it’ll go by
unnoticed
if you’re not
it won’t
(D. James)
confused? me too
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 24 March 2010 at 2:17 pmup all night
looking
for something
that doesn’t exist
something
I don’t want
to see in me
avoiding
myself
by looking
everywhere
other than here
trying to get
out of my head
when I should
be in bed
another late
night
another wasted
morning
couldn’t I get
the same result
in another way
or another result
in the same way
it’s all the same
in the end
(D. James)
dunno
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 22 March 2010 at 2:15 pmso much
I don’t
understand
used to think
I knew everything
or could
at least
fake it
now
I don’t know
is often
my answer
but I’ll make something up
if it makes you feel better
(D. James)
wanting more than the gods will allow
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 March 2010 at 1:14 pmwaiting
the night out
feeling
my way
in the dark
hoping
the morning
won’t come
this one time
keeping
the fantasy
of being with you
longer than just tonight
alive for one more hour
as light
lines
the horizon
I take
one last look
and like Eurydice
you vanish before my eyes
(D. James)
this is whatever you want it to be
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 March 2010 at 2:07 pmwanting
to be lost
in a look
hands
on
skin
mouth
on
mouth
feel your
heat
wishing
it were
more than
this
but taking
what I can
get
(D. James)
right before
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 March 2010 at 2:35 pmthe moment
just before
the moment
almost as good
as the moment
itself
you can
hear it
tensile
stretching
anticipation
to the point
right before
all hell
breaks loose
(D. James)
night falls
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 March 2010 at 2:31 pmevening comes
in darker
and darker
hues of blue
end of day
pink clouds
bloom red
then fade
into darkness
as night falls
upon LA
black cloth
with pinholes
of light
the city,
a brighter
reflection
of above
(D. James)
nothing to say
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 March 2010 at 2:14 pmthere are times
like now
when there is
nothing to say
and so
I say
what’s
right there
” … “
(D. James)
you deal with it or it will deal with you
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 March 2010 at 2:33 pmyou know
what I mean
when we talk
about the pain
how it keeps
you up
at night
and all the talk
doesn’t help
there is no cure
for being human
we either
feel it
or resist
it’s all the same
in the end
(D. James)
searching for dreams (don’t do no good in the real world)
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 March 2010 at 2:06 pmin bed
curled around
her sleeping self
I think
this is what
I’ve always
wanted
to whisper
in an ear
that she’s
my one
and only one
but I don’t
realizing
that’s not me
that’s not her
it’s just an idea
in my head
from a song
Taupin wrote
about one of his
ex-wives
and what
does that
tell you
(D. James)
blap
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 March 2010 at 8:59 pmthere are
all these words
and feelings
and messy things
spilled out
on the floor
like blood
seems there’s
no place
to put them all
can’t swallow them
try stuffing them
back into your gut
but they
no longer fit
feels like
you’ll die without
them
seems like
you’ll die with
them
where will you …
how will you …
what will you …
why would you …
go on?
(D. James)
there’s a reason it’s called falling
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 March 2010 at 3:00 pmand I want
all of it
give me
what you can’t
show me
what you won’t
tell me
what you fear
teach me
things you don’t know
you know
go beyond
what you feel
fall with me
into that abyss
they call love
(D. James)
what will I do tomorrow without you tonight
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 February 2010 at 2:39 pmhaven’t slept
in my own bed
all week
now it’s later
than late
and I’m faced
with the aloneness
of being alone
in this bed
that’s just
a mattress
on the floor
I miss
your green
eyes
your red
hair
your pale
skin
your
attitude
the way you look
straight at me
in the morning
like a child
who has yet
to learn fear
or know the difference
between themself
and another
and your laugh
pure abandon
in that ha ha ha
the complete unbridled
expression of joy
how will I make it
through the night
and worse
what will I look forward to
in the morning
(D. James)
calling
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 24 February 2010 at 2:20 pmphone calls
text messages
and no one
gets back
what to do
feeling disconnected
feeling like no one’s
out there
feeling like no one
wants me
it’s only a thought
they’re all just busy
right now
in an hour
everyone
will call back
at once
and I’ll have
3 voice mails
and 5 text
messages
while trying
to get through
to my sister
in Tucson
to say
I love you
(D. James)
life may be empty and meaningless, but don’t tell that to my heart
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 22 February 2010 at 3:02 pmdon’t know what
to do
with these feelings
when the woman
you love says
it doesn’t mean anything
like your love
doesn’t matter
like you
don’t
matter
it isn’t what she means
it’s just how it sounds
to you
in the moment
as she says goodbye
for the last time
what do you do
knowing she’s already
calling another man
lover
do you give in
to the rage
let it consume you
or can you find a way
to let it all go
as if it really
doesn’t matter
(D. James)
when is this going to be about you?
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 20 February 2010 at 11:12 pmI’m so good
at making it all
about me
that even when
you think you’re
talking about you
it’s still about me
do you do that too
or is it just me?
(D. James)
nothing between us
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 February 2010 at 2:38 pmin the silence
before dawn
I breath in
the scent of skin
rub the nape
of your neck
run my hand
along
your waist
to the pale belly
you roll over
stare straight
into me
seeing
who I really am
not who I project
to keep the world
at bay
but who
I want to be
who I am
when it’s safe
you smile,
revealing
your true self
I don’t know
if you do that
with others
but to me
you are always
an open door
inviting me
to step through
and I’m curious
what, if anything,
I do for you
(D. James)
more of you
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 February 2010 at 8:55 pmin bed
your head
on my chest
I want
to write
my name
across your
smooth white belly
to mark you
as you’ve
marked me
afraid to say
what I truly feel
for fear
it would
scare you away
then I let go
of all that
and am with you
in a way
not possible
before
and all
I want now
is more
(D. James)
it’s all in how you say it
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 8 February 2010 at 2:26 pmsummon the gods
even though you know
they cannot save you
let them rain down pain
like warriors at the front
bring the slaughter
leave nothing
in your wake
full of force
shallow power
that cannot last
this is what
you can do
with words
(D. James)
burn for you
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 February 2010 at 3:12 pmwanting
to burn
for another
feel
her missing
from the sheets
when she’s away
be
in the warmth
of a gaze
wake
in the silence
before sunrise
stare
at her body
lying in wait
get lost
in the smell
of her hair
pull
her to me
knowing
that’s always
what she wants
(D. James)
the good morning bird
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 3 February 2010 at 2:08 pmbird
on a wire
comes with
the morning
light
chirps
then flits
away
sign of
a good
day
(D. James)
quietly approaching
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 29 January 2010 at 2:22 pmthere is something
and yet … and yet
a look
in the eye
something
or something
I made up
how
do you know
ten thousand
subtle seconds
and you only have
a moment to act
am I
the only one
who notices this
(D. James)
stronger for it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 January 2010 at 3:00 pmwhen it chews
you up
and spits
you out
lie there
a while
scream the rage
cry the sorrow
until it is
out of you
completely
then
gently
pick
yourself
up
and go on
(D. James)
storm clouds passing
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 25 January 2010 at 2:25 pmwhat do you
say
when it doesn’t
go your way
you fight
to make
a pointless
point
then you
feel bad
about
the things
you said
finally
you let it go
or
you let it
destroy you
the choice
is yours
(D. James)
weeping sky
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 January 2010 at 3:44 pmwhen it rains
it rains
for days
on end
seems like
it’ll never
let up
then
suddenly
without warning
clouds part
stars appear
and the wind
slows to a whisper
everything
is as it was
as it should be
and tomorrow
the sun will shine
(D. James)
the opposite of resistance
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 20 January 2010 at 2:40 pmthen I said
“yes”
and it all
began
for me
and she,
she couldn’t
see
at first
what it meant
then she said
“yes”
and it all
began
for us
(D. James)
walking through it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 January 2010 at 5:10 pmnervous
pressure
feelings
running rampant
wanting
it all
to go
away
moments
of clarity
fogged
by anger
wanting to
give this
pain
away
yet
knowing
there is
something
on the other
side of it
something
I need
to see
another way
to be
(D. James)
tusnami soul
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 13 January 2010 at 5:55 pmalone
in a room
darkness
of your soul
moment
of madness
you rage
and cry out
“what does
it all mean?”
like a wave
it crashes
over you
washes
everything
away
then subsides
you are left
standing
with nothing
and now
you can begin
(D. James)
no matter how much you try to kill it, my love won’t die … I’ll just take it with me as I say goodbye
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 January 2010 at 2:15 pmpick up
and move
to a strange town
change my life
to want
whatever you want
find myself
by loosing
who I thought
I was
I could
love
like that
did
love
like that
still do
I’m just
no longer
waiting
for you
(D. James)
expression for a new way of being
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 7 January 2010 at 7:13 pmDoing
what needs
doing
being
right where
you are
Nothing broken
nothing to fix
even when
the world
seemingly tells
you so
Just remember
that everything
everything
changes
(D. James)
merciful release
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 January 2010 at 2:17 pmTo begin
to let go
to let go
and begin
begin again
to let go
to let go
and begin again
to let go
let go
let go
let it go …
At some point
we must begin
to let it go
so we can
begin again
and once more
be whole
(D. James)
wish I was there
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 January 2010 at 10:10 amWaking
only a few hours
after falling asleep
I think
it’s 5
in the morning
where she is
she’s still asleep
I see her
face
quiet
beautiful
that mouth
later
on a bus
cold December sunlight
and I think
6:30 where she is
still asleep
Through the window
the Manhattan skyline
from the Jersey side
majestic
moves me
like no other place
yet I’d trade
it all
for another
chance
(D. James)
nothing more than love
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 January 2010 at 2:02 pmwaiting
for the call
which never comes
the one
where she says
all is forgiven
I love you
she says
please come home
we can work it all out
she says
come to me
and I do
and we do
but the phone
doesn’t ring
and everything
reminds me
of her
cup of tea
a bed
laughter
dark hair
sunlight
dogs
tears
children
laundry
I think
what should I do
with all these thoughts
in my head
afraid to let go
that that
would be
the end
and I keep
wanting
another outcome
the one where
the phone rings
and she says …
(D. James)
wonky compass
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 28 December 2009 at 2:33 pmyou head north
I follow
then east
and I follow
to the west
then south
north again
and I follow
your shifts
of whim
until
my bearings
are lost
and I am
swallowed
in a sea
of emotion
you go on
leaving behind this
reckless wreckage
now
there is
nowhere
to go
but
down
(D. James)
Christmas for Atheists
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 25 December 2009 at 2:00 pmwhat can we
give
on this day
that can truly
be called a gift
not something
bought
or even made
but something
of ourselves
to look someone
in the eye
and let them
know
they are loved
and appreciated
to leave
them
feeling
as if you know
exactly who they are
not who you
think they are
or need them
to be
but truly
who they are
(D. James)
a side of me
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 December 2009 at 3:50 pmthere is
a side
of me
I do not
like
a part
that feels
unheard
it rages
and I am
in its grip
lost to
madness
there is
a side
of me
I do not
like
and
I have
to live
with the
consequences
of my actions
cannot erase
what I’ve done
there is
a side
of me
I hate
and wish
never to see
again
(D. James)
art on glass
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 December 2009 at 2:55 pmMisty rain
falling all day
and through
the long night
odd streaks
splash the window
a dark
stark beauty
not so
when you’re
out in it
(D. James)
poetry
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 18 December 2009 at 3:50 pmwhat I write
when no
other thoughts
come
an image, idea
theft
desire
hope
dreams
sorrows
This is what
I write
when nothing else
will come
(D. James)
pressure
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 16 December 2009 at 4:46 pmFilled
with fear
not knowing
what the future
holds
worried
I can’t
won’t
make it
That somehow
after all this
time
I’ve finally come
to the end
no more
tricks
up my
sleeve
time to pay
the piper
feeling terribly
inadequate
needing to
reinvent
rethink
shift
(D. James)
For the Love
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 14 December 2009 at 3:40 pmLove you
like no other
somehow it
isn’t enough
always seems
another obstacle
an endless
row of hurdles
and though
it feels as if
this horse
can’t jump
I must
I must
For no
other reason
than love
(D. James)
This is what you don’t see because I don’t show it
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 11 December 2009 at 4:24 pmI fret
am filled
with fear
as if
poured
into me
an endless pitcher
overflowing
into my mouth
filling me from
toes to teeth
I choke
cannot breathe
Am I doing
the right thing
should I have done
this or that
before or after
with her or him or it
should I not have
will there be enough
money
time
love
friendship
sex
What will become
of me
in time
before I turn
to dust
(D. James)
Rain New York City
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 9 December 2009 at 12:12 pmThe rain falls
like anger
fierce thunder
barks
the air
thick and wet
Black streets
reflect lamplight
hard sound
of water falling
from a long way up
Tortured soul
of weather
wrestling
with the city
tonight
as if the sky
hurt and afraid
needs to be heard
wants its wrath
to be known
exerting some
momentary sense of control
only to lose
against the granite
and steel
blacktop and brick
The hard city
that falters in flood
but never ever
gives in
never loses
the war
(D. James)
knock em out
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 7 December 2009 at 4:05 pmTossing
attitude
throwing words
like punches
not caring
where they land
Uncertain
where this is
coming from
or where
it’s going
only that
I’m following
blindly
(D. James)
down day
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 4 December 2009 at 3:56 pmThinking
of giving up
packing it in
leaving
Always looking
for support
someone to prop me up
or just lean me
against a wall
Feeling like
it’s never
gonna be enough
Swimming
in a pool
of self-pity
not wanting
to take
responsibility
wondering how
everyone else
seems to do it
so why
can’t I
(D. James)
the last poet
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 2 December 2009 at 4:27 pmWhen the night
is over
and the final
cigarette
has been smoked
what will
the last poet
say
After all
the evoked emotion
failed relationships
dead boyfriends
abortions
abusive parents
drugs and alcohol
laughter
and pain
have been spilled
out
in some cases
artfully vomited
what could
this last poet
have to say
How to summarize
this night
these words
life sentences
bad grammar
poetic license
driven to excess
How to follow
the girl who told
of losing all her hair
the guy who
crashed his car
the gay biker
who longs
to be dominated
by a she-wolf
of the SS
the boy
who lost
his virginity
so late
the girl
who lost hers
so early
the words
of so many
who want change
yet stay
right where they are
What can this last
motherfucker
have to say
that can top the
triumphs
tragedies
surprises
sorrows
What will
the last poet
leave us with
as we file
out of this
basement grotto
into the light
of dawn
Do we expect
too much
as he steps to the microphone
the crowd
too drunk
to hush
even the white
of the spot light
seems a bit dingy
as he steps into it’s shaft
The last poet
will speak the
last poem
and we will leave
to sleep it off
Whatever he says
will be the final word
so our expectations
are far too high
The last poet
poor fucker
has nowhere to go
but down
unless he’s more genius
than genius itself
more brilliant
than all of us
The last poet
clears his throat
touches his lips
to the mic
the wait
has us spellbound
and half-hopeful
Even so
when we wake
in the afternoon
hungover and
full of piss
will we remember
any of this
(D. James)
idealization
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 30 November 2009 at 3:00 pmjust because
you want her
doesn’t mean
she feels
the same
or even notices
you’re alive
(D. James)
stubborn lazy do-nothing fucker
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 25 November 2009 at 9:20 pmlike a dog
that won’t come
a bird
that refuses
to sing
or a cat
that won’t hunt
what if
I just sat here
all damn day
listening to Nina
the sound
of all that pain
washing over me
like rain
(D. James)
pretty girl moves a room
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 21 September 2009 at 9:20 pmshe notices
the men who
turn their heads
just in time
the ones who look
but don’t want
to be obvious
trying to be
cool
but she
catches them
anyway
often sees
heads moving
to the left
or right
as if
they were
only observing
the room
the one
they’ve been
sitting in
for hours now
funny
how that
keeps happening
(D. James)
1950 style
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 9 September 2009 at 4:22 pmwhere are
the hula girls
and the umbrella drinks
the smoke-filled
club
with the little
tables
and white linen
it already happened
born too late
the party moved on
damn I hate that
(D. James)
better get to it
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 8 September 2009 at 1:41 amwaiting
for the keys
to speak
why don’t they
type something
must I do
everything
around here
I thought
this writing thing
would be easier
people talk about
poems that write
themselves
where can I
get me
one of those
they promised
life would be
more fun
on a Mac
but I still
have to do
all the damn thinking
(D. James)
life bends
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 1 September 2009 at 7:30 pmautumn …
things begin
to die
the start
before the start
of next spring
the end
of this
the beginning
of that
life
is
a
circle
a cycle,
there are
no straight lines
which may be why
it feels as if
we’ve been here before
(D. James)
at the end
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 22 July 2009 at 4:02 pmWe said
“you don’t
understand”
to each other
until we didn’t
then we weren’t
anymore
(D. James)
let me just say this
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 19 July 2009 at 5:38 pmwhatever I take
to bed
I wake up with
whatever is in
my head
I deal with
whatever it is
I’ve said
I have to
live with
and whatever happens
after I’m dead
I will have to
end with
(D. James)
everything
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 July 2009 at 3:37 pmAnother time
in another city
when I was
someone else
And she
she asked me
“what do you want?”
And I
I had no answer
Now here
in this town
I being me
and all things equal
She asks me
“what do you want?”
And I
I answer
“everything”
To which she
she has no reply
And I
I am left
wondering
why this question
keeps coming up
(D. James)
do something
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 July 2009 at 6:41 pmexhausted
by talk
empty words
without action
said again
and again
until there is
nothing
but sound
like shadows
in fog
smoke and mirrors
leaving us
nowhere
with nothing
(D. James)
broken heart, broken head
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 June 2009 at 4:35 pmpiece of wood
in hand
broken chair
broken heart
throat
raw
screaming
glass
everywhere
must have been
some fucking point
I was trying
to make
(D. James)
we ride when the sun sets
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 12 June 2009 at 3:34 amAnd I will
rip up the night
raise hell
for the hell of it
ride until the
road rolls up
behind me
until my tires
burn off the rims
and the sun
comes up to
stop me
dead
in my tracks
(D. James)
give it a try
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 8 June 2009 at 7:14 pmwhy
is the word
try
in poetry
is it because
it is
at times
a trying task
or because
we try
and try again
to write
a good one
perhaps
you should try
and let me know
what you find
(D. James)
under the water line
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 June 2009 at 4:26 pmcrushing waves
of sadness
crash over me
and I am afraid
of being sucked in
by the undertow
and though
I know
this is temporary
I wonder
if this time
I won’t survive
(D. James)
own it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 June 2009 at 8:25 pmmoments of
overwhelming
sadness
unwilling
to go forward
unable
to go back
I sit here
in this pain
of my own
making
wondering
how to fix
what I’ve broken
(D. James)
no winner
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 29 May 2009 at 4:57 pmwe retreat
to opposing
corners
lick our
wounds
meet again
somewhere
in the middle
fight it out
all over again
both of us
defensive
trying to be
right
both of us
losing
looking
for a way
out
(D. James)
black wave of frustration
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 27 May 2009 at 4:59 pmthis night passes
through me
like a black
knife
no way
around it
I must
stay up
’til dawn
breaks me
only then
will I fall
to sleep
(D. James)
the one they call by no name
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 25 May 2009 at 4:18 pmI hold tight
the reigns
and like Atlas
with the world
on his shoulders
I struggle
and raise hell
above my head
to find my
flat blackened soul
laid bare
would if I could
pick it up
but I’ve not
a hand to spare
(D. James)
it all amounts to nothing in the end
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 22 May 2009 at 4:55 pmwhen we were young
we talked, naively
about being older
because that’s
all we wanted
when we were older
we talked, longingly
about being young
because that’s
all we wanted
when we’re
dead
will we talk, knowingly
about being alive?
or will we finally
be content
with where we are?
(D. James)
why a poet writes so many poems
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 20 May 2009 at 4:00 pmto write something
of import
just once
a line
truer
than the truth
that makes
someone
think twice
pierces
their heart
it may be
in me yet
have to keep
searching
keep writing
to find that phrase
that stops the world
from spinning
if only for a moment
(D. James)
little messes
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 18 May 2009 at 4:50 pma mess here
a mess there
little piles
of my life
laid out
on the floor
and I wonder
sometimes
what is it
all for?
(D. James)
this is why I’m alone
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 15 May 2009 at 4:45 pmspent the night
on the surface
of sleep
worrying about
my own
self interest
come the morning
hungry, ornery
horny, and angry
there was
nothing to do
but fight
maybe I’m not
cut out
for this
relationship thing
(D. James)
defenses down
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 13 May 2009 at 4:36 pmcome to me now
in the dead
of night
so that I might
hold you tight
come to me now
let me whisper
in your ear
and feel you near
knowing no fear
come to me now
so I can touch
your skin
let me drink
you in like raw gin
make me believe
in a god
and heaven
and all the angels
who sing
crush me
with your look
silence me
in a kiss
hold me
until the sun rises
and tomorrow comes
like sweet pain
(D. James)
alley of deceit
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 May 2009 at 4:30 pmI told lies
hiding
in your shadows
crept along
your fetid blacktop
lost my soul
and almost
my mind
but come
the morning
I found myself
on the other side
(D. James)
worn weary
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 6 May 2009 at 3:48 pmsat up
half the night
with unhappy thoughts
come morning
they were still there
in a chair
by the bed
pulled them on
with my jeans
wore them
all damn day
till they
wore me out
sat up
half the night
with unhappy thoughts
determined that
in the morning
they’d be gone
moved the chair
into the kitchen
just in case
(D. James)
what if I said I knew it all?
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 29 April 2009 at 9:17 amStayed online
all night long
Wrote down a few
words
But can’t tell me
a damn thing
Cause I
know it all
and nothing
nothing
nothing
at the same
time
(D. James)
talk to me
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 April 2009 at 4:27 pmlonely
I am not
lost
I am not
broke
I am not
though I have been
all of those and more
what about you?
(D. James)
whatif
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 21 April 2009 at 4:16 pmwhat if
what is
isn’t
what if
what’s there
isn’t
what if
what you see
isn’t there
what if
you weren’t
reading this
would it still
exist
(D. James)
can you have more answers than questions?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 April 2009 at 4:36 pmThere is the road
and then there is
the trip we take
on it
There is the sky
and the bird
that flies
There is the water
and the whale
There is fire
and smoke
Those who live
and them
that die
Questions
and even
some answers
(D. James)
conscious contact
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 April 2009 at 5:03 pmcan’t write my way
out of this
tomorrow
brings more
of the same
like a rat
on a wheel
being aware
doesn’t seem
to make it
any easier
though I keep
hope alive
(D. James)
a way out
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 13 April 2009 at 5:00 pmIn a struggle
of the mind
wanting to make
it out to be more
than it is
just a bunch
of thought
none of it
true
or all that
powerful
except when
I make it so
and so often
I do
more thought
doesn’t solve
anything
only action
gets me
out of my head
and into
the world
(D. James)
mind fuck
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 9 April 2009 at 11:00 amhaving thoughts
about thoughts
that I thought up
last night
thoughts I’ve thought
a long time
new thoughts think
the old ones should
make room
but the old thoughts
think they know best
then there’s the thought
that all this thinking
isn’t getting us anywhere
I don’t even know
what to think
about that
(D. James)
omission missive
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 7 April 2009 at 5:48 pmI don’t say
what’s on
my mind
When
it’s all
shit
So keep
my mouth
shut
Because
always
everyone
wants to help
And sometimes
I just need to be
where I’m at
Got it?
(D, James)
The temperature of the temporal
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 16 March 2009 at 4:39 pmNothing is permanent
not even that statement
Nothing lasts
all is temporal
We are nothing today
that we were yesterday
It only seems that way
because it’s all we have
to look forward from
(D. James)
to be young again
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 11 March 2009 at 5:00 pmhigh heeled shoes
short black skirt
smooth legs
drive the herky-jerky
old men crazy
scratching and blinking
shaking their balding heads
remembering a time they had
wishing they weren’t
who they are
for one more day
before she walks
away
leaving them with
the faintest scent
of perfume
a memory
of a memory
lingers
(D. James)
unbeknownst
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 9 March 2009 at 4:22 pmhow many things
don’t I know?
of all the things
in the wide world
which I know
a fraction of a fraction
of a percent
how many things
do you know?
all thoughts
all languages
from the beginning
how we think
we know
anything at all
is beyond me
(D. James)
shy
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 6 March 2009 at 12:22 amwhat comes between us
when we’re apart?
how can I let you in
from an arm’s length away?
averted glances
thwarted hopes
life’s just too risky
when I take every little thing
to mean something about me
(D. James)
somewhere between cynicism and optimism
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 21 February 2009 at 2:47 amIf the rain falls up
from the street
does it mean
the world is
upside down?
If things work out
in my favor today
does it mean
tomorrow they won’t?
Is it really
how I look at it
or simply how it is?
would I even know
the difference?
(D. James)
thump
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 19 February 2009 at 7:44 amthe music presses down
from above
louder and louder
until there’s nothing but noise
no thought or word
just the banging
of the drum
in my head
maybe it’s time
to leave
(D. James)
LA in the rain
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 17 February 2009 at 10:04 pmdirty white t-shirt
watching out
the monday morning
window
the rain reigns
comes down
as if trying
to snuff out
the fires of hell
damp chill
numbing
chapped digits
waiting for something
like the sun to appear
let us know
the world
will be alright
(D. James)
what if you weren’t there
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, snuff poems, writing on 13 February 2009 at 1:00 pmbilly blew
his brains out
and no one noticed
billy blew
his brains out
and no one cared
billy blew
his brains out
and you ask
who the hell
is billy anyway?
well, what if
billy
were you
(D. James)
live it
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 11 February 2009 at 9:30 pmwhat to do
today
when I realize
my life
is one day
shorter
than yesterday
and tomorrow
is shorter still
best be grateful
for all the tomorrows
I can
while living
like there isn’t
another one coming
(D. James)
inside
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 February 2009 at 12:25 amall the elements
are here
heavy rain
fierce wind
bending trees
blowing leaves
I am shirtless
and grateful
on the other side
of the window
(D, James)
the way it was
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 6 February 2009 at 4:26 pmtattooed girls
drunken boys
and cigarette smoke
everywhere
warm nights
with pimps
and hookers
working the streets
this was
the way it was
before cell phones
atm’s and the internet
when you got
on the subway
with a token
and a phone call
cost a dime
nothing wrong
with how it is now
it’s just nice to think back
now and again
to a simpler time
(D. James)
try it
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 4 February 2009 at 5:00 pmmoments
of clarity
like clean glass
seems the more
I let go
of what I think
I know
the clearer
it all becomes
(D. James)
player piano
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 2 February 2009 at 5:00 pmit wells up
into your heart
dies between there
and your throat
that longing
that passion
to live
to feel
moved
open
raw
keys
black and white
tears
clear as rain
play it again
but never tell
what it means
never put words
to beauty so soft
and lovely
(D. James)
short one
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 30 January 2009 at 5:05 pmMy shadow
tall as trees
in the late afternoon light
my mind
short on thought
as another day ends
(D. James)
raincycle
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 28 January 2009 at 5:00 pmI want my life
to be like running water
flowing easily
down through
the cracks
and coming to rest
in a great natural pool
where the sun will shine
evaporating me up to the sky
becoming ominous clouds
then fall like rain
to begin again
(D. James)
Winter Beach, CA
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 26 January 2009 at 5:00 pmraging sky
large distant clouds
like mountains
across the blue-green ocean
there’s that part
of the late afternoon
when we wish the day
would stop
take notice of itself
before descending
into another chilly night
(D. James)
what does it mean?
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 23 January 2009 at 5:00 pmUp late
listening
to Hindi singers
Images of trains
and the rains
Send me
to sleep
with words
I do not understand
but the feeling
is there
(D. James)
this way and that
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 21 January 2009 at 5:00 pmThoughts
without discernible
patterns
scattered across
my mind
It’s a good thing
I don’t drive
based on my
feelings
(D. James)
I bite
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 19 January 2009 at 5:00 pmspitting venom
out of fear
attacking
like a cornered
dog
to a threat
that is not there
unable
unwilling
to see any other
option
words meant
to cut
to hurt
to bleed you
all so you
won’t go away
or
to make you prove
what you say
(D. James)
talk about the weather
In art, bad poetry, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 14 January 2009 at 5:00 pmThe sunlight blinds
but you look anyway
reflecting
off the tabletops
creating an illusion
the gentlest
of winter afternoons
the violent dying light
pierces your eye
as a reminder
of summer
yet no matter
how hard you stare
you cannot make
the season change
nor the sun
shine less
(D. James)
power of an addiction
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 12 January 2009 at 5:00 pmIt is said
only the fallen
know the true depths
could you be
one of the rare ones
so often imagined?
Longer than any river
the emotional road we travel
More torturous
than your beauty
this lustful addiction
that can be
briefly assuaged
but never ever cured
And where
have the gods
that made you gone?
Is it true
you destroyed them
so there would be no equal?
I am a dark knight
sent on a failed errand
for a now dead king
riding through endless nights
searching for some
unexplainable something
that exists for a moment
then disappears
leaving only memories
and the faint tint
of lipstick on my glove
I need something beautiful
to destroy me
someone intelligent enough
to match me
I thought I heard you calling
(D. James)
somebody did something here
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 January 2009 at 5:00 pmBroken glass
from some minor crime
strewn across the road
And someone won’t
be happy in the morning
(D. James)
where’d it go
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 7 January 2009 at 5:00 pmBourbon and cigarettes
late-night hookers
down dark alleys
What doesn’t kill me
costs more than
just money
Turning fantasy into reality
shaking with adrenaline
getting kicks from anticipation
feeling more powerful
than any man should
Someday
I’ll get off
this merry-go-round
but I can’t seem to find
“someday” on the calendar
Maybe it falls on
February 30th
two-thousand-and-never
(D. James)
what do I know?
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 5 January 2009 at 5:00 pm(for Ian A.)
What if the old man
isn’t wandering or lonely
What if he has
all the answers
and knows it’s pointless
to say anything
Now who do you
feel sorry for?
(D. James)
the four corners of love and belonging
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 2 January 2009 at 5:00 pmSee the tall girl
standing on the corner
a cell phone to her ear
Oblivious to the traffic
rushing by
a boy
talking in her ear
He tells her
“I love you”
but she doesn’t
believe it
She turns west
and hears him say
he can’t live without her
She turns east
and he says
please don’t leave
When she looks down
at the ground
is that south?
Up at the sky
north?
He keeps talking
pleading
wheedling
whining
but she stopped listening
long ago
Behind dark sunglasses
she quints at the bright sunlight
of a Los Angeles afternoon
It’s after she throws the phone
as it skips along the hot tar
and is run over a few times
she realizes
her mistake all along
has been looking for love
from without instead of
from within
(D. James)
pick a card, any card …
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 31 December 2008 at 5:54 amThe choices
we make
define our lives
Saying this
but doing that
Wanting one thing
then following another
Looking for some truth
beyond ourselves
when all the time
it’s right where
we left it
In our wallet
next to the photograph
of the one we love
(D. James)
Do we expect too much from our heroes or have they just let us down
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 30 December 2008 at 6:48 amThe writer
that doesn’t write
The poet
that doesn’t poe
The savior
that doesn’t save
On a road
that goes nowhere
leads to nothing
and ends when it’s over
[queue music]
(D. James)
so I’ve been told
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 26 December 2008 at 9:58 amIf I did
as I was told
twist and shout
rattle and hum
would it be annoying
or would you come
along
If I did
as I was told
there’d be
no poetry
at least not
from me
If I did
as I was told
I might remember
to care
that everyone
has an opinion
and some are quick
to share
If I did
as I was told
If only I ever
did as I was told
(D. James)
I don’t even know your name
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 25 December 2008 at 11:21 amhow many hotel rooms
must you walk through
on lonely nights
with unknown
painted faces
before you see yourself
for who you are
realize what you’re doing
won’t solve a thing
how many lies
can you tell
before even you
stop believing
how hard
do you want
to make this life
before you let go
and begin to live
how many
sleepless hours
how many
unanswered phone calls
how many
broken promises
how many
how many
how many
before you close your eyes
and finally call it a night?
(D. James)
poetry for the masses
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 23 December 2008 at 10:56 amthere are
two kinds
of drivel
a poet
writes
the kind
that gets
published
and the kind
that doesn’t
(D. James)
crackers in bed
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 22 December 2008 at 10:51 amcrumbling
like life
littering
the sheets
making sleep
scratchy and uncomfortable
mother was right -
best to leave them
out altogether
(D. James)
myths
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 21 December 2008 at 10:50 amtraded as fact
they lurk
in broad daylight
often dispelled
by opposing
falsehoods
nothing more
than something
someone was once
ridiculed for believing
then repeated
repeated
repeated
so much
no one asks
where it came from
we just live
like it’s the truth
(D. James)
nothing but now
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 17 December 2008 at 12:33 amrain and coffee
waiting for the sun
in my mind
driving through town
on a warm day
smoking one last cigarette
hoping the clouds away
being here now
letting it wash over me
(D. James)
riddle me this …
In art, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 15 December 2008 at 5:00 pmWithout doubt
there are questions
without answers
But are there any answers
without questions?
(D. James)
is it me or what?
In art, breakfast poems, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 December 2008 at 8:03 pmI wake
and the world
has not changed
since last I looked
The world wakes
looks at me and says
What are you still doing there
waiting for the world to change?
(D. James)
man-made
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 12 December 2008 at 12:12 amThe truth is …
God has no religion
(D. James)
at the end of the day
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 December 2008 at 10:37 amdarkness chill
and the forgetting
bring back
something sweet
or innocent
it doesn’t matter
as long as it comes
before the fall
to sleep
(D. James)
no answers today
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 December 2008 at 12:30 ampinhead
typing away
making no sense
out of nonsense
perhaps
there is
no answer
to why is
the sky blue
or
the moon white
would it be ok
if there were
some questions
left unanswered?
(D. James)
Where is now
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 December 2008 at 6:54 pmBetween here
and there
From one point
to another
We spend
so much time
in the middle places
Getting there
Going through something
Looking ahead
Waiting
Perhaps it ends
when we realize
where we are
now
(D. James)
all heart
In art, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 4 December 2008 at 12:19 amI feel like
the old dog
who can no longer
catch the ball on a bounce
but chases it anyway
(D. James)
keep to the path
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 October 2008 at 4:50 pmblack
of night
yellow
of heart
red
of soul
white
of the coming dawn
(D. James)
the dog at the end of the tunnel
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, snuff poems, writing on 18 October 2008 at 1:42 amyellow toothed dog
stares through
blood-shot eyes
in my nightmare
drooling
I know he
wants me
for his last meal
I’ve run from him
for hours now
maybe even days
in the end
he’ll have his way
because that dog
keeps me honest
because that dog
is me
his hot breath
rank with death
the only escape
is to wake
but either I can’t
or I already have
I’ll know in a minute
as he approaches
and I am too weak
to move
One way or the other
it ends here
(D. James)
undecided
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 October 2008 at 5:41 pmI saw you standing
on the edge of a shadow
in the space where
sunlight and darkness meet
in the endless battle
of night and day
waiting
for something
in yourself
to appear
but the struggle
was too great
and you remain
undecided
(D. James)
contrition
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 13 October 2008 at 6:06 pmWhat is the sound
of nothing falling
in the city?
(D. James)
nightrider
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, snuff poems, writing on 10 October 2008 at 4:00 amThe half-moon laughs
as we tear up the road
screaming at the night
With nothing but chrome
and black gloss
we ride ’til dawn
Our piece of heaven
forged in hell
hanging with the
fallen angels
And when the sun rises
we’ll put another night
to rest
(D. James)
seen art
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 October 2008 at 4:59 amDancers move in minutia
mocking the audiences limbs
Little man bangs his head
against a bell
at random
the sound echoes
through the staid museum
In a large room
marionettes do a mechanical
danse macabre
their tiny metal feet
tapping rhythmically on
the wooden floor
We are left
sitting in the corner
wondering why this is all
so mesmerizing
(D. James)
Time Flies
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 September 2008 at 7:49 amAn agreement
time
It flies
in your face
while you’re not looking
What time is it
where you are?
Daytime
Wintertime
Nighttime
Springtime
Daylight Savings Time
Don’t we all
want more time?
Six hours ahead
three hours behind
It would have to end
for it to be all the same
(D. James)
dark mood of night
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 June 2008 at 8:14 amSome nights
are darker
than others
not in moonlight
but in mood
The narrow stares
of strangers
too many loud
angry sounds
The usual
evening birds
are absent
My blood
goes up
as I wait
for a fight
that never comes
A lone cricket
chirps into the darkness
breaking the tension
reminding me
that life
is good
Even if
my mood
isn’t
(D. James)
falling asleep
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 June 2008 at 10:39 amThe world
disappears
Everything goes
black
and silent
This lasts
six or seven
hours
Then my eyes
open and the world
is remade
in an instant
(D. James)
day fade
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 June 2008 at 8:56 amThe last hour
of summer sunlight
golden and clean
makes everyone
beautiful
Filtered through haze
softer
than the light
at noon
Similar to the dawn
but more powerful
for its proximity
and promise
of nightfall
Feel the final hour
of the day
and hope
for many more
(D. James)
roadside hiku
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 June 2008 at 5:49 amthe yellow sign says
do not enter when flooded
why would you do that
(D. James)
Evening in Sedona
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 June 2008 at 5:40 amIn the evening
the Red Rocks
turn to Black
A white half-moon
is held in
deep blue sky
As the town
goes quiet
(D. James)
Red
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 12 June 2008 at 11:02 amThe heart is pink
lips are blue
revolutions are lost
red is a liar
EL SEBBO
head down
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 June 2008 at 4:53 amSome days
it feels like
fighting a fierce wind
You just have
to lean into it
and move a little
slower
(D. James)
White
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 10 June 2008 at 9:36 amWhite is the easiest metaphor
EL SEBBO
Umbrella
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 June 2008 at 9:45 amIf writing poetry
is like pissing against the wind
remember that the wind
often changes direction
EL SEBBO
another day done
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 6 June 2008 at 9:24 amAt the end
of the day
when there is
nothing more
to be done
except crawl into bed
give over to sleep
I still fight
with myself
to finish one more thing
before I admit
defeat
(D. James)
The poet’s consolation
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 5 June 2008 at 6:31 amA beautiful car
is nothing
compared to
a good conversation
EL SEBBO
wood
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 June 2008 at 6:55 amdrifting through the days
like something at sea
big ideas
little motivation
life has become
a dull hum
with flourishes
of brilliant color
(D. James)
Red
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 June 2008 at 9:07 amif my words were colored
like heads and then hands
then sometimes they could be
red machine or red lips
but mostly red silence
EL SEBBO
gray area
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 June 2008 at 3:41 pmIf I ever
told the truth
it was a lie
(D. James)
Sphinx
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 29 May 2008 at 8:26 amWhat we could say
is hidden
behind our words
EL SEBBO
heavy wind, but no rain
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 May 2008 at 8:05 amTonight
a violent wind
blows the city
to dust
Trees bend
people squint
as if in bright
sunlight
A haze
envelops the streets
women wrestle their skirts
hair tossed
every which way
A violent wind
shreds the city
tonight
Palm fronds litter
Sunset Boulevard
the homeless huddle
like refugees
in the entryway
of a long abandoned
nightclub
The weather
is the one thing
this town cannot control
(D. James)
dead-stop
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 May 2008 at 7:00 amSpun out
with nowhere
to turn
Looking for
a piece of mind
Knowing it’s
what we make of it
that matters
But still holding back
giving in to frustration
and wasting countless hours
(D. James)
Precaution
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb on 23 May 2008 at 6:15 amI am wearing shades
because I am afraid
my eyes might exist
EL SEBBO
self-referential riddle #1
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 May 2008 at 7:00 amIf I told you
I wrote this
for the sake
of writing it
Made it up
just now as
the words for
their meaning
and nothing
more
Would it hold
weight …
respond to gravity?
Or do we have
to assign some other
definition to make it
a poem,
something greater
than what it is?
(D. James)
TRACERS (To R. Rauschenberg)
In art, literature, poem, poetry on 21 May 2008 at 11:11 amRobert Rauschenberg has passed away
unfortunately death is not transparent
EL SEBBO
silent mind
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 May 2008 at 11:12 amSearching for things
I cannot find
for what
does not exist
All chatter
and clutter
with no way
to turn down
the sound
or change
the channel
(D. James)
write what you know
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 May 2008 at 4:21 pmnothing
dreaming of silence
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 May 2008 at 7:19 amTalk talk talk …
words without meaning
phrases that go nowhere
What does any
of this accomplish?
I’d discuss it
but that only
leads us back
to the beginning
(D. James)
Perfection
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, seb on 13 May 2008 at 12:38 pmsun goes down moon comes up
I hold one in each hand
EL SEBBO
weather crimes
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 May 2008 at 4:38 amLos Angeles is pointless
under clouds
and cool temperatures
The palm trees
and imported cars
need the glint
to show their worth
It’s harder to defend
this almost-city
when the weather
plays the hostile witness
(D. James)
Double lines
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, seb, writing on 9 May 2008 at 12:30 pmthe apple-tree is blossoming
the songs of the birds again have meaning
EL SEBBO
bring a flashlight
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 May 2008 at 7:30 amHow far down
do you go
before you find
the bottom of your soul?
How deep is it,
how wide?
And why is there no light down here?
(D. James)
Periphery
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 7 May 2008 at 2:38 pmI am writing a poem in my garden
the sun at the periphery of my thoughts
EL SEBBO
Nowhere, actually
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 6 May 2008 at 7:16 amThey talk
and talk
then talk
some more
Saying the most
benign things
about the weather
or what someone else
has already said
I look for silence
But still they talk
and talk
without really saying
anything
In the end
I wonder …
do these words
really get us anywhere?
(D. James)
Liberal
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 May 2008 at 12:00 amI want to live
in a god-less
world
A place where
common-sense
and logic
triumph over
greed
insecurity
fear
and hate
A world that
puts humans
above corporations
where government
works in the interests
of the people,
all the people,
instead of against them
I want to live
in a world
where the truth
is a good thing
where knowledge
outweighs ignorance
Because frankly
I’m tired of hearing
these fantasies rooted
in gross unrealities
of heaven and hell
And I don’t think
it’s possible to move
to a better world
without forsaking
these fallacies of
nationalism
patriotism
and worst of all
religion
You can attack
me all you want
but the truth
will bear out
(D. James)
Fall
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb on 1 May 2008 at 9:55 amWhen things fall
objects happen
EL SEBBO
Mercurial Emotion (or sometimes it’s better to shut the fuck up)
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 April 2008 at 7:37 amI’d tell you
how I feel
But I’m not
sure I should
Not because
I don’t know
myself
or don’t have
the words
More because
I fear they’d be
misunderstood
Or worse
I’d have to be
responsible
as if I have to feel
the same way
forever
And there’s no way
of knowing
what the next day
will bring
(D. James)
100 degrees
In art, bad poetry, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 April 2008 at 4:39 amEverything thickens
feels sluggish
No interest in food
or motion
Scents not
smelled before
emanate from somewhere
behind something in the kitchen
It’s as if the sun
never goes down
never goes down
never goes down
Still it’s better
than being cold
(D. James)
North
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 April 2008 at 12:04 pmNo
matter
where
you
are
Poetry
is
always
at
the
center
of
the
horizon
EL SEBBO
Radiant Heat
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 April 2008 at 8:40 amYou tell me who
you are
in small ways
Not what you say
but when
I feel you
even after you’ve gone
The waiting hurts
like someone is
pulling something
out of my middle
by degrees
There are
three cures
You
Time
or Death
I’m still deciding
(D. James)
Overweight champions
In art, bad poetry, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb on 23 April 2008 at 11:22 amTheir feet shake the ground
and the teeth in our skulls
Their gigantic arms
send dried leaves
whirling around us
Their laughter
booms enigmatic
like deep thunder
Who are they?
Who were they?
Nobody knows
and nobody
really cares
because the first
buds are blooming
and birds are a-singing
and the overweight champions
just become mountains
on the horizon line
very blue
very far away
EL SEBBO
Chinese puzzle
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 April 2008 at 5:59 amWhy is it
fortune cookies
no longer tell your future?
Have all the mystics
gone on strike?
Now they read
“Today is a nice day.”
But that ain’t no future
And anyway
it’s raining
(D. James)
The Illusion of a Democratic Republic
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 April 2008 at 4:59 amA government run
by corrupt fools
is still a government
still corrupt
and it is still
run
by
fools
(D. James)
in the weeds
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 April 2008 at 10:17 amThe waitresses
upbeat chatter
doesn’t match
her sad face
Tea is steeping
milk and sugar
patiently waiting
And I am lost
among the
knives and forks
plates of half-eaten meals
Thoughts adrift
in shafts of sunlight
spilled across the counter
Pay the check
leave a tip
and walk out
the same door
I walked in
Keep things simple
until my mind
returns
Bringing with it
what was lost
and found
(D. James)
bedtime poem
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 April 2008 at 5:02 amHeavy with sleep
everything to do
but no time
Wait until morning
when I can think
straight again
Right now
it’s all I can do
to stay awake long
enough to write these words
(D. James)
Anniversary (to my father)
In art, birthday poems, seb on 11 April 2008 at 1:30 pmTen years ago
you left us
under a cloudy sky
and the cold wind
was warmer than our bones
Well, today
the sky is pretty much
the same
except for the clouds
which are a little bit
whiter
but I guess
that’s just a trick
my memory
is playing on me
EL SEBBO
forward
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 April 2008 at 2:57 amLife moves in one direction
(D. James)
can you leave things behind if you’re going in a circle?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 April 2008 at 5:47 amThe world changes
and we change in it
Divergent paths
verge
Veer off
into other lives
Meet again
in some other form
Do we recognize
this place
as if sprung
from nowhere?
Are we known
here anymore?
Or has everything
simply moved on?
(D. James)
What I remember
In art, bad poetry, breakfast poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 7 April 2008 at 4:55 pmWhat I remember
are images
The words are gone
and live a life of their own
They never call me nor write
but the images
are still with me
and sometimes
I do wish
they would pay rent
EL SEBBO
empty
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 April 2008 at 9:07 amI looked in the place
I’ve looked before
where I thought
for sure I’d left it
But it was empty
I checked again
to make certain
and found nothing
I could swear
there was a poem
in my head
one I’d thought
about all day
But the cupboard is bare
Whatever happened
to those words?
I guess I’ll never know
(D. James)
Billy the Kid
In art, bad poetry, seb on 3 April 2008 at 11:04 amCaught at the dusty crossroads
of violence and justice – never
quite a man nor a boy
a question simply lingers:
quién es?
EL SEBBO
looking past bottom
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 April 2008 at 6:49 amCan you feel it
because I can’t
For too long
I tried to suppress
all this anger
all this pain
Now all I know
is this aching
numbness
Wildly searching
for an answer
when all the while
it’s been right here
Inside my head
inside of me
It doesn’t matter
It means nothing
It solves nothing
nothing at all
(D. James)
Crazy Birds
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 31 March 2008 at 7:17 amAn hour before dawn
and blind birds sing
goodbye to the bitter
dregs of night
Chattering away
as if they had
something to say
But it doesn’t
bring the day
any sooner
(D. James)
Were things really easier or do we just remember them that way?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 March 2008 at 7:18 amIn the good
old days
when we were drunk
the world
moved slower
as if underwater
Now time
lurches forward
can’t seem to stop
the flood of years
rushing past
Let’s get drunk
one more time
drown ourselves
in memories of
days gone by
(D. James)
Bauhaus
In art, bad poetry, seb on 26 March 2008 at 4:01 pmStructures
Elements
Shadows
Your naked back
My heart like a keyhole
Wood
Steel
Wool
Footsteps on concrete
Love like a half-lifted curtain
Ich liebe dich
A three-step danse
Red lipstick
Black shoes
Your hand in mine
A cold sun
Sharp walls
Spring is coming
Ah ah
The purpose of art?
Usefulness
my dear
usefulness
EL SEBBO
Zero out
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 March 2008 at 6:30 amNo one knew
the damage
being done
How could we
it was all
so long ago
when we were
young
Someone
should have
stopped it
Someone
should have seen
what it would do
to all of us
Now we have
to deal with it
on our own
Break the cycle
end this chain
of anger
and pain
(D. James)
Blue and white
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb on 24 March 2008 at 11:12 amWhite roofs
blue sky
the children play
in the bedroom
my fingers
silently
write this poem:
“it is cold outside
it is colder
inside my mouth”
EL SEBBO
rushing to the end
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 March 2008 at 7:19 amBack on track
like a train
at speed
Where it goes
we’ll have to
wait and see
Enjoy the ride
and hope the end
is nowhere in sight
(D. James)
spring moon
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 March 2008 at 8:17 amYellow moon
hangs fat
and lush
in black sky
Warm night
of spring
finally arrived
Breathe it in
keep me sane
(D. James)
max headroom
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 March 2008 at 5:31 amI crack my skull
on a violent shift
of perspective
Eyes sting
from the blood
but now
I can finally see
the pain
of reality
(D. James)
This is not a love poem
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 March 2008 at 4:35 pmI don’t write
love poems
Though I love
writing and poems
an emotion
that deep
needs an ocean
of language
I do not possess
My words on the
subject of love
are trite
and best left
to others
Amen
(D. James)
Water on road
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 March 2008 at 4:30 pmWater on road
blood in mouth
twisted chrome
fading sky
Shallow breathing
heart beating
This must be
where the journey
ends
(D. James)
Mirror, mirror
In art, bad haiku, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, breakfast poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 8 March 2008 at 3:54 pmEros is sore
EL SEBBO
showers expected
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 March 2008 at 12:46 amgray clouds
wait all day
for the rain
wind picks up
weeps heavily
with the sound
of flapping flags
and water on pavement
people run for cover
as the world
becomes glossy
(D. James)
Delicate
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, breakfast poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england on 5 March 2008 at 6:51 amDelicate
isn’t my name
and yet I am moved
by the imbecile
gently led by his father
down the street
while screaming songs
at the top of his head
I am moved
by a white cloud
standing still
over the city
like a gentle threat
I am moved
by your breath
gently lifting the sheets
deep in the night
when I can’t sleep
Yes delicate things
move me deeply
and confirm
the rage hidden
at the core of my words
The rage of impotence,
hope and rebellion
- but not despair
Despair, you see,
is too delicate
for me
EL SEBBO
Destination Street
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 March 2008 at 4:37 pmBlack street
blacker heart
Someday the road
will end
in dust
And no one
will care
to even give it a name
(D. James)
There’s no place like home
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, birthday poems, breakfast poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems on 1 March 2008 at 9:59 ambut we sure wish there was
EL SEBBO
traveling
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 February 2008 at 4:26 amBland rooms
and bad food
Time shifts
and lost days
Windows
that don’t open
and beds that
make themselves
Fitful sleep
in unfamiliar places
Makes you
appreciate
the little place
you call home
(D. James)
cereal killer
In art, breakfast poems, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, writing on 27 February 2008 at 6:28 amI shot
the box
of Rice Krispies
stabbed the
Fruit Loops
and strangled
with bare hands
the Raisin Bran
Now
there’s nothing left
for tomorrow’s breakfast
(D. James)
Bad ear (or I should get a medal for doing this)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, writing on 26 February 2008 at 11:18 amMy ear is shot
Haven’t slept in two days
and here I am writing
this miserable poem
Is it friendship pushing me
or just poetry’s bad junk
shaking me up and down
and never letting me be?
EL SEBBO
hello it’s me
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 February 2008 at 9:03 amNasty habit
of self
referential
involvement
centeredness
Even being aware
only focuses
on the single point
So it is
to what
degree
do we see
there are others
not just me?
(D. James)
Anniversarery pome (To my partner in crime, DJ Eldon)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 23 February 2008 at 7:11 amno candles
but fireworks
no explosions
but roman candles
we have written pomes
for one good year now
we are very tired
but our mouths are still
full of spit, tongue, stones
and words
no firecrackers
but live ammo
no funeral pyres
but a feather
of the Phoenix
EL SEBBO
at sea
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 February 2008 at 8:38 amRain falls
over the city
Everything swells
and creaks
Water trickles
along the rails
The apartment
feel like a submarine
I await the order
to blow the ballasts
and rise again
(D. James)
If not
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, birthday poems, literature, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 21 February 2008 at 6:33 ampoems
are
free
like a bank robbery
a good fist fight
or a major break up
I said
poems
are
free
I didn’t say
they were nice
EL SEBBO
take a walk
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 February 2008 at 6:47 amfrustrated
impatient
impertinent
totally
intolerant
and spiteful
feels like monday
coulda been sunday
just not certain
anymore
where ya goin?
where’s this headed?
it can’t be anywhere
good
(D. James)
Another mystery
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 19 February 2008 at 11:56 amThe white veil of morning
creeps around the house
The birds are black notes
and their song hang frozen
in mid-air
We drink coffee in the kitchen
and I want to tell you something
but your words erase mine
and I forget what I wanted to say
and there is no way you can help me
and we laugh it off and another mouth
replaces my mouth with different words
forming behind the seemingly same teeth
although they are actually a few seconds
older
EL SEBBO
fake it till you make it (welcome to hollywood)
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 February 2008 at 7:59 amLike a bad meal
that repeats
This town
loves itself
more than it deserves
Rewarding mediocrity
Substituting false beauty
for real emotion
Masking belligerent consumption
with blinding sunlight
and palm trees
An American microcosm
of what’s to come
“Reality” TV
played out
in lives of
unconscious consent
Leased luxury
parked outside
your shared apartment
It’s what’s on
the outside
that counts here
This is not
the place
for epic poetry
(D. James)
Deconstruction
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, seb on 15 February 2008 at 4:42 pmMy children play
with wooden blocks
red blue yellow
and green
They build towers
and smash them
laughing
like typical
humans
A reassuring thought
somehow
The blocks
await in the sunlight
waiting to be
piled up
and thrown down again
like typical
humans
Not a reassuring thought
somehow
EL SEBBO
Night Life
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 February 2008 at 8:15 amTo live a life
epic like the night
Full with the
weight of the moon
Dark with occasional
streaks of light
Dotted with
a billion possibilities
like stars against
the blackened sky
To be complete
and silent
in an endless expanse
Reaching beyond
the humble existence
of just walking the earth,
To the never-ending
edge of the universe
Swallowing planets whole
and still waking, in the morning
to brilliant sunlight
(D. James)
Em-ba-ra-ssing (To DJ Nic)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 13 February 2008 at 10:04 amWent to a party last Saturday
and all evening I wondered
if my fly was open because
the zipper was broken or because
I was too stoned to zip it up
Time to quit?
Hell no
EL SEBBO
Capitalism
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 February 2008 at 8:11 amBank
is a
four
letter
word
(D. James)
Imperialism
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, overweight champions, poem, seb, writing on 11 February 2008 at 12:57 pmFree
is a
four
letter
word
EL SEBBO
the mess we’re in
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 February 2008 at 8:29 amWaiting
for inspiration
like a brick
to the head
disjointed ideas
false starts
fragments
that go nowhere
Pondering
a fierce headache
the poet
and poem
remain unfinished
(D. James)
Burn all flags
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 7 February 2008 at 12:01 pmThe blue of the sky
crashes through my open window
and a few birds sing
to welcome the first rays
of the sun
Everything is still
except for the millions
of radio waves
spinning around us
like in invisible killer bees
and I say
to the wall
my chair my desk
the open window
the blue sky
the birds and their songs
“Burn all flags”
as flags frame you
in what you are not
and never will be
- a model citizen
a model father
a model nation
a model nature
a model bird
a model sky
a model model
Yes
burn all flags
especially
the white one
EL SEBBO
black waves
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 6 February 2008 at 6:13 amJust because
the ocean waves
ceaselessly
pound the sand
doesn’t mean
the beach is
all that fond
of the abuse
(D. James)
A view with a room
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 5 February 2008 at 7:51 amIf I move
two inches
to the left
does reality
remain the same?
EL SEBBO
what I think I want when I think too much about what I want
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 February 2008 at 7:48 amI want to
stay up all night
watching movies
I want to
find someway
to feel
I want to
stay up all night
and listen
to the rain
I want to
find a way
to get back home
I want to
be free
from wanting
and just be
I want to
stay up all night
and listen
to the pain
In the end
I just want
to believe
(D. James)
Peace King
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, poem, poetry, seb, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 1 February 2008 at 7:22 amI am the peace king
and I come without banner nor flag
My arms are broken
and my friends have fallen
Will you welcome me
with arrows and fire
or kisses and tears?
I am the peace king
and I have no purpose
but to prove that existence
is nothing but choice
whether you win or not
I am the peace king
and my face is as white
as your rage
I am the peace king
and I am sorry
that I hurt you once
and for all
I am the peace king
and you can very well
chose to ignore me
if you wish
as I will not fight with you
I am the peace king
and I am never wrong
although many wish me to be
because peace
is always
more threatening
than bloodshed
I am the peace king
hail me at my passage
or throw me stones
I love flowers
and stones are my friends
but beware
my visits are scarce
and often go
unnoticed
as I am clear as the wind
dark as a starless night
and fluttering as love promises
EL SEBBO
16,002 days
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 31 January 2008 at 8:08 amFalling fast now
through this life
Waiting for that
never-coming
something
to happen
Not sure
if this is sadness
or the edge
of madness
Each day
goes by and
all I want to do
is stop
(D. James)
Hurry on up
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry on 29 January 2008 at 7:36 amIt’s a foggy day
can’t see more than my hands
maybe it’s a good thing
maybe it ain’t
but at least in this freezing weather
I’ve only one way to go
yippie-yay-oh
EL SEBBO
The discontent of winter
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 January 2008 at 4:10 amDamp clouds
like steel cotton
darken the day
Rain falls heavy
on the city
Good time
to be drunk
if only
I still drank
Maybe I should
leave town
or become
a fish
(D. James)
winter blues (or what not to do with a gun)
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, snuff poems, writing on 25 January 2008 at 7:53 amCold seeps
through cracks
in the unfit
windows
A distant memory,
the sun, hides
in dark cotton
Life bleeds out
on dirty linoleum
and I can’t
feel my feet
anymore
(D. James)
Stuck (or why we are poets)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 24 January 2008 at 6:51 amReality is not what
you make of it
Reality is what
you don’t want it to be
EL SEBBO
distant voices
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 January 2008 at 9:43 amIn the garden
of silence
All sound
becomes peaceful
There is nothing
to say
(D. James)
Listen
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 January 2008 at 7:25 pmListen
listen to the quiet night
as the crickets tell their stories
Listen
listen as the world spins
Listen baby, listen
while the sun rises
to bring the morning
Listen now before
it’s gone
Listen to the sound
of my heart beating
to my steady breathing
Listen baby, listen
while there’s still
a bit of night left
Listen to everything
as the city sleeps
’cause tomorrow
might be too late
So listen baby, listen
as I sing the night goodbye
And listen as the early light
stretches across the sky
(D. James)
Sunrose
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 19 January 2008 at 8:54 amThe sun rose today
but I missed it
my eyes still blinded
by night and punctuated by stars
The sun rose today
and I didn’t
preferring to ignore
the glorious colors
to the monochrome black
The sun rose today
and I didn’t care
as I embraced
a lovely shadow
slightly smelling
of cinnamon
EL SEBBO
Stuck
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 January 2008 at 7:44 amImpossible imagination
trickles along
through the minefield
of emotions
Biding time
or making tracks
it’s all the same
in the end
Stuck is not
a state of being
Only a state
of mind
(D. James)
A clap of thunder
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 17 January 2008 at 3:10 pmA clap of thunder
in a clear blue sky
or the strange reflection
of something not quite there
are our daily mysteries
so sit down
have a coffee
read the paper
and finally
accept yourself
as the ultimate mystery
goddammit
EL SEBBO
of a dark mind
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 January 2008 at 8:12 amSpeak softly
to yourself
as you wander
through
the night
of the mind
Darkness
will settle itself
and bliss comes
in some form
even if only
for a moment
Another misspent night
of lost and hopeless
dreams
Light a last cigarette
like a candle
for the dead
Watch the sky
for the blue light
of a new day
Only then can you
lay down
and rest
your weary
head
(D. James)
Hangman
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, tarot poems, writing on 15 January 2008 at 8:43 amHanging upside down
I finally see the world
how it really is
EL SEBBO
planning to fail
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 January 2008 at 10:50 amThere’s a hole
in the plan
wide as the sky
and bleeding
like an open
wound
If we push on
there will only
be more blood
Hold off
and we
get
nowhere
Best to take
our chances
and bleed
then die
in this spot
with nothing
(D. James)
Hermosa corona
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 11 January 2008 at 1:28 pmHermosa corona
shining high above the clouds
just out of reach of my wanting fingers
Hermosa corona
beautiful face wrapped
in silk and gold
you could be a vision
but your materiality
drags me down
Hermosa corona
if only you could
be a poem
a word an image
and disappear
as soon as
you were pronounced
Hermosa corona
I wish I could could
hold you in my hands
but they are tied
behind my back
and praying won’t help
Hermosa corona
your indifference
is truth
your glitter
wisdom
and your power
death
Hermosa corona
I run in circles
after myself
please let me
have you
please
please
EL SEBBO CORONADO
what it means
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 January 2008 at 7:37 amLike a curse,
seeing the world
differently
Having to explain
the colors of
another sky
or what it
sounds like
in a sleepless
city
It’s the gift
of seeing
through things
instead of looking
at them
the difference
of knowing
rather than believing
in the beauty
of nothing
(D. James)
Hierophant
In art, bad poetry, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 9 January 2008 at 12:50 pmThe re is no mystery
in an open hand
but as we walk
our teeth grow back
into our gums
and our bones
shatter like ice
We try to laugh it off
but a howling wind
comes out of our lungs
and specks of our blood
decorate the sky’s blue cupola
There is no mystery
in an open hand
but the closed fist
hanging over our heads
is following us
like the shadow of something
we knew or thought we knew
EL SEBBO
stay the night
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 January 2008 at 10:17 amstay with me
in this terrible
night
tomorrow will come
too soon
and I’ll
be gone
leaving you here
with little to say
even less
to hear
so stay with
me now
while I wait out
the night
wading through
the darkness
of my mind
only a bit longer
and tomorrow
comes
then there will be
new battles
not like this
not all
un-won
(D. James)
Dusk
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 7 January 2008 at 10:19 amIt is the time
when windows
are becoming walls
and children voices
are elongating
in the gardens
It is the time
when somethíng rattles
inside your chest
and you wonder
if death will come
and teach you
how to dance
It is the time
when you evaluate
all the things
you have said
and you realize
they can be summarized
in a single word
It is the time
when the sky darkens
and becomes this impossible blue
you have tried for so long
to imitate in your soul
to no avail
It is the time
when finally
failures
turn to gold
EL SEBBO
stand for something
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 January 2008 at 5:47 amIf there were
no language
but simply
one person
who stood up
it would say
more than all
the words
we could hope for
(D. James)
Frost
In art, bad haiku on 3 January 2008 at 4:25 pmThe words
disappear like smoke
but the lungs
are intact
EL SEBBO
metropolis
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 January 2008 at 4:51 amNew York
is where you come
to be known
even, if only,
in small ways
The pizzaman
who calls you buddy …
“Hey buddy.”
“What you need buddy?”
The guy at
the cigar shop
who silently nods
acknowledgment
or the homeless man
who says, “Hi, how are you?”
then quietly, “can I
get a little help?”
The bar
on the corner
the diner
down the street
Everyone greets you
like a friend
This is how you know
you’re home
(D. James)
Routine
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 1 January 2008 at 12:18 pmQ: Why can we always feel when something bad is going to happen but never something good?
A: Because there are more bad things than good things happening to us.
Q: Why are there more bad things than good things happening to us?
A: Because we are cursed.
Q: Why are we cursed?
A: Because we are free.
Q: Is freedom a good thing or a bad thing?
A: It is a very good thing. That’s why we can’t feel anything.
EL SEBBO.
Cafe Reggio
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 31 December 2007 at 6:40 amThe rain comes down
on MacDougal Street
as tea goes cold
in the cup
and the Chinese girls
speak Mandarin
while the rain
comes down
on MacDougal Street
Italian opera plays
as the waitress
bumps through
the crowded tables
and chairs
Outside
people run
under coats
like silent Banshees
on parade
while the rain
comes down
on MacDougal Street
The awning
catches a gust
of wind like laundry
drying in the sun
Drunk girls
puff unsuccessfully
on damp cigarettes
With the check comes
the smiling-for-the-tip smile
and time to call it a night
while the rain
comes down
on MacDougal Street
(D. James)
Temperance
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 28 December 2007 at 10:00 amDrink
as much as you can
Speak
as much as you can
and in the outer limits
of your words
will you finally
be yourself
EL SEBBO
how to write a love poem
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 December 2007 at 3:54 pmFor inspiration
use your life
or steal
someone else’s
use words
to evoke images
If all else fails
light yourself
on fire
and tell me
how that feels
“Trust me”
the man said
“it works”
(D. James)
Freakshow (To Tristan Tzara)
In art, literature, seb on 26 December 2007 at 3:41 pmAll
by
myself
Watch
me
dance
Watch me
me
sing
watch
me
strangle
myself
Watch
me
laugh
all
by
myself
EL SEBBO
the unanswerable quesion of time that people ask when they have too much of it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 December 2007 at 6:40 amIs there time?
with all the waste
the things we do
perpetually
perpetrating
the idea of busyness
Is there time
to live, to think,
to be?
Or are we simply
taking up space
in between commercials
waiting to purchase cheap thrills
in a Chinese box?
Hell or some other place
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 22 December 2007 at 10:24 amThis is another place
my friend
and we are becoming meat
The ships have sailed
and the planes have left
their esoteric signs
of the sky’s blue wall
We didn’t ask to come
and no one invited us
but we are here
and it’s definitely not there
This is another place
my friend
and we are becoming meat
Some of us are hungry
and some of us are sad
I am lucky to be loved
You are lucky to be blind
The poker tables are full
and smoking is allowed
This is another place
my friend
and we are becoming meat
Don’t thank me for our journey
It wasn’t the one that planned
There is a toast stuck in the toaster
and the flames are raging high
You left your coffee untouched
and outside the sun is nodding
Everything is familiar
yet none of it is mine
This is another place
my friend
and we are becoming meat
I guess we could say goodbye
or greet each other in tears
there are many wars out there
their fumes obscuring our lungs
I guess I should say I’m sorry
but I have yet to learn these words
This is another place
my friend
and we are becoming meat
EL SEBBO
what is and what is not
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 December 2007 at 8:07 amLost and out of time
not even sure what
words mean any longer
People speak at me
in languages I don’t
comprehend
With gestures and
too much emotion
Yet none of it
feels real
(D. James)
Strength
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 20 December 2007 at 9:17 amLike love
strength
is a potentiality
the coiled steel spring
the flexed muscle
the fluttering of an eyelash
a laughter
gas in the tank
like love
strength
is
somewhere
between
you
and yourself
a shadow
as faithful
as shadows
can be
EL SEBBO
small plans
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 December 2007 at 11:34 amAlways the big plan
the big win
big project
dreaming of
the big money
Long trips in difficult ways
and torrid love affairs
Always the prettiest girls
coolest motorcycles
fastest cars
Never the small plan
the plain girl
the day-to-day
of working a job
What about
the simple things?
quart of milk
feed the cat
“what’s on TV”?
Don’t want
to do the homework
learn the basics
and never, ever
take the bus
(D. James)
Fckg stnd (or reality can be read between the lines)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, seb on 18 December 2007 at 7:11 amy kn wht I mn
L SBB
too tired to know
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 December 2007 at 7:52 amToo long without sleep
too far to travel
Standing
so as not to fall
And when rest
finally comes
it is without
solace
But at least I’m in
my own bed
(D. James)
The Hermit
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, tarot poems, the queen of england, writing on 14 December 2007 at 12:11 pmThose
who fear loneliness
have never been
alone
EL SEBBO
what I want from you
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 December 2007 at 9:39 ambring me a little
peace
bring me some
solace
bring me to my
knees
keep me from
harm
keep me alive
until I no longer
make sense
then have the decency
to pull the plug
squeeze the trigger
slip the needle in
whatever it takes
to keep the end
quick and painless
do this because
you love me
do it because
you hate me
just do it
when the hour
is right
so that tomorrow
never comes
(D. James)
Virtue
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 12 December 2007 at 11:21 am‘s like quicksilver rolling in the palm of your hand
a strong card with many colors
a woman who can stare you down
a poem you thought long forgotten
‘s like a spot of darkness in the middle of light
a sword in a merciful hand
a shameless kiss on the mouth
something you miss but you don’t know why
something you miss but you don’t know why
EL SEBBO
secrets
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 December 2007 at 7:04 amThere are things I know
that I shouldn’t
and things I know that I’m
not supposed to tell
So I just sit here
with my mouth shut
Because I’m not sure what
I’m supposed to know or not
and what I can or can’t say
Other than nothing,
which suits me fine
(D. James)
Rad poem
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 10 December 2007 at 7:22 amWords
are
yours
to
keep
EL SEBBO
don’t sing that song you bitch
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 December 2007 at 6:16 amWhy is it the worst
pop songs get
stuck in my ear
Like bad thoughts
on a rainy day
Can’t seem to make
them go away
(D. James)
100 mg
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 6 December 2007 at 8:04 amreality is still the hardest drug
EL SEBBO
tonight we dance
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 December 2007 at 8:53 amWe drink dust
and eat smoke
while the fire
burns within
The winter light
fades quickly
leaving a fat
lush red line
on the horizon
The animals
have all fled
their cages
tonight
And that old latin drummer
bangs on the skins
Let the party begin
(D. James)
Whatever happened to the heroes?
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 4 December 2007 at 6:53 pmYeah!
What happened?
EL SEBBO STRANGLERO
she said no
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 December 2007 at 1:05 amJust give me two minutes
I promise to be brief
as I try to make some sense
of what I’m feeling
Through the chemically induced
alcohol driven, nicotine fit I’m on
there’s a tiny point of light
that I think might help if I
could just focus on it long
enough to hear the message
Just two fucking minutes
was all I asked
to get my head together
and realize what I wanted
most to say
But she walked away
so I lay on the floor
and lied to myself
that she’d come back
and listen to it all
(D. James)
Winter Settles In
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 November 2007 at 8:13 amThis time of year
the daylight fades
so fast
And cool air nips
at my skin
As I pine for
the long warm nights
of summer
(D. James)
explanations
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 November 2007 at 7:16 amlight
air
tree
bird
put them together
and tell me what you heard
for I cannot see
or hear
what I do not know
(D. James)
If
In art, bad poetry, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems on 26 November 2007 at 4:53 pmIf poetry wasn’t real
wouldn’t we all be insane?
EL SEBBO
inert
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 November 2007 at 8:13 amRestless and motionless
frozen in malaise
Waiting for the next thing
not so much wasting time
as simply watching it go by
Motivation is a word
a grouping of letters
I know how to pronounce
the familiarity ends there
(D. James)
Lost
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 22 November 2007 at 2:52 pmToo much to drink last night
Trying to collect thoughts
and finally letting them
collect themselves
monkey brain
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 November 2007 at 10:47 amSkipping thoughts
like stones
across my mind
None making
much sense
or connecting
with another
They just fly by
like birds
headed south
for the winter
Some more colorful
than others
(D. James)
Where you’re at
In art, bad haiku, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 20 November 2007 at 8:15 amThe stars indicate no direction
and the roadsigns are all
rusty and torn
and I don’t even know
if I’m anywhere on the map
crumpled in the back pocket
of your jeans
EL SEBBO
where I’m at
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 November 2007 at 6:53 amI was there
now I’m here
for how long
I don’t know
Ask me when
I’ve gone and
I’ll tell you
how long
I stayed
But who knows
where I’ll be
by then
(D. James)
Read the notice carefully
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england on 16 November 2007 at 8:11 amPoetry is a mind-altering drug
Do not hesitate to overdose
EL SEBBO
well, it goes like this …
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 November 2007 at 7:38 amIt all started
last month
when I …
No wait
it goes back
before that
three years ago
when she …
Actually it was
when he said …
but that would have
been ten years
or more now
So it must have been
as far back as before all
that and further still
when I was just a child
Yes, of course
it all began at
the beginning
which would be
the day before
I was born
Or even before
that when my father …
(D. James)
Get a job
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england on 14 November 2007 at 7:26 am But I have a job
I am a poet
It’s a very important job
EL SEBBO
just this
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 November 2007 at 5:50 amThough there is no heaven
I have known angels
And though there is no hell
I have wrestled demons
Yet all that I know,
and all that I am
or have been
means nothing
In the face
of being
simply a man
(D. James)
Elevation
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, birthday poems, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 12 November 2007 at 1:23 pmA cold morning
I am on the first floor
looking outside
The golden light of the sun
warms absolutely nothing
Beauty at its best
Not now or ever
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 November 2007 at 6:38 amAnd god is not listening
to you tonight
Tear-stained cheeks
knees bruised from rocking
on the hardwood floor
The words mouthed
over and over again
But god is not listening
to you tonight
He is indifferent
as the dead you
pray for
Deaf as my grandmother
So you would do
well to stand up,
wash your face
and stop asking
for absolution
from someone else
Because god is not listening
to you tonight
But don’t take it
too hard
or make it into
something else
to be miserable
about
For he is not listening
to anyone …
tonight
or any other
(D. James)
Your birthday (To Sofie)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 8 November 2007 at 7:18 amDays go by like birthday candles
but the cake never goes stale
a cheap metaphor for happiness
I guess but words and images
do betray us sometimes
and maybe, maybe
that’s why we love them
EL SEBBO
beat surrender
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 November 2007 at 1:19 pmAnd I remember nights out
dancing well into the
next morning
A different time
another life
Waiting for the
right song to bring
freedom and elation
in motion
Now I dance
when no one
is looking
to songs
in my head
from those
days gone by
(D. James)
A poem for Mark E. Smith
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 6 November 2007 at 9:06 amHell
is being stuck
in a bar
with a bad singer
singing good poetry
EL SEBBO
On a Sunday
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 November 2007 at 4:36 amTea and a cigar
on a lazy Sunday
in the city
People go by
kids and dogs
in tow
As the sun sets
and the air turns
cooler
They walk a little
faster
arms folded for
warmth
Days like this
everything is poetry
(D. James)
For those who don’t need words (the meaning of life)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 2 November 2007 at 5:59 pmRnR
El Sebbo
How long do you stay in Hollywood?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 November 2007 at 7:05 amThe girls walk by
high-heeled shoes
and tight jeans
cigarettes and perfume
Pseudo bad-boys drive
around on expensive
motorcycles that rumble
like thunder
Everyone pretends to
be somebody here
even the movie stars
And the waitresses
in miniskirts
counting tips
in their heads,
worry about their boyfriend’s
drug habit
2am and the boys
from the band
stumble out
of their van
order coffee and smoke cigarettes
watching the legs
of the waitress
who just wants
to go home
Everyone is from
somewhere else
in this city that’s really
a suburb
this place of dreams
that can quickly turn
into a nightmare
And once you wake
it’s best to slink on home
(D. James)
SF impression
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 October 2007 at 7:49 amCity of rain
and fog
Love of Kerouac
and Ginsberg
Home of corporate
hippies
Reminds me of
the 70′s and
Karl Malden
(D. James)
The title is longer than the poet itself
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 29 October 2007 at 10:30 amI measured myself today
EL SEBBO
urban landscape
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 October 2007 at 7:13 amRed lights
and wet streets
Car horns
and homeless
shouts
Billboards
and fog
Sidewalks
and streetcars
Motion
Sound
and Light
(D. James)
Yellow Woman
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 25 October 2007 at 10:03 amThe writer speaks
The yellow woman asks questions
nobody understands
The writer answers politely
The yellow woman smiles
Outside words are pressing
their faces to the window
wondering
EL SEBBO
every night he drinks and every morning he wishes he hadn’t
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 October 2007 at 6:27 amLoosing his edge
like a thread
that unravels
your sleeve
Drunk but maintaining
his balance by
closing one eye
He makes it through
another night of lies
Hums a tune
he can’t remember
the words to
but he loves it
just the same
(D. James)
Tombstone
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 23 October 2007 at 8:41 amTo DJ Eldon
This is the place where
old cowboys meet
with torn leather boots
and a toothless mouth
full of tobacco
Backs hurt
Whiskey burns
Memories flare up
A sign flaps in the wind
but you can’t read it
as it stands on the opposite
side of yer heart
EL SEBBO
Bodie
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, d. james, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 22 October 2007 at 1:40 pmDust of a ghost town
on my boots
Cold wind
blows
Old buildings groan
with defiance
Dust of a ghost town
in my mouth
as I leave this
cold, dead place
behind
(D. James)
A beautiful view (or why poems can’t be explained)
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 19 October 2007 at 6:40 amI live in that
house that you can’t see
and you live in that
house that you can’t see
EL SEBBO
defining moments
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 October 2007 at 2:30 pmMy addiction
consumes me
eats away
the brain
all day
well into evening
There seems no cure
just more
more
more
Circle with no end
dog chasing it’s tail
and I wonder …
am I the dog
or the tail?
D. James
A very short history of rock and roll (1980s)
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 17 October 2007 at 6:00 amIt was while
we were listening
to the Residents
that she realized
she wasn’t
in love
with me
anymore
EL SEBBO
wheredowegofromhere
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 October 2007 at 7:32 amout of time
out of words
out of ideas
out to lunch
out of town
out on a limb
out of my mind
all the time
with words that
mean nothing
and nowhere to
go …
but out.
(D. James)
Fucking around
In art, bad poetry, bad sex and bad breath, literature, overweight champions, poem, poetry, seb, snuff poems, the queen of england, writing on 15 October 2007 at 6:13 amToday I told myself
to stop fucking around
but I told myself
I could fuck around
as much I as wanted too
because after all
it is always myself
who has the final
word
EL SEBBO
drift
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 October 2007 at 6:33 amDrifting
through the days
Thoughts lost
and found
then lost again
Half-said sentences
of things I forgot why
I wanted to say
At least I remember
to shut up now
and again
(D. James)
No ego
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 10 October 2007 at 6:19 am When I speak
my words
stop belonging
to me
When I speak
I disappear
in musical
air
El Sebbo
Civil night
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 October 2007 at 6:14 pmNight begins
brings with it
an understanding
of darkness
Sky full of
moon and stars
Sleep and you’ll
miss it …
everything
slowed down
Thinking time
peaceful
quiet night
(D. James)
Black hole
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 8 October 2007 at 8:48 amAlcohol
is poetry’s black hole
Things get sucked in
deformed until they disappear
leaving only the outline
of their shadow
in the painful
poetic skies
EL SEBBO
Morning breaks
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 October 2007 at 10:16 amSunlight crashes
through the window
knocking darkness
to the floor
They wrestle
tearing up the
apartment
making such a
racket the landlord
calls to say
“knock it off”
As if there’s
anything I could do
to stop the sunrise.
D. James
Nordic skies
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 4 October 2007 at 6:28 amAnother beautiful sky
through the kitchen window
I wonder what’s so special
about them nordic skies
Inspiration maybe
EL SEBBO
It’s what we do
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 October 2007 at 8:00 amPeople are funny
we work
and eat
and think
We talk
and talk
and talk
Watch them
as they walk by
(and, Oh, how I love
to watch them walk by)
Then we go home
and sleep
and sleep
and sleep
People are funny
D. James
The amazing power of poetry
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 2 October 2007 at 7:57 amSebastien Doubinsky
is a woman
EL SEBBO
abirdisabirdisabird
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 October 2007 at 3:51 pmA bird
flew so close
I felt a flutter
of air on my ear
For me it was
a literal brush
with nature
For the bird
it was nothing
I could imbue
some human emotion
on the bird
but it would
be false
As the bird
only knows
survival
Eat and Sing and Fly
and nothing more
It is I who has
the overcomplicated
life full of conflicting
emotions that need
serious analysis
The bird is
just a bird
D. James
What idiots and poets believe
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 28 September 2007 at 1:47 pmthe main difference
between men and women is sex
luck exists
words have a different meaning
EL SEBBO
up all night
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 September 2007 at 6:26 amStayed up all night
to watch the sunrise
Only to find
the morning sky
covered thick
with clouds
And another day
gone
another night
another time
another life
but the same
me
D. James
Strange things you remember (or what poetry can be made of)
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 26 September 2007 at 6:00 amI remember that
in the summer
of 88
DJ must have had
the smallest room
in New York
closets full of books
and ghosts
Crossbones laughter
in the heat
EL SEBBO
little black holes
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 September 2007 at 7:29 amFalling through
an emotional hole
I no longer
see myself
for either who I am
or who I could be
Waiting around
for the day,
the hour
when it will make
some semblance of sense
when the world
and my life will
finally make peace
D. James
Air Force None
In art, bad haiku, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 24 September 2007 at 6:31 am757 isn’t a plane
it is a haiku
you uncultured morons
EL BASHO
The amazing poet that hides in my head and only comes out when no one is around
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 September 2007 at 6:14 amSomething about speed
velocity
and my mind
how quickly thoughts move
created and forgotten
before I can even write
them down
Moments of shear genius
(to me)
that I’m rarely ever
able to get right
on the page
So in my mind
I’m Frank O’Hara
I’m Pablo Neruda
I’m Jack fucking Kerouac
But on the page …
on the page
I’m a stumbling
bumbling
mumbling
clown
who can’t even spell
But in my mind …
in my mind
I’m the goddamn
demigod of poetic fire
If only …
If only I could live the
life in my head and
not the one
on the page of the world
D. James
Brand new poem in cellophane wrap (Never used before!)
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 20 September 2007 at 6:09 amIt goes like this
EL SEBBO
publishing blues in f-sharp
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 September 2007 at 7:21 amAt first they love it
“love it”
Then on second
reading there are
problems
“problems”
But they can be overcome
“with some work”
more work
another month of
edits
Then they don’t return your
phone calls
they disappear,
fall off the face of the earth
Repeat
shake
stir
rework
re-edit
but no redemption
for the sin of writing
D. James
Opiluo – To Jacques Roubaud
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 18 September 2007 at 6:39 amthe poet spoke about
jpnese haiku
it rained outside
EL SEBBO
“Down comes the night”
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 September 2007 at 3:33 amSunset
Dead-end job
driving alone
in the company van
All those miles
from home
Radio plays a song
from a long way back
Guitar sounds
“Listen to the wind blow
watch the sun rise”
And you are suddenly
awash in memories
Volume up to full now
“Damn your love
Damn your lies”
Pound the drumbeat
on the steering wheel
You are here
and there
at the same time
except now, unlike then,
you feel free
“Never break the chain”
D. James
(song lyrics lifted without permission … sue me)
Sky blues
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 14 September 2007 at 1:41 pmlooking for something in the sky
reflected in my eye in the sky
objects are larger than they appear
in the mirror of your soul
rickety-o
rocket to the moon
my heart slowly suffocates
like a sweet-eyed Laika
oh la-la-la
space conquest is a lonely business
that’s why all poets
are astronauts
doo-da-oh
my eye in the sky
telescope of love
and distant emotions
EL SEBBO
Tell it to me
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 September 2007 at 8:48 amLife is a
long story
Told in intervals
occasionally changing
direction
somewhat tangential
At worst, stagnant
At best
told in a rush
to someone who
knows exactly
what you mean
And you don’t
get to the end
until it’s over
D. James
What are friends for
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 12 September 2007 at 6:30 amThis morning
Death knocked at my door
That’s how I realized
my doorbell was broken
EL SEBBO
use your words
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 September 2007 at 7:38 amNever thought there’d be
a loss for words
No-thing to say?
How can a poem
work without them?
Unsteady, unstable
unusual, unforgivable
Hand me a dictionary
end this fucking madness
D. James
The Return of the Prodigal Poet
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 10 September 2007 at 6:26 am
So I’m back
yackety yack
nearly broke my back
and really need some smack
El SEBBO
goodnight sounds
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 June 2007 at 8:54 amListening to the late-night
sounds of cars rubbering by
on the street below
The refrigerator hum
A helicopter thumps
the sky
(this is Los Angeles)
And somewhere
in the darkness
a bird sings
One of us has
to go to sleep
I guess it will
be me
(D. James)
Blindness
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 29 June 2007 at 5:23 amUntil now
I had always
ragarded darkness
as a friend
EL SEBBO
minor transmission
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 June 2007 at 9:21 amTrying for something
extraordinary
and if not that
then hoping to create
not just negate
Where does it
come from?
But more importantly
where the fuck has
it gone?
(D. James)
The Non-haiku
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 27 June 2007 at 8:20 amNo inspiration today
Fuck make up
your own images
EL SEBBO
end of the day
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 June 2007 at 7:16 amWith no where
to be, but here
Nothing more
to say or do
Quiet falls like
night
And I am thankful
for the rest
(D. James)
Urban Evening
In art, bad poetry, literature, poetry, seb, writing on 25 June 2007 at 8:15 amThe chrome sky shimmers lightly
attached to the cars’ antennas
I am walking home
my head full of radio waves
driving to the dawn
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 June 2007 at 7:31 amA clear-night ride
through the desert
The starlight
emitted an eon
ago reminds me
that our lives are
meaningless
by comparison
The half-moon hangs
so low on the black
horizon
it’s almost as if
I could drive there
and climb on
(D. James)
Toussaint-Louverture
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 23 June 2007 at 9:14 amHe will be back
in his uniform
soaking wet
under the great blue ball
of the noon sky
He will be back
with his rusted saber
tarnished epaulettes
and muddy boots
He will back
and his voice
will be like thunder
in the forest
and his smile
will be like sunshine
in the slums
He will be back
with a thousand lwas
standing invisible
on his large shoulders
their hands slightly ruffling
his curled black hair
He will be back
and in his eyes
this world
will be reflected
upside down
at last
BLACK AND BLUES
In art, bad poetry, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 June 2007 at 5:09 amBlue my mood
blue my sky
Black as
the night
My soul
wants more
(D. James)
LEAVING
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 21 June 2007 at 6:43 amWe will be leaving soon
leaving Paris and its famous streets
famous people famous dogshits
Going on a new adventure
or so we like to think
Leaving to start a new life
if life can ever be new
although it sure can be folded
and carried in your pocket
like an old letter
that you might like
to reread
once in a while
EL SEBBO ON THE GO
The midnight bird
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 June 2007 at 8:06 amOut my window
well past midnight
a bird sings
drunk perhaps
lost
Blind?
Or just whistling
at the moon
A tribute to white noise from the 80s
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 19 June 2007 at 1:10 pmSummer’s smoggy fist
has grabbed the city
Everything seems gray
It’s impossible to breathe
and sweat turns faces
into masks
It feels exactly like life
EL SEBBO
Not the life of a poet
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 June 2007 at 7:09 amFinancial statements
and bills litter the desk
Far too many
things here trying
to kill creativity
I’d rather be high
and smoking with
the jazzmen out
back of some nightclub,
watching the sun
come up over the city
Instead of just
writing about it
(D. James)
The morning after the party
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 17 June 2007 at 8:09 amEmpty bottles
Smell of ashes
Wine stains on the floor
Bad breath and a headache
It was a good party
running out of time
In art, bad poetry, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 June 2007 at 1:21 pmGotta go
gotta run
Some days seems
like there ain’t
no time at all
go
go
go
Mark a day on my calendar
sometime next week
to stop
(D. James)
The heart of the matter
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 15 June 2007 at 5:18 amwhenever you’re holding
your own bleeding heart
in your hands
picture yourself
as an Aztec king
shivering on top of a pyramid
as the evening sets in
waiting for rain
and the first colors
of spring
EL SEBBO
trying to be still
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 June 2007 at 9:20 amLost in the ticking of a clock
the errant sounds of night
fallen deep
And she in the other room
oblivious
dreaming
You try to sit still
take a moment
to be yourself
You want to plunge
a hand into your chest
snatch the heart out
of it’s bone chamber
Because there’s got to be
another way to live
Something other than
commerce
Something less like cattle
and more like soul
But still you sit
in this late-night
kitchen
Listening to the clock
and other ticking
Blood dripping on the floor
your heart in your hand
a gapping hole in your chest
And you think …
“Great, so know what?”
(D. James)
V is for their victory
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 13 June 2007 at 2:58 pmOnce again
they’ve won
and we’ve lost
No question there
and no question asked
No bagpipes to come to our rescue
and no way out the slaughter
They spoke well and we stuttered
They had muscles and we wore glasses
Our excuses are worthless
but our bruises are real
and the nurses are laughing at us
and throwing stones
It was a good fight though
and I don’t mind losing
that much
Oh well
I guess
that’s why
I’m an anarchist
EL SEBBO
morning note
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 June 2007 at 4:58 pmEach morning I wake,
then remind myself
live the life I’ve chosen
Not the one
that’s been
handed me
(D. James)
Invisible
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 11 June 2007 at 6:00 amLittle after little
I am becoming invisible
like a reflection
on a windowpane
or a faint breeze
lifting innocent skirts
It’s not that horrible
It’s not that great either
It just is
Some people call it natural
Others call it unfair
I call it ageing
slowly becoming a ghost
among other ghosts
known or unknown
EL SEBBO
The search party
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 June 2007 at 7:25 amA different night
another city
A life that
was not mine
or not what
mine has become
Unsure if I’m lost
or if this searching is
part of the journey
(D. James)
Lightning moves/Kings of the street
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 9 June 2007 at 8:36 amWe are the kings of nothing
but move like lightning
and leave on your eyes
a blinding scar
EL SEBBO
The fun we used to have when no one was looking
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 June 2007 at 9:17 amIn the days
when we smoked
and drank
and it seemed nothing
could ever touch us
When we argued
about nothing
or nothing that
mattered
Those hazy late nights
that bled into early
morning
Head spinning,
the new day
already a waste
Oh, how I
miss those days
(D. James)
Man on fire
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 7 June 2007 at 4:56 amA man on fire
runs through
the woods
screaming
and laughing
and the flames
are so beautiful
under the stars
it makes me
want to laugh
and scream
with him
Left to burn
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 6 June 2007 at 10:21 amIf I told you,
wrote it down
all of it,
every last fucking
thought
Every moment,
movement
It would burn
this page
Maybe …
Or you’d walk
away,
possibly run
Then what would I
have left?
(D. James)
What Gertrude Stein really meant
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 5 June 2007 at 5:24 ama word is a word is a word
EL SEBBO
Black
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 June 2007 at 5:32 amBlack
like the bird
that sings outside my window
or
like my thoughts
on a cloudy morning
Black
as the night
without a moon and stars
or
the deepest depths
of the sea
Black
the color of all
or nothing
(D. James)
10:15 Saturday Night
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 3 June 2007 at 12:02 pmWent to a party last night
where someone played
old Cure songs
and a lot of good
eighties stuff
Made me think
of my youth
and of those
who crashed and burn
or simply faded away
without ever
saying goodbye
So I waved
to a couple of ghosts
I was the only one to see
and I danced danced danced
like a 43 years old fool
A
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 June 2007 at 2:50 pmA page
A pen
A knife
A rant
A faint light
A cigarette
A thought
A flight
A building
A truck
A car
A polar ice cap
(D. James)
My King
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 1 June 2007 at 4:56 amMy king is made of metal
rusted and cranky he is
like an old car’s wheel
My king is made of cloth
wrinkled and smooth
like an old lady’s cheek
My king is made of bones
white and shiny
like power always is
3 a.m. black
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 31 May 2007 at 2:09 pmStifled by emotion
waiting for a word
If only they came
easily, as song to
a bird
I long for the morning
that will end this
terrible night
Shadowcaster
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 30 May 2007 at 5:01 amIt’s the time of the shadowcaster
when the streets are turning blue
and the sky becomes distant
He is frightening because
he can turn friends and lovers
into dark silhouettes
and make beauty transparent
but one should never forget
that he is the only one
who can turn
violence into whispers
and ugliness into mystery
EL SEBBO
It’s not the heat …
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 May 2007 at 3:09 amThe city sweats
sidewalks melt
The promise of
a squall falls short
People droop
in the humidity
that will not abate
It’s good to be home
(D. James)
The awful truth
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 28 May 2007 at 9:19 amSome say
that sex
is better
than poetry
That’s wrong
Sex is
much better
EL SEBBO
It’s never about what I think it’s about
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 May 2007 at 4:51 amSay one thing
mean another
think a third
How do we
communicate
when nothing
makes sense?
Unconscious animal
moving through
the day
Trying to find
meaning in
a word
a look
a gesture
Knowing there
is nothing I can do
to stop these random
inaccurate thoughts
From creeping
crawling
making themselves
known
But I keep thinking,
someday
all this will make
perfect sense …
Someday
(D. James)
Perfume and cigarettes
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 26 May 2007 at 5:37 amThere is something I miss
in this healthy world
- the mixed scents
of perfume and cigarettes
giving beautiful women
this half-temptation
half-suicide aura
that reminded us
every day
that each minute
has a shadow
EL SEBBO
speakless
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 May 2007 at 6:45 amThere are times
like now
when I get
tired of talking
These words
we toss at
each other
Repeating ourselves
seemingly endlessly
It feels like running
in place
(D. James)
Morning poem
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 24 May 2007 at 5:02 amAnother morning
another poem
is this genius
or stupidity?
Like an old king
I decide not to answer
as I stumble out of bed
to make some
hopefully
inspiring coffee
EL SEBBO CANSADO
wait … wait … there’s something …
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 May 2007 at 7:32 amThere’s something
I want to say
but just can’t
get it to come out
right
This urgent feeling
that needs expressing
Don’t know it’s name
or where it comes
from
not even sure
how to go about
getting it out
Like a mad pinball
rattling around
in my soul
Perhaps I just need
to let it roll
(D. James)
Greek gods
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 22 May 2007 at 5:17 amTo Seferis, Elytis, Ritsos, Cavafy, etc…
Greek poetry
is probably
the best in the world
just like the beer
commercial says
It is blue
like a spotless sky
crushing the shoulders
and elevating the soul
like the turning
of the head
and the possibility
of a smile
It is white
like the bones
in my hand
or the proud
stones left behind
by forgotten
architects
Yes
the best poets
in the world
but it is normal
After all
these people
invented
ruins
EL SEBBO
today’s questions
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 May 2007 at 6:35 amHow much time
is left before
the curtain falls?
Does peace reside
in the center of nothing
or is there no comfort
to be found?
(D. James)
What will happen tomorrow?
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 20 May 2007 at 8:52 amWhat will happen tomorrow
when the rain comes
and thunderbolts strike
at random?
Will I open my window
and applaud
or will I crawl
underneath my bed
praying to a God
who doesn’t believe
in me?
Will I run outside
laughing and singing
or sit in my room
shaking my head
and saying
“I told you so”?
Will I buy an umbrella
and walk alone in
the shiny streets
or will invite you in
and make a large
pot of coffee
so we can
chat about summer
and the passing
of the clouds?
EL SEBBO
good life
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 May 2007 at 5:45 amPay attention,
the man said
It’s your fucking life
you’re living over there
There ain’t no
do-overs here
so make it good
’cause it’s done
gone before you
know what happened
(D. James)
Why Miller, Cendrars and Durrell are my friends
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 18 May 2007 at 4:58 amBecause they are great writers
because they were friends
because they are always a great inspiration
because they agree to everything I say
because they like what I write
because they don’t take up much space
because they are dead
EL SEBBO
poetic contradiction
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 May 2007 at 7:05 amHow many contradictions
can a poet make
in his life
before he is turned
into a politician?
(D. James)
Why poetry isn’t easy for us men (or “Tsvetaieva vs Brodsky”)
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 16 May 2007 at 5:09 amThe best poets
are always
women
and children
Women use words
to resist
and exist
in this
closed and unfair
world
Children
are natural
poets
gathering words
and images
like a colorful
jigsaw puzzle
But for us
men
ah
things
are different
because
the words
we use
were given
not taken
and the images
forged
not gently tamed
and like kings
on a tacky throne
we believe
in everything
we say
although
our words
simply roll
at our feet
like the tiny
plastic pearls
of a broken
necklace
LA SEBBA
never take advice from a poet who doesn’t take any himself
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 May 2007 at 7:04 amThink of what
you have
that you don’t
really need
Sell half
and give away
the rest
You’ll either
feel freed
or deep regret
I have no idea
(D.James)
One French Haiku
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 14 May 2007 at 5:34 amNothing inspires me today
This is France
after all
LE SEBBO
I am made in your image
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 May 2007 at 7:42 amFor Seb
A stranger enters
the town square
and says
I am the second coming
I am the last prophet
I am the one and only
But the people ignore him
so he stands there silently
for 40 days and 40 nights
On the last day
he says unto them
I am the one
I am the son and moon
I have but one message
And still the people ignore him
Finally, as he begins to walk away
a man of the town asks,
“Where are you going?”
To which he replies
Do not follow me
And this is how the people know
he is the one true messiah,
the final prophet
They bow before him
but he says unto them
Bow to no one
Follow no one
Believe in yourselves
This is the only truth
To which the people reply
by building colossal monuments
and writing many books
about his teachings and sayings
For eons they preach
and pray for his eventual return
They pray and wait
and wait and pray
But he is a man
of his word and
will not return,
for they have
not learned the
lesson
(D. James)
Night has
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 12 May 2007 at 6:23 amTo Zamiatin and a few other courageous souls
Night has fallen upon us
impeccably blue
with a few artificial stars
bringing promises
of warmer winds
and colder days
A night
everybody should love
and why not?
It seems so perfect
Protective
Absolute
Strong
Merciless
Yes night has fallen upon us
but we still have a lighter
and a couple of cigarettes
to keep us warm while
we are waiting for
our frailties to be
publicly mocked
and justly punished
under the hard blue sky
EL SEBBO
babbling
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 May 2007 at 6:33 amSnippets of overheard
conversations
phrase fragments
Strung together they
speak a major plan
of non-sense
and nothing
What are all these
words for anyway?
A question to the weatherman
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 10 May 2007 at 5:11 amWhy is it
we can’t predict
the weather
five days
ahead
and we can predict
the apocalypse
ten years from now?
EL SEBBO SKEPTICO
darkness falls
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 May 2007 at 6:52 amDarkness falls
to the floor
and I am lost
in the ensuing
silence
It remains there
until morning
Sunlight crashes
through the window
scattering broken bits
of glass over my mind
All is well again
for the moment
(D. James)
A cheap thought
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 8 May 2007 at 8:29 amIf we knew
where we
were going
would we
go there?
EL SEBBO
Take me quick
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 May 2007 at 7:22 amI don’t want to die
in winter
It’s too cold
Take me when it’s warm
so I won’t mind
the cold hand
on my soul
I don’t want to die
in the light of day
It’s too bright
Take me when it’s night
so I won’t see your approach
or know the hour
Take me on some
late summer night
when I have nothing
to look forward to
Take me when I’m happiest
for it does not come
often
So take me quickly
and make it good
Or I will be forced
to send you on your way
and have you take me
another day
(D. James)
Poetry is for losers
In art, bad poetry, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 6 May 2007 at 9:00 amI went to a poetry reading
the other night
and of course
I drank too much
smoked too much
and when I went
to the bathroom
I saw the silvery handle
vibrate a million miles
too fast
and I thought
fuck
what is this
poetry thing
coming to?
EL SEBBO
something out of …
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 May 2007 at 6:04 amI’ve nothing
to say
I’ve nothing
to write
I’ve nothing
to do
I’ve nothing
I want
I’ve nothing
and nothing
I am nothing
I’m gone
(D. James)
and say it like you mean it
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 May 2007 at 8:38 amSay yes …
do not keep
me waiting
any longer
Time moves too
too fast
and I am
aging as
I await your
answer
Say yes …
make me
happy
I die a little more
as each moment
goes by and I think
you may yet say no
So say yes
just say it
go on
it’s easy
Repeat after me …
(D. James)
Objects in mirror are vainer then they appear
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 2 May 2007 at 5:01 amPoetry
isn’t about
beauty
Poetry
is about
things
that no one
thought
beautiful
before
That’s why
poets should
never use
mirrors
except
to reflect
the sun
in some
idiot’s eyes
EL SEBBO
Take me … do it now
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 May 2007 at 6:07 amMy mind
melts
like butter
My heart
dissolves
like sugar
There is a
deep hunger
unsatisfied by
food or drink
Where are you now
vicious one?
Take me under
the waterline,
end this longing
(D. James)
Why I worked as a bouncer
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 30 April 2007 at 5:21 amMost poets
are against violence
because
most poets
are whimps
EL SEBBO MACHO
Fleeing for my poetic life
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 29 April 2007 at 5:47 amTime
runs
out
and
nothing
can
salvage
this poem
(D. James)
Art lyrique
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 28 April 2007 at 6:10 amThe poet is always right
The poet is always wrong
Both assessments are true
now get your ass in gear
EL SEBBO
bumbling be
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 27 April 2007 at 2:57 amFive years ago …
ten years from now …
where was,
or will, I be
Will I be?
Asked again and again
what did I want to be
If only I could figure out
what that me was supposed to be that wanted to be
or even just be
Free?
But from what
or of what
dare I say,
I know not
(D. James)
Broken spring
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 26 April 2007 at 5:08 amSpring is back
It’s warm
Dog shit smells
Flowers whither
The city sneers
Spring is back
and my back is broken
I guess
it’s midlife crisis
setting in
or just
the seasons
turning wrong
Ah well
Spring ain’t
what it used to be
and neither am I
thank god
for us both
EL SEBBO SWEATO
memento mori
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 25 April 2007 at 4:18 amI catch a toe
on the bedside table
For a moment
the pain brings a
rush
Then a loud burst
of sound
This is what it is to feel
like a fragile old goat
In the end
no matter how
crafty you are
or how many books
you read
You’re still just a mess
of nerves and fleshy parts
constantly being reminded
what it means to be human
(D. James)
Fire
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 24 April 2007 at 5:18 amSunday
was election day
On my way to vote
I saw a homeless man
build a fire
on the pavement
The flames raged
high and yellow
under the cold
morning sky
I wonder
if it wasn’t
an omen
One for the Old Guy
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 23 April 2007 at 4:49 amfor Mike Blake
Standing in the supermarket
when a pop song
from the mid-eighties
plays over the aisle of canned goods
Memories of an old friend -
long gone – wash over me
Suddenly I find myself
holding back the tears
like the song says
Wondering, where did the years go
Standing there thinking,
“Don’t fucking cry now,
ya pussy”
Just keep holding on
(D. James)
Terror Sutra (or why do we always realize too late that it’s too late?)
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 22 April 2007 at 6:25 amTo Richard Fariña
Monkey-Demon Monkey-Demon
where are you?
Here I am Here I am
right behind you
EL SEBBO PSYCHEDELICO
Days gone by
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 21 April 2007 at 6:01 amThese days
there always seems
something needs doing
A list of tasks
bills
phone calls
e-mails
laundry
shopping
How did I live
my life at twenty?
The only thing
on the list then
was to drink
another beer
smoke another
cigarette
Where oh where
have those languishing
days gone?
(D. James)
A lyrical moment
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 20 April 2007 at 6:46 pmPoetry can happen
at the strangest
of times
This morning
as I was brushing my teeth
I suddenly thought
of this poem
EL SEBBO
The real battle
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 19 April 2007 at 6:59 amIn another country
we swept north
like the hand of god
In Basra we did
door-to-doors
Killed men
at close range
in Baghdad
Left a leg
and most of
one hand
back in Falluja
Now at home
no one seems
to know
how to put us
back together again
All-American,
treated like
Half a person
Did right
by our country
In the end
left with the nagging
question:
Will it do
right by us?
(D. James)
Home
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 18 April 2007 at 11:58 amWe are
in the back
of a taxi
zooming
towards the city
and its
shiny smog
Why do we call
home
something
that isn’t
and is
definitely
trying
to kill us?
Is it
because
we are stupid
or perhaps
because
we have
no other
or simply
because
we need
to call
something
home?
EL SEBBO BACK IN FRANCE
Lost in a reverie
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 17 April 2007 at 4:41 pmLost in a reverie
of a life I never had
Keeping quiet in
a noisy room
I’ve always believed
I knew something
about myself
or life
or people
But when I realize
I know nothing at all
Only then am I
finally set free
(D. James)
Dawn
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 16 April 2007 at 4:57 amI am awakened
by the beautiful song
of the birds in the garden
It is four in the morning
Fucking birds
EL SEBBO
sunshine
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 15 April 2007 at 9:16 amIf the sun don’t shine
I don’t smile
But when the clouds part
the world seems easier to bear
If only I could find
that place in me
where the sun shines
no matter what the weather
(D. James)
Denmark is like America in the Sixties
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 14 April 2007 at 6:32 amLife here
is like America
in the sixties
with money
cars
beautiful girls
happy children
and tons of flags
A perfect vintage
advertisement
without blacks
Vietnam
drugs
and rock’n’roll
I wonder
if they’re
not
missing
something
EL SEBBO
no sense
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 13 April 2007 at 6:32 amtaping on the keys
making something close to sense
or nothing at all
(D. James)
AARHUS
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 12 April 2007 at 7:54 amWalking through the beautiful
green cemetery
overlooking the harbour
I put my steps
into the steps
of my own ghost
It is blue today
and slightly cloudy
EL SEBBO
one way to live
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 11 April 2007 at 9:13 amask many questions
die with a few unanswered
this should be your goal
(D. James)
The awful truth
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 10 April 2007 at 7:44 amToday
I am leaving
for Denmark
I am taking the bus
It will be
a 19 hours
trip
I am 43
years old
I am not
a crazy
beatnik
poet
I
am
broke
EL SEBBO
Life in full
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 9 April 2007 at 5:43 amAt times
life can seem
to pile up on you
Things take over
clutter the way
Events you didn’t
foresee
A rising tide
But still you
stand there
Battered and wet
the tang of salt
in your mouth
This is what
it means to
live in the world
This is how we
face adversity
It is this
or drown
(D.James)
News
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 8 April 2007 at 4:34 amI am wondering
what this homeless man
is reading in the newspaper
Is he trying to keep up
with the insanity of this world
or is he finding reason
through his own insanity?
Or is he simply
reading the newspaper
trying to remember
how it was when
the world was normal
and strangely
missing
the pain?
EL SEBBO
If only it were a movie
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 7 April 2007 at 7:28 amAnd this is not a movie
I remind myself
These memories carried around
in my head
And this is not a movie
these days upon days
night after night
These boredoms
these anxieties
these feelings of fear
But this is not a movie
I keep telling myself
this is my life
Yet I don’t know what
to do with it
This is my life
and this is not a movie
I know
because if it were
who the fuck
would sit through it?
(D. James)
The Siren
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 6 April 2007 at 5:17 amIn the subway this morning
a woman sang so beautifully
it almost made me happy
to go to work
Music can be dangerous
sometimes
EL ULYSSO
1001 nights of the wandering soul
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 5 April 2007 at 8:21 amShe is tall
she is short
she is of medium
height
Her hair is straight
long
curly
cut in a bob
It is brown
black
blond
red
Her eyes are hazel
brown
blue
gray
She smells of jasmine
rose water
Obsession
bubble bath
but never patchouli
She speaks softly
in a loud voice
with a rasp
sounds like
a little girl
Curses like a sailor
is demure
keeps to herself
is the life of the party
She smokes
and drinks
is stone-cold sober
never did a drug
is a junkie
a thief
a liar
virtuous beyond belief
There is a naivete
an intelligence
an arrogance
self-confidence
self-hatred
She is everywhere
you pass her on the street
see her in the cafe
desire her at the end of the bar
And though she
looks like her
and that one like this
In fact they
are like fingerprints
snowflakes
leaves
No one ever
exactly like another
so treat her accordingly
(D. James)
Empirism
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 4 April 2007 at 1:11 pmOne God
One people
Hell on earth
EL SEBBO
Hold the line
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 3 April 2007 at 8:10 amHow much left
is there to go?
Too much time
not enough money
Too much want
not enough desire
Keep the faith
(whatever yours is)
Words can be
used to heal
as much as
to harm
(D. James)
Lao Tzu said
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 2 April 2007 at 6:23 amLike life
TV is
a random poem
full of ads
and beautiful people
Like life
TV
is a wonderful
world of colors
in which
the actors
do not remotely
look like you
and even if
you can
switch it off
it will carry on
without you
So aim your complaints
at life, not TV
EL SEBBO TELEVISUAL
Diner Life
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 1 April 2007 at 7:14 amAlways open
always busy
except that one time
when the pipe burst
water all over
the floor
like life
drained out
Pictures of the
long dead
on the walls
Long haired girls
in the booths
The staff moves
with frenetic grace
And everyone
drinks coffee, black
(D. James)
When we smoked
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 31 March 2007 at 6:06 amWhen we smoked
life was much easier
We had beautiful cars
with supersonic fins
and lipstick red tail-lights
We had flat-roofed houses
with swimming pools
of impeccable blue
and custom-designed wives
that hummed jazz tunes
as they fixed our ties
We drank bright colored cocktails
and wore steam-pressed clothes
watching with a distant eye
the ghettos burn in Panavision
Yes life was easier then
We were already dead
but we didn’t care
EL SEBBO
hands
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 30 March 2007 at 7:59 amHand of love
hand of pain
Who have yours
touched
and how
What’s on them?
Dirt, grime, blood,
the scent of soap
What do they tell
others
Do we know
the truths that
lie in our hands
(D.James)
Things you learn as you grow up
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 29 March 2007 at 5:05 amA poem a day
keeps the women away
EL SEBBO
Poetic Gamble
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 March 2007 at 3:47 amIs there no fixed
meaning in words
Are they merely
like dice,
toss them
Win or lose
(D. James)
Daddy’s big day out
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 27 March 2007 at 5:45 amWent to the book fair
drank with my friends
smoked some
then drank again
Didn’t go home
Didn’t eat dinner
but went straight
to see more friends
play some rock’n'roll
in a club downtown
Finally went home
sweated some
shook some
puked some
and crashed in bed
Awesome
EL SEBBO VIEJO
Clean
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 March 2007 at 4:09 amWater for washing
Water for rain
Where does it
all come from?
And why am
I never able
to stay clean?
(D. James)
And who the fuck are you?
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 25 March 2007 at 9:39 amI
am
the
poet
and
who
the fuck
are
you?
EL SEBBO
hopeful melancholy
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 24 March 2007 at 5:53 amIn a dream
I searched for
myself
and found
nothing
In the rain
I see clearly
the shelter
In life
I see death
as well as
the other
way round
But I have
yet
to find my
way home
(D. James)
I protest
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 23 March 2007 at 6:02 amSome things
can happen
for a reason
but
I proclaim
that
death
never does
EL SEBBO L13-WC
Sing that song you bitch
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 22 March 2007 at 5:49 amA bird sings his song
sounds like a broken whistle
still it brings the sun
(D. James)
Just a thought
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 21 March 2007 at 5:55 amHow come
you can always
remember where
you have bought
your clothes
but not
the exact features
of those you loved
when they were still alive?
EL SEBBO
madeleine
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 20 March 2007 at 8:01 amA trick of
the mind
Memory
Not what’s actually
happened
but what you believe
to be so
Yet it makes
up who you are
or at least
who you think
yourself to be
What has passed,
that which is no more
But lives
in your bones,
shapes your face
and makes you
feel whole
For who would
you be without
memory?
The elusive
unreliable
self-truth
The only record
you have to live
by
Like a taste
of something
you can’t quite
name
(D. James)
A one, a two
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 19 March 2007 at 6:36 amSome people say
that silence
is the poet’s best companion
dividing the invisible
and stressing the thought
Like a familiar
it rests on the shoulder
or makes you coffee
when you come home
Yes they say silence
is the poet’s best friend
wife or mother
Personally I prefer music
EL SEBBO MUSICAL
Scratch
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 18 March 2007 at 9:43 amWords like broken glass
scratch my throat
silence me forever
(D. James)
Silent Night (dream)
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 16 March 2007 at 1:28 amfor red-headed Heather (R.I.P)
Desire is red
while soul is yellow
and heart is black
Silent footsteps
in the clubhouse
Silent screams
at the theater
The dream speaks
of mad, deadly bikers
that you have tamed
Silent death of love
laid at your feet
I am not dangerous enough for you
(D. James)
Bath time
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 15 March 2007 at 6:20 amWatching
my son and my daughter
laugh and splash
in the bathtub
I suddenly realize
that to love
is to accept
mortality
EL SEBBO
Burnt
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 14 March 2007 at 1:15 amWords like fire
burn bright
for the moment
Then eventually
die out
like passions
of young
lovers
And the rebel
too
(D. James)
There is no glue for a poem
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 13 March 2007 at 6:36 amThis haiku
broke
like a cup
EL SEBBO
You can’t go there
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 12 March 2007 at 4:01 amAll this time spent
looking for light
in the darkness
Groping, stumbling
looking for something
in nothing
Trying so hard to
find a meaning
Yet denying
true substance
Go back
Go back
Go back
To where you know
to what you were
But you can’t
because that doesn’t
exist any longer
Perhaps it
never did
(D. James)
Cheap Valentine
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 11 March 2007 at 10:37 amMy love
take this flower
especially written for you
It doesn’t need water
and it will never lose its petals
you can give it any color you want
fragrance thorns anything
and if I should die before you
you can choose to burn it
erase it crumple it
or simply put in on
your refrigerator door
under a heart-shaped magnet
EL SEBBO ROMANTICO
Dreaming of a long, long, remarkable life
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 10 March 2007 at 9:25 amI’ve spent countless
nights without sleep
just to be awake
when the sun rose
Climbed a thousand
steps to stand
over the city
and watch its
lights shimmer
in twilight
Sometimes lost
and wounded
Others found
and made whole
All this
and I’m only
half-way
home
(D. James)
Looking for things in the sky
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 9 March 2007 at 11:12 am“Daddy, look!”
My son points
at the thin white stripe
of an airplane
plowing the sky
and I tell myself
that for him
this is only
the beginning
of long years
of wondering
what blue
really means
EL SEBBO
QnoA
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 8 March 2007 at 8:33 amEach day
new questions
Are we here
simply to ask
them?
Do they have
definitive answers?
“When will
I die?”
“How should
I live?”
“Why is Hell
easier to find
than Heaven?”
Will these questions
drive us or
drive us crazy?
“Could you even
call this a poem?”
Should this be
the end or
have I already
gone too far?
(D. James)
Tips not included
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 7 March 2007 at 6:24 amIn this restaurant
no one ever leaves the table
The glasses are always half-full
and the food randomly prepared
Everyone’s a waiter
yet everyone is served
This restaurant never closes
and nobody can remember
when it first opened
No one knows if it’s heaven
or if it’s hell
but it certainly is
the center
of every conversation
EL SEBBO
Stasis
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 6 March 2007 at 8:24 amIn a quandary
a bind
Can’t keep it straight
in my mind
Want to kick
to throw
break
Something
anything
nothing at all
Scream my throat
raw
Create something
out of this destructive
compulsive
Fucked up
state of mind
(D. James)
What does it mean when they say that?
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 4 March 2007 at 6:32 amSurrounded by feelings
like small scraps
of paper
Tiny notes
to myself
of what’s been
and where I’m at
Scatter them with
a rush of breath
Or light a match
and watch them
burn
(D.James)
Femme
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 2 March 2007 at 7:44 amThat I will
never understand
The depths of
emotional complexity
Thoughts tied
to feelings in ways
I cannot fathom
This, my fate,
to be near
yet far
To hear
but not see
Though at least
I know this
and do not foolishly
Think I know
much more
(D. James)
Wind
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 28 February 2007 at 3:37 amReminds me
of vast spaces
The pain and beauty
of isolation
Trees grown
on angles
of endurance
Taut cables
straining to stay
in line
It’s sound,
that constant voice
of desolation
Can you hear
it now?
(D. James)
Wreckage
In art, d. james, literature, poem, poetry, writing on 26 February 2007 at 8:22 amWe said so much
to each other
about the other
Yet never bothered to
listen
to one another
So now we don’t speak
at least not to each other
but perhaps, occasionally
about the other
I know I do
I’m doing it now
What about you?
(D. James)
3:23 AM
In art, literature, poem, poetry, seb, writing on 25 February 2007 at 9:38 amWhen in bed
I turn my back
to my wife
my kids
everything
and I stare
into the void
until I feel
vulnerable
confused
abandoned
Then
I know
that in my life
I have made
all
the right choices
EL SEBBO
Meaning
In art, d. james, poem, poetry on 24 February 2007 at 6:21 amIf I lay my thoughts out
one after the other
in a straight line
Pick each sentence apart
word by word
Then break those apart
each letter separate, alone
They would scatter
in the wind
And mean nothing at all
(D. James)
Home blues
In art, poem, poetry, seb on 23 February 2007 at 9:38 amSurrounded by laughing children
I watch a distant TV
while my mother
cooks a familiar meal
Nothing here is unknown to me
yet many questions remain
such as the weather tomorrow
and why are our bones so white
EL SEBBO
The Sweet Taste of Self-Pity
In art, d. james, poem, poetry on 22 February 2007 at 10:05 pmWho got my self-confidence?
I walk around nervous
and afraid
Wondering, who got my self-confidence?
Whatever was alllotted me was misplaced
or simply walked away
I look around at this one and that
Maybe he got it, or she
shit, somebody must have got more than me
Check your pockets
dig deep and tell me if you’ve got any, really
Because I’m curious
was I short changed, or do we all feel this way?
I used to get mine out of a bottle
Now I don’t know
Maybe I never had any
Who got my self-confidence?
or his?
or hers?
Who got my self-confidence?
or yours?
or anybodys?
Maybe I’ll ask on the subway
“Excuse me, does anybody have some self-confidence to spare?”
“Excuse me, has anyone seen my self-confidence today?”
D. James
