dealing with demons

the demon
rattles the gates
with impunity
throws curses
and wicked taunts

I bristle
look down
for garden rocks
to fire back
dreaming of lacing one
right off his mocking face

    pause...

my Algonquin elder friend
said: "that is an energy, a dark energy,
that you don't want to mess with."

my Muslim friends say: "ignore that jinn
don't whisper its name".

my Pastor says: "pray"

I drop rocks
pick up my rake
work back
up the path

songs

those songs
the ones that make you raise your hands
wishing you had a sunroof
  glory

those songs
that make you crank the dial
van doors bouncing
with booming bass

those songs
you play over and over again
singing, crying, loving every chord

stocking the pond

clear plastic bag
swirling full
of 41 cent fish
flow
into the garden pond

novice monks run
looking deep
for the gold glints
and silver fin flicks

the tired monk
watches the smiles

b string lament

b string is slipping
too many high end bends
and butterfly vibratos

tune it up tight
strum out those familiar chords
capo down to reach those notes

singing
but the song is empty
without you

solo kitchen party

clicking around
getting deep
into that sweet part
of youtube
tweak the speakers up

pull out my guitar
join in
hammering out
big happy chords

full voice singing
foot stomps the floor
imagining a ragged bass
or Tom's old plank

singing voice soaring out
over the dinner dishes



These are some of the key songs for reference:

https://youtu.be/b-aqQCcWEDM

https://youtu.be/u1XMhdAGDgc

https://youtu.be/GbSKyiSFfYs

I'm pretty addicted to Shovels and Rope at the moment.  

parking lot tears

parking lot tears fall
catch 'em quick
dry each one

no red eyes here
allergies
 allergies I'll say

a heading south poem

six hours straight
up in the cab
quick nap
stretched out
on the bench seat

back on the dawn road
quick waves, nods,
tip of the trucker's hat
merge right
into the first light convoy