This Poem is About Donald Trump
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord”
Yet my knees don’t quiver and I refuse to bend
A sign of respect is something heroes are worthy of
But you are far from one

Have you been caught in your own web?
No one is going to help you down this time
You have cried wolf but you’re only a man
And men are supposed to be able to handle themselves

Support you as Messiah
Come to take back what is ours
But that last time I checked
The word “our” wasn’t an exclusive few

Hang your head low you slithering old fool
I see what you really are

The Happiness You Bring Me Is Immeasurable But I Am Still So Sad
The happiness you bring me is immeasurable, but I am still so sad
You’re not the cause, but this conversation became a catalyst
When you told me about all the ways you care

Terrified, my hands trembling and my breath short
I look you in the eyes and this moment is a thousand moments
Your gentile eyes, perfect hair, soft smile of love

Mutual feelings, a kiss, and holding hands ensue – I feel the same
But I won’t let you know, however long we’re together
Exactly how hard it was for me to say those words

The Ghosts of Downer Avenue Haunt Me On A Regular Basis
Late Sunday mornings we’d walk for coffee and tea
And I’d plead to go to Stone Creek over Seattle

Coffee became brunch more often than not.
We always seemed to order the same thing

On the way back to my apartment we’d stop in Boswell Books
For the New Yorker and the Shepard Express

Days end when we’d return and lazy Sunday’s took over
At least they used to

This is my new normal

My Sunday mornings are now spent at my window
Smoking jazz cigarettes while listening to Nina Simone

From the chair at my window I simply watch and observe.
The ghosts of Downer Avenue haunt me on a regular basis

And I listen to Mark speak of middle age and pain
So I know I’m not alone in this world

A Devastating Crucial Heartbreak on I-94
I really should’ve seen this coming
It was pretty obvious all along
And now my ears are ringing
To another Pixies song

I don’t mean to intrude
My heart won’t stop racing
I hope it’s not rude
My incessant pestering

A Moment with Kurt
Freedom isn’t the right word for what I feel
Vonnegut said it best as he came out of the Slaughterhouse

What is this noiseless bliss?
How long has it been quiet?

The weight of the world is off my shoulders
And I am a feather in the sunset’s wind

My joints ache as I am covered with cuts and bruises
Each step is a struggle and my breath is quick

Sweat drenches my hair as my first tears fall
But they are tears of joy

I am free!

21st Century Salesman
I am the new traveling salesman
Living out of hotel rooms
Smelling of cheap wine,
Airports, and lost luggage

I live out of a suitcase
And never bother unpacking.
If you’re here today and gone tomorrow,
Then what’s the point?

I am a lonely man with no home
A nomad of the modern times
Here working to make money
That I’ll never have a chance to spend

Regretful October Sky
I didn’t expect to see you when I did in early October
It had been a cold day, and I wore a jacket

Some time had gone since we had talked
But our exchange was nice, even if it was brief

How you shone in my memory that day
My mind could not focus on anything else

I walked the streets later that night
And contemplated looking for you

But that was then
And we are Araby