Poems

Scarecrow

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I’m not so much
a man
as a scarecrow
set out in the wild
to attract humans

gregarious
comfort

maybe more
a duck decoy
set out to float
by a lazy hunter
come along now, I’m waiting.

© 8/14/2010 Andrew Swanson

Musings Poems

fertile soil

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sometimes I think I’d prefer to have been sprouted and allowed to grow

isolated

receiving water from rain and light from sun until my leaves flourish green
and blooms prosper for bees…

rest

…fruit weight on my branches feeds the feather of birds and fur of squirrels

rest

whenever I might die I would be content.

© 8/14/2010 Andrew Swanson

Poems

Clay Pot

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One giant clay pot
can hold a garden
bloom fecund
designed in glory
to look
established
well grown
as if
it were a model of gardening skill
and bounty
until one day
the respondent gardener
in her truck arrives
and removes
the giant clay pot
with flowers slightly wilting
and replaces it
quietly
with replicate perfection.

————————

Middle aged flowers
with a slight wilt
are sent away to fade alone.

© 8/14/2010 Andy Swanson

haiku Poems

Hero Haiku

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Since when do I tire
of the turmoils our heroes
suffer day in, out

Heroes, they prevail
against insurmountable
odds, once, twice, three times

——————————
louse

The marvel louse. Was
Miss taken for a story,
a boat, boy and sea?

——————————-
counting

one two three for five
six seven eight nine ten e
leven twelve thirteen

teen thir twelve ven le
e ten nine eight ven sev six
five four three two one

© 8/13/2010 Andrew Swanson

Musings Poems

Popcorn

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She stopped wearing black
ages
all the white flecks
dandruff or not, they were everywhere

———————

Many obsessions filled his mind.
ramshackle
peanuts on the floor
white packing peanuts
spread thin on the floor of his
third story apartment
many broken down to fine bits.

There are THose
and we all know THem
that announce THeir presence
E VER
Y
time THey descend on a room.
THeir footsteps pound
THeir voice booms
door slams
it is THeir way.
We all know THem.

and there are those
living on tip toes
that don’t want to be
seen – visible – known
and discreetly they move
through life.
You’d never know
or care or be concerned or wonder
because they may as well not be there.

And so he has spread
white packing popcorn on his floor so that when,
when he walks barefoot – stealthily
the woman downstairs will not hear the slightest thing.
You’d never know.

© 8/13/2010 Andrew Swanson

Musings Poems

Oz is everywhere

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On what I thought was a whim, I picked up The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the library the other day… and read it. A very good read. It’s more subtle than the movie, methinks.

As I read it I realized I like silver shoes better then ruby slippers.
I recognized my initial fondness for trees that reach out and grab things (LOTR) and talking lions (Narnia).
I like flying monkeys and magical hats.
I like that the Tin Woodman is not above decapitating things. Lots of things.

and maybe this was all out there before… but by golly Wizard of Oz stuff is everywhere. A new graphic novel at Borders… the header on Google… quotes quotes quotes… can’t turn around without some comment or other…. though most are admittedly from the movie and not the book. Go with the book.

I’m not so sure my whim to pick up the book was really a whim. I think I was subliminally influenced.  Will I land in Oz soon?

————————followed by a rambling poem———

It’s coming for me,
this time, place.
I can feel the future.
It’s positive force is malleable.
Time is near palpable.
Destination is a step away,
but I know not
what.
I know not
how soon.
Meantime I can only sit
like a monkey
waiting for someone to don that golden cap.