Thoughts while in Vegas...
A canal on the 2nd level?
This place is huge!
No coffee in the room?
Does anyone ever sleep?
This food is SO good!
It's a Monday, why aren't they all at work?
Circ de who? (later) AWESOME!
I don't want your frickin pamphlet!
A permanent sign saying "1/2 off-today only!"...right
How do I get back to my room?
"Let's go down towm!"..."Let's go back to the Strip!"
6AM Tuesday morning flights suck.
I want to go back! (as heard from an airplane window)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Homecoming
This Poem was written from the perspective of the nervous guy you see hugging the wall at the dance.
My heart beat next to yours
Felt so loud, and fast
The ringing in my ears
As you passed
My sweaty Palms
And fumbling tongue turn cold
As you walk by and
I’m not bold
My Nerve is stronger
But as you look,
I turn my head
Into my stupid book.
My anger rises and
My face is flushed
You walked right by
I just blushed
The Dance was coming
My confidence rose
You rounded the corner
I froze.
I coughed loudly
As you went by
You didn’t acknowledge
I started to cry.
I walked home slowly
Head hung low
I was on the Dance’s
Stag death row
The Dance came and went
But I didn’t go
I found out from a friend
You would have said no.
In the hall that week
As you passed by my side
I didn’t flinch
But I did hurt my pride.
I live in a closet
Nice and closed in
Never exposed to
The negative sin.
But my soul has withered
and grown very small
My Psyche closed
into a bare little ball
And because I never took a chance,
I never learned to dance.
john r clark 6-24-92
My heart beat next to yours
Felt so loud, and fast
The ringing in my ears
As you passed
My sweaty Palms
And fumbling tongue turn cold
As you walk by and
I’m not bold
My Nerve is stronger
But as you look,
I turn my head
Into my stupid book.
My anger rises and
My face is flushed
You walked right by
I just blushed
The Dance was coming
My confidence rose
You rounded the corner
I froze.
I coughed loudly
As you went by
You didn’t acknowledge
I started to cry.
I walked home slowly
Head hung low
I was on the Dance’s
Stag death row
The Dance came and went
But I didn’t go
I found out from a friend
You would have said no.
In the hall that week
As you passed by my side
I didn’t flinch
But I did hurt my pride.
I live in a closet
Nice and closed in
Never exposed to
The negative sin.
But my soul has withered
and grown very small
My Psyche closed
into a bare little ball
And because I never took a chance,
I never learned to dance.
john r clark 6-24-92
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Library Ballad-Jackie’s Discovery
Tis a tale of wonder and joy that’s to follow
Though’t may be hard for some readers t’ swallow
Tis about a boy who made a wondrous discovery.
He had a name a bit musical flowery, clovery
Just a bit o’ the Boy b‘fore we begin.
He w’s a good lad with much varied kin.
His names were attached at beginning and end.
Where his folks chose to place them, was just up to them.
Well what w’s his name?
Twas a bright sight to see.
He callt himself simply
Jackie McDoole Chin Miller Nagasaki Smith Gonzalez Gelecovski
Now this w’s a boy not so diffrent as you
Who ‘ad imagination tis true
He wondrd ‘of most of the things all ‘bout
So studeyed them throo and throo
His travels were Jackie-long but short & small of step
For his gait was only a two foot or so though his walk be full of vigor and pep.
He wandrd local hills and studeyed the trunks of trees
He studeyed dogs and cats, (and therefore studeyed fleas)
He road his byke to the mall and studeyed people at the store
And He went down to the park and watcht the people more.
One evening Jackie gazd intently up at the stars.
He Couldn’t find Jupiter, and ne’er found Mars
He didn’t ‘ave a book at home So his eyes just roamd,
his eyes just roamd. Ne’er finding Mars.
At last He could walk no further, bike no faster-He’d seen all that he could see.
He return’t to the same old trees and dogs and cats, (and therefore revisit’d fleas)
All the people he’d already seen, and those stars seem’d very remote.
He’d seen his small world, through and through. So…he
became bored.
and more than sad.
so he lowert his head,
walkt to his home
turnt on the tv,
not removing his coat.
And watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht
and fell asleep.
A terrible dream! A terrible dream!
Jackie woke up with an ‘orrible scream.
He’d been huntd and chasd by the Fear of Unknown
A large gurgly Maw with teeth overgrown
It chased him and chided and teased his small brain,
and caused anguish and pain again and again!
Embarrass’t, and sham’d of his lazy existence,
His face scrunch’t up with twisted persistence.
Jackie crawld into his hole in retreat.
He crawlt in his hole In first were his feet
“HOW DO I GET OUT?”
He yelt with a shout.
He startd to pout.
And Jackie awoke.
The tv was blaring it-sounded too loud.
The sofa was sunk’n and the pillows were flat.
No thickr than a thin exercise mat.
So he layd them about in such an array,
And exercised for his very first day.
His intentions were good, but his knowledge was poor,
And b’fore too long he was nothing but sore.
Where could he learn how to exercise right
So he wouldn’t ‘ave pains all through the night?
Where could he go t’gain some insight?
He askt his teacher, his parents and even his friends.
“Do you ‘ave secret knowledge toward my ends?”
“The Library may ‘ave what you seek”
said his teacher Mrs. Galloweek.
She gave him instruction on how to get there.
He was elated, it was actually near.
Not two hundrd steps from his favorite park.
Why ‘adn’t he seen it when he was studying bark?
But this boy of ours he wasn’t so brave
That building it lookt like a dark deep cave
Full of danger and also the creepy unknown
Would he ever come out if he went in there alone?
He approacht the place slowly and meekly and scared
The sliding door opent and greatr he feard
It hisst like a snake that just came awake
He started to shake, it’s all he could take!
Up the ramp to his doom he said to himself
But then he walkt in and saw the first shelf.
And then more beyond, beyond a clear door,
He saw large heavy structures from ceiling t’ floor.
There were books upon books, and stacks upon stacks.
All fillt with stories, and riddles and facts.
Opinions and polls, and fairies and elves.
All orderd neatly on hundrds of shelves.
The lights o’erhead and the carpet b’low
And tables and desks row after row
This Fillt Jackie’s head with ‘more- than- enough’
His mind went numb, this would be tough!
How could he find an exercise book?
He’d spend five hours with hardly a look
At the books and the knowledge they all contain’d
It was chaos and mystical legerdemain.
He yelpt. And gaspt. And screamt at last.
He fell to his knees this was too much.
He tried to stand but needed a crutch.
His head it was light
And his legs they were wobbling
As he read a near title “The Art of Great Cobbling”
What was this cobbling? Why did he care,
He wanted an exercise book right then and there!
A worker came over to help him sit down.
She whisperd “We need to be quiet here, Why the sad frown?”
“I ‘ad a dream of exercise
but THIS is a curse, not a big prize
I’ll spend more time than I ‘ave each day
Just looking for how to stretch the right way”
She gigglt and smilt so he wouldn’t get madder
“Perhaps I can help you so you don’t become sadder”
“Our books are arrang’d by number and letter
Once you know the code, you’ll find them much better.”
If your interest is in the mind and how we think and act
Go to the ones to get some views and facts.
If you wish to learn about religious points of view
Visit the twos and that should surely do.
Now if general education is what you want to learn about
Walk to the threes you’ll learn without a doubt
To speak another language or simply learn some other words
Travel to the fours and find some words you ‘aven’t heard.
For the Natural Sciences you may hold dear
Skip to the fives they’re really quite near
And for hobbies and gadgets and gizmos and pets
Go to the sixes, you’ll ‘ave no regrets.
The sevens are best when you wish to see art
And music and photographs that’ll wrench at your heart
To grab a great book written long, long ago,
Visit the eights and watch your mind grow.
To find out about Yemen or Japan or Peru
Jump to the nines and they’ll surely serve you.
Or search on the computer if you know the title
or author or subject but ‘tis simply not vital.
If all you wish is to read and peruse
The Library is yours. ‘tis yours to use.
Jackie with wide eyes and new found direction
With a very soft voice and quiv’ring inflection
Askt for her help in finding Mars
and Jupiter And not a few stars
And then he found books on exercise
(But he passt on the one “Shrinking Your Thighs”)
And on his way out, his legs still a’wobbling.
He pick’t up that book “The Art of Great Cobbling”
“Just return them to me or the return cart with care
So when the next patron wants them, they’ll be ready and there.”
You’ll need a library card to allow you to borrow
‘tis quite simple so get it today not tomorrow.
She askt him his name to provide his new card
“Fill out the paper, ‘tis not very hard”
When he hemmd and he hawd and delayd not a little
With consternation on his brow and his lip full of spittle
And sweat running profusely down poor Jackie’s head
And his cheeks turning every shade of pink and bright red
The clerk lookt at him softly and askt “Can I help?”
He sadly cried with his quiet soft yelp
“My name doesn’t fit! I can’t get a book!
I’ll ‘ave to return all these books that I took!
“You’ll do no such thing, Let’s just ‘ave a see.
What is your full name?”
“Jackie McDoole Chin Miller Nagasaki Smith Gonzalez Gelecovski”
Her jaw dropt a little, her eyes became wide
But she was determin’d to help this boy at her side.
She said “We may ‘ave to adjust it a bit, ‘tis just for our computer
It won’t hurt you one bit.
She finaglt and fought with each stubborn letter
In hopes of making a nice name that fit better
On a library card that ‘ad limited space
A shorter name that would still be held in high place
And finally she did it
She did it you’ll see
She adjusted the card to
“J. McChilnasmilezski”
So Jackie discover’d either his name was too long
Or the library computer was just way too small.
So he started a fund for a bigger computer
It wasn’t his name that was wrong after all.
Copyright 2008 John Reed Clark July 17th, 2008
Though’t may be hard for some readers t’ swallow
Tis about a boy who made a wondrous discovery.
He had a name a bit musical flowery, clovery
Just a bit o’ the Boy b‘fore we begin.
He w’s a good lad with much varied kin.
His names were attached at beginning and end.
Where his folks chose to place them, was just up to them.
Well what w’s his name?
Twas a bright sight to see.
He callt himself simply
Jackie McDoole Chin Miller Nagasaki Smith Gonzalez Gelecovski
Now this w’s a boy not so diffrent as you
Who ‘ad imagination tis true
He wondrd ‘of most of the things all ‘bout
So studeyed them throo and throo
His travels were Jackie-long but short & small of step
For his gait was only a two foot or so though his walk be full of vigor and pep.
He wandrd local hills and studeyed the trunks of trees
He studeyed dogs and cats, (and therefore studeyed fleas)
He road his byke to the mall and studeyed people at the store
And He went down to the park and watcht the people more.
One evening Jackie gazd intently up at the stars.
He Couldn’t find Jupiter, and ne’er found Mars
He didn’t ‘ave a book at home So his eyes just roamd,
his eyes just roamd. Ne’er finding Mars.
At last He could walk no further, bike no faster-He’d seen all that he could see.
He return’t to the same old trees and dogs and cats, (and therefore revisit’d fleas)
All the people he’d already seen, and those stars seem’d very remote.
He’d seen his small world, through and through. So…he
became bored.
and more than sad.
so he lowert his head,
walkt to his home
turnt on the tv,
not removing his coat.
And watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht…
and watcht
and fell asleep.
A terrible dream! A terrible dream!
Jackie woke up with an ‘orrible scream.
He’d been huntd and chasd by the Fear of Unknown
A large gurgly Maw with teeth overgrown
It chased him and chided and teased his small brain,
and caused anguish and pain again and again!
Embarrass’t, and sham’d of his lazy existence,
His face scrunch’t up with twisted persistence.
Jackie crawld into his hole in retreat.
He crawlt in his hole In first were his feet
“HOW DO I GET OUT?”
He yelt with a shout.
He startd to pout.
And Jackie awoke.
The tv was blaring it-sounded too loud.
The sofa was sunk’n and the pillows were flat.
No thickr than a thin exercise mat.
So he layd them about in such an array,
And exercised for his very first day.
His intentions were good, but his knowledge was poor,
And b’fore too long he was nothing but sore.
Where could he learn how to exercise right
So he wouldn’t ‘ave pains all through the night?
Where could he go t’gain some insight?
He askt his teacher, his parents and even his friends.
“Do you ‘ave secret knowledge toward my ends?”
“The Library may ‘ave what you seek”
said his teacher Mrs. Galloweek.
She gave him instruction on how to get there.
He was elated, it was actually near.
Not two hundrd steps from his favorite park.
Why ‘adn’t he seen it when he was studying bark?
But this boy of ours he wasn’t so brave
That building it lookt like a dark deep cave
Full of danger and also the creepy unknown
Would he ever come out if he went in there alone?
He approacht the place slowly and meekly and scared
The sliding door opent and greatr he feard
It hisst like a snake that just came awake
He started to shake, it’s all he could take!
Up the ramp to his doom he said to himself
But then he walkt in and saw the first shelf.
And then more beyond, beyond a clear door,
He saw large heavy structures from ceiling t’ floor.
There were books upon books, and stacks upon stacks.
All fillt with stories, and riddles and facts.
Opinions and polls, and fairies and elves.
All orderd neatly on hundrds of shelves.
The lights o’erhead and the carpet b’low
And tables and desks row after row
This Fillt Jackie’s head with ‘more- than- enough’
His mind went numb, this would be tough!
How could he find an exercise book?
He’d spend five hours with hardly a look
At the books and the knowledge they all contain’d
It was chaos and mystical legerdemain.
He yelpt. And gaspt. And screamt at last.
He fell to his knees this was too much.
He tried to stand but needed a crutch.
His head it was light
And his legs they were wobbling
As he read a near title “The Art of Great Cobbling”
What was this cobbling? Why did he care,
He wanted an exercise book right then and there!
A worker came over to help him sit down.
She whisperd “We need to be quiet here, Why the sad frown?”
“I ‘ad a dream of exercise
but THIS is a curse, not a big prize
I’ll spend more time than I ‘ave each day
Just looking for how to stretch the right way”
She gigglt and smilt so he wouldn’t get madder
“Perhaps I can help you so you don’t become sadder”
“Our books are arrang’d by number and letter
Once you know the code, you’ll find them much better.”
If your interest is in the mind and how we think and act
Go to the ones to get some views and facts.
If you wish to learn about religious points of view
Visit the twos and that should surely do.
Now if general education is what you want to learn about
Walk to the threes you’ll learn without a doubt
To speak another language or simply learn some other words
Travel to the fours and find some words you ‘aven’t heard.
For the Natural Sciences you may hold dear
Skip to the fives they’re really quite near
And for hobbies and gadgets and gizmos and pets
Go to the sixes, you’ll ‘ave no regrets.
The sevens are best when you wish to see art
And music and photographs that’ll wrench at your heart
To grab a great book written long, long ago,
Visit the eights and watch your mind grow.
To find out about Yemen or Japan or Peru
Jump to the nines and they’ll surely serve you.
Or search on the computer if you know the title
or author or subject but ‘tis simply not vital.
If all you wish is to read and peruse
The Library is yours. ‘tis yours to use.
Jackie with wide eyes and new found direction
With a very soft voice and quiv’ring inflection
Askt for her help in finding Mars
and Jupiter And not a few stars
And then he found books on exercise
(But he passt on the one “Shrinking Your Thighs”)
And on his way out, his legs still a’wobbling.
He pick’t up that book “The Art of Great Cobbling”
“Just return them to me or the return cart with care
So when the next patron wants them, they’ll be ready and there.”
You’ll need a library card to allow you to borrow
‘tis quite simple so get it today not tomorrow.
She askt him his name to provide his new card
“Fill out the paper, ‘tis not very hard”
When he hemmd and he hawd and delayd not a little
With consternation on his brow and his lip full of spittle
And sweat running profusely down poor Jackie’s head
And his cheeks turning every shade of pink and bright red
The clerk lookt at him softly and askt “Can I help?”
He sadly cried with his quiet soft yelp
“My name doesn’t fit! I can’t get a book!
I’ll ‘ave to return all these books that I took!
“You’ll do no such thing, Let’s just ‘ave a see.
What is your full name?”
“Jackie McDoole Chin Miller Nagasaki Smith Gonzalez Gelecovski”
Her jaw dropt a little, her eyes became wide
But she was determin’d to help this boy at her side.
She said “We may ‘ave to adjust it a bit, ‘tis just for our computer
It won’t hurt you one bit.
She finaglt and fought with each stubborn letter
In hopes of making a nice name that fit better
On a library card that ‘ad limited space
A shorter name that would still be held in high place
And finally she did it
She did it you’ll see
She adjusted the card to
“J. McChilnasmilezski”
So Jackie discover’d either his name was too long
Or the library computer was just way too small.
So he started a fund for a bigger computer
It wasn’t his name that was wrong after all.
Copyright 2008 John Reed Clark July 17th, 2008
Sunday, January 3, 2010
…they did exist.
Even now, if one scryes the land, their tracks and fossils can be found. They left clues, clues that some were giant, and others were small. Some flew, others swam, most moved along the ground as fast as life.
Long removed from our beats, young one, they wandered the open lands. And the jungles. And the seas. Always, they wandered. Searching for hope, but finding sorrow in the Great Death.
Without them, we would find our perspective lacking, and perhaps assume we would last forever.
We would trap ourselves in the cycle of death, always striving for law, succumbing to sin.
Keep your faith in the cycle of life. Do not cross those tracks-ever. Stay close to home, my sweet. And remember my broodling, as you forage the under river, never forget the folly called man.
jrc 5/22/02
Long removed from our beats, young one, they wandered the open lands. And the jungles. And the seas. Always, they wandered. Searching for hope, but finding sorrow in the Great Death.
Without them, we would find our perspective lacking, and perhaps assume we would last forever.
We would trap ourselves in the cycle of death, always striving for law, succumbing to sin.
Keep your faith in the cycle of life. Do not cross those tracks-ever. Stay close to home, my sweet. And remember my broodling, as you forage the under river, never forget the folly called man.
jrc 5/22/02
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Insight of Dreams
Caressing my frontal lobe slowly probing,nudging
Whispering thoughts to the fore
Seeping slowly, thoughts-profound
Hints of genious peeking from grey matter...
-Distraction-
Scares them away
Leaving only an after-taste, a hint, wispy like
The memory of a rose's smell.
Gently retreating emotive thought carrying with it,
The insight of dreams.
John Reed Clark 8-22-94
Whispering thoughts to the fore
Seeping slowly, thoughts-profound
Hints of genious peeking from grey matter...
-Distraction-
Scares them away
Leaving only an after-taste, a hint, wispy like
The memory of a rose's smell.
Gently retreating emotive thought carrying with it,
The insight of dreams.
John Reed Clark 8-22-94
Friday, December 11, 2009
My Painter
The canvas came alive-more and more
Stroke after stroke
The illiterate girl, with no voice smiled
as she painted.
Dab of Brilliant yellow on a summer hat
Touch of coffee brown on his shoes
The picture moved of its own accord
And my girl with no voice, smiled.
The picture’s couple was hand in hand
Smiles on them both.
The painter coyly accepted my praise.
The scene developed more-the background came to fore
The river was their handrail as love consumed them.
Off in the distance a bridge, large and
graceful, spanned the gentle river.
And upon the pine green bench were two birds, leaning close
The woman in the painting was
Looking at them, still smiling that smile
Of satisfied love.
And the man, with his coffee brown shoes
Held the same smile, also gazing at the birds.
The girl, my painter, cleaned her brush
And this time caressed the sky
With subtle blues, whites, tinges of grey
And a splash of lavender all beautiful and in harmony.
My hand on her shoulder as she
moved the brush, feeling the strength, the will in her warm body.
As my Illiterate silent genious
Stared at me, I noted the smile, it was
The same as that in the picture.
We met, our lips, our bodies, our souls.
When the conscious mind was again mine to control
I looked around, and smiled.
She was with me hand in hand
As we looked at the birds and the
River. The sky was an incredible lavender, blue, and white.
I felt a tickling at my feet, and
Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed
A large paint brush coloring my shoes, a
Coffee brown.
john reed clark 9/9/92
Stroke after stroke
The illiterate girl, with no voice smiled
as she painted.
Dab of Brilliant yellow on a summer hat
Touch of coffee brown on his shoes
The picture moved of its own accord
And my girl with no voice, smiled.
The picture’s couple was hand in hand
Smiles on them both.
The painter coyly accepted my praise.
The scene developed more-the background came to fore
The river was their handrail as love consumed them.
Off in the distance a bridge, large and
graceful, spanned the gentle river.
And upon the pine green bench were two birds, leaning close
The woman in the painting was
Looking at them, still smiling that smile
Of satisfied love.
And the man, with his coffee brown shoes
Held the same smile, also gazing at the birds.
The girl, my painter, cleaned her brush
And this time caressed the sky
With subtle blues, whites, tinges of grey
And a splash of lavender all beautiful and in harmony.
My hand on her shoulder as she
moved the brush, feeling the strength, the will in her warm body.
As my Illiterate silent genious
Stared at me, I noted the smile, it was
The same as that in the picture.
We met, our lips, our bodies, our souls.
When the conscious mind was again mine to control
I looked around, and smiled.
She was with me hand in hand
As we looked at the birds and the
River. The sky was an incredible lavender, blue, and white.
I felt a tickling at my feet, and
Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed
A large paint brush coloring my shoes, a
Coffee brown.
john reed clark 9/9/92
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Cross To Bear
Wallow hatchling
Continue, flap your featherless wings
Attempt to soar
But falter too busy-
Watching your siblings-coward
Watching them
Judging them
Attacking them
Contempt and envy your only caw.
Too busy-to
Walk across the street
Can’t even imagine what it looks like
Let alone ask-why?
Clutch mates are urged on-by you!
Only to flatten on pavement
As you snicker-breathing exhaust.
You-proud; with shallow victory,
Still haven’t got a clue
Why they tried to cross the road.
jrc 5-6-96
edited 12-08-2009
Continue, flap your featherless wings
Attempt to soar
But falter too busy-
Watching your siblings-coward
Watching them
Judging them
Attacking them
Contempt and envy your only caw.
Too busy-to
Walk across the street
Can’t even imagine what it looks like
Let alone ask-why?
Clutch mates are urged on-by you!
Only to flatten on pavement
As you snicker-breathing exhaust.
You-proud; with shallow victory,
Still haven’t got a clue
Why they tried to cross the road.
jrc 5-6-96
edited 12-08-2009
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