Generator

A generator generates.
Generating good, as easy as
generating bad.
Generating nothing, as easy as
generating something.
Stop.
Generating something generates more,
could be angst,
could be joy,
could also alienate or leave people desiring more.

While generators generate gestures,
an audience concurrently generates opinions.
A good generator generating bad gestures, 
still a good generator?
A bad generator generating good gestures, 
still a bad generator?
Stop.
Generations of generators will keep generating.
Generate what you are today,
for tomorrow you will be someone more.

.

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- mailed to Idaho this week - 
- artwork by Ellsworth Kelly - 

Green Phone

The green phone is waiting
it is patient
too old to ring
a generous communicator
with no eyes
only ears and mouth
and no chance to feel
But the green phone is purposeful
heavy where it needs to be
narrow in its tone
a grand tool to communicate
     in its day
today the green phone peers-out
too slow to talk
yet remembers how useful its life was
the green phone did one thing
     just fine enough
I may wish to be the green phone

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- mailed to California -
- artwork by Pablo Picasso -

Not In Theory

Art and entertainment have a relationship
ripe with strife

Art is entertainment. Entertainment is art.
this mess is a thing to bless

Entertainment may mandate popularity
believable or inconceivable

And art may prefer a depth
encouraging discussions with many repercussions

We see these generalities destroyed
by those who speak power, first softly softer then louder

It is plain and clear that art may entertain.
or not, an artist's choice to fire their best shot

And entertainment may most certainly be rooted in art.
not necessarily, but there's always a possibility

Now replace art and entertainment with female and male.
finally finally perform gender equality, not in theory but in honesty

.

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- mailed to Oregon this week - 
- artwork by Stik - 

I Can't Wait To Go To Bed

I lie
on my back
in bed
in semi-blackness.
Anticipation stirs inside.
A determined sleep-wave
overtakes the eyelids.
All goes dark.

Later
lights go on, off.
Drawers open, close.
Closet doors swing, skate.
I sense the balancing act
of removing clothes, quietly.
Through doorways, construction sounds radiate;
electric brushes and hoses efficiently cleaning, teeth.

I know
you will slip-in soon.
I will then half-wake
during your nighttime routine, or not.
While consciousness fades in, out,
a comfort permeates me
with the expectant arrival
of your warmth.

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- mailed to Washington -
- artwork by Ibrahim El-Salahi -
 

A Cycle

A child takes a first shower
lathers the face with soap
opens eyes before rinsing
screams from the soap stinging
Mom runs in to help and soothe

A 50-year-old takes a shower
lathers the face with soap
rubs eyes letting soap seep in before rinsing
painful stinging of the eyes
no scream so no one comes, it passes

An old person takes a shower
lathers the face with soap
disoriented, opens an eye before rinsing
tries to scream from the stinging
slips falls and dies

Three instances
three ages
one learning moment
one goofy (goof bucket) moment
one death
 

 

- mailed to Maine this week -
- artwork by Katharina Grosse -

On You

13, 19, 22, 11
 13, 19, 22, 11
 numbers count;  well, are counted
 but people count and are counted too
 and if counted, that’s not the only way they count
 a ratchet does not count, but it can be counted on
 a Sumo wrestler can count as two, on an airplane
 it’s futile trying to count stars, but we count on a daily sun
 can you count people you count on; in work, play, love
 people count; people can count; people may not want to count
 can you count those that count, on you
 13, 19, 22, 11
13, 19, 22, 11

 

 

- sent to Hawaii this week - 
- artwork by Howard Hodgkin

Good to Great

As we entertain our world,
As people decide how to dress their home,
As we notice a wrinkle in a face or hand
To be Good at anything takes hard hard work

As we laugh with a photograph,
Dream along with that song,
Get lost in a story
To have Success takes hard hard work plus
being at peace with perseverance

As we nurture life,
Stretch to do a kind deed,
Hold the hand of a stranger
To be Great is rare. After toiling, doubting and redoing,
a last requirement, magic - let it influence

applaud Applaud APPLAUD
even bow when you experience
a Great
It is rare

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- mailed to New Hampshire this week - 
- artwork by Tom Knechtel -