The pencil artist took
just minutes to capture
the prissy expression
on my youthful face,
many decades ago
My wife put the work
on our bedroom wall,
a daily reminder
that his vision of me
differed from mine
I
appreciate only now
as my ego has receded
with the onset of age
the perceptive skill
of that street artist
The clock no
longer
Sets my agenda
Lying in bed until
My body says
You should arise
There are so many
Ways to enjoy life
Watching cable
Or writing poetry
Whatever fits your fable
I was happily surprised to discover Kenneth T. Mencher’s brief review of my novel, THE PENCIL ARTIS, on Amazon.
Mencher wrote in his 4-star review: “A
wonderful, clever, quick read. A bit of a fairy tale that artists wish would
come true. Some of the writing is a bit clunky, but doesn't detract overly much
from the pleasure of reading this.”
THE PENCIL ARTIST was the fulfillment
of my goal to publish eight novels by the time I was 81. I uploaded the book to
Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes and Noble on Aug. 15, 2015, two weeks before my
81st birthday. That was the final act of my novel-writing career
because of the circumstances of my life. I now write poetry.
Thank you, Mr. Mencher, for your clever
review.
Don’t feel sorry
for me
just for shredding
my life
You wanted passion,
I wanted romance
Why couldn’t we just
have mixed the two
Always wondering why
our love had to die
Perhaps the answer was
taking you for granted
Inspiration lies
dormant,
banked in the ashes
of very old age
Needed is a spark
to ignite the fire
of my creativity
My
arm around you,
a smile on your face
What better place
in this human race
To walk hand in hand
wherever life takes us
is a wonderful plan
for this earthly span
At day’s end, the pleasure
of
standing close together
viewing
the reds and golds
of a
glorious evening sky
The
dupes, the supremacists, the crazies
heard the wannabe despot’s call
to amass for a
bloody assault
on our sacred Congressional hall
Tear them apart in my name
was the traitorous message
creating a willing mob
with a murderous intent
A thin blue line of brave police
turned the violent, seditious horde
with a hero dying on this shameful day,
the price to save our democratic way
