the poetry knook :: the poetry of stephen m. james :: indianapolis, indiana » friend

Cause they say I’m the lucky one

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Just got done giving food to Kelly and Cathy,
Had to do something to beat this apathy
beside the head with service for my fellows
so I started siding some bungalows
in ‘Bama where I ran into a great date,
but she’s got a son (without a mate)
married to Saturday morning cartoons
on a stall wall I’m washing till noon,
Then, I’m off to talk with a old friend,
and I don’t even know where to begin,
with problems that I can’t relate
to, so I’ll just have to state,
all for the minimum wage,
Couldn’t play, couldn’t be on stage
to sing for the multitude,
so I’ll just sit and have cold Mountain Dew
with my depressed friend
that wants to die by starving binge.

I would head home if I could,
but I gotta move on into the sun,
Cause they say I’m the lucky one;
I’m really the lucky one

Am I really the lucky one?

Words: $.99/lb.

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

gone are the gourds and
killed is the kale,
squashed are the spouts
and beet are the beans
for you’ve dived into an endive,
done what you’ve mustard
and produced a leek in our potato eyes
dripping to our collards,
thought this might not be your cucumber
to return to peachland,
but it t’was.
your wit will be rooted in us and
I’d cauliflower a weed next to you any spring,
seemed like last year was a short harvest,
but what else shallot I do?
tomato is another day, yes,
but doesn’t asparagus the burden of
carrotting you in memory but not in our salad,
even when the chards settle
and we follow your furrow to our own garden.

Long Distance Friend

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Every few months, I miss you the day after.
I miss your thoughts, face, your indelible laughter.
An email now and then, then we forget, lose touch?
I crave you here beside me so much.
You are my confidence the world will improve
And will excel in whatever you choose. Lives you will move
Because you know who holds the world in the palm of His hand.
I say, “See you soon,” and hug not shake hands.
We are forced to live over distances wide.
I wish I never had to leave your side:
You are friend, one hard to find.
One’s future is destined surrounded by such minds.
Your are so much like me, so alike, almost akin.
I love you, my friend.