Yes, it’s true, the old waterfront Naked Oyster collided with age and had something to say about it last week: Eve of Another Year Older It’s a weeping time: a Weeping for Joy for an extended loving family and friends who allowed me, nurtured or supported or laughed with me as we got this OLD […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: Still Not
When I was young I’d force myself To leave beds where I laid To don my clothes and rush to work So one day I’d get paid The hour was always early And the sun had not yet risen It seemed that I was serving life In early riser’s prison In concert halls for rigging […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Right or Wrong”
To be right or wrong, Who is to know? We inside only, As on we go. To be judged by all, Or just by one. For all the good, Or bad, that’s done. True to yourself, All life long. For who is to say, What’s right, what’s wrong? James Garrett is a lifelong resident of […]
Poetry Corner: Ranjit Gill “Marrying a Genie”
A dream I dreamt Never believed my dream Would one day become reality One day, I would conquer my insanity. To live without you is to live crazy Without you, I feel lazy. Staring at the wall, I’d rather be staring at your face to erase my pain and sad past. Your face, a work […]
The A Cappella Handyman: 1969 and Forward…
(This column first appeared in the Benicia Herald on Sept. 16, 2011.) In 1969 I was an illustrator for the University of California, Berkeley at their Sanitary Engineering Research Lab at the Richmond Field Station, Richmond, California. It was the dawn of the Environmental Age, I had a great job, and I was a happy […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: The Rise and Fall of Humanity
Since Hominids arose to walk, and made a fire and learned to talk A lot of stuff has come to pass, so listen up its happening fast Humans came disrupting order, writing words creating borders Praying to their angry gods, other species thought them odd Leaders rose and ruled with might, armies trained to kill […]
Poetry Corner: James Garrett “Until I Saw You Again”
As the sun rose over the hills, I saw you standing there. A glow came from within you, A warmth shone in your hair. I had wondered if you cared, Wondered if you knew. Wondered if you felt, What I felt for you. The trip was long, The wait longer still. The ache of loneliness, […]
The A Cappella Handyman: January Orange
January Orange Up through the roots come the nutrients, met by the bee’s kiss, the pollen of the flower becomes the fruit. The summer sun does its magic, the previous winter’s melting snow quenches the thirst of the growing fruit. A neighbor rings our bell and then knocks on the door at 8 am last […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason”: The Mole in the Hole
Under the grass, way down deep in the ground Digging deeper and deeper, a mole could be found He would claw excavations, in anticipation Of tender grass, root-salad, eating sensations Day after day he would tunnel and scratch As he searched for a succulent, back yard, grass patch When he found one, he’d gather his […]
Poetry Corner: Ranjit Gill “10 Decades”
Ten decades to live, laugh, and play. Your ten decades they waste if you stay a slave! Sheep being herded on a farm. The sheep herder milks them hard! Takes their wool, too! Sheep—another name for fools. Four decades in, my eyes open after questioning and reading. Reading is fundamental It’ll set you free.