In the back of a bar somewhere one night, the light of the lamp over the pool table revealed the features of the faces_ of the patrons. Some engaged. Some detached. Lonely eyes. Hungry eyes. A collage of hollow, wanton hopes and unfulfilled desires. In the back of a bar somewhere one night, the rancid […]
Rhyme and Reason: The Tale of the Tree (A Parable for Children of All Ages)
A homely little caterpillar, inched along a leaf, then to a branch, onto the trunk, to grass, to his relief. He came upon a puddle, and he noticed his refection. He saw himself and his heart sank, upon his self-inspection. The Mourning Dove arrived just then, he lived with, in the tree He said “I […]
Rhyme and Reason: May
The lilies of the valley, burst from fields of emerald green Oh May; unleash the beauty, of the Earth so it be seen _ The sweaters to the closet, and the seeds are in the ground The babble of the brooks and bees, in sync, sing out their sound _ The young ones seek each […]
In new book, Benicia poet celebrates life
“A little bit before I retired,” Benicia poet Jeremy Cantor recalled, “I started writing. I remember hearing, ‘When you retire you really should have a hobby or you are going to be adrift.’ I was surprised when I retired I did have something to do. I’ve been busier now than when I was working.” Cantor, […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: The End (1/29/2012 – 5/18/2014)
“RHYME AND REASON” ENDS TODAY It’s much to my frustration The hours and love I give to it Require some compensation And so it goes with anything You see upon this Earth Value’s always relative To what folks think it’s worth I’m off to write a novel And to utilize my time To write a […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: In the Aftermath of the Revolution
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Nuclear proliferation Dylan’s music spread the news Elvis wore his blue suede shoes Bras were banned and then came back Free lovers frolicked in the sack Lennon sang “Give Peace a Chance” Chubby Checker’s twisting dance Long-haired whites and afro’d blacks Ohio’s Guard; Kent State attacks Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison Charlie Parker dead and […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: Politics
LEFT-LEANING PUNDITS ARGUE That the people on the right Don’t understand the issues And will never see the light Conservative loud talkers That I hear and that I read Are always sure that they’re correct Not willing to concede Sometimes a change can be quite good And sometimes it can hurt Yelling tends to pierce […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: Another One (A Show Tune to be read in an English accent, like Rex Harrison’s in ‘My Fair Lady’)
WHICHEVER WORDS I CHOOSE TO WRITE I always hope that those words might Inspire a mind or two to feel their verve I try to fill my reader’s cup With varied topics all mixed up They seem to like it when I throw the curve I’ve never had a writing coach And I use rhyme […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: The Lunatic Fringe
I’VE ALWAYS HAD AN OPEN MIND And dug a little deeper Conspiracies appeal to me And cells comprised of sleepers I wonder who killed JFK And Roswell’s deeper meaning And all about the NSA And emails they’ve been screening Are we not apes because we mined Earth’s gold for men from Mars Are Exxon and […]
Jeff Burkhart’s ‘Rhyme and Reason’: My Prayer
I PRAY THAT I MAY HAVE THE GRACE To write remaining humble And entertain the people whom Upon my poems may stumble I pray I’m granted wisdom And good humor to convey An insight or a smile That just might brighten up a day I pray the world is kind and just And people live […]