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Cathartic Chaos
by JD Clay
I frequent a park with a pastoral air
sit cross-legged on the splintered bench
basking morning suns
in measured breath
hands outstretched on my knees
Septembered leaves and busy wrens
drowning out the idle swings
Across the parquet plaza
the clack clack clack of urethane wheels
ushers in a squadron of skateboards
festered in colloquial spew
and my ephemeral refrain
Concentration broken
from the corner of my eye
their boxer shorts erupting from
drooping trousers round the knees
Ennoble their spiritual inheritance
I said to myself
then sprang to my feet
in classic tai chi form
I schooled those adolescent
anarchists on how to
handplant the water fountain
ollie the steps with an inverted railgrab
and grind the concrete flowerbox
without dislodging one flip-flop
Their jaws agape
the shorter of the troupe interjected
go back to sleep grandpa
that’s when I cleared the generation gap
by enlightening the little grommets
that transcendental meditation
is not a crime
~jadi
10/06/2004 Posted on 11/14/2004
Copyright © 2024 JD Clay
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 11/14/04 at 11:52 PM You go guy! That's teaching the young 'uns a thing or two about what they think they have all the answers to. |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 11/15/04 at 02:29 PM at least your chatarsis is done in a warm climate and these words do warm the chill of one who must drill through icebergs to mete out his three squares. well done, Sensei Jadi. |
| Posted by Jeanne Marie Hoffman on 11/18/04 at 06:24 AM I really like the way this sounds read -- and especially the second verse. It plays on the tongue :) |
| Posted by Ulyss Rubey on 11/18/04 at 06:03 PM HA! How did this alien get into our park?
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| Posted by Amy Niggel on 11/19/04 at 04:27 AM Woo hoo you're my hero can I just say that?!? Great poem as always. :) |
| Posted by Julie Adams on 12/03/04 at 09:40 PM I love this piece!...it plays with the reader, teasing the salivating tongue with every line...outstanding imagery and strong language...Well done JD...I suggested this piece for Poem of the Day, I hope you don't mind...take care! |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 01/20/05 at 02:28 PM i love this piece... oh to be grand and share that wisdom with the wee ones... brilliant... blessings... |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 01/20/05 at 03:19 PM ...and when different spirituals paths cross, its nice to nail an ollie, while in tai chi stance, sipping some chai, and contemplating the true meaning of the Tao. (Doesn't hurt to do it while wearing, a cross, a crescent, the Star of David, an ankh, a pentagram, some crystals, a medicine bag, and tiny statue of Buddha.) Great read. |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 06/28/10 at 01:54 PM I love this. It is both an appreciation of and lesson for the rolling clattering ones. You capture the moment and raise it to a higher plain. Quite wonderful poem, jadi. |
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