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college teaching
by Charlie Morganhe sneaks in the swinging metal gate,
closes it behind him, others are ahead
and not bothered by his entrance.
his head swivels, settles on a bull nettle
and its yellow flower, needing a lapel
and matching cumberbund, civilization
is said to be just over the rise.
better to take small steps
not long ones.
rather catch the white-tipped clover,
shooing the bees with one hand, the other,
pull rabbits out a hat's brim, take a bow.
lie down in a soft patch of green, rest.
at length, rise and wander about, looking
for that rock, that stone that's a diamond.
past bois 'd arc copse, over the hump into
a free land, no fences--expansive futures
lie fucund, already burping lively motion.
you see him, he's back at the gate of entry.
the gate-keeper inquires as to his health
and the enjoyment of the new generation ride.
shuffling the deck, he says pick a card, any card.
i pick the one he want's me too, the game is over,
we just go through the motions of life's evening.
a traveling snake oil salesman, i've become. dreams
for sale, used ones half-price we take trade-ins.
a sign on the outskirts of my heavy heart: for rent.
05/13/2008 Posted on 05/13/2008
Copyright © 2026 Charlie Morgan
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 05/13/08 at 03:39 PM Great write Chas. I've tried to stop dreaming but I've come to believe that civilization is a dream. And one that will never sell for a penny on pony. But dreams are all that's left for reality has run amuck. The two intertwine so that up is down and love flies in the face truth. |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 05/13/08 at 04:10 PM Is it really so bleak as all that, Charlie? I've heard that the up-and-coming generation is different, is it too true? I know in my own little world, I see the hard edges of those kids who grow up mostly unattended, and it sends shivers. |
| Posted by Mary Frances Spencer on 05/14/08 at 05:05 AM Ouch! I feel this in my marrow...and trying to raise 2 young dreamers here...Namaste MFS |
| Posted by Keith McFarlane on 05/15/08 at 08:35 PM chaz, this is a study in focused introspection, very deep and connected. At the risk of going all "Mr. Holland's Opus" on you -- life may be what happens when we're making other plans -- but as they say (if I can fit any more triteness in here), it ain't over 'til it's over. You've still got plenty of diamonds to find and chisel! |
| Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 05/15/08 at 09:57 PM yet whether you pedal your used dreams or reinvent them here in this verse you are writing what you have lived and know and in the end in may not be what we thought it would be but it was quite a journey and it is all about the ride after all, and the point is you have something here to tell and you tell it so well my man, smh. |
| Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 05/17/08 at 05:32 AM damn chaz... this one feels really lonely... and distant, a fantastic write! it just feels so lonely, not of choice, but a forced loneliness... it makes me shudder to think of that... |
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