Friday, March 30, 2012

close encounters







I saw no planes today
expecting Air Force One
such an empty blue sky welcome
to the Green Mountain state 

a good run again in winter gear
but I felt sure
I was missing something
maybe a chance
to glimpse history 

in November ’63 I escaped seeing  JFK
from the too crowded room in a New York hotel
as the elevator pinged “up”
I peered back one last time 

in ’81 as the Secret Service looked on
I shook George Herbert Walker’s hand
in the Holy City of Charleston
in ’95 I bypassed security unknowingly
walking through a Burlington bank lobby
was searched, questioned and
delayed just long enough to miss Clinton 

today the best I could have done
would have been  to stand on the curb
in proximity to history
waving at big black cars with flags on their fenders
hoping for a glimpse of Obama 

instead
I ran my regular four miles
on a brisk clear morning
ate a bowl of cereal
and typed these words
as history passed by without me 

Barry DeCarli
March 30, 2012
Copyright 1012 Barry DeCarli

Thursday, March 29, 2012

funeral



first feeling the heat of emotion
tears flowing
being held back
a choked-up gratitude
a misplaced relief
that the dirge
the solemn music is not for you

shaking sweaty hands
kissing blurry-eyed faces
rouged cheeks grazing
stale perfume stealing breath

touching but distantly
waiting for the open air
the cumulus shadows
the shafts of god light
through the pines
a last prayer in the cemetery
then a chance to have a drink
loosen a tie, wipe off smeared make-up
proffer a smile

dare to laugh…

Barry DeCarli
August 13, 2010
Copyright 2010 Barry DeCarli

untitled

her pillow

still warm
was so empty
I could trace her
footsteps
to
the
door
as she
tiptoed

goodbye

Barry DeCarli
From Of Sun And Rain
Copyright 1972 Barry DeCarli

Thursday, March 22, 2012

under tents




under tents, mud huts
beneath skyscrapers
in parks, in dreams
sometimes with just the wind to warn them
or a shadow against a wall
or a whisper
amidst the tumultuous thunder of war
those intent on peace 

will not hide forever

Barry DeCarli
March 21, 2012
Copyright 2012 Barry DeCarli

Friday, March 16, 2012

ending

tears
shattering a stone face
carving canyons of crying
to the sea
savage scars
streaking the reflections of night

suspended in the black

like silver gods casting curses
tears like screaming witches
slaying the stars

one
by
one

Barry DeCarli
From Almost
Copyright 1979 Barry DeCarli
(revised March 16, 2012)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Barry DeCarli: the masters

Barry DeCarli: the masters:  how they stumbled   upon their insight   conjured the words to  contrive a common language   what amazing things   they imagined, creat...

Available Now! Camouflage of Noise and Silence, My New Collection of Poetry

  My 3rd Collection of Poems Camouflage of Noise and Silence   was published on August 7, 2020 Available here at barrydecarlipoetry.com $...