for C. G. Macdonald, 1956-2006
Charlie, sunrise is a three-legged mongrel dog,
going deaf, already blind in one eye,
answering to the unlikely name, ‘Lucky.’
The sky, at gray-blue dawn, is a football field painted
by smiling artists. Each artist has 3 arms, 3 hands, 3 legs.
One leg drags behind, leaving a trail, leaving a mark.
The future resembles a cloudy dream
where the ghosts of all your life
try to tell you something, but what?
Noon is a plate of mashed potatoes and gravy.
Midnight is an ugly chipped plate
that you only use when you are alone.
Sunset is a wise cat who ignores you
even when you are offering food; her conception
of what life is, or isn’t, far exceeds our own.
This moment is a desert at midnight,
the hunting moon is full, and owls
fly through a cloudless sky.
The past is a winding, green river valley
deep between pine covered ridges;
what can you make of that?
Night is a secret plant growing inky black against the sky.
When this plant’s life is over, then day returns
like a drunken husband who stayed out until breakfast.
A smile is a quick glimpse at the pretty face of hope.
Hope’s face is framed by the beautiful night sky.
Hope’s face is framed by the gray-blue dawn.
This is your life, these seconds and years
are the music for your only dance. Charlie,
This is the eternity that you get to know.
(James Lee Jobe)
More Poetry from James Lee Jobe:
James Lee Jobe Poems based on Topics: Hope, Beauty, Music, Name, Life, Wisdom & Knowledge, Art, Dogs, Dancing, Secrets, Food- Moon In Virgo (James Lee Jobe Poem)
- SPROUT (James Lee Jobe Poem)
- Quietly (James Lee Jobe Poem)
- Redbud Trail - Winter (James Lee Jobe Poem)
- Richard (James Lee Jobe Poem)
- WHAT I DID IN THE MOONLIGHT (James Lee Jobe Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Life Poems, Night Poems, Faces Poems, Name Poems, Hope Poems, Beauty Poems, Smiling Poems, Art Poems, Fate & Destiny Poems, Past Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge PoemsBased on Keywords: ridges, cat, charlie, potatoes, cloudless, owls, chipped, drags, resembles, inky, mashed