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COMING THIS SPRING!

The Power of Connection

Poetry for Today

Published by Kelsay Books

How do we connect nowadays? With our thumbs, it seems. Without looking at each other. Without hearing the tone of voice. So then. How do we know whether we're getting through?

In this collection, I explore a variety of ways we do and do not connect. Most of all, how vital connection is - now more than ever. Not only with others but within ourselves - who we think we are, where we're at, and what we want.

You've read the title poem on my Home Page.
Here are a few more from my new collection.

           Certain I knew what it was
   Thought I was good at it
                      Used to enjoy it 
         the back and forth of it all
    More back than forth these days
All coming at me (when do they breathe) 
	Listening a lost art
	Interest, curiosity 
       Things of the past. Only
                 an impatient waiting
		for one’s turn
			to get back to 
	what’s on their mind   What I say
    merely a cue, a jumping-off point 
for them to grab hold. Then off they go.

	 I call that a Hijack.

On a phone call last week
Water went down the wrong way.
I started coughing - “Excuse me,” I croaked.
	            She kept talking
	Five minutes later I recovered
	            and she was still talking.
	                   Never knew I was gone.

What to do, what to do. 
	Turn off my phone?
		Stay in my room?
	Dear Abby is tired 
                  of this topic.
	        So am I.

I don't believe you're gone.
I won't believe you're gone.
The mind knows.
The heart refuses.

You'd be making breakfast about now.
"Scrambled eggs?" you'd ask.
I'd answer, "Definitely, but no cinnamon,"
and we'd laugh about that blunder 
you made long ago. We talk about 
the book you just finished writing.
"Want to read it?" "Definitely," I answer.
Hey, that new restaurant makes such
tasty grilled fish. How about tonight? 

We both know the answer. And as
for all of you who chat and hug 
and go about your days, don't
you see how fragile you are?
How at any moment, one of you 
could be gone. And if you think 
about it for a moment, you will
reluctantly have to answer 
"Definitely."

Hate ‘em
Don’t wanna go
But If I must
Pretty good at it

Nice to meet you   What do you do
Tell me about it   Oh really   Is that so
I didn’t know   Well how about that
Think I’ll get more cheese thingees
Nice talking to you  

Server offers intriguing thought 
I start to respond
but get interrupted 
by a shriek

O M G   It’s been too long   So busy 
You look great   I mean   I just   I know 
You know   Who knows   Did you hear
NO   Just between us   Did she   Will they
We must   We should   Where’d you buy it?

Escape  To  Kitchen
Silverware  Soap Suds  Silence 
Heaven
Another option 
Coloring with the kids

At one time
they must have had dreams
 
To grow tall, win every prize 
fly in outer space
Did no one show them
what to do with dreams
They don’t happen on their own

In the meantime 
day after day

 lies the loneliness of home 
where no one waits
Or no home at all
Nothing to look forward to 
just keep going

From time to time 
I pass them by and keep going

But not today. Simple thing really...
... stop, offer a kind word,
 to let a man 
and the child still inside him 
know

I see you. 
I see you both