Category Archives: Poems

One Coyote

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Jeff

     One Coyote There in the night, a coyote choir, perched atop the ring of cliffs, surrounding us, singing. How many? I cannot tell. Voices rising, falling, together. Oddly together. Coyote’s mask slips. One coyote sings to the cliffs … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems, Publications | Leave a comment

Prophecy by Pauli Murray

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Jeff

Powerful 1969 poem by Pauli Murray, still relevant. I sing of a new American Separate from all others, Yet enlarged and diminished by all others. I am the child of kings and serfs, freemen and slaves, Having neither superiors nor … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

La Bloga

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Jeff

First publication of the year, “Condemned”, published on La Bloga, “The world’s longest-established Chicana Chicano, Latina Latino literary blog.” Edward Vidaurre, Poet Laureate of McAllen, TX, read at the Austin Poetry Society’s Open Mike earlier this month. To continue the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems, Publications | Leave a comment

Grey Brother

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Jeff

Gray Brother Grey Brother comes, speaking to me and I listen for I know that if I do not, he will act in my name, with my face, and people will claim it was me that did it when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

Shape Shifter

Posted on January 27, 2018 by Jeff

Shape Shifter “The desert is the ultimate labyrinth.” — Arab proverb The stars have gone all strange. The compass wanders and will not hold. The dunes shift in the night, and if I’m not watching, again in the day. Lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

There’s No Before Cancer

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Jeff

There’s No Before Cancer Surgery or chemo does not mark the beginning of the fight against cancer. Human immune systems routinely eliminate up to a million traitorous cancer cells everyday. You have always been fighting cancer and, up until recently, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Poems | 1 Comment

The Grammar of Juggling

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Jeff

The Grammar of Juggling What started with a few smooth stones, expanded: backwards, inside out, with more and fewer stones; gathering nuts from the eucalypts, immigrants now natives. They lack gravitas. They wander in the breeze off the fog, though … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | 1 Comment

By the Rivers of Babylon

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Jeff

I’ve lived in Austin for 18 years but still don’t feel quite at home here. I grew up all over North America, but mostly in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. It has changed and I can’t afford to … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

Thanks

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Jeff

I have made it to the two year mark, thankful. I made it with a wife who was the light out of the dark place where I was not sure I could go on. The chem doctor says “Two years … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Poems, Spirtual Practice | Leave a comment

Day’s Lesson

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Jeff

At bed time say, “Here end’th the day’s lesson.” Sleep, knowing you passed the day’s test. And the dream people may come with a review, a commentary, and hidden deep within the ordinariness, the way forward.

Posted in Poems, Spirtual Practice | Leave a comment