One Step, Two Step

"Walking down Canal street,
one step, two step
knocking every door
one step, two step couldn't find a whore ..."
Double Dutch
jump rope rhymes
play that beat baby
keep the rhythm
keep the time...
And I know you know
I still have your drum set
and play louder 
and harder everyday
just to prove a point
of least resistance
it's a doable existence
I often wonder
what would you think
what would you say - if anything at all
No question there is still life
in this spirit of mine
even though the game changed
I feel - this is a new sensation -
like a fish out of water - at times
I have always been a fast learner
with little frustration
I own the right to travel the road
with the wind in my face
and there isn't a trace
of regret or remorse
And a rhythm I learned on the street
R&B soulful sound
is in my blood so profound
a flowing beat
that never lets
the inner self stop moving
the temperature rises 
I feel the heat
I'll bang away 
bang until the light of day
sticks to skins
cymbals vibrate
all that reminiscing
won't go to waste  - you taught me well
And you of all people
knew I always had a thing
for drummer boys - still do
now with eyes wide
and an open soul
every note counts
like the steps of AA
Rosary in hand
I continue to pray - to whom I don't know - 
And although my only addiction
is a desire for truth and happiness
with many a detour along the way - I admit
I breathe for lessons still to be lived and to be learned
and oh so many bridges never to be burned - that would be such a waste
So as I play and drift far, far way
as if there is this magical place...and I believe there is
The music holds for me - like a lover
in a different way
as words are my weapon of choice
but in this zone
it is a master of its own
space and time slip away
and all night long I play and play... 

© 2014 TrilbyYates 




 

Twilight Internet Star Crossed Lovers

Alternative time 
burn out 
and insecurities soar 
like the wounded angel 
I once was.
Flying too close
to the sun 
a virtue in disguise  -
And there was 
a moment of ease 
and a desire 
to lean in closer 
than allowed;
to take finger tips 
to your lips 
and hush 
the secrets away.
A kiss that could 
have been 
a once in a lifetime
passion between 
strangers...
A missed opportunity?
We may never know -
But wishful thinking 
and hope continues
to smolder
so very slowly 
I close my eyes
look deeply into yours
and see all that 
I will ever need to know
...twilight internet 
star crossed lovers -

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Beach Boys

Hot steamy summer day...not a cloud in the sky; brilliant blue dome of color - a slight breeze floats by on the up beat of a song dancing through the air; off in the distance sailboats lean, lean, lean stretching canvas and rails dip in the salty sea - flashback summer sweat dripping kisses...glorious sight makes my heart race.

Beach scene high tide, scent of coconut oil is like a time chaser – burst of images black and white, Kodachrome edited memories. Families, babies, teens, college kids, Gran and Pop - fill the sandy shoreline with souvenir beach towels and beach chairs; radiant red, seafaring blue and lemon yellow umbrellas adorn the landscape making up an amazing painters pallet. Aroma therapy and visual overload - in this surrounding I am thrilled to be alive!

Strategically placing myself on the fringes – a space between me and the masses. A buffer from all the chatter and one on one contact - my comfort zone just left of everything and nothing - with one foot hanging over the edge; acting as an anchor keeping me from wandering to far out in an endless sea. A beach day to listen to music - drifting away on notes and combinations of words; all stirring emotions and pushing fantasies for later creative use – deep breath in/exhale - blow. Moments of "shear poetry".

A group of three “t’ween” boys invade my peripheral vision and my solitude. Soft images flurry past, intense energy…carrying plastic beach shovels – with definite intentions. There were no words exchanged, an innate plan was brewing and clearly understood by all participants.

As much as I tried to ignore this group of adolescent males, (they reminded me of boys from my past) it was impossible...I was captivated by the "boys club" dance - and felt privy after so many years being on the outside secretly looking in, never understanding what made them tick and now I had a clear up front view - camouflaging myself behind a pair of sunglasses instead of my naiveté . 

Quickly personalities started to pop...the shy one, the leader, the funny boy - these roles seemed set in stone, not interchangeable. Each knew their character and played it uncomfortably well. Pigeon holed for a moment in time.

I sat back, shades on, ear-buds in and observed with delight!

The boys started to dig a hole in the sand, within 30 minutes it was clearly going to be a very large hole. Occasionally a group of "t' ween" girls would slowly walk past; seemingly ignoring the boys...a little flip of their hair, arms linked and giggles...boys reacting, doing boy things - they jumped in the 4' deep hole, threw sand at each other, swore and laughed and dug faster as if they were just injected with high levels of testosterone.

The girls circled around several times, swishing their feet into the sand, hips swaying overly exaggerated this way and that as they walked by. Flirtatious glances exchanged, occasional eye contact and then the uncontrollable bursts of blushing red covered cheeks were a dead give away. A vision of pure innocent seduction; beach boys from long ago...summer in the city. Motown playing and dancing on the sidewalks - sweet delicious memories.

Off in the distance songs from the concession stand began to play summer songs, the hit list...Heatwave, Under The Boardwalk, Girl From Ipanema, In The Summer Time...on and on drum beat, finger snapping melodies swept me away finally into a deep sleep...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Slightly Off Key

How well you thought
you knew me;
not so long ago
when I walked
the rocky coast
late at night -
New England rag tag shore line
But, it was in my darkest hours
that you seemed to fade away...
An ambiguous image
blurred and out of view
Like two proverbial battle weary ships,
in the light of a new day
pass and collide unacknowledged;
there is so much I have left to say...
Such an utter shame to be left adrift 
in a turbulent lonely sea,
when the heart has been 
tenderly rescued and repaired
our love song remains on a repetitive replay
uninterrupted yet slightly off key...
And yes, sometimes I wonder
what I truly meant to you;
and more often then not,
what you truly meant to me - or what we could ever do
in peaceful revery 
It was never a matter of pride or ego
as time moves forward for us all -
the continuous ticking of our mortal clock
there are moments that move too fast
and some moments move too slow..

While I reluctantly examined the past, 
fearful of what I would find
fearful of what I may not
and willingly unable to let it all go...

Uninterrupted, yet slightly off key
not knowing what I meant to you
...knowing what you ultimately meant to me...


© 2014 TrilbyYates