April 6, 2013 - 2215

I wanted to write something about politics and how I feel about certain issues that are foremost in the news right now, but I had nothing. I am pro-gun, pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-police. I am liberal with certain conservative leanings. I don't follow politics because I find it mind-numbingly boring. There, that's what I wanted to say about that, but I didn't have the poetic words to say so.

I just watched a video on YouTube of a poetry reading/spoken word performance by Andrea Gibson. It was phenomenal. 12 minutes, three pieces and at the end I had exactly zero words. Amazing. Watch it and enjoy it. It also made me think about some things. About me and my wife and our marriage. I haven't always been the best husband, but overall we are pretty damn good together. Everyone can see it, we don't try and hide it. But we have gay friends that don't get the same things that we get. Living in a big city, they can be together and no one really bats an eye, but as of this writing they can't be married in that city. They can't go through that ceremony in front of their friends and family and say the vows. There are civil unions, but as I heard someone say recently (and I wish I could remember because I would totally give them credit for it), certain words have MEANING. And marriage is one of them.

Untitled Poem Number Whatever

As it stands before the Supremes

Not Diana and the girls

But the nine justices in D.C.

Here's hoping that they realize what justice is

It's not justice that a man can't marry his boyfriend

Like so many hasty Las Vegas girls can marry theirs

It's not justice that a girl can't marry their girlfriend

Like young eloping boys can run off and marry theirs

"Justice" Antonin Scalia has it wrong

And if he were to read my words and want to speak in person

Privately or publicly I would tell him to his face

You sir, have it wrong.

Is it justice for my friends and the friends of others I know

That if my wife and long time companion goes into the hospital

That I can see her, be with her, make decisions for her

When others cannot for their long time companions

Can "teh gays" raise a child? This is a question too?

In my job, after many many years

I wonder if some straight parents deserve the children that they have

When I see dirty clothes, squalid homes, broken bones and dreams.

\

It makes me angry that my friends have found their one

The one that they love, honor, cherish

But the ceremonies and the rites that were afforded to me

Aren't the same ceremonies and rights that they have as well.

March 28, 2013 - 1400

As I took the dog out for her afternoon walk, I marveled at the day. It was warm, clear, sunny, and well...just nice. It made me hope that this was the beginning of the end of winter.

Kicking the sticks and leaves away from the drain

I watched the melting snow rush into the sewer

She sniffed and snorted at the newly exposed ground

Old smells now new to her again

Sprigs of green were sprouting from the brown

New pine cones could be seen forming

Birds of all kinds were perched on the eaves of houses

Their songs echoing around the neighborhood

More and more, commuters were ditching four wheels for two

Or for none. A brisk walk in a heavy coat and boots

Traded for lighter wear and sunglasses

Rewards for a spring in their step and in the air

Squirrels still fat from winter sleep run around the yards

Digging for their hidden stash of acorns under the trees

Robins, cardinals, sparrows, and mourning doves

All making themselves known to anyone who would listen

As I watched I wondered and hoped that this was it

That this was the last gasp of winter

And that spring had made its triumphant return

Bringing it warmth to the world once again

January 28, 2013 - 0900

This originally started out as what I call a "snippet". Just a little bit of verse or a few lines that I save and hope to fill out into something later. I ended up writing the whole thing in about 20 minutes.

Coyotes

It was the deepest part of the night

Just before it becomes morning

As the dog and I walked

In our dark neighborhood

From my right I heard

A coyote bay

A sharp, long, lonely sound

A lost friend. A sad cry

We walked on; it didn't seem close

But who could tell

Echoes and trees have a way

Of distorting a sounds direction

Then from the left

Another coyote calls

Answering a friends call

Friends finding friends in the blackness

At first, I smiled

Nature at it's most natural

Two scavenger-predators

Out for a meal and a chat

But the baying kept on

My dog, oblivious to the potential danger

Kept at the business of her business

Nose to the ground, ears missing her kin

I understood what was happening

At least, I felt like I did

We were being watched

We were being followed

Turning us back towards the house

The call and respond followed

Down the sidewalk and to the driveway

Never getting closer, always following

I let out my breath as we went inside

They couldn't get in our house

My grip relaxed on the butt of my pistol

My dog begged for her treat

January 21, 2013 - 0900

Friends I Don't Even Know

I get the notifications daily

Or, at least on the day that they happen

Another officer killed in the line of duty

Another hero gone from the world

The number was the lowest in years

Decades

Tell that to the families left behind

Tell that to the children who are a parent short now

As I read the stories of their demise

I wonder and worry

About people I don't even know

Virtual cops

I wonder about @Mia_Ria

On the job with her children at home

I am concerned about @SuburbanFiveOh

And his recent switch to the midnight shift

I know only a little about @ShadowCoPodcast

But when the stream went eerily quiet

I hoped that he was okay

And that work had just become "work"

Others, like @TheMalligator and @LPD5408

Are still active and prolific

I know they are doing well

But I still am concerned for my brothers in blue

I wouldn't even know if something happened to them

Unless it showed up on the feed

In the timeline

If it were news, I'd never know it was them

I know ours is a dangerous job

We have loved ones who care for us

Who worry about us, want us home safely at night

I am a stranger to these officers, but I worry and care too

January 13, 2013 - 0900

Random Limerick Time!

It's hard to stay focused while working

Many things make my eyes herky-jerking

But I'll knuckle down

Because I'm not a clown

Leaving loose ends all a-quirking

My Baby and I are so happy

When we are awake or taking a nappy

We hold hands and kiss

It's a treat I won't miss

I agree when they say we are sappy

The weather dropped way too down low

I wonder how far it will go

It's too cold to for snowing

And the wind keeps on blowing

So in my toasty car I go patrol

January 7, 2013 - 0900

Welcome Back Poet, We Missed You

I know that it has been a while

Since I have written here

And so I hope to add more rhymes

Throughout the coming year

And not to be so sad and dour

To bring some happy thoughts

So everyone can read and smile

With the haves and the have-nots

If I miss a week or two

Don’t fret and don’t lament

I didn’t forget my place to write

I’ll be back to make a dent

In the minds of those who read

My silly little lines

And maybe make you stop and think

Deeply, from time to time

November 29, 2012 - 2300

We had a call for "three male subjects showing gang signs outside of (LOCAL HELLHOLE BAR). Knowing the reputation of this place, I was wondering what had happened inside. And these words started to fill my head. I had to wait until I got home to put them to screen, as I was driving at the time.

That's How These Things Start

Drinks are thrown down

Eyebrows are thrown up

At someones girl

That how these things start

Shirts are thrown down

Hands are thrown up

In each others faces

Thats how these things start

Money is thrown down

Jackets are thrown up

On car hoods

Thats how these things start

Bicycles are thrown down

Gang signs are thrown up

By wannabe gangsters 

Thats how these things start

Pedals are pressed down

Light switches are thrown up

As police race to the scene

And thats how these things end