the day’s a stale word
the kind that’s afraid of
an honest mouth
(a thing so
strangely made)
a conversation like
a broken arrow, busted wind
and a tree of fire, death at
the roots of the all the palms,
and a half-flung syllable
that punches like an empty fist
i don’t know about you but
i’m tired of empty talk
the kind that slips
off your shoulders
like a saggy dress
or a squirt of
old perfume
jargon and
buzzwords and
attack words and
the kind that make the day
kick over like a bad news story
or a pundit with an ugly sweater
every Sunday’s a lazy quatrain
the clouds are meaty pink and
the air’s spilled milk and
all the tables are empty
and the porch sitters are
strumming bare guitars ‘cause
somebody’s stopped all the music
and halted all the tail lights
the world is screaming and
no one’s got the mic
two C’s, two D’s and an F
a couplet spilling like
a bad refrain
and as for me i—
i flo on—i
strap on my boots and
shimmy way up high where
i can eat words like air and
make poems out of
rocks and clay
sipping on a
hazy IPA and
listening to Tom Petty
wishing life was
a more certain thing
35 responses to “Flo On”
So I’m the lucky winner to read your poem first. The graphic is gorgeous. Yes, I can see you, shimmied and perched up there. ❤ ❤ ❤ this, and all, of your poetry!
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Ohhh, thank you so much! This was lots of fun to write. I’m glad you liked it…and I fell in love with the graphic on first sight, too. 🙂
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There is a flavor to your poems that mesmerize my mind. They have a street feel to them, and they are still polished to perfection.
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Thank you so much! That makes me happy to hear.
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Beautiful..I always like reading your poetry. 😊 Have a good day!
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Thank you so much! I hope you also have a great Sunday! 🙂
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Thank you! 😊
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Yes, I too am mesmerized by your poetry!
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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So well done…a great piece.
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Thank you very much!
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Reblogged this on AreMyFeetOffTheGround and commented:
Had time for some selective reading tonight, but I’m glad to have come across this one from “The Used Life”
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Thank you so much, Lee! I’m glad this piece resonated, and I appreciate the reblog! 🙂
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The rhythm and cadence of your words perfectly underscore this expression of frustration and longing…
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Thank you, Larry! Then, I succeeded 🙂
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Oh, so good! Read this one a couple of times.
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Thank you very much! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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I pressed like just reading the first stanza itself. Good one.
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Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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I really did.
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Okay one question. Where did you get this image of the girl with umbrella . This is really fascinating.
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This is a link to the artist’s portfolio: https://depositphotos.com/portfolio-1027363-st1100.html?sh=2d6a7abecd67267a0ac4ca1f3a237dd2
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Hey thanks. Checked it out and I already like it.
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U, you are my most favorite poet! I will always return to read your unique, whimsical, day trips and night delights in the journey’s you take your reades on! You never fail to deliver! And you never steal another poet’s words or heart words. You are an outstanding poet and credible as can be! I pray you go all the way to the top where you truly belong. And enjoy the ride of a true blue writer on the beautiful plain of smarts and integrity. Best wishes o you!
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Oh, you have literally just made my whole morning! I am honored to be your favorite poet. Thank you always for the wonderful, encouraging, and colorful comments! They mean a great deal to me. 🙂
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You’re so very very welcome! You are an original talent. Never forget that. There are so many rip offs in the literary world it is heartbreaking. But your style of writing is all your own, and that makes you one of the best! Bless your heart! And happy day, always!😊☂️soon it will be raining in many places and those who adore, and appreciate your work, will think of you when the umbrellas go up. Isn’t it great!?
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Haha, thank you very much! I agree that there are a lot of rip offs out there. Much of the literary world currently feels stale, unoriginal, both in terms of style and content. I have a great deal more respect for those who stay true to themselves, develop their own voices, know what they want to say and say it their way. Happy day to you, as well! You know, it is raining pretty hard where I am, and I think you’ll now have me conjuring images of that umbrella every time I see rain drops!
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‘true to themselves’ you bet! I had just wrote that very thought in a late night write while waiting in an emergency room for a dear friend to get well soon, who died on the operating table but by the Grace of God was revived!! So much matters so very much more than the price of fame by way of the expense of other writer’s stolen words/written work. I have the up most resect for those poet’s who “as you mentioned” are true to theirselves! Thank you so much for your replies to my occasional comments. Once again, best wishes with your goals, and future achievements!
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And thank you so much for taking the time to read my work and comment! I appreciate the well wishes and send you my best in all of your endeavors, as well!
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Please excuse the type-os.
Much success to you as well…
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[…] the literary establishment (and a great deal of mainstream music, too), as I expressed it in Flo On, as a stale word. Tired. And, I’m tired of it. Its sameness. Why I love interacting with other […]
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[…] disillusioning and propaganda-filled it’s often rendered intolerable. What I call empty talk in Flo On. I write the kind of poetry I would like to read. Full of color, colorful characters, and […]
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Absolutely beautiful
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Thank you very much!
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[…] of alerts and updates. It’s so loud. I realize I touched on this experience in an old poem, Flo On (still one of my favorites): the whole world is screaming and / no one’s got the mic. Fascinating […]
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