CRIBCARIBE
life began when the water broke
the cloud opened and the rain was released
the oceans rose to meet their maker
alive and rolling and cheering the moon
massaging the dream of light from their depths
we now sail above and between two worlds
of colour and invisibility
walking through the reflecting sky
below the stars, the silted floors
we make our entrance through the paradise door
floating across and beyond all horizons
so that each new day becomes a mystery
glistening atop a glorious secret
a seeing eye, a beating heart
a beauty that may now depart
and we each have our part in this eternal drama
formed of salt and water and love
to float upon this vast creation
to become the soul of inheritance
we may gaze upon this high formation
so that out of darkness we must emerge
to bathe our pain and fear and sorrow
and relax the flesh in a warmer place
where in this center the spirits inhabit
we shall take our breath, both first and final
EVERY NIGHT I VISIT THE DEAD
every night I visit the dead
their ghostly light a luminous guide
the faintest whispers and transparent tears
no walls, no bridges, no river to cross
where are your eyes, your mouth, your printed fingertips
do you hear me when I speak your name
when I pray for your peace, and your loving touch
are you here with me, am I there in your presence
the needle, the bomb, the smoke inhaled
asleep and at rest in my comfortable position
gone is the pain and the fear of not knowing
allow me to pet your feline apparition
tell me a secret buried in time
from where does the worm find its direction
who was the fiend that stole your voice
what mad and careless dereliction
immortality, eternal death
nowhere is the border trespassed
we share two worlds where neither exists
sweet freedom longed for beckons the fearless
here we are saints melted in heat
the great ocean of souls in a sanguine fluid
this morning you were singing and eating corn
dear wife, husband, and little child
this is your justice, this is the WHY
this is forever, if you may conceive it
just as in life, I can see right through you
VETERAN OF POVERTY
these bones are my uniform
these scars are the medals
that decorate my chest
looking downward always
I navigate a world
seeking the nourishment
that hides beneath my endless steps
ragged and broken children cry at night
of loneliness, abandon, and deprivation
no candle to burn away the pain of the hunger
this day shall end in celebration
to be repeated, remembered, relived
on the edge of survival, a colony of the dead
praise be the glorious writers of history
praise be their gods, their ministers, and kings
they have glorified themselves on the backs of the trodden
and raised their chalices to the land of the free
free of honour, mercy, and charity
it has come to this, the day of reckoning
when all shall harvest from the gardens of greed
ignorance and apathy, a sweet elixir
a belly full and a vacant mind
it is said that the poor will forever exist
and of this one thing you may be certain
the veterans of this war will not be forgotten
long after this putrid, spoiled, and rotten
feast has become a toxic dessert
THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER
what am I doing, thinking about the other
sitting in this cafe with the rain pouring down
oh how I require a purification
oh how I long to dance across the boulevard
the city is an island in a jewel studded sky
this night, whirling and shifting between
the possible, the impossible, a history of signs
a fool once said “it will be alright”
never to be seen in a holy war
his throat was slit and to my surprise
nothing had ever been more alright
the trial has concluded, we are prisoners now
and upon this row we shall cultivate freedom
we will drink the poison and we will not die
for nothing may separate us from these lies
this illusion cast across a sea
a panorama, a thoroughfare
this flight to nowhere a million years
we have flown together as this day approached
beneath the soil the hidden lair
the root shall flourish when we close our eyes
come back home dear child of dreams
for I once held you to my heart
my disbelief in love almighty
has shattered the world that exists within
mother warned of the looming fire
at last the flame has kissed our cheek
a dark design our lips now speak
before I walk you out the door
across the street and around the world
I will sing your song in my soggy shoes
wondering why I ever thought of the other
Joe Kidd is a working, poet/songwriter/artist. In 2020, published The Invisible Waterhole, a collection of spiritual and sensual verse. Awarded by the Michigan Governor's Office and the United States House of Representatives. Joe was Beat Poet Laureate State of Michigan 2022-2024, and Official Poet of the Government of Birland North Africa. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from International Union Peace Federation. With Sheila Burke he has toured Europe, North America, & Caribbean Islands. He has been featured in international anthologies, magazines, websites, festivals, and other personal appearances. Joe is a member of National & International Beat Poet Foundation, 100 Thousand Poets For Change, Society of Classical Poets, Michigan Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Kidd/e/B089QYDXSM
Face Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063704010587
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