DOOM

I hear sirens of my demise
wailing in the distance,
warning me of impending doom,
their strangling tune
discordant and angry,
marching toward certain death,
reaper’s fingers, an ancient breath,
and I have nowhere to hide.

WORDSMITH GANGBANGER

She writes poetry, the free-verse kind,
which sends forth warnings to my mind.
Her words are often dark and scary,
there’s seldom anything too merry,
so now I think, what’s the mental state,
will I notice something far too late?
Might she stab me with her writing pen,
or make our relationship too open---
like a comic standing on a stage,
venting funny on domestic rage?
Should one fear a potential anger,
wielded by wordsmith gangbanger?
Heart that’s ripped at an open mike,
don’t want to know what that feels like!
If a dating coward---and you know it---
steer clear of dark and lonely poet!

[PS: After I read three or so angry girlfriend posts on a poetry site, I thought . . . “hmmm, there’s a darn funny poem in there somewhere.” Not aimed at anyone I know, just thought up a scenario in my mind. So please no “did I write something to offend thee” notes. I was just musing comedic, as I am sometimes wont to do. And I know there are plenty of angry guy poets; I’ve been that too, a few times. So, it’s just how this ditty came out. Kind of odd I would even write this rejoinder, but some people can be overly sensitive (me), so I know.]

OPEN BOOK

Attended thus far two of the Open Book Writer's series held in the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library in the Cooper Library of the University of South Carolina. Missed the first, but have been able to see David Mitchell and Jennifer Egan. Both were interesting and entertaining, in different ways. Mitchell was more off-the-cuff, while Egan came prepared. Attendance seems mostly by older patrons, academics; would love to see more students there. Nice facility for talks as well. Saw Judy Baughman at one of the events.

One special moment was rubbing up against Joseph Heller's desk, with his typewriter and lamp, which is held by USC, which has his papers.

ANOTHER MUG SHOT