I awoke to serenity
and the roar of mighty elms;
whose branches tethered
one along the other
whispered a powerful secret.
Pollen laden bees
put aside their daily labors
to spread the righteous news.
But the birds took no notice.
They had heard it all before.
from “ππ°π―π·π¦π³π΄π’π΅πͺπ°π―π΄ πΈπͺπ΅π© ππͺπππ°π―”,
Samuel DiPaola (1999)
“Part of me thinks you are perfect.
While, another part of me thinks you are perfectly dreadful!
Like aged cheese.
Great with fine wine,
but left out the morning after a party. . .?”
“So, now you’re comparing me to smelly, dried-up old cheese!?”
“Lola, waitβdon’t go!
I need you, Darling.”
I caught your smile lighting up the room. A glow radiated up to heaven and you had everything you desired. I became intoxicated. . .very contagious. Happiness can be given to someone. The energy grabs hold and pulls you along with ease. I too was carried off to heaven and managed to find that special peace I have craved for these many years. Now when I need the comfort I think back to that small frozen moment in time, and know it exists in a smile.
from “ππ¦π΅π΅π¦π³π΄ π΅π° π’π― ππ―π¨π¦π”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
She looked a little pensive
standing on the pier,
wonder of the passing boats
traveling so near.
Her clothes were shed,
a magnificent spread,
thought robin for his bed.
No time to weep,
she took a leap,
for uncontrolled desire.
Time runs out
Skin grows slack
Memories drop to the floor
And shatter
Careful
Sharp edges
Suck them up in vacuum hose
Now stuck with cat litter
I donβt own a cat!
from “ππ¦π΅π΅π¦π³π΄ π΅π° π’π― ππ―π¨π¦π”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
Where are you?
At the top of a mountain,
gasping for air amongst the clouds.
On the bottom of the ocean floor,
searching for pirate treasure.
Inside a volcano,
eating fistfuls of molten magma.
Buried 6 feet under ground,
damp dirt overflowing your eye sockets.
In outer space,
holding onto the tail of a comet.
Being turned on a spit over an open flame,
the main dish at a family barbecue.
Wet and slimy,
traveling down a birth canal.
Alone in bed,
wishing for love.
Who would listen?
from “ππ¦π΅π΅π¦π³π΄ π΅π° π’π― ππ―π¨π¦π”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
You know me better than anyone
I act like a fool
You give me that look
I feel myself loose control
A battle of nerves
You put me in check, calm me
I can smell your perfume on my shirt
That moment we touched
Floating
Can I take you to the moon?
Iβm sure we can make it.
The stars are out tonight
Pull one down and eat it
Did it taste of dreams?
That sour feeling, after
It must have been an old one
Stars belong in the sky
The morning comes a new
Belief in starting over
Midday, you are spent
Evening, hungry
Sleep and dream about the morning
Watch the dog
He does not need more than a soft hand
Life is simple, trust your feelings
Do you feel a flea?
Take a bath
from “ππ¦π΅π΅π¦π³π΄ π΅π° π’π― ππ―π¨π¦π”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
Do they know of sadness?
Many days spent
And a quest unfulfilled
Overturned rocks strewn about
Shed light on slimy bugs
Afraid, they run,
Dig down deep and hide
What of the hunt?
Lost ideals and empty traps
Used dismantled road signs
Now pieces of kindling in blackened pits
The embers fade
A depository for sacrificial bones
Such waste
Will anyone remember?
The vision once held promise
Soldiers long forgotten
Casualties of a dream
Stacked as cordwood
Sun baked, well done
But one remains
He may tell
And knows of sadness
from “ππ¦π΅π΅π¦π³π΄ π΅π° π’π― ππ―π¨π¦π”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
Put me in a box and place it on a shelf
Back in the deepest corner of the closet
Somewhere between the wool sweaters and the photo albums
Take me down once a year when you are alone
We can make love if you like or just drink tea
When the conversation begins to drag ,
Just put me back in the box and place it on the shelf
It will be our little secret
from “Letters to an Angel”,
Samuel DiPaola (1997)
No, you’re not dreaming.
The world is insane,
and always has been.
Nothing to be done.
Brew some tea and smile.
You don’t want to miss
the final chapter.
Would you like a scone?
Samuel DiPaola 