Poems

Overheard at the Scale House

Rock samples in the scale house

What a dick!
Pug a beast*
You’re on the wrong channel.
I think I can. I think I can.
. . . new set of handcuffs
That’s what her name was.
I think I just dropped 2 tickets
Down the hole.
Dispatch? . . . Dispatch? . . . Dispatch?
Need to pick up some riff-raff*
Down in the hole
You’re just psycho with a capital ‘S.’
Don’t aggravate the pug!*

–Shaun Perkins

Note: Most popular rock at the quarry is called “pugged aggregate base.” Another item that trucks frequently come in for is “rip-rap,” 12”-24” boulders like you see under bridges or close to waterways.

Poems

A Visitor to the Quarry

Limestone dust scoots across the road
And filters into the already dying June grass.
The peacock appears at the quarry windows,
Not looking in, not looking at the trucks,
Not engaged in any way with human life,
Abiding in its own peacock world
Of green velvet and sweeping coattails,
Gold-tipped cigarette holder and champagne
Glass, muddled fruit of peach and apricot. Continue reading “A Visitor to the Quarry”

Poems

70 Years Ago Today: She Got a Diary

 On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank received a diary for her thirteenth birthday. One month later, her family went into hiding.

She got a diary.
Red and white checked cover.
It was to hold a thirteen-year-old girl’s life,
Pet peeves, family outings, friends,
Movie stars, her annoying sister,
A flirtation, a hard teacher, the beauty
Of the canal water in the noonday sun. Continue reading “70 Years Ago Today: She Got a Diary”

Musings

Johnny Depp, Poetry Man

Johnny Depp. Today, June 9, is his birthday. He is 49! I am writing this post to see how many hits I can get by putting his name in it. Johnny Depp. Just tagging that. . . . Well, not really. Here’s Johnny Depp and poetry in America:

Johnny read Jim Morrison’s poetry in the documentary about the Doors When You’re Strange. I haven’t seen it, but it came out in 2012. Have any of you seen it? Continue reading “Johnny Depp, Poetry Man”