Saturday, July 31, 2010

Monkey See, Monkey Do



Percy P. Orangutan,
Had a purple boomerang.
When he threw it,
People knew it,
Cause it made a real loud bang.

C.C. the Chimpanzee,
Liked to play hide and seek.
Now she's here,
Now she's gone.
She can play all day long.

Spunky their monkey friend.
Always likes to play pretend.
If you smile,
He smiles too.
Sometimes he acts just like you.

They all live at the local zoo,
And play together like kids do.
But all are shy and don't like when,
Other people are watching them.

One day Percy and C.C.,
Got together with Spunky.
They decided,To play a game.
So Percy grabbed his boomerang.

He picked it up and turned around,
But CC wasn't to be found.
Spunky fell down to the ground.
He did not make a sound.

Percy got worried then,
Both of them were his best friends.
Where the heck did C.C. go?
Poor old Percy did not know.

As for Spunky, he laid still,
Percy thought him dead or ill.
He went over to check on him,
That's when Spunky cracked a grin.

He could not contain himself,
They laughed so hard that Percy fell.
Just then CC reappeared,
Percy laughed then heard a cheer.

Right outside the looking glass,
A group of children had just passed.
They saw the threesome playing around,
Stood and watched without a sound.

Then the primates realized,
Much to all of their surprise,
Their playful pranks were recognized,
And brought sheer joy to children's eyes.

Then the three in unison,
Turned to see the children grin.
All together they grinned too.
As if it all had been on queue.

The children couldn't help but see,
The monkeys' curiosity.
Then they all jumped up and down,
And acted just like little clowns.

Spunky recognized their game,
Then decided to do the same.
So did Percy, then C.C.,
They all jumped 'round real silly.

Then the children hid their eyes,
The threesome decided to oblige.
They covered up their eyes too.
Then all together played peek-a-boo.

The kids then covered up their ears,
The monkeys did the same to cheers.
Then with their hands they hid mouths, too.
The three now knew just what to do.

Percy, Spunky and C.C.,
Were as happy as can be.
They played games all afternoon,
More hide and seek and pretend too.

The three primates sure had fun,
Playing games with everyone.
From that day on they weren't shy,
Especially when kids walked by.

Now outside you will find,
The primates have a brand new sign.
People come from near and far,
To see the brand new monkey stars.

It reads:

Welcome to the local zoo.
There's Orangutans, Chimps and monkeys too.
They like to play games with you.
Hide and Seek and Peek a Boo.
They imitate and pretend they're you.
They act just like they're your friend, too.
But their favorite game to do.
Is Monkey See and Monkey Do.


Copyright © July 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm
001073110

Like a Norman Rockwell


I want a life, bereft of strife,
Less worries, pain and sorrow.
A picture-perfect, love affair,
That breaches each tomorrow.

Holidays to dream about,
Season's blessed with with songs.
Family get-togethers that,
Last a lifetime long.

Simple scenes that blend together,
That form life's melody.
Pleasant thoughts that last forever,
A sense of certainty.

I want a life, with a wife,
And a family.
A perfect home, to call my own.
Love and prosperity.

Mental scenes of what life means,
Simple yet sincere.
Snapshots pulled from album screens,
That capture all the years.

I'd like to take my memories,
And place them under glass.
Paint laughs and jokes with warm brush strokes,
Sanctify the past.

As waning years are stained by tears,
They'll comfort and sustain.
All that I've so valued dear,
They'll help to ease the pain.

Yes, I want life memorialized,
To ponder and recall.
A painted mural immortalized,
A book upon a wall.

A treasury of what's happened to me,
Framed to both see and tell.
A collection of lifetime's subtleties,
Like those of Norman Rockwell.



Copyright © July 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
073110

Friday, July 30, 2010

The Carnival of Souls




A synchronized crescendo,
Of thunder claps draw near.
Streaks of light fill the skies,
With a sense of fear.

Crashing, dashing,
Darkness, flashing light.
Crashing, gnashing,
Day turns into night.

Persistent pulsations,
Deep within my head,
Slowly wane then dissipate,
Fears no longer fed.

An overwhelming rumble,
Solid sheets of rain.
I stagger then I stumble,
Reeling from the pain.

Crashing, flashing,
Feeling much less tense,
Gnashing, mashing,
Making much less sense.

As the thunderstorm subsides,
There's a calm refrain.
In my mind I recognize,
The faint sound of a train.

Clattering, pattering,
Pecking at my brain.
Spattering, battering,
My mind's window pane.

There comes a sudden rapping,
At my closed front door.
What is really happening?
I can't tell for sure.

I cracked the door slightly,
To see who might be there.
A tall man bows politely,
Our eyes lock in a stare.

I feel like I am floating,
Floating in the air.
Levitating, loathing,
How I got up there.

Suddenly I notice,
Blood is everywhere,
Bleeding, feeding,
Visions I dare share.

The tall man isn't breathing,
He's just standing there.
I have a sensual seething,
As windchimes fill the air.

Darkness now surrounds me,
Silence fills my ears.
A numbness now abounds me,
The fervor of despair.

I can see slight movement,
Sirens start to whine,
Blinking lights are proof that,
I am still alive.

Now I hear faint music,
A calliope of songs,
Rhythmic, blind amusement,
I sense that something's wrong.

Uniforms approaching,
Suggest I am someone.
They point weapons at me,
As if I have a gun.

My body has no feeling,
As I hit the ground.
I'm looking a the ceiling,
Trying to look around.

Men are looking at me,
Some just turn away.
I don't know exactly,
What to do or say.

I still hear the music,
It's slowly getting cold.
I feel like I am losing,
The life I dearly hold.

There's a light above me,
Pulsing, pulling fast.
God I hope you love me,
Need I have to ask?

There's no more horizon,
No moon or setting sun,
The tall man's hands and eye's are,
Guiding everyone.

As he collects tickets,
Bells begin to toll.
Welcoming the wicked,
To the carnival of souls.



Copyright © July 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
073010

Sunday, July 25, 2010

I Am...


I am a book that no one's read,
A voracious hunger that's never been fed.
A phantom that haunts those I've known,
A vision that's seen but never shown.

I have no body, no heart or soul,
I live in the minds of the young and old.
No one can see me though I'm always there,
A flick of a light or wisp of cold air.

I have no sense of presence or time,
No conscious pretence of what's yours or mine.
I take what I want, live as I choose,
I have no remorse for those I abuse.

Some people find me a breath of fresh air,
Other's remind me how little I care.
I rise every morning before every sun,
At the end of the day my work's just begun.

I've always existed and always will,
Many've resisted though welcomed my thrill.
I've been portrayed in songs and scenes,
Crudely displayed upon movie screens.

Some seek my guidance, covet my rules,
Find false reliance, submit like fools.
Some think they know me, the hate that I feel,
Attempt to show me what's fake and what's real.

Though some men deny me, reject I exist,
They often find me, reflect then subsist.
There's no place to hide that's outside my reach,
Those who have died I loath and beseech.

God has his children, the lambs of his flock,
Teachers that teach them to cling to his rock.
I don't pretend to be who I'm not.
I never intend to be void or forgot.



Copyright © July 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm001
072510



There Comes A Time




There comes a time in everyones' life,
Thoughts test mortality.
The further we go,
The more that we know,
Yet the less we're able to see.

In retrospect we all soon forget,
Years seem to take their toll.
What we long to feel,
Minds gradually conceal,
Memories fade into black holes.

Before we die we should all try,
To inscribe life's victories and woes.
Bless loved ones and friends,
Before it all ends.
Provide memoirs for family and foes.

A lifetime's last epitaph,
Should not just be words etched in stone.
Leave an impression,
An eternal expression,
A collection of words of your own.



Copyright © July 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
072510

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Blackbird





Blackbird swimming in the dawn's grey light.
Shake your soakened wings with all your might,
Things aren't right.
You were only bathing now you're fighting to survive.

Blackbird sinking in the breaking light,
Spread your darkened wings instinctively.
Damn BP.
Escape this God forsaken hypocri-sea.

Blackbird try, Blackbird fly,

Reach for the heights of the clear blue sky.

Blackbird try, Please don't die.

There are no more answers, no more reasons why.

Blackbird giving it a final try.
Shaking desperately, trying to reach the sky,

Please don't die.

The world's forever praying for your blessed kind.
The world hopes and prays that your freedom find.
The world hopes and prays your race never dies.

Blackbird, why?

Oh God why?


Copyright © June 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm001
061510

Monday, June 14, 2010

You Talkin' To Me?


Manhattan Irish Italian,
American idol, screen and stage,
Robert, though a junior,
Took Hollywood bull by Rage.
Iconic Taxi Driver,
Neurotic Foster slave,
Supported Coppola's Godfather,
Famed Vito's early age.
Al Capone imitator,
Vietnam prisoner vet,
Ordained psychotic hunter,
Ruled at russian roulette.
Introduced Jake and Noodles,
Travis Bickle and Jimmy C,
Eccentric among good fellas,
Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.
Cady was fear personified,
Tilden Cop Land's reality,
Original New York wiseguy,
Remembered for "You Talkin' To Me?"

Kevin Mooney
Copyright © May 2010

kmm001
052210

Popsicle Stick Races





Gentlemen, start your engines,
Get your bets and wagers in.
Grab your umbrellas,
Tell all the young fellas,
As the pop sickle stick races begin.

It used to be I relished days,
When all it did was rain.
You couldn't play sports,
In swimsuits or shorts,
But a pair of bare-feet,
And inclined streets,
Were sourses that could sure entertain.

I always collected popsicle sticks,
To satisfy rainy day thrills.
Stuffed in a cup,
I'd gather them up,
Run out the door,
In a virtual down pour,
And head up the closest street hill.

Both roadsides would soon come alive,
As rivers rushed toward sewer holes.
The current moved along,
Steady and strong,
Width only deterred,
By the height of the curb,
As its rapids pitched and rolled.

Sometimes it was hard to find,
The most perfect starting line.
But once decided,
I'd crouch down beside it,
Choose 2 contestants,
From my prized investments,
And readied them in precisioned time.

Sometimes I would pause and wait,
Hold back before I'd begin.
I'd build a small dam,
With the palm of my hand,
Plug up the flow,
And get ready to go,
And place my contestants in.

I'd silently start to count,
On your mark, get set, go.
With no hesitate,
I'd lift my palm gate,
The inevitable rush,
Of water would gush,
Propelling my race crafts to flow.

Down the hill the sticks would glide,
Slightly shifting from side to side.
Fluming the lane,
Undetered by rain,
Swiftly they made,
The first driveway,
As I imagined I was hanging five.

Staying their quested course,
My sticks would pick up speed.
They virtually flew,
Past driveway two,
Past a mailbox,
Under some trucks,
With stick two in the narrowest lead.

I would walk, bent to the side,
Making sure neither flared too wide.
One slight mistake,
An unchartered wake,
Could cause them to bound,
Or wash aground,
Or away with a passing tire's tide.

With the finish line now well in sight,
I'd run ahead and get positioned just right,
As the sticks would approach,
I'd get in a crouch,
Stand ready to defend,
The sewer's way in,
And spare them a "down the drain" plight.

It looks like a photo finish,
Who won this time's hard to tell.
One thing that's nice,
If you don't get it right,
You rescue your sticks,
Grab two brand new picks,
And head back up to the top of the hill.



Copyright © June 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm001
061410

Sunday, June 13, 2010

An Albino Rhino











 






There once was an albino rhino,
The only such rhino I know.
He was certainly a sight,
A pale ghostly white,
No color from horn tip to toe.

 

All of the regular grey rhinos,
Found him somewhat absurd.
He never socialized,
Was often ostracised,
From their otherwise, colorized world.

 

One day the albino rhino,
Met a pink phosphorescent elephant.
He didn't know,
An elephant could glow,
But saw her special and like him different.

 

They became best friends which was rare,
Ignored random gawks, laughs and stares.
After awhile,
All the elephants smiled,
Saw them as an interesting pair.

 

One day some hunters came by,
Thought they'd give elephants a try.
The grey rhinos knew,
There was nothing they could do,
But stay back and not question why.

 

But the albino rhino couldn't stand,
To watch his friend's slaughtered by man.
He considered the situation,
Then in sheer desperation,
He decided to execute a plan.

 

As the hunters drew close and took aim,
That's when the first charge up and came.
From dust that was stirred,
Came the cloudy white blur,
Of a ghostly rhinoceros frame.

 

Slightly rattled and somewhat confused.
The hunters were not that amused.
Though something charged by,
In the blink of an eye,
Their deadly efforts would not be refused.

 

Having had their first shots deterred,
They refocused, regrouped and conferred.
Dug themselves in,
Retried once again,
And took aim at the pachyderm herd.

 

Suddenly the earth shook and swayed,
The hunters turned, looked in dismay.
Toward them rumbling loud,
Came an enormous tumbling cloud,
And sharp horns of a rhino parade.

 

Without time to regress or refrain,
And no one but themselves to blame,
The hunters bid adieu,
Then backed off and flew,
Leaving guns and sought after game.

 

When the clouds of dust had all cleared,
Two crowds of musk appeared.
They stood tusk to face,
Each distinctive race,
Then both elephants and rhinos all cheered.

 

As a great celebration began,
The rhinos regathered their clan.
But off to the side,
Attempting to hide,
Was the albino rhino that first ran.

 

Together with horns and trunks raised,
The two herds offered honor and praise,
To the Albino Rhino,
They all now loved so,
For his courage and unselfish ways.

 

As for his precious pink friend,
The rhino remained loyal to the end.
Despite her big ears,
She never had fears,
Of standing out in a crowd again.

 

The moral of this story should make sense,
Don't worry if you have a difference.
God's creatures are born,
With all features and forms,
What counts is the love you dispense.



Copyright © June 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
061310

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Tsunami Wake Reprise




This is a first attempt at a form of Haiku called a Renga. The format is 5-7-5 / 7-7 / 5-7-5 / 7-7 / 5-7-5 / 7-7 / 5-7-5 / 7-7 / 5-7-5 / 7-7. Not sure if they're intended to rhyme. Hope it works...


Mega thrust earthquake / Early morning violent shake / Victims not awake

Oceanic sea floor break / Seismographic second take

Massive tidal wake / Uncertainty, real or fake? / Prewarning mistake

Indonesian fear outbreak / Sri Lankan shores lie in wake

CNN newsbreak / Quarter million lives at stake / Viewer breath intake?

Misery, widespread heartache / Outcome bleak, future opaque

Please God don't forsake / Those caught in Tsunami's wake / Help for Heaven's sake

Ease suffering and heartbreak / No more lives destruction take.

All asked to partake / In a Worldwide mourning wake / For disaster's sake.

Retrospective take / In aftermath's five-year wake / Faith it did not take.




Copyright © May 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

050210


The Scent of Summer Rain



I love the scent of a summer rain,
When it's been overdue,
It cleanses away pollen stains,
Left speckled by morning dew.

It quenches thirsts for subtlety,
It eases mental strains.
It's essence has a stale fragrency,
That pleases idle brains.

It softens sun baked window panes,
Clears soil caked, dusty feet.
So often it's unjustly blamed,
For rivers in urban streets.

My soul is cleansed of temperate pain
As it pours in tearful sheets,
An effervescent cool refrain,
From morbid summer heat.

Often provoked by hurricanes,
They rinse dullness from pale blue skies.
Violent Tornado and Cyclone remains,
Causing streams and rivers to rise.

Drizzles sweet as sugar cane,
Nature's waterfall overflows,
Hailstones in it's quake proclaim,
Majestically arched rainbows.

I yearn for dawn's passionate disdain,
The rumble of turbulent skies,
Those days when thunderhead clouds contain,
Teardrops for weathered eyes.

Burdens wash down bubbling drains,
Leaving skies vibrantly blue.
They still a mind's quiet refrain.
Make the whole world feel brand new.



Copyright © May 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm001
051110

Summer Signs




The sweet smell of honeysuckle,
Dampened by the rain.
Drips of morning dew running,
Down a window pane.
A symphony of water fowl,
Frogs and nesting birds,
Synchronize, then harmonize.
In melody, not words.
Crisp and cool, storm-filtered air,
A soft and gentle breeze,
Life stirring everywhere,
As far as eyes can see.
As the morning sun rise,
Breaks above the trees
I suddenly realize,
What summer means to me.

~!~

T-shirts, shorts, no more shoes,
Fancy grills and barbecues.
The smell of flowers and fresh cut grass,
Fishing for hours for trout or bass.
Baseball and Concerts after dark,
Amusement, Theme and Water-parks,
Dairy Queen and dreamsicles,
Homemade ice cream, popsicles.
Thunderstorms and scattered drizzles.
Boyhood laughs and girlish giggles.
Swimming pools and water holes,
No more school, just fishing poles.
Ice cold beer and bottled wine.
Longer days, come rain or shine.
Grapes picked straight from the vine.
Teeth carved out of watermelon rind.
Picking wild blackberries,
Whipped cream over strawberries.
Blueberries and fresh cherries,
Snow Balls, Cones and Mr. Freeze.
Fresh tomatoes and vegetables,
From homegrown gardens to tables.
Picture perfect, clear blue skies,
Beaches, burgers, boardwalk fries.
Peach cobblers and apple pies.
Mosquitos, ants and fireflies.
Picnics and the 4th of July,
Memories that never die,
Family gatherings, vacation times.
A poetic collage of summer signs.




Copyright © May 2010
Kevin Mooney

kmm0010
50110

A Dog


Boy and man's best friend,
A virtual living trend,
Mix of canine blends.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

042910

The Stars (A Haiku)



Celestial Sea,
Astrologic Canopy,
Einstein's specialty.


Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
042910

Natas L. Useifer



Natas L. Useifer was a lanky, fair-skinned lad,
He was often ridiculed,
For the peculiar name he had.
Kids found him an easy target,
For the silly names they hurled.
But things were never what they seemed,
In Natas Useifer's world.


See Natas was born on the 6th of June, in 1966,
A Monday morning like any other,
He arrived at 6:06.
He never knew his father,
His mother was seldom seen.
No brothers, no sisters, no Aunts or Uncles,
He was quite an independent teen.


He had long, coal blackish hair
And deep-set, piercing eyes,
Wore spectacles and old, dark wear,
Like a Halloween disguise.
He had bony fingers with pointed nails,
Sharp chin and protruding brow.
Was slight of build, seemed somewhat frail,

Meek yet scary somehow.

The other kids made fun of him
And his fiendishly creepy ways,
He was often teased at school,
Called geek or freak or gay.
They found Natas quite naive,
When it came to social rules.
Found ways to belittle and torture him,
Ways often very cruel.


One day John Bates played a dirty trick,
Made Natas look like a fool.
Natas got this scary look.
But never lost his cool.
He gave John an evil stare,
One that curled the skin.
Bates just smiled, he didn't care,
Ignored his sinister grin.


At gym that day, while most kids played,
Nothing else was said.
But when the teacher looked away,
A tree limb hit John's head,
No one seemed to see it happen,
He just layed, then minutes later,
John Bates was pronounced dead.


Everyone gathered 'round John's body,
To mourn their fallen friend,
He'd walked over to retrieve a ball.
No one ever saw what happened.
Who knew that the limb would fall?
All that anyone could remember,
Was a sudden gust of wind.


Some kids looked right at Natas,
Wondered where he'd been.
Questioned if he'd been involved,
Had somehow made it happen.
All that anyone could recall,
Was him sitting on a bench,
Several yards from it all,
Eyes shut, fists tightly clenched.


Natas L. Useifer was never held to blame,
The death was ruled an accident,
An act of God, a shame.
As for Natas, if he weren't innocent,
He would never tell.
He just grinned that evil grin,
And wished old John Bates well.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
042910

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Tornado



Cone-shaped, funneled wind,
Vortex wrought with destruction.
Twister, Cyclone kin.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

042610

The Moon




Night sky's lunar light,
Ever-changing, bright and white,
Man and child's dream flight.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

042610

The Boss


Grew up blinded by the city's bright lightT
Reigned supreme in Freehold's Branch BorougH.
Early success with A Park and E ShufflE
Earned him nicknames Doctor and B.
Tenth avenue froze out his Earth band triO,
It was Run that brought out the criticS.
New Jersey's son left no Backstreets with doubtS,
Got Rosalita out, both live and in studiO,
Streets of Fire and Dark Side were prooF.

F
ostered a Bad and Promised Land hiT,
River was double the fun to play witH,
Out in the Street he was always On FirE,
Made Courtney Cox the whole world's desirE.

A
ll Born in the US Danced in his streetS
Shared Spirits nightly with the fans he would meeT.
Brought his Hometown to each American's front dooR
Used folk and rock style to forge every scorE,
Revelled with Glory Days and Tunnels of LovE,
Youngstown and Joad made audiences erup
T

P
ainted Empty Skies with each brash Rising verB
All working men rise to his raucous personaA
Revered Pop Icon from fan to faN
King of folk rockers and JunglelanD.


Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

042610

Ray of Sunshine (Haiku)



Breaks the dawn of days,
Pieces darkness and drawn shades,
At dusk fades away.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

042010

Rainbow Haiku

Arch across skyline,
Storm's mirage made from sunshine,
Leprechaun's gold mine.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney



kmm001

042010

Let's All Pause





Let's all pause, give a round of applause,
To those, for us, that serve.
Our reverence,
Our countenance,
Give thanks most well deserved.

Share your love and support,
Praise their gallantry.
Their due respect,
Don't neglect,
Their pride and dignity.

Sing the Anthem, Bang the drums,
Let them know you care.
Form a crowd,
Shout out loud,
Make the world aware.

For Freedom's sake, don't hesitate,
The end is almost near.
The path we choose,
Our attitudes,
Are what control our fears.

Resolve the peace, complete release,
Let's celebrate with praise.
And when it ends
Let's all be friends,
God Bless the USA.




Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001

041810

Butterfly Requiem


















Nestled in a worn cocoon,
Hidden from the light.
I work all day,
To find a way,
To make it through the night.

A silk vacuum, maternal womb,
Woven to conceal.
My sole being,
Beyond seeing,
The emotions that I feel.

I'm constricted, arms restricted,
Pinned tight at my side.
I try to squirm,
Like a worm,
There's no place to hide.

Suddenly reality,
Disturbs my private hell.
I'm aware
of a tare,
In my outer shell.

I deliberate, then agitate,
Wiggle to get free.
Semi-conscious,
My response is,
To fight for liberty.

I hesitate to escape,
Force my way on through,
Scenes flash by,
Before my eyes,
Of feelings I once knew.

Then the shackles that once bound me,
Are finally loose then shed.
I tentatively,
Stretch to see,
Shake cobwebs from my head.

I peel away the formed decay,
That was my resting home.
To my surprise,
I realize,
I am not alone.

For there around me, souls surround me,
Millions of cocoons.
I just stare,
Now aware,
Of all God's woven tombs.

I stretch my arms, to my alarm,
They're now two different things.
It's funny when,
One life ends,
God honors it with wings.





Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney



kmm001
041810

Me and My Old Man





I remember my old man and what he meant to me,
It seemed like he was always there,
He died at 63.

I see his face in the mirror, each time I look at me.
The image of a long lost friend,
I miss terribly.

Ever since I could talk I can picture him.
He was there when I first walked,
With a great big grin.

He taught me how to ride a bike, ran right by my side,
Provided all the things I liked,
And wisdom to decide.

He taught me baseball, was my coach, my mentor and my guide,
Was the one that cheered me most,
With confidence and pride.

He presented life's uncertainties, taught me right from wrong,
We talked about the birds and bees,
Shared love of sport and song.

He helped me enjoy school work, the value of good grades,
He was there despite his work,
His long and busy days.

He laughed when I was happy, cried when I was sad,
Was always there to comfort me,
In good times and in bad.

The day I finished high school, his eyes welled up with tears,
When I got my college degree,
It settled hopes and fears.

The day I met my wife to be and brought her home to him,
I could see his pride in me,
His warm, approving grin.

The day I walked down the isle I was 33,
I remember his big smile,
And what it meant to me.

When my first son arrived my dad turned 59.
Despite his heart, he survived,
A grandson one more time.

The day my dad passed away it was morning, around 8:00.
I received a call that day,
In October '98.

I went to be by his side but he had passed and gone.
I tried so hard not to cry,
Keep my strong face on.

Lying there with a distant stare and sober peace of mind.
I couldn't help but compare,
My dad's past life to mine.

In his time my old man had very few faults to find.
The day he died my new clock began,
I was 39.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney


kmm001
041710

Porcelain Seagull




Silly salty sea bird
See him surf and sail.
Wide wet webbed feet,
Wild whimsical tail.

Soft sultry feathers.
Sharp shifty eyes,
Weathering wicked weather,
Climbing cool clear skies.

White breasted angel,
Grey winged friend,
Glide aggressive angles,
Catch festive winds.

Duck-like yellow feet,
Eagle-like bald white head.
Hawk-like bent, pointed beak,
Yellow, touched with red.

Sentry, skilled scavenger,
Sea faring famous fowl,
For centuries a ravager,
At stern, port or bow.

Their Caw's quite distinctive,
It breaks a beachside lull,
Their cause quite instinctive,
The porcelain Seagull.



Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney



kmm001
041610

aka Richard Bachman




Maine's most prolific author,
Yet nearly missed his call.
Self-made though almost a pauper,
Tabitha liked in him what she saw.
Early on wrote Nightshift short stories,
Reaped fame with Carrie's first prom.
Years of struggle and mental frustration,




Augmented tales of where It came from.
Never took a Shining to Colorado,
Despite Jerusalem's published success.




Had to Stand on his New England bravado,
Or Stand By the lifestyle he knew best.
Raked in his fortune by forty.
Richard Bachman became a pen name.
Oh how Christine and Cujo adorned him,
Resurrection was Pet Sematary's claim.




Walking on Route 5 in Lovell,
Recklessly rendered him semi-lame.
In Misery he found it a foreshadow,
The Green Mile was where several thoughts came.
Earned raves with Shawshank's clear redemption,
Reveled in Claiborne's acclaimed fame.











Copyright © April 2010
Kevin Mooney





kmm001
041610