Friday, March 15, 2024

HALLS OF LEARNING

HALLS OF LEARNING

(FOR MARY)

I fell in love with you in a platonic way

Was sorry we never waltzed together

For a teacher you were real cool

I sat on the edge of your desk at the end of the day

As we watched the afternoon shadows

Fade to their deaths in the courtyard.


We talked and we talked

And our minds waltzed

And we shared the joys of teacher and disciple

The desire for knowledge became a yearning.

And like a fire we kept tt burning.


i fell in love with you in a meaningful way

In a master and apprentice way.

There you set my wheels of thought turning

In the majestic halls of learning.

tt was thereIn we wrote the truth

In flames that flickered in my mind

Flames that glow and cannot die

As they paint a tapestry in the blazing night sky


I fell in love with you in a permanent way

In a friendly mentor/pupil way.

For a teacher you were real cool

And I am still in love with you

In a scholarly way of course.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Friday, March 8, 2024

TORTOISE

 TORTOISE

I want to be a tortoise not a hare,

For hares are hyperactive, hopping here and there

A tortoise takes life slow and easy

As when venturing out to criscross the road

Other creatures would be downright queasy

To leave their warm and cozy abode,

But a tortoise just says what the hell,

I look so damn handsome carrying my shell

Surely the cars and drivers will stop for me

If not, a pox on them and their progeny.

A tortoise does a hearty meet and greet

Right smack dab in the middle of the street.


I have been both tortoise and hare,

I once was the rabbit, hopping here and there,

So much to accomplish, so much to achieve.

I jumped in head first, I rolled up my sleeves.

When daylight faded I was still at my post.

Of gigantic feats I would proudly boast.

Once more from the frying pan into the fire,

A tightrope walker pressed into the fray,

Balancing so delicately on the highwire

'Til disease held me squarely in its top heavy sway.


Now I am a tortoise, creeping inch by inch

Curling up for a needed nap on the nearest park bench

Traversing busy highways with nary a thought,

Of whether I should or whether I ought.

Proceeding through the red lights withut any hurry,

No need to ruminate and no need to worry.

I trust in the Lord and the hard shell on my back,

I have a relish for this life, I have a certain knack. 

I am a proud terrific tortoise and I slowly make my way

Through the vast vicissitudes of this glorious golden day.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Friday, March 1, 2024

WELCOME TO MY CRYSTAL BALL

 WELCOME TO MY CRYSTAL BALL

I am having such a ball with my life

Lately I have become so wise

And

I can see more than ever before

With my clear and crystal eyes.


So welcome to my crystal ball.

Stand directly in front of my rapturous radiant smile.

And maybe in an inkling,

My smile so bright and twinkling,

Will shimmer to stardust upon your shoulders

And just before your youth dissolves

Your new mind will indeed resolve to not grow any older,

To see this life as a shimmering wonderland 

Of funny little people,

Scurrying about in hilarious hurries

And bothering with ridiculous worries.


I am having a big bash with my life

A bash that you are most welcome to crash.

Lately I have become so wise.

And

I can see more than ever before

With my clear and crystal eyes.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FORMULAS

 FORMULAS

Everyone has a scheme 

Everyone has the perfect formula

The good life jumps in their palms.

Their planning soothes and calms

(I am far from taking credit 

for the pathway to glory.)


They smile perfect smiles

Tell me where I am wrong

Sprawl their formulas before my eyes

And point me to the nearest skies


Why the emptiness?

Why the agony?

Why the ugliness?

 Why the apathy?


Something is wrong with my mind they say

Everyone has the  perfect formula.

And I think I just flunked life.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Saturday, February 24, 2024

LIVING, BREATHING KEEPSAKE

LIVING, BREATHING  KEEPSAKE

(FOR KYLE, FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY)

Serenade me, captivating lover

In the morning, in the meadow

The greenery of glory

Touch me in a carnival of daffodils 


Blow out the candles, your birthday's today.

Blow out the candles, you blow me away.


You are

 My lucky break

My first and last mistake

My living, breathing keepsake.


Put your body dangerously near mine

Where I can explore the wanderlust

The moon dust

The dream chamber.

All that speaks in the morning is you

I am never without you since I chose you as my own

I am awed by the power of love you have shown

When we touch I feel like I could fly

And every little kiss just gets me closer to the sky


I meet you, enchanted lover

In the cotton fields of lost Elysian summers

I meet you spiritually on the bridge, rainbow clear 

Of wanderlust

Moon dust

Where dreams are spindled like cotton candy


So blow out the candles, your birthday's today,

Blow out the candles, for you blow me away


You are

My lucky break

My first and last mistake

My living, breathing keepsake.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Monday, February 19, 2024

LOVE WALK

 LOVE WALK

Come with me to the mountains.

Past waterfalls and fountains,

Where there is wild honeysuckle and fireflies,

Fresh air and cobalt blue skies.


Kiss me passionately, purely.

Climb inside the porous openings

Of my infatuation  

Come on this love walk

Into the forest

Into this harmony

Into this green lovely meadow

Into my waiting arms.


 Lover come silently 

Stealthily  

Slyly through the flowers

Come to me and stoke the fire

Come with all your energy

All your mad desire

Come with all your mind and body,

Put me through my paces

As nightfall drapes around us

Let us explore dangerous places.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Friday, February 16, 2024

LIFE IS JUST A LITTLE SONG AND DANCE

LIFE IS JUST A LITTLE SONG AND DANCE

I do highly suggestive moves

In bare feet and tights 

Upon this grand raised platform

And I think nothing of it


I write grossly suggestive lyrics

And mind my stones and sticks.

And I give it little thought.

I am neither a tool telling tales out of school,

Nor a motley fool from Shakespeare

But I am glad to know you and proud to have your ear.


I am not a bit like you

Never knowing what to do

I am just a lovesick lad

Who is only passing through


I do highly suggestive moves.

My skin-tight costume bulges 

As I sprint across the high wire.

In my soul there slowly grows

A brightly burning fire.


I sail the ashes of past times

To the cold dark vault of my outer mind.

With the present moment I prowl and I prance

I go with the current and leave it to chance

Life is just a little song and dance.


-Bruce Potts

Copyright 2024

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SERENADE OF TWILIGHT

SERENADE OF TWILIGHT

SERENADE OF TWILIGHT The stars in your eyes, love, I tried them on for size. They shone as bright as diamonds, how they mesmerized. And when...