earth note 237

there's an impatience
in the words
like the equinox at full sun
taking off in all directions
and even as i write
i'm never sure
where it's all going
or how the meaning
will be sensed
or even if in fact
there is a meaning

the trucks move
along the avenue
as if they have
a schedule & destination
     a hidden cargo
     a secret like these very words
or nothing
     more than clanging shopping carts
     in a parking lot
     of empty pockets

--- e b bortz

every border breeds conflict

integral
to every nation-state
following a river in dispute
an ever-changing labyrinth
     coastline
     or mountain range
where a rope meets an auction block
manufactured and sold
as a hangman's knot

--- e b bortz

earth note 236

the way the afternoon light
shifts around
translucent filters
of the canopy
past bright green buds
     newborn
     maple spring
     arms sway open
          grab the sun
               each frame

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, April 29, 2013)

busk your poems

the street is your canvas
every shard of glass
a point that cuts
to the chase

let the rain
run the ink
like a closed up storefront
on the way outta town

another highway
crawls in obedience
your backpack
     defiance

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, April 12, 2013)

earth note 235

the strip, pittsburgh

iron butterfly 1968 perched on
orange flowing skirt
crossing penn avenue
too young for
in-a-godda-da-vida
but just right
for a day in spring
     finally
     breaking wide
     open wings

--- e b bortz

career day

in the empire
conflicting narratives
might be somewhat
     alive
though not necessarily
     above ground
barely breathing
needing a critical
     real
peer review
not just by academia
and certainly not by maimstreet media
     but by jane and joe
     from down in the hollow

will this generation
be droned
concocted in anesthesia mix
and then formed
like paper mache happy mush
     a sweet talking hallmark card
     looking out for
     the next big gig?

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, April 26, 2013)