A Counter in Van Nuys on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve alone in the Valley. I spent it at a Norms cafe, writing poerty, my escape from the solitude of the holidays.....

A Counter in Van Nuys on Christmas Eve

 

 

I am a galactic warrior

Screaming Coptic Christian tunes

From the alleys of Istanbul

 

I am the immortal traveler

Chanting short prose on top

Of oak table in Scotland

 

I am the hesitant peacemaker

Yelling rally cries

From the skies above

Addis Abba, hoping the hopeless

Get the message

 

I am the shotgun kid

Giving warning shots

At the border of Arizona

Saying Ellis Island is closed

 

I ride in a modern wagon train

I hang glide with the skins of the opulent

I no longer see the world as round

It’s flat like the ancients said

Man can only see his own side

 

Even in moments of happiness

And those moments are fleeting

You whisper softly

In my naked ears

Self-loathing and hate

I want to laugh on the outside

I am terrorized on the inside

I want to scream

Yet I laugh

I giggle like a fool.

 

The world moved in slow motion

My eyes barely open

I can’t feel my face

Again I hear whispers of shortcomings

I laugh

Yet I kiss you again.

 

I am a gypsy

Aimless traveler chasing a vision

That stays planted in my head

Since the days of my youth

On the swing set

In that yard

At that house

In that state

That state of mind

Where fantasy wrestles reality to a stand still

And throws us on our fragile spines

 

I fight for my freedom

Seems like destiny has another idea

 

I stroll in parks

Recline in coffee shops

And avoid dive bars

As I continue on my-California dream

 

 

Author's Note

Comment welcome...

Reviews

[Eve]

ah, I love it! You never disappoint Mr. Hammer. Loved all stanzas loved how you closed it. excellent as usual.

[TL Boehm]

I like the way this is structured - how the poet moves from the anthemic - the battle cries and idealistic moments to the intimacy of sharing with one person - then back out again
Well done.

[Livana Lowell]

Dear Judas Hammer,

I enjoyed this poem because it provoked thought into me. I like it when I can't just glance through a poem and understand the idea right away; it strips me of care for the piece. I have glanced over it and reread to grasp an interpretation that I felt I could put into appropriate words.

The most peculiar line I have to say appealed to me was the anaphoric use of "I am" because a writer is indeed many things. As we reach to achieve our dreams, we journey, and that's what I see this as. I see the telling of travel, of stories. Places you've been and people you've been. As we grow, we change, we become different.

I especially liked the sixth stanza where it showed hints of doubt within the human condition. The seventh stanza says to me overcoming that doubt, the knowledge that hardship will come and bravery to overcome it.

Thank you for sharing this; it was a lovely read. I'd go so far to say that I am quite inspired.

Sincerely Livana Lowell (LL)

God bless

[Ben]

great job i love it

[NZane]

Another story well told :) Good job

[LiberScriptus]

I think it's great how you portray the many facets of this person, showing how he can be many people at once.

[daydreamer]

its a very different poem. multiple dreams of a person with different shades. captivating

[Sunni Davis]

I think this is my favorite of yours. I'm fascinated by the contrasts within the characteristics and the bold brilliant images you've created.

[Kimmee Jean]

favorite part
"I am a gypsy

Aimless traveler chasing a vision

That stays planted in my head

Since the days of my youth

On the swing set

In that yard

At that house

In that state

That state of mind

Where fantasy wrestles reality to a stand still

And throws us on our fragile spines"

[Michael of Gilead]

I liked this, shows the natural contrast that exists in a person