Don't Count Your Grenades Before They Hatch

Don’t Count Your Grenades Until they Hatch

 

As a purpled wet sunrise

punches me in the face,

and today’s plan dissolves

like sugar cubes in my coffee,

 

I sit on my green bucket-seat throne

and listen to a Ramones song burn

faster than a single-wide trailer.

 

I was going to paint a white

clapboard masterpiece, and reinvent

blue collar pride. But, the sky

has become my enemy.

 

Microwave 7-11 burrito

filled with bean paste and anxiety

reminds me that I still exist.

 

I smile as God winks,

puts on His sun mask,

and the laughter of raindrop echoes

 

bounce away to the final chorus

of Teenage Lobotomy.

 

I guess nothing is ever truly lost.

All of my hopes are standing

at the shadowy edges

 

of this circle pit tornado

waiting for a song

that makes them want to dance.

 

Now, I just pray that

the old Chevy will start.

Author's Note

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Reviews

[Mark]

Ahhhh... ANXIETY! That was the flavor I couldn't identify the last time I
had a 7-11 burrito!
Unfamilar as I am with the Ramones, I can still identify with the setting of goals, then having them dashed to bits by circumstances not of our own making and wholly out of our control. Then the greater goal put by, the lesser goal of merely hoping the car will start is forced to take its place.
Most evocative work, Bob! Though I'm no dolt, much of your stuff, though undeniably beautiful, is too cerebral for me to eke much meaning from; Not so, here! It speaks to my heart most plainly.

[Hollow Man]

now, i just pray that the old chevy will start...ya, true, blue-collar to the bone. got this poem scraping through my veins

[Jūdan FyreHeart]

The negative tones with the great images can't help but allow the creeping hope to peer over the edge and take hold. Dragging you forth to continue fighting. =D

[schanzilla]

love the idea of a purplish wet sunrise punching one in the face. that would be my typical day start if the sun happened to rise at noon. great write, definitely worth reading over again.

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Nice write makes for a fun read. The heat-meat burrito reference made me gag, as I still have the taste burned into my throat. Most outside work and rain don't mix, something i know very well. I could really relate.

[Cocoacandy]

nice one... good job... i like it... really well written. good job... keep it up!
*cocoabean*

[heido]

Pretty stoked that you were inspired by the Ramones... yeap!

[Nothing Personal]

What is truly wasted on days like this? Anything? Something? Ponders and runs about the question of worth of anything..in my mind and you use your strong imagactionary to provide us a comprehensive picture..Just as brilliant the title is, equally good is your concept and delivery..The burrito existentialism and the hope with the old Chevy to make a difference is top stuff..Just too many good anecdotes as always..God

[KAREN]

Love the story in this! The opening is my favorite lines. the ending is cute too! Excellent job as always!!

[Chelsea]

Seriously, how do you write like this? Every time I open your poems I'm struck, you are just so talented.
I'm going to take a shot at this one.... Guessing it's meaning, correct if I'm wrong. Were you talking about sorrows in life? 7-11 burrito (brilliant line btw) eating your sorrows out......
A brilliant poem!