Long Island: Oh So Fresh (or, Coming Home Girl)

Returning to Long Island

quickens her tired spirit,

recharges her anemic soul.

She skips flat rocks just

like she was a kid again;

chews a deli ham ‘n Swiss

on a buttered hard roll.

She breathes in the fresh

salty island sea breezes,

buys local produce fresh

from the island farms;

takes mid-day naps on

crisp, fresh-made linens,

dreams fresh dreams of

her old lovers’ charms.

Tho’ people, places, ‘n

things have sadly faded

over all the years; and

tho’ she knows there’s

no truly going back;

this coming home girl

remains forever young,

and local legend claims,

is still fresh in the sack.

~gj duerrschmidt

Key West: The Great Comeback (or, Old Men and Old Cars)

Over time, the paint has faded,

but not so has the dream;

a setback here,

a challenge there,

but hope's brighter

than things seem.

First, there were the surgeries for

a hernia and cataracts;

hypertension here,

bout of gout there;

but I’m okay now,

ignoring facts.

Then, Vinnie’s transmission,

brakes, and steering too;

a thou$and here,

a thou$and there;

but just like me, he’s

good as new.

Sometimes road trips must wait

on old cars and old men;

yes, we’re still here,

getting it in gear;

but soon back on

the road again.

~gj duerrschmidt

~vinnie van go

Water Soluble: On Lost Innocence

When things are new,

not yet explored;

when family members

are most adored;

when sin is unknown,

much like the Lord;

a child is most blessed

and innocent.

The world is a shiny,

beautiful place;

fairytale stories bring

smiles to the face;

joys that adulthood too

soon will erase;

for no one stays young

and innocent.

Soon there is suffering,

sadness, and pain;

disappointment,

dark days with rain.

Why does life become

cruel and insane?

Man’s nature washes

away his innocence.

~gj duerrschmidt