YESTERDAY’S JOKER – as was, as is
Cheek by jowl
the restless pigeons
watch and wait
wait and watch
‘No croissant crumbs today guys’
He breakfasts only on
steaming expresso and nicotine
He contemplates this and that
avoiding the issue at hand
always dodging ‘that’ topic
puts it on the back burner
for now he takes the
’round the houses walk’
homeward bound
She does not need to
see him like this
Not again
not again, it is unfair
she deserves better
There is no rationale
to that which arrives
out of the clear blue skies
Dark mind malignancy
trumps cheerful remission
flourishing in the bone marrow of
his once divine substance
He watches her from the doorway
the washing machine gyrates
a kettle screams as it boils alive
she rescues a muddled spider from the sink
spins on her dancing slippers
beams
‘You’re not normal you know’
He nods an affirmative
a nod of palpable regret
Still she smiles
‘It doesn’t matter though
it will pass, you know that
It always does’
‘How do you put up with me?’
She ponders over that question
for just a moment
pad of forefinger
resting quizzically upon
undressed lips
head to one side
‘You make me laugh most times
Oh…that and the fact you are
the love of my life
Will that do?’
A lump of remorse
sticks in the throat of
yesterday’s joker
She deserves better
Should my recent work take your fancy, herewith the links. I believe the Kindle thingy is free; the paperback inexpensive;
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Beautifully poignant. Perfect accompaniment!
My thanks, Holly
You’re very welcome!
AS the song says, “All we need is love; love is all we need.
So true, young lady. So very true. Regards, The Old Fool
mike, this is beautiful. So human. And so true.
Cheers, Ms S. ‘Tis a funny old world we live in.
Indeed. At times it is.
Great poem, the back and forth of emotions and that last line “She deserves better” ring true and deep, thank you
My thanks. Emotions as ping pong balls, a way of life. Regards, The Old Fool
Really well written. Of course, no one is perfect. Depression? Why not motivation? Isn’t that the whole reason for compassion?
My thanks Onodanta. I’m not sure. In my experience motivation is sometimes, most times, afraid to show its face, and finds itself hiding in darkest corners, away from depression’s infamous aggressive chien noir. For me I allow that hungry dog in the feed all it wants in the knowledge that when full it’ll leave to hunt out another poor soul to feast upon. It doesn’t always work, yet it’s the best method known to me thus far. Regards, The Old Fool
Beautiful words and message, Mike!
My thanks, young lady. Jolly kind of you.
You’re welcome, and young lady…funny! Have a great day, Mike!
~Lauren
To me, Lauren, from age 1 to 100+ all gals are ‘young ladies’, indeed young ladies who, in my opinion, should rule the globe. Us chaps have made created disaster in that regard from the very moment we evolved. I should know these things as I am 114 years old. Regards, The Old Fool
The vicissitudes of love . . .
Vicissitudes indeed, Liz. Life is quite the strangest thing. More so when one has no idea ‘why?’…a subject that has always fascinated me. Regards, The Old Fool
You’ve just articulated the reason I write fiction.
I must appreciate the way you have delineated your thoughts. Just awesome.
But hey! I have started my blog on positive vibes and inspiration. It will mean world to me if you can stop by my page and shower some love. I will be waiting for your feedback.
Thanks. Have a great day.❤
My thanks. I have just ‘followed’ and look forward to reading. Regards, The Old Fool
Thank You so very much😊
I have recently come to realize that your poetry is much better than I had thought.
Somehow, you work a novel into your words of mystic prose.
It all comes out in the end, like a batch of laundry… started out in need of cleaning, but in the end is fluffed and folded.
I adore this piece. My dear YJTOF, she loves you! Just love her back! ❦❦
My thanks, young Risa. What I call ‘almost poetry’ remains my first love for ‘tis therapeutic when pen graces page and in doing so takes the wretched chien noir someplace else. I have a couple of books themed around ‘almost poetry’. Next time I get hold of a few authors copies I’ll send them over. Their titles, ‘’Gentlemen Prefer a Pulse’ and ‘The Shop That Sells Kisses’. Regards, TOF, or better put since having the corona vaccination, TOFWGESEKTH. ‘TOF Who Got Every Side Effect Known to Humankind’.
Aw…romantic and sweet in a sad way. I particularly enjoyed the home appliances coming alive.
Your writing is simply superb, Mike. You feel things; everything, and it translates perfectly.
My thanks Kelly. Music to the ears of this old fool.
“Old fool” as defined by one who possesses writing superpowers, yep, that is you. xo
Truly kind of you to say that, Kelly. More often it is said of me, “Jack of all trades, master of none”. My best wishes, The Old Fool…sometimes referred to as ‘TOF’ for short.
lol