The Doorways Between Two Worlds

the doorways 'tween two worlds, so little known,
where visitors pass through for just a time,
they traffic souls, conception to the bone,

it's where the lives begin with cry and moan,
before they're off to live out their lifetime,
the doorways 'tween two worlds, so little known,

the new ones come, the old ones leave, alone,
the population balances in time,
they traffic souls, conception to the bone,

with hands of man, with mortar, brick, are hewn,
much more than tending sicklies for a dime,
the doorways 'tween two worlds, so little known,

entering unknowns, exiting the knowns,
the doorways are the pathways, space and time,
they traffic souls, conception to the bone,

through hospitals the winds of life are blown,
with words of histories in verse and rhyme,
the doorways 'tween two worlds, so little known,
they traffic souls, conception to the bone.

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

they reason from the scriptures and they fail

they reason from the scriptures and they fail
their understanding minds don't understand
they find the end of reason, chase its tail

their minds, through scripture's imagery set sail
they crash the jagged reefs and there they strand
they reason from the scriptures and they fail

before real knowledge reasoning does pale
real knowledge gifted from the true God's hand
they find the end of reason, chase its tail

and can't prove scripture's more than just a tale
upon real knowledge they will never land
they reason from the scriptures and they fail

to real knowledge there's a proven trail
of fasting, prayer, sacraments so grande
they find the end of reason, chase its tail

and never 'gainst their reason will they rail
true knowledge will elude them like the sand
they reason from the scriptures and they fail
they find the end of reason, chase its tail

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

youth's troubles, insurmountable, so tall,

youth's troubles, insurmountable, so tall,
i struggled till I wished them all away,
oh would that mine could be today so small,

the young, so filled with pride, so quick to fall,
i wish those trials back to me today,
youth's troubles, insurmountable, so tall,

the fault of youth, to think to know it all,
yet never with an answer for to say,
oh would that mine could be today so small,

is this merely insanity's love call,
to wish the black of those familiar days,
youth's troubles, insurmountable, so tall?

my yesterdays were insurmountable,
yet nothing could prepare me for today,
oh would that mine could be today so small,

in retrospect I had a blast, a ball,
tomorrow will be blacker than today,
youth's troubles, insurmountable, so tall,
oh would that mine could be today so small

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

Twins

More Cunning than I;
indeed, more treacherous even than Dr. Jackal,
he grips the throats of those that die

Strength and speed and eyes of the sky
make him a man most cruel --
more cunning than I.

He craves pure blood -- blue blood dye --
and seeks those that love another -- poor fool --
he grips the throats of those that die.

Happiness is murdered nigh a lie,
and he is the perfect gentlemen in a dual --
more cunning than I.

Intelligence makes the lady Ligeia sigh
and buries her 'neath the grassy knoll;
he grips the throats of those that die

Double the frights and double the cry.
He's twice the rule and half of the whole.
More cunning than I,
he grips the throats of those that die.

(C)2009, Mattiello

oh apriori is this very fact

oh apriori is this very fact
which contradiction cannot ever touch
that man of any will of mind does act

to contradict this truth takes more than tact
with smoke and mirrors, slight of hand and such
oh apriori is this very fact

to say that man does anything but act
is but an act itself which proves so much
that man of any will of mind does act

when we regress the logic stays intact
back past the act of man we cannot budge
oh apriori is this very fact

into the brain, if scientists would hack
they'd find that mind, the rational, does judge
that man of any will of mind does act

oh why are praxaeologists attacked
by those who do not realize acts as such?
oh apriori is this very fact
that man of any will of mind does act

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

The World and the Child

Letting his wisdom be the whole of love,
The father tiptoes out, backwards. A gleam
Falls on the child awake and wearied of,

Then, as the door clicks shut, is snuffed. The glove-
Gray afterglow appalls him. It would seem
That letting wisdom be the whole of love

Were pastime even for the bitter grove
Outside, whose owl's white hoot of disesteem
Falls on the child awake and wearied of.

He lies awake in pain, he does not move,
He will not scream. Any who heard him scream
Would let their wisdom be the whole of love.

People have filled the room he lies above.
Their talk, mild variation, chilling theme,
Falls on the child. Awake and wearied of

Mere pain, mere wisdom also, he would have
All the world waking from its winter dream,
Letting its wisdom be. The whole of love
Falls on the child awake and wearied of.

(C)James Merrill (1926 – 1995)

The Worker and the Tramp

Heaven bless you, my friend—
You, the man who won't sweat;
Here's a quarter to spend.

If you did but mend,
My job you would get;—
Heaven bless you, my friend.—

On you I depend
For my work, don't forget;—
Here's a quarter to spend.

My hand I extend,
For I love you, you bet:—
Here's a quarter to spend.

Ah! you comprehend
That I owe a debt;
Heaven bless you, my friend,
Here's a quarter to spend.

(C)Jack London (1876 – 1916)

The Grammar Lesson

A noun's a thing. A verb's the thing it does.
An adjective is what describes the noun.
In "The can of beets is filled with purple fuzz"

*of* and *with* are prepositions. *The's*
an article, a *can's* a noun,
a noun's a thing. A verb's the thing it does.

A can *can* roll - or not. What isn't was
or might be, *might* meaning not yet known.
"Our can of beets *is* filled with purple fuzz"

is present tense. While words like our and us
are pronouns - i.e. *it* is moldy, *they* are icky brown.
A noun's a thing; a verb's the thing it does.

Is is a helping verb. It helps because
*filled* isn't a full verb. *Can's* what *our* owns
in "Our can of beets is filled with purple fuzz."

See? There's almost nothing to it. Just
memorize these rules...or write them down!
A noun's a thing, a verb's the thing it does.
The can of beets is filled with purple fuzz.

(C)Steve Kowit (1938 - )

The Ted Williams Villanelle

"Don't let anybody mess with your swing."
Ted Williams, baseball player

Watch the ball and do your thing.
This is the moment. Here's your chance.
Don't let anybody mess with your swing.

Its time to shine. You're in the ring.
Step forward, adopt a winning stance,
Watch the ball and do your thing,

And while the ball is taking wing,
Run without a backward glance.
Don't let anybody mess with your swing.

Don't let envious bastards bring
You down. Ignore the sneers, the can'ts.
watch the ball and do your thing.

Sing out, if you want to sing.
Jump up, when you long to dance.
Don't let anybody mess with your swing.

Enjoy your talents. Have your fling.
The seasons change. The years advance.
Watch the ball and do your thing,
And don't let anybody mess with your swing.

(C)Wendy Cope (1945-)
(for Ari Badaines)

Villanelle

It is the pain, it is the pain endures.
Your chemic beauty burned my muscles through.
Poise of my hands reminded me of yours.

What later purge from this deep toxin cures?
What kindness now could the old salve renew?
It is the pain, it is the pain endures.

The infection slept (custom or changes inures)
And when pain's secondary phase was due
Poise of my hands reminded me of yours.

How safe I felt, whom memory assures,
Rich that your grace safely by heart I knew.
It is the pain, it is the pain endures.

My stare drank deep beauty that still allures.
My heart pumps yet the poison draught of you.
Poise of my hands reminded me of yours.

You are still kind whom the same shape immures.
Kind and beyond adieu. We miss our cue.
It is the pain, it is the pain endures.
Poise of my hands reminded me of yours.

(C)William Empson (1906 – 1984)

herbstvillanelle

den tagen geht das licht aus
und eine stunde dauert zehn minuten.
die bäume spielten ihre letzten farben.

am himmel wechselt man die bühnenbilder
zu rasch für das kleine drama in jedem von uns:
den tagen geht das licht aus.

dein grauer mantel trennt dich von der luft,
ein passepartout für einen satz wie diesen:
die bäume spielten ihre letzten farben.

eisblaue fenster - auf den wetterkarten
der fernsehgeräte die daumenabdrücke der tiefs.
den tagen geht das licht aus,

dem leeren park, dem teich: die enten werden
an unsichtbaren fäden aufgerollt.
die bäume spielten ihre letzten farben.

und einer, der sich mit drei sonnenblumen
ins dunkel tastet, drei schwarzen punkten auf gelb:
den tagen geht das licht aus.
die bäume spielten ihre letzten farben.

(C)Jan Wagner (1971- )

J'ay perdu ma tourterelle

J'ay perdu ma tourterelle :
Est-ce point celle que j'oy ?
Je veux aller après elle.

Tu regrètes ta femelle,
Hélas ! aussi fay je moy :
J'ay perdu ma tourterelle.

Si ton amour est fidelle,
Aussi est ferme ma foy,
Je veux aller après elle.

Ta plaincte se renouvelle ;
Tousjours plaindre je me doy :
J'ay perdu ma tourterelle.

En ne voyant plus la belle,
Plus rien de beau je ne voy ;
Je veux aller après elle.

Mort que tant de fois j'appelle,
Pren ce qui se donne à toy :
J'ay perdu ma tourterelle,
Je veux aller après elle.

(C)Jean Passerat (1534-1602)

Das Konstruieren reiner Villanellen

Doch, es erfrischt die kleinen grauen Zellen,
erscheint zunächst es auch verteufelt schwer,
das Konstruieren reiner Villanellen.

Schon die Entscheidung ist nicht leicht zu fällen,
was für ein Reim sich eignet: Der? Nein? Der? -
Doch es erfrischt die kleinen grauen Zellen!

Dann wird jongliert mit Reimen wie mit Bällen:
Solang es gut geht, amüsiert es sehr,
das Konstruieren reiner Villanellen.

Bisweilen aber stößt man auch an Schwellen
und muss probieren mühsam, hin und her...
Doch es erfrischt die kleinen grauen Zellen!

Auch hätte sich ein Sinn noch einzustellen
zuletzt, sonst ist es l'art pour l' art, nicht mehr,
das Konstruieren reiner Villanellen.

Vielleicht gelingt es nicht in allen Fällen
und manchmal liest sich etwas leicht verquer -
doch es erfrischt die kleinen grauen Zellen,
das Konstruieren reiner Villanellen!

(C)Sappho (1964- )
(Kleines Organon für Gisela)

The Story We Know

The way to begin is always the same. Hello,
Hello. Your hand, your name. So glad, Just fine,
And Good-bye at the end. That's every story we know,

And why pretend? But lunch tomorrow? No?
Yes? An omelette, salad, chilled white wine?
The way to begin is simple, sane, Hello,

And then it's Sunday, coffee, the Times, a slow
Day by the fire, dinner at eight or nine
And Good-bye. In the end, this is a story we know

So well we don't turn the page, or look below
The picture, or follow the words to the next line:
The way to begin is always the same Hello.

But one night, through the latticed window, snow
Begins to whiten the air, and the tall white pine.
Good-bye is the end of every story we know

That night, and when we close the curtains, oh,
We hold each other against that cold white sign
Of the way we all begin and end. Hello,
Good-bye is the only story. We know, we know.

(C)Martha Collins

A day will come when they'll collect my soul

A day will come when they'll collect my soul,
as they have done with all those before me,
to pass me through the forty different tolls.

To analyze my character's life role,
with words and deeds in burning third degree,
a day will come when they'll collect my soul.

My guardian, with good deeds in a bowl,
will show the toll booth keepers all of me,
to pass me through the forty different tolls.

Have I ordained to fill my empty bowl,
that I may pass through tolls efficiently?
A day will come when they'll collect my soul,

the day when I'll have reached my life's last goal,
but will they find a purity in me,
to pass me through the forty different tolls?

It won't suffice that I've a gaping hole,
with mourning's sufferings that I can't flee.
A day will come when they'll collect my soul,
to pass me through the forty different tolls.

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

oh there's no one so very wise

oh there's no one so very wise
who could retain a restless heart
as scheming woman's love disguise

the wisest couldn't part the lies
of woman's plans to wrest apart
oh there's no one so very wise

no matter if with many tries,
determination from the start
as scheming woman's love disguise

those promises, to many guys
not you alone, her scheming heart
oh there's no one so very wise

her love, it quickens, quickly dies
if when she finds your empty cart
as scheming woman's love disguise

fast lulls you into your demise
your heart and life then fall apart
oh there's no one so very wise
as scheming woman's love disguise

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

if we had known the things we didn't know

if we had known the things we didn't know
you'd be here sipping mocha-frapps today
you'd spend a few more decades 'fore you'd go

there wouldn't have been things that couldn't show
and I would not have painful things to say
if we had known the things we didn't know

maybe if I had been a better bro
had been a greater influence to sway
you'd spend a few more decades 'fore you'd go

was I a bad example, do you know
if I had led my little bro astray?
if we had known the things we didn't know

might you still be, with many years to grow?
I wonder, had I been a different way
you'd spend a few more decades 'fore you'd go

is this the fruit of something I had sown?
the thought will haunt me till my final days
if we had known the things we didn't know
you'd spend a few more decades 'fore you'd go

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

the anti-you won't go away

the anti-you won't go away
beside me always he remains
won't let you come again and stay

my mouth is shut, i cannot say
how much I drown within my pains
the anti-you won't go away

and with him bringing skies dark grey
his presence won't undo my strains
won't let you come again and stay

upon my sanity's edge frayed
I walk in search of what remains
the anti-you won't go away

we stare in silence through the day
and will each other gone like cranes
won't let you come again and stay

for if your absence went away
you would be back to ease these pains
the anti-you won't go away,
won't let you come again and stay.

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

for the sake of him

for the sake of him

I fall on knees and pray

oh, please take care of him

beyond our light so dim

and on this very day

for the sake of him

our knowledge is so slim

of how he is today

oh, please take care of him

beyond that earthly rim

oh, hear the words we say

for the sake of him

his judgment - bright or grim?

however, either way

oh, please take care of him

oh, all have gone and sinned

but every single day

for the sake of him

oh, please take care of him

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos

with faith in God we struggle on

with faith in God we struggle on
out of the grave of noted day
the Rock we all rely upon

to fill the void of one who's gone
with supplications do we pray
with faith in God we struggle on

how else could we have faced the dawn
after the dusk of brother's day?
the Rock we all rely upon

has sturdied all His trembling fawn
without His Might there is no way
with faith in God we struggle on

from one lone death a hundred spawned
as stricken hearts have bled away
the Rock we all rely upon

will steady us until we're gone
as well to meet again some day
with faith in God we struggle on
the Rock we all rely upon

(C)2009, Christos Rigakos