Objects In Mirror: Daily Poems for November 2012

OBJECTS IN MIRROR

Daily Poems from November 2012

Kenneth A O’Shaughnessy

Text & Illustrations copyright © 2012


Bad Bad Boy Publications

501 Agewood Drive Simpsonville, SC 29680

[email protected]

All Rights Reserved

This month’s book is dedicated to my Muse.

A lot of my poems are at least inspired -

Not to mention the ones that are directly about,

You know, a name that frequents these pages

As acrostics mainly - by my favorite person

Table of Contents

Contents one november, two-thousand twelve

two november, two-thousand twelve

three november, two-thousand twelve

four november, two-thousand twelve

five november, two-thousand twelve

six november, two-thousand twelve

eight november, two-thousand twelve

nine november, two-thousand twelve

eleven november, two-thousand twelve

twelve november, two-thousand twelve

thirteen november, two-thousand twelve

fourteen november, two-thousand twelve

fifteen november, two-thousand twelve

sixteen november, two-thousand twelve

nineteen november, two-thousand twelve

twenty november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-one november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-two november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-three november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-four november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-five november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-six november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-seven november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-eight november, two-thousand twelve

twenty-nine november, two-thousand twelve

thirty november, two-thousand twelve

afterword

one november, two-thousand twelve

For all the photos I take, I actually am

Of the opinion that memory is better.

Remembering makes us present,

Giving us a sense of inclusion.

Each photo is an object, separate.

This makes us voyeurs, not

Involved in the action anymore.

That being said, I take pictures.

two november, two-thousand twelve

I want to lie down

In a fried brown rice paddy

Under Gen. Tso skies

#

A couple people went on a picnic

No one knew what was

Going to happen that day

Except me. I took her

Left hand (I thought)

And slid a ring on it.

What I didn't realize is I put it

On the wrong hand

Forgetting that I was

Facing her. She was

Only confused for a minute,

Realizing that I was

Doing the proposal thing

three november, two-thousand twelve

Let the waters flow, clear the debris away

Open the floodgates, let no blockage stay

Until the brook waters once again sound gay

It all used to flow smooth when she lived there

So it must be restored now with diligent care

Everything in its order, each thing in its where

four november, two-thousand twelve

After a while one Needs to remember Yesterday may have been Awesome, but it’s over now

five november, two-thousand twelve

What is 12 cubic feet of space

All the world that I displace

Some world enters through my face

Though soon it exits in disgrace

Each time reminds me of my place

six november, two-thousand twelve

Very important citizenship

Obligations should be

Thought through thoroughly

Even if it's hard work

#

Anastasia

Will come again - or you go -

Clouds part for the Sun

eight november, two-thousand twelve

Just to be fully present when one is

Always missing another seems to

Not be so easy, but never

Ever think that getting to

See you by yourself is

Second choice for me or

Anyone else who loves you because

Man, are you

Awesomesauce!

You really are.

Do you know that I am in

Awe of your abilities, which are

Very impressive and broad

It is fascinating to talk and

Simply to spend time with you

nine november, two-thousand twelve

I have an affinity for leftovers

And the bottomful not poured

Muffins that are gone stale

Little cheeses in the drawer

Empty ketchup bottles

Found lingering in the door

Til somebody notices

Or there is nothing more

Useless unless no one wants to

Travel to the store

eleven november, two-thousand twelve

Another day with no artistic production

No real motivation to write for pleasure

You’d think maybe I hadn’t been

Able to see my muse much lately

#

If you’ve noticed my lack of production

My muse is no longer mine

Instead of white paper seduction

Something about blank is fine

So instead of sentence construction

All I can do is supine

Now succumb to writer’s obstruction

Yet I know a random line

Again will be my muse’s induction

twelve november, two-thousand twelve

Dear friend, How are you I hope you're feelin' fine You've been on my mind Thought I'd drop you a line 'Cause I've been kind of blue I'm glad that you're my friend I hope we never end So I just thought I'd send This letter off to you I called you on the phone But there was no one there I hope that you still care Got a moment to spare 'Cause I am so alone I spoke to your machine It sounded kinda mean Like the call was being screened I think you might've known I checked you out online Your family's lookin' good I saw you liked that food That one pic was almost nude Brought a bottle of wine I'm standing on your lawn I see that you're not gone My gun's already drawn I'm pretty sure you'll find

There's a word for you, I can't think what it is Perhaps it's more of a feeling You know when something pulls you to it I don't think the word is "appealing" I just know that whatever it is It sets all my senses reeling You're indefinable I want to call you so many things But the words I find don't have the ring Of the meaning that I feel So I just say There's something just on the tip of my tongue It's so close I could spit it out Or maybe it's down in the pit of my gut I can feel it thrashing about I need to expel whatever it is But it's something I can't live without You're indefinable I want to call you so many things But the words I find don't have the ring Of the meaning that I feel So I just say Nothing.

thirteen november, two-thousand twelve

I gotta get a grip Can't keep feelin' like I do Gotta get a grip And I know you feel it too But I gotta get a grip On you Pretty sure I'm goin' mad And I guess I'm kinda glad 'Cause the truth just makes me sad Since you're not mine to be had And so I don't do something too bad I gotta get a grip Can't keep feelin' like I do Gotta get a grip And I know you feel it too But I gotta get a grip On you You know it's always fun To feel like you're spun But I'm the only dizzy one And I can't keep up this run So I'll just put down pick up my gun I gotta get a grip Can't keep feelin' like I do Gotta get a grip And I know you feel it too But I gotta get a grip On you You've got this blue look on your face In the midst of our embrace And you're reaching for your mace So I've got to pick up the pace And strangle off all your breathing space I gotta get a grip Can't keep feelin' like I do Gotta get a grip And I know you feel it too But I gotta get a grip On you

fourteen november, two-thousand twelve

Inside of my front pocket Never know what I'll find I'm not even sure If everything there is mine I need to sort it all through So that I will have a clue Because some change is sure due Gotta take inventory Gotta take inventory Gotta take Inside my walking room house There are things in their place I know every one Like the nose on my face But the stuff that's all over Like a scrap paper cover Might just need a leaf blower Gotta take inventory Gotta take inventory Gotta take Inside my head there's a mess It's so full I can't think I guess I'd better Spend some time with a shrink 'Cause there's stuff I put in there That gives even me a scare And so that I won't despair Gotta take inventory Gotta take inventory Gotta take out the trash

fifteen november, two-thousand twelve

Now we seek purity of spirit and flesh As we join the Mother of God in her Yea Through which her flesh was filled with Glory Incarnate God her only offspring Verily let it be for us also In this time of taking in only Those things God grows for us Yearning to produce only Christ

sixteen november, two-thousand twelve

Oh JimBob had two rights He kept 'em exercised He did what he could Just like he should Because his rights were prized Tried to dance the best he could Since his could meant that he should And he cut a mean groove in the wood 'Cause he had two right feet Oh JimBob had two rights He kept 'em exercised He did what he could Just like he should Because his rights were prized He always swung from starboard His sinister side left out But he hit with his right twice as hard His right fist had double meat Oh JimBob had two rights He kept 'em exercised He did what he could Just like he should Because his rights were prized After the election mess He used his right of redress And let it be known in the press But he went down to defeat Oh JimBob had two rights He kept 'em exercised He did what he could Just like he should Because his rights were prized So JimBob took up his arm He didn't mean anyone harm But still he bought the farm His right to die was complete Oh JimBob had two rights He kept 'em exercised He did what he could Just like he should Because his rights were prized

nineteen november, two-thousand twelve

Sometimes it seems the soup just needs to stew Letting the contents cook through and through Until the soup is a cohesive glue Maybe creative juices are like that too Popping in the pot 'til they become something new # Currently considering composing a Lost love's lament for Mountain Dew

twenty november, two-thousand twelve

There is something, one thing I don't love about you But when you're with me I can't think what it is It has something to do With something that's missing But your face is perfect With lips and nose and eyes All framed with glossy tresses Your limbs are all intact With holding hands and Circling arms, legs that hold The feet that bring you to me And the rest of you that Ties everything together And rests comfortably Alongside my center In the same way that Your personality Complements mine When you're not with me I remember that the Missing thing that I Hate as much as I Love you is you

twenty-one november, two-thousand twelve

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear This is not true Most of what we see in the mirror does not appear at all The guy with the beard who looks kind of weird Is just seen by you What I see I could see without a mirror But like in the rearview mirror it does look small And uglier than I originally feared So this is what's true Objects in mirror are closer when they do not appear # Last things will be first, a la Only by checking the end can Value truly be known. Every Eye should view the omega # Anytime the object SQUIRREL of your affecSQUIRRELtions is Nearby it makes SQUIRREL it hard to pay attenSQUIRRELtion to Your other responsSQUIRRELibilities without pretenSQUIRRELsion And to avoid causSQUIRRELing any dissenSQUIRRELsion

twenty-two november, two-thousand twelve

By DMH: A muse is such a fickle thing Not always there when needed You could not always make her sing Although you begged and pleaded. # Although I sometimes beg and plead Not always not making her sing You know what tends to work the best Always is vig'rous tickling

twenty-three november, two-thousand twelve

And now commences

The best part of Thanksgiving -

Turkey sandwiches

twenty-four november, two-thousand twelve

Standing alone overlooked in plain sight Collared by the one who desires inside Access though difficult to the life and light Reservoired where nearly all are denied Full for those willing to ascend the height

twenty-five november, two-thousand twelve

I don’t want to go home There are places still to go I’m even willing to roam Wherever the road may flow But I don’t want to go home I still haven’t been to New York Or the South Florida shore Not to Disneyland or World Just want to go one place more I don’t want to go home There are places still to go I’m even willing to roam Wherever the road may flow But I don’t want to go home I haven’t been to Ryan’s Or the Cracker Barrel store Not Taco Bell or Casa Just want to go one place more I don’t want to go home There are places still to go I’m even willing to roam Wherever the road may flow But I don’t want to go home I haven’t been to the mailbox Or out to the garage door Haven’t been down the hallway Just want to get off this floor There are places still to go I’m even willing to roam Wherever the road may flow But I don’t want to go home

twenty-six november, two-thousand twelve

Can't you see? (Can't you see?) Yeah it's trouble There it is (There it is) Seein' double Had my eye exam at eight And they had to dilate Now I don't see real great (Yeah it's trouble) So when I pull out my gun Oh yeah man you better run 'Less you're standing in the sun (Seein' double) Can't you see? (Can't you see?) Yeah it's trouble There it is (There it is) Seein' double Got a pair a them sunshades Blocks the glare from off my blades Now I got eyesight in spades (Yeah it's trouble) But they just popped off my face And now I'm just lost in space So I guess you get some grace (Seein' double) Can't you see? (Can't you see?) Yeah it's trouble There it is (There it is) Seein' double If I catch you later on Then your chances will be gone 'Cause my glasses will be on (Yeah it's trouble) So you best both watch your back 'Cause once my eyesight ain't so whack Then I can tell which one to smack (Seein' double) Can't you see? (Can't you see?) Yeah it's trouble There it is (There it is) Seein' double

twenty-seven november, two-thousand twelve

You come over to my house You say you want to play There's tickling and there's petting And it lasts all through the day But still I feel lonely and That's why I have got to say For you it's all about the petting And the rubbing and the snog But I need something more than that Please stop playing with the dog I know that we're together Although we are not alone And you know I love to watch you When you're playing fetch the bone But it's gotten where you even Call me "Puppy" on the phone For you it's all about the petting And the rubbing and the snog But I need something more than that Please stop playing with the dog I watch you wag your tail And it fills me with delight But now you've started curling up On my feet in bed at night And if I touch that tender spot You give me quite a bite For you it's all about the petting And the rubbing and the snog But I need something more than that Please stop playing with the dog

twenty-eight november, two-thousand twelve

If I only had an internet I'd search for everything My brain would grow by leaps and bounds And knowledge would be king Oh the high degrees that I would get If just I had an internet If I only had an internet I'd contact everyone Strangers would all become my friends And boy would we have fun Oh the relationships that I would get If just I had an internet If I only had an internet I'd watch a lot of shows Docudramas, TV, cartoons And stuff God only knows Oh the sleep I wouldn't get If just I had an internet If I only had an internet I'd wish that I had none I'd complain because I have no time And nothing can get done Oh the whines that you would get If just I had an internet

twenty-nine november, two-thousand twelve

I went there looking for a place

To let my demons roam

To forge my chains and cut my face

And sleep there on the loam

Then came a man who offered grace

And set my face toward home

It's a place I visit more often

As an uncertain future looms

I found what I was looking for

Walking among the tombs

I went there looking for the place

Where my loved one was laid

To lay some flowers and wet my face

With tears and there I stayed

There came a man who offered grace

A resurrection made





I went to take my final place

My long nap in the dirt

To let the worms come eat my face

Since there is no more hurt

There came a man who offered grace

From death to life convert





thirty november, two-thousand twelve

Sometimes we count backwards

It is mostly when we're

Very excited for

An event that makes us

Divinely happy to

Endure until that time

Sometimes, though, they are things

Instead we dread, at least

Until they happen and

Often turn out OK

Lately I count backwards

As I look forward to

You, and I am afraid

Now that I am counting

And rarely get to stop

afterword

A hearty thanks for reading this book

No doubt something here made you go “Huh.”

You should come back next month for a look

Another set of poems will be here for ya.


[email protected]

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Objects In Mirror: Daily Poems for November 2012