Wednesday, November 6, 2024

You've Got Four Years

 

Dear Friends: 


If I may suggest...


Today

take a long walk

preferably at your favorite 

park, beach, or mountain trail 

and assuage your grief

by practicing gratitude 

for the privilege of being able

to surround yourself 

with the beauty of nature 

whenever you need her.


Tonight

go to your favorite 

quiet spot in your home

take out your journal and write down 

all your thoughts and feelings

sign and date the passage

and close the book.


Tomorrow

embrace the new day

pour your morning drink

and start making plans

to shape your future

so this never happens again.


You’ve got four years.



Ken Owen November 6, 2024

Van Niddy Press

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Poems for Dad: One Year Later





 Evening Journal

I was talking to your portrait this morning

I never imagined myself as that type of person 

Things I mentioned to you came to pass later that day 

I will be more careful now that I know you are listening

11/20/23


You don't call anymore 

but we still talk most days

I can feel your answers as I sift through the history 

of all the things you held dear

12/06/23


I have yet to hang your portrait 

the one where your smile gives comfort 

and your eyes say you know my intent 

It seems I am delaying the final act of memorial

04/7/24


They asked if I missed you on Father's Day

I stumbled with my reply when I realized 

it was the same as the day you left 

and would be from now on

07/01/24


You came by in another late night dream

to pick up your mail and some clean shirts 

As I sat on the edge of your bed I knew

I could never take your place but would have to try

09/02/24


Books that once held little interest for me 

seem to fascinate me now

I wonder if I am reading them for you 

or you are reading them for me 

09/15/24



Committed to Memory


It seems

she remembers 

everything.


Me

not so much.


I am not sure

when I began

to look right at the movie actors

and hear the bell of memory

ringing off in the distance

just far enough away

to make the sound of their name

undecipherable


(It was Eli Wallach

and she knew it instantly.)


My memory now operates independently 

judging the importance of names and events

regardless of my efforts


but there have been moments

when I knew immediately

I had witnessed the unforgettable 


like when I told my father 

that she was sick

his very last words to me were



“Well, tell her I’m thinking about her.”



I am fairly certain

I’ll remember that 

forever.



March 2023




Ken Owen    October 25, 2024

Van Niddy Press


 

Thursday, September 19, 2024

The Flying Salvias: Record Release Concert


Kathleen and Henry Salvia, aka The Flying Salvias, have recently completed their two latest projects (musical, not home improvement): ‘Henry’s Hideaway’ and ‘Amerikinda’, with original songs by The Salvias, Maurice Tani, and co-writes with Deb Grabien and yours truly. Both projects contain great performances by an incredible list of Bay Area musicians too long to list here.


They are having a Records (remember those?) Release Event this Saturday at The Pacifica Center for the Arts which promises to be a fine evening of entertainment with a full cast of your favorite musical performers. Tickets and information are available here:  


https://pacificaperformances.org/the-flying-salvias-2/



…and The Flying Salvias website is here:  


http://flyingsalvias.com



It is with great pride that I add my contributions to their fine work to my discography: 


https://kenowenondrums.com/discography/




We hope to see you this Saturday!


-KO

Sunday, August 4, 2024

The Grove

 


She arranges

flowers, feathers, and stones

for offerings of love and remembrance

in a grove full of memories


He writes

observing which trees

sway and sing their mournful hymns

and which hold fast in respectful silence


They experience

the respite of nature on sacred ground 

rich with energy past and present

honoring all who attend



KO and AdC

National AIDS Memorial Grove

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA



Ken Owen    August 2024

Van Niddy Press

Saturday, July 13, 2024

On This Blustery Day


On this blustery day 
a leaf fell dancing
on the name of Frank Robinson IV


as a butterfly of purple and gold

passed overhead to enjoy the performance

and when the dance was done


a crowd of leaves scattered on the wind

but the dancing leaf stayed 

to honor Frank Robinson IV


on his transformation

into a butterfly of purple and gold

on this blustery day



National AIDS Memorial Grove

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
July 2024

Saturday, June 22, 2024

The Town Doctor


You can take the pulse of a town

at the local thrift store 

by examining the shoppers and goods 

and how much the place smells 

like grandma’s basement.


You can take the blood pressure of a town 

by counting the number 

of rock and roll band stickers 

you find on the back of stop signs

and assessing how long they’ve been there.


You can estimate the life expectancy of a town 

by counting the number 

of empty store fronts on Main Street 

and asking the concerned locals


“Well, is she a fighter?”




Ken Owen

Van Niddy Press

Saturday, June 15, 2024

1970 Was 54 Years Ago

 


1970

was 54 years ago

War was global and endless

politicians were crooks even when 

they said they weren’t and we shook 

our heads at the nightly news and knew 

something wasn’t right with the stories they 

were telling and when we realized truth had been 

taken off the menu long ago and would not be 

served again with our TV dinners while in our 

favorite chair and that the change we needed 

would require people to shout louder than 

those who made quiet deals behind the 

scenes people rallied and marched 

and partied their way through 

the turmoil until they 

made things

right



1970

was 54 years ago

yet we live with daily reminders 

that progress won on battlegrounds 

long since quiet will always require 

vigilant defending against 

challenges by those who 

would turn our 

gains into 

losses



Ken Owen    June 2024

Van Niddy Press