This Years Model

Things are falling apart

bit by bit

on this life driving machine 

called ‘me'

so in the name of full disclosure 

to anyone that may consider 

taking it for a spin around the block

there are a few things that require mention:

the headlights don't work well on anything far away or too close

which means everything must land 

in th great middle-ground of focus

that begins about a foot past your outstretched arm,

the top still provides cover

but is a thin shadow of its former self

there have been reoccurring problems 

with the belt just below the ever-expanding spare tire

and there seems to be concern in some circles

about the fuel we've been using

everyday at 5:00p.m.

that may have invalidated the warranty.

However, 

we can still cruise for fairly long distances at night

without too many pit stops

there have been relatively few complaints

from any of the joy riding passengers

the on-board sound system

warbles a good tune when needed

the horn still produces loud blasts of nonsense 

that smart folks seem to ignore completely

and most importantly

the engine seems to be beating so smoothly 

the mechanic sees no reason why we should not expect 

plenty more years of good driving.

When I think back 

on some of the roads and grand adventures 

we've be been on, it's really a wonder 

this thing is still running at all

yet even as the mileage continues to roll over

a bit of nip and tuck of the sagging upholstery

or a monthly smidgen of touch-up paint to take out the fade

seems out of the question.

We've recently added this years model 

with all new shiny parts 

and that wonderfully distinctive new model smell

to our family stable of life vehicles 

and that baby is a real beauty

and it made me realize just how far I've driven 

this old jalopy of me and how I need to keep it in better condition 

so I can be around to teach our new little one 

how to avoid those nasty pot holes and roadblocks 

that can throw you out of alignment

and when I’ve been retired to my spot in the garage

I hope she’ll consider trotting me out 

for an occasional Sunday ride 

so I can tell her of the glory days

when I was this year’s model.

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   February 2014

When Stars Go Out

When stars go out

that long burned bright

we celebrate

their passing light

as memory fades

in black and white

remembrance of their shine

frozen in time,

we read their story

in passages bound

with sentiment

as elegies sound

in silent mourn

when hearts bow down

for the star that fell to earth

now home again,

the battle done

lost demon fight

delivers oblivion 

of eternal night

with final release

from the grip of life,

forever in hearts and minds

love left behind.

in appreciation of Phillip Seymour Hoffman 

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   February 2014

Crows and the Blue Star Cowboys

My direction,
concrete north towards Capital City
then due west
on the old Kings Highway,

my wheels joining a rhythmic symphony
on the long causeway
that stretches for miles
over once fertile wetlands,

then down road 32
past billboards for Jesus
and the old roadside fruit stand
empty for years,

where crows and the blue star cowboys
left orchards of nut trees and black oak
picked clean, bare trees now in winter
evergreen no more,

towards golden hills
that watch grand white clouds
with grey bellies swollen with rain
on their way to somewhere else,

to the end of West Texas street near Cherry Glen road
and an adobe brown house with a broken screen door
in a place they used to call
Prospect.

Every truck stop
from Dixon to Travis,
every road
from Davis to Woodland,

I'm committing it all
to memory
on the road
between me and you.


Ken Owen  Van Niddy Press   February 2014

In Passing

broken flower

battered by destiny,

lie still now 

in beauty and sadness

and dream

of gentle spring rains.

inspired by a biography of Gene Tierney

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   January 2014

Paper and Ink

everyone wants to die 

peacefully in bed

at the ripe old age of 95,

except, of course,

the person lying peacefully in bed

at the ripe old age of 94,

but I will not argue that decision

with the great source of Universal kismet

that aligns such events,

and I’ll ask 

but one thing

of those I leave behind,

bury me with paper and ink,

my spirit free from encumbrance

of the mortal shell in darkened tomb,

so I may offer the views 

from atop rainbows and clouds

and the other side of sunsets,

and let not the end of earthly walks

cease my attempts

at the indescribable.

inspired by a letter by Giacomo Puccini, 1920

dedicated to Pete Seger

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   January 2014

Just A Thought

When you drive home 

from work each night

on that long and winding road

into a cloudless sunset

as the sky turns red,

that's the time

I drive to work each night

on that long and narrow bridge

into the heart of The City

as the skyline glimmers like stars.

We're pretty lucky, 

don't you think?

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   January 2014

Twins

Soon

there will be a picture of you

holding two new babies,

one gently cradled in each arm,

your eyes glistening

wet from tears of joy 

as you marvel in their perfection

with a smile powered by a heart 

filled with love and gratitude 

for the wonder of new life.

And when I see that picture,

I'll smile too.

for alicia and tristan and their families, January 19, 2014

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   January 2014