https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/best/170369/john_crawford Continue reading John Crawford’s Poetry

“Hi Hon, it’s me” “You sound like, Larry. You sure, you’re not Larry.” “Five years and you don’t know your husband’s voice.” “Well, you know, I’m in the tub and you know how the bathroom distorts the sound. And, anyway, I’m glad it’s you, sweetheart, not in the mood for Larry…just goes on and on about the market, the races and oh my god, that ‘Game of Thrones’.” “I thought you liked ‘GOT’.” “I do but Larry is obsessed with Daenerys Targaryen.” “He’s not alone.” “Yeah, I know, and you are too.” “A good actress.” “Yeah, yeah. Favor?” “Sure.” “Make … Continue reading Lotta Jerks Out There

How did I come to be? Who knows. Will I be forever? Who knows. My Mother is Lovely. She is. I feel her love all around me. I know. Will she love me forever? She will. Does she know I love her? She does. The milk is warm. The milk tastes good. Yes. My Father makes funny faces. He does. Does he know I love him? He does. What do I do now? You grow. What is the voice in my head? You. The voice tells me to pretend I’m on a cloud. Yes. And the cloud is love. Yes. … Continue reading Being

I think about Blessed Mary being President of the United States. Her Son’s Death and Resurrection will imbue Her every action with Sanctity. Blessed Mary, President, will have several advisers, and their focus will be on Quality of Life. Workshops will be set up throughout the Nation in school auditoriums, town halls, and churches. Parents will be asked to attend and talk about raising their children; the absolute joys and daunting challenges. Family Therapists, Social Workers, and Psychologists will be present to offer guidance. In a decade’s time, the results are in. Students have an astonishing thirst for knowledge in … Continue reading Blessed Mary Is President

“Hey, Enya.” “Yes, Tammy.” “Do you see what I see?” “What do you see Tammy?” “I see things in the air swirling.” “Leaves, Enya, those things are leaves.” “They are looking like they’re having so much fun.” “I don’t understand, Tammy.” “Look, Enya, they’re swirling around and playing tag.” “Yes, Tammy, they’re falling from the tree.” “Why are they falling, Enya?” “They are dead, Tammy.” “Dead, Enya?” “Yes, Tammy. The fallen leaves are dead.” “I hope when I’m dead I have that much fun, Enya.” “I hope so too, Tammy.” * Continue reading Our Two Cats On A Windowsill

Upon waking, I remove the covers, the air is crisp. The bathroom floor is freezing. I place a call, inform the landlord, ‘still no heat’. I dress quickly and go to Pablo’s Diner. The bagel, eggs, and grits are tasty. Back in the car, I cry and say, out loud, ‘I miss you, Bette.’ Later in the day, I see my doctor and he is not happy. ‘Cheer up’, I say. Before going home, I go to our park. ‘What a gray sky, Love’ The cold and cloudy skies, keep the park deserted. A mile into our walk, I feel … Continue reading Don’t Give Up

In this time of sorrow We are reminded, none of us get out alive Yet, I treasure the belief We will all survive. On my last visit seeing Mom, she had a shawl draped over her thin shoulders, I said, “So beautiful, Mom.” “Yes, Son, I love the color.” “Yes, Mom, a beautiful sky blue.” “The other day a young woman came to my room, opened a box, and took out the shawl. She said members of her church crochet prayer shawls and asked if I would accept this Shawl of Hope, with our love and prayers. Now, Son, I … Continue reading Mom In Hospice

“Psst, psst, John.” “Yes, Bette.” “Quick, look, Sondheim is behind you.” “Cool.” “Turn slowly, John, we don’t want to scare him off.” “Calm, Bette.” “John, should we ask for his autograph or too gauche?” “Autograph sure, Bette, after all, he is a living legend. Wouldn’t we be fools, not too?” “You are, so, right, John. You go, I’ll follow.” “You want me to ask, Bette?” “Please. I’ll trip over my words.” “Okay, Love, your Playbill, please.” “Here, John, and right under his photograph.” “You got it. I’m off.” “Oh, John.” “Yes, Love.” “Tell Stephen how much we love his music … Continue reading Stephen Sondheim’s Bette With An ‘e’

On the porch of a cabin, by a lake, an old man sits in his rocking chair and remembers, with tears in his eyes, a boy making his confession. After kneeling in the confessional the boy makes the Sign of the Cross and listens to the Priest say, “May God who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in His mercy.” The boy says, “Amen” “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last confession.” There is a pause. “Go ahead, Davy, We are listening.” “Yes, Father.” There is … Continue reading A Boy Makes His Confession

I want to thank you, with all my heart, for being my sister’s faithful companion. I loved hearing Pat talk about your walks together. You two made my day when Pat, with such delight, would tell me how elated she was, watching you in the park exploring and sniffing. How I laughed when Pat needed to pull, gently, on your leash and you, Bella, turned, regarded your Mom with dismay as if to say ‘Hey I’m having fun, go away.’ The love you have for each other is a sacred bond that death will not break. Pat will, always, be … Continue reading Dearest Bella

Pass the sugar, please. Here you go. Thanks… Lydia. Hi Lydia my name is Sergei. Good to meet you, Sergei. Likewise Lydia. Today this sugar is the only sweet thing I have going. Better than nothing. Yes. (After a few minutes) When I leave here I’m off to rehearsal. The conductor is a tyrant. I’m sorry. Don’t be. What she takes from us she gives to the audience. That’s the spirit. What orchestra? The Philharmonic. And piece? Carmina Burana. I love that. Yes. It’s exciting to perform. What do you play? Violin. Ah, I love the violin. (Sips of coffee) … Continue reading A Chance Encounter In Moscow At A Double B

Now go into this room, where you may howl. Only in this room? Yes, and there will be no onlooker’s eye. I don’t mind an onlooker’s eye. Of course, you don’t. Well. Well, there will be no onlooker’s eye. Okay, so have onlookers been in this room? They have. And, they do the existential howl? Yes. So when they walk on by, why can’t I catch their eye? They refuse to remember. And I may… Yes, you may remind them if you catch their onlooking eye. So, they just walk on by? Of course. And, I’m left alone to howl. … Continue reading Walk On By