sidewalk


i stand on a sidewalk
that was built in 1992
according to the date
scrawled in the concrete
the significance escapes me
there is or was a reason
other than the “born on date”
for this constant companion
to a relatively common city street
and i realize the true purpose
may have a story
but it is not mine to tell
not everything written
has meaning 
has value to everyone
might be simply
the appeal
of wet concrete, irresistible
to someone’s finger
in 1992





one slice at a time


life boils down
to one simple concept;

enjoy the moments
for what they are
don’t try to change them
accept them
for the good and bad

you can’t pick apples 
off a cherry tree
but either will make
a fine pie





summer poem
 

barefoot and cutoff Levi shorts
the summer smacks of poetry
and i am stuck in the middle
babbling poems to clear skies
maybe tomorrow it will rain
something to break the heat
moisture to parch the dried lips
autumn is around the corner
then I can complain about
raking the falling leaves





taxman

dig the digitized
frame, named
and proclaimed
self k to pay
the taxman
cometh
and he takes
away





friendship


i have never been bought
never been sold
the value of existence
not a debate to me
my value isn’t yours
your value isn’t mine

what we share
becomes together
a friendship
life’s bond
something
not for sale





yesterday’s warmth


the chill feels real
something one might
squeeze and freeze
save for a later day
yesterday, in the sixties
tonight, below thirty

the wind cuts
through night’s fabric
forges sharp edges
drips cold moonlight 
and i am left to dream
the warmth of yesterday





sweet youth


sweet youth,
the martini of life
an occasional twist
of lemon, of lime
olive or onion
sometimes
stirred over shaken
no bruised ice
minus the vermouth
dry, sweet,
or semi-sweet
youth always is




©2014 Robert McManes