Bluesy River 

It was a bluesy sound
comin’ in off the river,
a mournin’, woman-gone
sound, a saxophone’s quiver,
the midnight mist, mojo,
risin’ up off the river,
‘round about midnight
walkin’ down by the river,
bluesin’ ‘round midnight,
drinkin’ the blues,
those Bluesy river blues,
driftn’ down Bluesy river,
that lonely ‘ol moonshine river.

First published, Inside Apples, US and Europe
© 2012 Leland James

Diner Jump!

 “Chrome, chrome, chrome,
boom-chicka-boom,”
Buddhist chants the diner.
 
“Whatcha want, Honey,
sweet-potato pie, coffee black?”
Don’t talk back, Oh my!

First published New Millennium Writers
© 2012 Leland James

Squirt Gun Lick

Mephisto licorice stick:
Lazybones. “Crazy!”
Hot summer afternoon.
Skylark Cain and Able,
Goof and I:

Devil strings,
horn chuckle:
Little Tommy,  
the assassin.
Snake-eyed dice.

Pianissimo:
Squirt gun.
Grape Kool-aid.
Stains.
The victim
older brother Bobby.

Wailing at the purple blood:
“Oh, Tommy, you have shot me
dead when Mother sees, and I
Your brother!”
Caesar never fell upon the stage
in greater eloquence.

Devil take me.
Mother Goose Jumps.
                    “Oh Yeah.”

First published Cyclamens and Swords
© 2010 Leland James