poetry (for kyle)

For Kyle: on his Graduation day.


We sit like stones.
Destined to become the living green
Moss that holds its
Direction for passers by.

See for me:
The plains of Spain
Ride the fence with your hand
And drink like Hemingway

From a glass
Chin up and eyes cocked to the side
As you watch the rest of us
Rest our cups to the napkins


Like the trumpet player
Putting away his music


See for me:
The mild mannered ones
Along the riverbeds of Italy
As they tip their hats to the sky
Like a salute to relaxation


Pass through:
The arc on the left of L’Arc de Triomphe
Before your eyes catch the glass pyramid
Before the Louvre


Drink Pernod
With the ones throwing Petanque balls
Older than you


When they talk

Listen.


You never know
When their history will help you
And it will.


Be completely cliché
But don’t say things like


‘Live as if tomorrow is today’



Don’t act as if you understood Burroughs’ reasons
For doing drugs.


Contrary to opinion:
You are allowed to say


‘Damn it all’
Once in a while.


For every day of sun

There are two of rain

And one where your car is stuck in the snow.



Don’t visit Prague
And bite your tongue
At American culture.


It is what formed you

Be it
Good

Or the reason you can look at the rest of us
And simply wonder

‘how?’

Or


‘why?’



Be swift:
But also stop to notice details.
A story is nothing without details.
Without them our lives could be
Written on a napkin



Be the dust that heaves from the elephants back.

Watch as it is no longer you.

As it collects
Back to the ground


As if it were meant to be moved.


Make time for sadness
It reminds us of how
Truly magical
A smile
Can feel.


My brother,

You will slowly become an adult. It is not wearing a polo shirt, nor is it wearing loafers without socks. Adulthood is half thinking/ half acting and I think there is part vodka part cigar beneath a palm tree in the mix, but either way, it comes on slow; like high tide and stays with you through the changing of your skin.
Go and find love, and if you think you have- make it true and make it last. There is beauty in a woman who can look you in the eyes every day and say “I am glad we put up with each other.”


Before you do these things
And become something of a man
Remember today for what it’s worth


Family
Friends
Food
And Folding Chairs.