Day's Last Adventure

Sprawled out on the floor,
Adventures unfold in book
-reading, then dreamland.

Copyright 2009

Rain Reflection

Summer morning rain,
Breeze brings some on porch with tea,
-evergreens through mist.

Copyright 2009

Afternoon Meditation

Summer rain on roof,
Watching clouds and time go by
-swinging porch hammock.

Copyright 2009

Dinnertime!

Summer means porch time,
And mosquito Thanksgiving
-the feast is on me!

Copyright 2009

Sweet Deams

Slipping off to sleep,
Vivaldi's summer playing
-dreaming of Benton.

Copyright 2009

Moving Day Blues #2

I didn't have much stuff,
Until the day of the move
-then I found mountains.

Copyright 2009

Boiling Mad

Principal's Office
by Edward S. Gault

We knew we were finished.
Mr. Dingleberry was really going
to lean into us
(he was generally given to
old fashioned fundamentalist style
rants and tirades;
mercy and charitable ecumenism
not being his forte).
Someone had narc-ed.
So we had come clean
about what we had done
with Shiela's purse-
but ol' Dingle was more ticked
about the can of ripe eggs
in the boiler room!

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Fragrance

Moving Day Blues

Packing for the move,
A neverending labor
-curse of sisyphus.

Copyright©2009

Passages

Old high school yearbooks,
Sitting on shelf for decades
-voices of the dead;
time to recycle these now,
my old self died long ago.

Copyright©2009

On A Roll

Writing in carol,
Surrounded by vast bookshelves
-ambiance not seen.

Copyright©2009

Overworked Underpaid Dept.

Boss ordered project,
We worked tails off through night,
-boss said: do over;
Now due at two fiftynine,
Air conditioner broke down.

Copyright©2009

Pirate Daycare

Children lining up,
Their small bowels overflowing
-booty of porage;
Long John Silver in kitchen,
Captain Hook dishing out shares.

Copyright©2009

Soaring With Muse

In coastal garden,
A gathering of poets
-airplanes taking off.

Copyright 2009

Voice Of Wisdom

Sitting in garden,
Waiting upon soul's soft voice
-sanctuary's peace.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Inner Voice

Upward Bound

Walking many miles,
up steep switchbacks to mesa
-new mountain vistas.

Copyright©2009

The Other Me

Sitting in the street,
With a sign for food and cup
-ourselves yet unseen.

Copyright©2009

A Thousand Steps

Walking to center,
Asking mind many questions
-answers forthcoming.

Copyright©2009

Time Travel

Leading Hichborn tours,
Telling the stories rooms tell
-giving voice to past.

Copyright©2009

Lost In Lines

Examining maps,
Lines that show everything
-yet tell me nothing.

Copyright©2009

Connection

Friends get together,
Eat soup, break bread, and talk
-closer fellowship.

Copyright©2009

Thinkers And No Brainers

Alone in classroom,
Working problems afterschool
-achieved honor roll.

Senator has fling,
Throws away wife and children
-argentine soulmate.

Man sitting on rock,
gazes both out and inward,
-rodin's masterpiece.

Thinker works problem,
Then falls asleep at her desk
-behold light comes.

Poet thinking hard,
Struggles for magnum opus
-totally futile.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Thinking

National Orgy

Esplanade fireworks,
celebrating liberty
-me me me me me.

Copyright©2009

Meeting Of Poets

In City Hall,
Rhythmic reverberations
-dancing off the wall.

Copyright©2009

Class Trip

Man's voice filled the room,
He ran through facts and details
-now can't remember.

Copyright©2009

Crowning Papa

She took paper crown,
Placing gently on my head
-the teasure she found.

Copyright©2009

To Keep And Forget

Moving day packing,
Sifting through each memory
-storing in boxes.

Copyright©2009

Record Lost

Brought in record sales,
Was floating in vast blue sky
-boss said: clean up desk.

Copyright©2009

Strangers Among Us

After the funeral,
I walked through the street alone,
-many strange faces.

When they were dating,
He was a prince, she said yes
-became a monster.

Joey meet Dennis,
Both were the new boys in town
-a lifelong friendship.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Strangers

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

For sweet liberty,
They signed their names on the pledge
-their sacred honor.

Copyright©2009

The Young At Rock

Watching daughter dance,
Joy of moving to Blue Moo
-treasured happiness.

Copyright©2009

(Blue Moo is a children's album by Sarah Boynton
Copyright©2007)

Murphy's Haiku #60

Ranger began tour,
Sun disappeared behind clouds
-torrential downpour.

Copyright©2009

Dreaming The Poem

Poet sleeps on couch,
Has many wonderful dreams
-waiting on the muse.

Copyright©2009

Murphy's Tanka #59: Mortgage Blues

A pile of papers,
We signed the contracts for hours
-the attorney said:
There's still one thing I will need.
It was the one thing missing.

Copyright©2009

The Right Time And Place

Foggy marina,
Man reads the Sunday paper
-waits, sipping coffee.

Copyright©2009

The Rain And The Blues

Kneeling at her grave,
I looked up at the clear sky
-then I cried blue rain.

She sat across from me,
Telling me story of their love
-now about to cry:
since break up, no place to go-
memories everywhere!

Neverending rain,
Tourists went elsewhere, cafes closed
-was called Monsoon June.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Blue Rain

The Power Of Children

Stormy weather day,
When the children came to play
-the storm clouds drifted.

Copyright©2009

( grant you, I haven't seen this happen too often!)

Seeking Self

Looking in mirror,
I see only reflection
-not what others do.

Copyright©2009

Summer Frost

I thought I knew you,
For years we told our stories
-guess not afterall:
today you walked right by me
like a chill wind in Summer.

Copyright©2009

Soaked!

Rainy summer day,
No children playing in park
-toys sunk in puddles.

Copyright©2009

Sailor's Poet

Poet at mic,
Reads of sailing ships on sea
-childhood memories.

Copyright©2009

Brother Not Seen

People leaving church,
Beggar enters crowd with cup
-no one notices.

Copyright©2009

Family Tapesrty

At Ellis Island,
Clerk read Franz Rurka's Czech tag
-wrote down Frank Robbins.

Grandpa showed bookshelf,
Where he kept family tree
-we looked at the lines:
Some back to Ellis Island,
Others back to Mayflower!

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Assimilation

Artplosion!

Artisit's jamboree,
Out of the Blue Gallery,
-connecting to souls.

Copyright©2009

In Honor of Steve Lonergan, R.I.P.

It had been ten years,
Then I learned he passed away
-never said goodbye.

Copyright©2009

Steps In Thought

Walking labyrinth,
layers of meditation
-journey to center.

Copyright©2009

Metamorphosis

Boy in uniform,
Goes off to war, kills many
-comes back shell of man.

Copyright©20o9

Summers Day's Dream

Trees shading common,
Children laugh and play in park
-little paradise.

Copyright©2009

Radio Hate Man

The Radio Hate Man frothed and fumed over all the other people.
It was the other people that were ruining the whole damn country!
Something had to be done!-next day, Radio Hate Man's show was cancelled.

Copyright©2009

The American Sandwich

Walled In And Out

Sitting in his cell,
He no longer sees the walls
-only lonely past.

In children's park,
Vines weave through the chain link fence
-forming leafy walls:
a cocoon for children's dreams
acted out on playing frames.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Walls

Troubled Waters

Mother with baby,
Steps into lifeboat praying
-titanic sinking.

Copyright©2009

Newspaper Item: Last survivor of Titanic dies-was two months old at the time.

On The Fast Track

Stepping onto train,
picked leaflet from off the floor
-think future career!

Copyright©2009

Suffer The Children #2

Child came up to me,
She held out her hand and spoke
-her eyes though, her eyes....

Copyright©2009

Suffer The Children

Child stares out from page,
Sad eyes of the world's starving
-no child left behind?

Copyright©2009

Child's Last Day

You looked up at me,
Holding that big paper bag
-bursting with treasures:
the blue blanket you napped on
and all the artwork you made.

Copyright©2009

The Bottom Line

Execs get bailouts,
Company outsources jobs
-then toast their success.

Copyright@2009

Slow Going

Looked at g.p.s.
Jam at intersection
-no way but through it.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Intersections

Last Frontier

Last day tommorrow,
No more pressure for deadlines,
-sail into sunset.

Copyright©2009

Paradise Lost

For fifty long years,
El jefé built paradise
-many escaped on rafts.

Copyright©2009

No Way Out

While xeroxing docs,
She felt boss behind her
-no way to exit.

Copyright©2009

Evil Eye

From newspaper page,
Accused felon glowers out
-appears in nightmares.

Copyright©2009

For The Love Of Life

News Item: abortion provider shot while in church (Boston Globe 6/21/09, p.2)

Bang! psalm reading ends,
Doctor murdered in a church
-life lover's pistol.

Copyright©2009

Cruel Cuts

Staffer cuts paper,
From wholes, to halves, to quarters
-upstairs, boss cuts jobs.

Copyright©2009

Finis!

The butler entered,
then examined all the clues
-detective did it!

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Denouement

Doctor Papa

When you hurt your nose,
You asked if I would kiss it
-only i could heal.

Copyright©2009

Summer's Here!

You came up to me,
Laying on picnic blanket
-i am ice cream chef.

Copyright©2009

Find Me!

Playing hide and seek,
Small child hides under a coat
-in the middle of the floor.

Copyright©2009

Castles In The Heart

Lil' girl in castle,
Invites papa to dinner
-jungle gym's court feast.

Copyright©2009

In The Urban Jungle

Boy on jungle gym,
Swings high on the monkey bars
-tarzan of boston.

Copyright 2009

Memorial Haiku

Their names on marble,
Sons and daughters lost to war
-always remembered.

Copyright 2009

Seen At Work

Co-worker walks by,
A newspaper in her hand
-woman of the world.

Copyright 2009

Dropping Haikus

De-trained at Boylston,
Temperatures dropped steeply
-fourteen blocks to walk.

Beth saw it clearly,
He stole from the register
-called to drop a dime.

Letter said goodbye,
After ten months of dating
-tossed it, went dancing.

Victory at hand,
Superbowel glory within reach
-quarterback fumbles.

A friend in college,
They had shared many good times
-no returned email.

Sure of her footing,
She lifted the plates and turned
-floor needs to be swept.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Dropped

At Stop And Shop

So much anger, yet
I love you more than coffee
-don't snap your headband.

Copyright 2009

Just Fun

Sitting by frogpond,
Four year old feet splashing
-making memories.

Copyright 2009

Writer's Block #2

Poet lays on couch,
Still can't think of haiku
-damn!damn!damn!damn!damn!

Copyright 2009

It's That Kind Of Night!

Poet lays on couch,
Can not think up one haiku!
-muse on vacation.

Copyright 2009

Just In Time.

Man runs with daughter,
Rain starts as they come to school
-Tower clock shows nine.

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #58

Staff meeting at nine,
Trolley service running late
-detrained at park street.

Copyright 2009

Beyond Tolerance!

Jimmy kissed Meghan,
Jimmy expelled from first grade
-zero tolerance.

Priest exhorts gospel,
Men kiss on the State House steps
-marriage contested.

Children in circle,
Taunt a child in the middle
-yelling dope! retard!

Before tribunal,
Professor defends his lecture
-lessons not p.c.

Jill slammed her book shut,
Jack was now clicking his pen
-again and again.....

Justice Served
By Edward S. Gault

In the courtroom
The old man sat in a wheelchair
Breathing through a nasal tube
Listening to the judge
Read a 21 page warrant
Charging him as being an accomplice
In the murder of 29,000 people
66 years earlier.

There are those who believe
The man is too old to stand trial
For atrocities committed so long ago.
Why wasn’t he brought to justice earlier?
They ask.

The prosecutor said
The rule of law must prevail
The that the number of years gone by
Must not determine whether justice is done.
The blood of those thousands
Cries out for justice.
We must demonstrate to those
Who commit such crimes
They will not walk away.

But from across the room
One can discern (albeit barely),
A smile come across the old man’s face;
He knows that
He has gotten to walk away from it.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Tolerance

Murphy's Haiku #57

Dinner with old friends,
Many photographs taken
-necktie real crooked.

Copyright 2009

Sign Of Our Times

In Boston's North End,
Scents of Italian dishes
-man holds sign for food.

Copyright 2009

Flight Of Mind

Poet reads at mic,
Audience in their own world
-no one heard poet.

Copyright 2009

2112 A.D.

Father tells his child,
Man did not always glow bright
-nuclear power.

Copyright 2009

Uh-Oh #5

Bully cornered Joe,
Teacher restrained the bully
-teacher disciplined.

Copyright 2009

Smoked Out!

Man takes out cigar,
Lights up and enjoys smoke
-just before arrest.

Copyright 2009

If Only To Be...

What’s It like?
By Edward S. Gault


What’s it like? I asked
To travel the world like breeze
-blowing through the leaves.

Being ocean tides,
Massaging sandy beaches
-reaching, then smoothing.

As a rain droplet,
Viewing the world as convex
-joining earth as many.

Raging as wildfire,
Consuming the lush landscape
-through ash, genesis.

Rising as flowers,
From soil’s darkness into light
-reaching for the sun.

Towering mountain,
Has seen one vista, but well!
-that is what it’s like.

Copyright©2009

For One Single Impression: What's It Like?

Mysteries Unfolding

Lady concentrates,
Rolls of paper before her
-universe unfolds.

Copyright 2009

Living The Life

Sitting in cafe,
Coffee, bagel, and paper,
-small sanctuary.

Copyright 2009

Tough Job

Management tells staff,
"Cutbacks are necessary!"
-then to Bahamas.

Copyright 2009

Sign Of Our Times

Got daughter to school,
Signed paper hanging on door
-swine flu quarantine.

Copyright 2009

O.K. Never Mind

Lady blankly stared,
Had told her I write poems,
-it always works!

Copyright 2009

Pay Before Play

School group at window,
Man takes money and records
-then crunches numbers.

Copyright©2009

Touching Sight

Straining eyes to see,
Fingers search entire table
-hunt for lost contacts.

Sitting under tree,
No breeze and ninety degrees!
-only mosquitos.

Sweat pouring off skin,
Muscles ache from running track
-hot shower relieves.
Then dive into swimming pool
Freezing water paradise!

Little boy running,
Trips and scrapes knee on sidewalk
-he cries onto home.
Sidewalk pays for it in stomps
No Alcohol or bandage.

I saw her reading,
Fingers moving over text
-so very quickly!

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Tactile

Conservatism, R.I.P.

Death Of Modern Conservatism
By Edward S. Gault

O

TOTAL

WAR F WAR

DEAD R DEAD

OCRYGR E ED CRYO

SPEND E SPEND

SPEND D SPEND
SPEND O SPEND

SPEND M SPEND
PATR IOTIC
BORNAGAIN

RADICAL

BIB LE

DIT TO
HEADS

O DE IFYO
TOXIC
FALSE
GOD

O

Java Muse

Searching for rythm,
My muse enjoys hide and seek!
-brew her black coffee.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #30

Classmates.com
By Edward S Gault

I came across
our old
yearbook

sitting in the
attic like
an

old book of
lore, telling
the

tales of the
legends we
all

thought ourselves to
be. Your
photo

stares back at
me from
the

yellowing page, back
then so
white.

I wonder how
that happened.
how

we all got
to where
we

are now: people
with three
decade

old yearbooks that
accuse us
us

of being ancient,
when we
are

the same we
were then.
Except

that so has
much happened
and

despite everything, I
became my
father

anyway all the
same, I
like

to think I
turned out
different,

that I carry
it differently
than

he did. But
maybe not.
Ask

my daughter about
about it
sometime.

Copyright©2009

Like Butterflies

Praying for the dream,
It's so close I can touch it!
-now to let it go.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #29

peewee casanova
by edward s. gault

always wearing those clean pressed shirts and
neckties he was a bit too familiar and
always smiling like he was on some kind of
l.s.d. trip. he had that creepy mr.
rogers air about him, making most of us
especially careful of where we
took our lunch breaks. he didn’t
even realize that we were avoiding him!
no amount of the cold shoulder bit seemed to send
the message. i knew that
if he kept up his routine, he’d be arrested
on some kind of sexual assault charge. but
no, little peewee casanova kept right on at it.

Copyright©2009

Running Scenarios.

In waiting room,
I contemplate agonies,
-bank mortgage office.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #28

Brandon
By Edward S. Gault

From the time he was five,
Brandon loved shooting guns.
His grandpa gave him his first set of pistols.
They came with caps and a sheriff’s badge.

He used to play shoot out with his friends.
His backyard was the O.K. Coral
He was the Sheriff, he had the badge
The pistols in theirs holsters
His grandpa gave him when he was five.

Later he would learn to hunt in the family’s fields
With a b.b. gun his grandpa had given him.
He shot coke cans off the fence most of the time.
His friends all joined him,
They were all too old for the O.K. Coral.

When he was fifteen- a young man now,
Too old for O.K. Coral, too good for Coke cans
His grandpa gave him his father’s shotgun
He could just about remember
Those dinners when he was five
-the Christmas he got the pistols.

There was honor coming down to him
Through his father’s shotgun.
He remembered those duck dinners,
-and how the grown ups would all talk
about a place called Saigon.
They talked about that a lot.
A little while later the duck dinners stopped.
He remembered the gun when he saw it.
-and his father cleaning it.
He like the sense of power
his Father’s gun gave him.
The power to decide what lived
-what died.
This is what he did
on the weekends and before school;
and the long summers;
Thanksgiving and winterbreaks,
-when he brought home the ducks.
Then he prepared them
The same way he had seen his father do it
As he listened to the guy on the radio talk about
Saigon and the Viet Cong.
He knew his father would be going back.

Brandon attended University in Baltimore
Joined the R.O.T.C.
He married his sweetheart Marcy.
On the way to their honeymoon in North Conway
Marcy turned the dial
To some station playing the Grateful Dead.
She had heard enough about Baghdad.

She didn’t tell him when he went,
that she was going to have a child.
She wanted him to be able to do
what he knew he had to do.
He stored the gun carefully away,
until he came back.

When he did come back,
and the honors were completed,
A gun salute given,
And they presented her with the flag
-all folded in a triangle.
She put it on the mantle.
One day she would show it to their boy, Ricky.
He would never see the gun.

Copyright©2009

A Birthday Poem

At forty seven,
I now look back and reflect,
-my hells and heavens.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #27

The Accounting
By Edward S. Gault

We met Florenda at the Bank of America mortgage office.
She examined all of our finances-bank statements then credit checks!
This would be the second time we saw our lives laid out in raw numbers.

Copyright©2009

For More see The American Sandwich

A-mazing! (not bad for a Monday morning)

I am in a maze,
I could be the mouse or the cheese
-perhaps, I am both.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #26

Jump Rope
By Edward S. Gault

The idea of the game
Was to jump the rope
As it came to you.
A large group of kids
(practically the whole class),
Stood in a circle
As someone in the middle
Began to swing the rope around.
When the rope came to you,
Then you jumped.
The effect was this wave
That went around the circle.
It was fun.
We had been at it for two days-
Getting it down.
Getting it just right.
Making it even more fun.
A lot of kids
Wanted to be the one
In the middle
Twirling the rope around.
Everyone had to wait their turn.
Mine came on the second day.
I had completed the third round
When the whistle blew.
The teachers had seen enough of the fun
When I approached Mrs. Hahn
(who was three hundred years old
at least, and some kids swore
had played a role in the founding
of Overland Park),
She accused me of disrupting
The game of Jump rope
All the kids wanted to play.
And she didn’t think my coming
With my hands raised
Was particularly funny.
She made me stand on the yellow line
For the duration of the recess
While the other kids jumped rope.

Copyright©2009

My Word!

Shockjock spews venom,
Norm knew he had a mission
-took gun to clinic.

Standing in doorway,
Boss said I want a word, please!
-holding the pink slips.

On hospital ward,
Old woman saw her daughter
-Said, I forgive you!

Four years of struggle,
She received her diploma,
-Congratulations!
The principal smiled at her,
she did not have the words, though.

After twenty years,
Al met his son at the gate,
-welcome home father.

Staring at the page,
Waiting for the words to come
-page simply stares back.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Word

NaPoWriMo Poem #25

Riverway Reverie
By Edward S. Gault

After Jessie evicted us, we found the place on the Riverway.
We took lengthy walks along the Fens, had our first child and raised her there.
I had had several photo shows, and things were fine-then came the crash.

Copyright©2009

Uh Oh #4

Letter from landlord,
You must be out by August!
-no explanation.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #24

Shooting The Turtle
By Edward S. Gault

I saw this turtle on the road.
It reminded me
Of so many of the turtles in my youth
That I picked up and took home.
I thought I might get a picture.
So, since the turtle wasn’t going anywhere
(not very fast anyway),
I attached my telephoto lens,
Then got into position
Only to be interrupted
I’m sorry sir; I can’t let you take a picture.
The officer said.
Then he cited the Patriot Act.

Copyright@2009

Murphy's Haiku #56

Unmet bills piled high,
I paced room, what more than this!?
-landlord sends letter.

Copyright 2009

NapoWriMo Poem #23

Administration’s Soul
By Edward S. Gault

xxxThe right
xxgOnzales
geoRge w.
xxxThe veep
xxrUmsfeld
zzzRove
xricE

Copyright2009

Spring Cleaning

Clearing out attic,
Found pile of high school yearbooks,
-weighing cost of past.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #22

Tyrone’s Birthday
By Edward S. Gault

Rod, his brother, remembers the day
They shot Tyrone down.
They just drove by
and started shooting
like they didn’t care who they hit.
Tyrone had turned seven.
He was at his birthday party
on the porch.
His mother remembers
The way he asked for a bicycle,
and how she thought
he was growing up too fast.
She had a nice red bicycle all ready for him
in the garage.
She had spent all morning on the cake,
angel food with a motorcycle on top;
next, he would be want one of those too.
Rod told me how he had taught Tyrone
to throw a baseball just right;
and coached him how to shoot a basketball
through the hoop every time.
He wanted to give Tyrone dreams
because that’s all he had to give him.
Rod wanted much more for the boy
than he had had.
He knew about gangs.
His voice cracked when he told me,
The bullet had been meant for him.

Copyright©2009

Things That Go Ring At Night

Asleep at midnight,
Phone rings, some emergency?
-telemarketer.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWrimo Poem #21

making the rounds
by edward s. gault

i return to the computer
again and again;
checking my e-mail,
going to my blog to see,
if anyone may have left a comment;
then to facebook to see,
if anyone may want to chat,
or simply left a message.
nobody.
back to email.
new spam.
back to my blog.
zip.
i log off.
go brew some coffee.
then i return to the computer,
once again.

Copyright@2009

Long Labor Lost

Pushed rock up mountain,
It slipped from grip, rolled down hill
-contemplated move.
Went to the pile of boulders.
Is there another to push?

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #20

Memos
By Edward S. Gault

Presidential memos suggest that congress
Enact laws that
Re-interpret the constitution so that
Violations to National Security can be
Efficiently dealt with. The
Rights of citizens would
Still be the same in form, but the
Interpretation would change in
Order to protect the interests of
National security.

Copyright©2009

Poet's Circus

In art gallery,
Crowd cheers fool's dancing ranting
-joke on fool or crowd?

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo #19

One Single Impression: One Word

Simply Hi
By Edward S. Gault

The minister finished
With the customary ashes to ashes.
His family and two friends gathered around
The coffin, as it was lowered into the ground.
His friends remembered how dejected
He was the last time they had seen him.
They remembered the intercom announcement
By the principal that he had died.
And how he died.
Oh God, how he died!
And alone.
Most were asking who he was.
They didn’t even know him.
Now, as dirt was being shoveled in,
The two that did, wondered why,
Maybe- just once!-more people
Couldn’t have said just one word to him
Simply, Hi.

Walking along path,
Burdened with troubles-He came!
-spoke just one word, Peace.

Copyright©2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #18

Drawing Circles
By Edward S. Gault

Afternoon workshops were on
Making contact with the prospects and
Winning their confidence so they would
Agree to be your downline. After five
Years, and six direct distributors later- you got
Pearl-but you had to draw a lot of circles and
Leap through more circles.
A lot of miles logged.
No guarantees.
-many would drop out.

Copyright@2009

Murphy's Haiku #55

I came to the gate,
Ask the price of admissions
-forgot my wallet.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #17

The Trial
By Edward S. Gault

She stood before the judge
And told him how the man had
Confronted her on the sidewalk.
He had threatened to throw acid in her face
If she did not do exactly
As he told her to do.
Frightened, she ran down the street
Into a side alley,
Where she had hoped to lose him
-but he was faster.
He shoved her down,
And ripped through her clothing,
And raped her there.
She said it seemed to last for hours.
Nobody came to help her.
She looked up to the judge.
He looked to the man sitting passively
At a nearby table.
He motioned to the jury.
They deliberated, and came back
Guilty, they pronounced.
The judge then pronounced the sentence.
At that time,
The woman was taken out and stoned.

Copyright©2009

Sleep, What's That?

Pulling all nighters,
Going through next day in a daze
-living yin and yang.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #16

The Things They Did.
By Edward S. Gault

We read about them today.
They went to work
And came home to their families.
They went out to dinner.
Went to the movies.
Took walks.
They wrote poetry.
Went camping
-and had dreams about the lake,
And the way the moon’s reflection
Looked in it.
Sometimes they had their photos taken.
Their pictures line the wall of galleries today.
They didn’t know that then though.
They were taking their family walks
-tossing their children up in the air.
They blew candles out on birthday cakes.
They dreamed of their vacation
on the beach of some foreign port.
Many just stayed home
And played in their yards.
Some had picnics in the park
Where they enjoyed the sun on their face
On such a nice day.
Then the police came one night
And took them all away.

Copyright@2009

Writing Blues

Poet crashing hard,
Writing verse at breakneck speed
-later, can't read lines.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #15

Artist in the Renaissance School
By Edward S. Gault

Once there was an artist
In the renaissance school.
He painted and sculpted
He wrote poetry and prose,
He was a photographer.
He spent many hours of the day
Honing each of these disciplines
He would not sell
Until a piece was perfect.
He never sold any pieces.
This went on for years.
Decades.
The honing.
The perfecting.
By the time he was a very old man,
His home had become a gallery
Of some of the finest work in the country
-if only anyone knew of it!
But nobody did.
Eventually, he died.
His children settled his accounts
(there were many).
They sold the house.
They got rid of all the junk.

Copyright@2009

Writer's Block

Poet writing Truth,
Stops to ponder what that is
-throws up the pencil.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #14

Photo Story
By Edward S. Gault

A photo of two children
falling past window panes,
there are no fire escapes.
That's all I know.
Nothing of happens next:
Of how far down the pavement is
or if the fire was an accident
children playing with matches
or committed by an arsonist.
The photo was once seen
by thousands of people in the morning paper
as part of a news story.
But the book that I'm looking at
has only the photo of the two children.
Someday, I'll look up the story.
Today, I'll let the photo tell me what it can.

Copyright 2009

Just Say No?

For years I've said No,
For that I'll be remembered
-my face, that one word.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #13

Trapping Charley
By Edward S. Gault

Charley got off his chain one night,
And went off out into the neighborhood.
We didn’t know how long
He had been gone.
When he came back,
He was not in good shape
-part of the flesh from his tale
xwas hanging off!
My mother thought someone
Had done something
To him.
Then again, they might have set the trap
Expecting to get a fox
-not a dog.
Anything was possible,
Especially in New Jersey!

Copyright©2009

Coping

Future uncertain,
I simply drink my coffee
-choosing to forget.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #12- And An Easter Haiku

One Single Impression: Live Water

I am participating in National Poetry Month again this year. In addition to the daily haiku that I've somehow managed to keep up since last year, I am taking it up a notch this year and publish an additional poem for NaPoWriMo each day in April. I hope you will be able to come back and look at the NaPoWriMo poems.

Lakeside Meditation
By Edward S. Gault

Looking off across the lake
In the evening, I hold my own
Vespers. Sweet silence draws
Everything in. I'm aware only of the
Water's movement-ripples
Across the surface.
Time stands still, all of
Eternity is present. My spirit finds
Rest in peaceful solitude.

Copyright©2009

Family gathers,
Easter dinner in late noon
-lamb with mint sauce.

Copyright©2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #11

Games with Grandpa
By Edward S. Gault

I don’t know when his wife died
I was always told it was long before I was born.
He always seemed so ancient
His skin lined with the years he had lived.
Brown spots mottled his scalp
And blended into what hair he had left.
The important thing was not to be lured
Into thinking he was senile,
That would have been a grave mistake.
For example, in chess,
He would take your King, then your Queen,
Before you knew they were gone.
Game over!
Then he was a checker shark.
He had ways of jumping over all
Our pieces-in one move
In Dominoes we didn’t stand a chance.
The man had a century on us all,
Even after all the Cigars.
That must have been his secret,
The cigars.

Copyright@2009

Tell Big Brother

Opened up Facebook,
Told the world I was eating
-spicy burrito.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #10

Sweet Dream of Aphrodite
By Edward S. Gault.

I had this dream last night
That I won the state lottery.
I bought a sixty room mansion,
That had a garden and a pool.
I had my own jet and a yacht
That brought me all over the world.
I went to parties
And cut the ribbons at celebrations.
One afternoon as I sat reclined on my yacht,
Reflecting on all the good that Fortune brought;
I saw a vision of sweet Aphrodite
In all her glorious majesty,
Coming straight toward me!
At that point, I felt a tugging
At my arm-
My four year old said:
Papa, I have to use the potty!

Copyright©2009

To Oneself Be True

You did not want me,
Said you wanted a new me
-someone else, not me.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #9

Prayer of Fran Eccles
By Edward S. Gault

Fran sat on the porch
Of their family’s home,
Reflecting on their never
Ending tribulations, and how they
Came to be where they were now. They
Lost so much when Joe got laid off.
Only so much was in their
Savings. Jobs were scarce, making it
Unrealistic that he would find another
Real soon. She opened up the
Eccles’ family bible, and prayed.

Copyright©2009

Priorities

Mayor announced cuts,
Six hundred and twelve jobs go
-then hired pretty aide.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #8

Bank Meeting
By Edward S. Gault

Meeting to go
Over all the necessary documents
Reams of stuff to be signed, and
Tax documents had to be examined.
Getting through it all took two or three hours
And the bank guy said he needed more! Had to
Get all the past year’s
Electricity Payments faxed pronto.

Copyright©2009

Seeing The Light

Sun breaks through the clouds,
A narrow beam of light shines
-puddles reflect back.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #7

Photography Crimes
By Edward S. Gault

Photography is prohibited everywhere now.
Art museums and military bases are one thing;
There have always been those
Restrictions and they were generally understood.
In recent years though,
Old protections, such as the
The Bill of Rights, don’t protect
As much as they used to. The U.S.
Constitution has been high jacked. Even
Taking a picture can be a crime now.

Copyright©2009

Li'l Artist On Move

On wet train window,
A child draws funny faces
-using finger as brush.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #6

Disappearance
By Edward S. Gault

Police surrounded the group, then made
Arrests, eventually charging them with
Terrorist activity. Labeled as
Radicals, they were
Interrogated, then one night shipped to an
Offshore facility. They were kept there for
Ten months. Nobody knew
Anything of what had happened to them.
Committees eventually found
That they were innocent.

Copyright©2009

Different Drum

Always speaking up,
Said No, when others said Yes
-one night, disappeared.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #5

Civics Lesson
By Edward S. Gault

Projects had to be
Analyzed for cost/benefit ratios.
Statistics were very important for this.
State and Federal budgets were
Totaled, then bill were drafted in the
House and Senate where they were
Examined and debated –after which the
Budget was increased to allow executive travel.
Unanimously passing, the bill became a law.
Costs were then forwarded to
Karl and Marge Tachspaer in Wichita.

Copyright©2009

Listen Here...,

She heard him crying,
He couldn't hear their taunts
-but he could read their lips.

Josh turned abruptly,
Told Todd to leave him alone
-stood ground as he left.

Success guru said:
Get rich through real estate
-audience in awe.

On the balcony,
The president said Let us hope!
-he was one of them.

People raised their hands,
Moving to the Lord's gospel
-music saving souls.

Man sat with earphones,
Heavy metal blasting brain
-safety from the world.

The concert over,
They turned Beethoven around
-standing ovation.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Listening

NaPoWriMo Poem #4

Lesson On Losers
By Edward S. Gault

Gary leaned over to
Rick in order to
Explain to him the reason why
Entitlements were wrong. The poor were
Damned losers stealing from him
Because they would not work. They needed
Incentives, not rights. When Rick
Tried to defend unions, Gary became
Enraged, called Rick a piece of
Shit, then left.

Copyright©2009

In Search Of Zen

Just when path seemed clear,
Another gate would swing closed!
-dreams always distant.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo Poem #3

Causality
By Edward S. Gault

Reeling after nearly being run
Off the road, she yelled fuck,
And flipped the bird at the guy
Driving next to her, who hadn’t done anything.
Ripped because he was given the finger,
And as it was ninety degrees, he floored the
Gas pedal speeding into her,
Ending both of their lives.

Copyright©2009

The Tour

Visitors walk through,
Ask guide about exhibit
-poet erectus.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo #2

Job Fair
by Edward S. Gault

A sea of faces
Formed of lines
Leading to tables
Themselves lined up
Against the walls,
each with a glossy banner.
Bold letters spell out
Companies and logos.
So, he that so recently graduated
Summa Cum Laude
And was just wed,
Obtained a mortgage.
He that the boss called his Number One Son In The Business,
With the $75 dollar hair trimming
Got his pink slip from Dad
And wades into that sea of faces
To take his place in line
For a chance at a job offered at one of the tables.

Copyright 2009

Siesta

Lunch on the table,
Midday lull pulls me to sleep
-day dream believer.

Copyright 2009

NaPoWriMo #1

The Chicken and I
By Edward S. Gault

I sat on the park bench
With my colleague
As he told me that I didn’t know
Anything about schizophrenia
But I wasn’t paying attention
I was watching this chicken walk its’ fool
Along the path
And we made eye contact
The chicken and I
It winked at me
Then went on its’ way
With the leash in its’ beak
And the fool in tow
My colleague was not the least bit interested
He had continued onto
The Parts of the Brain
In his discourse.

Copyright©2009

April Fool To You!

Dressed all in motley,

Jester entertains with truth

-true philosopher.

Copyright 2009

Photo:

Edward S. Gault

Haunting Image

Riding on the train,
Saw picture of burned woman
- holds pic of old self.

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #54

Working hours online,
Completing important form
-computer shuts down.

Copyright 2009.

Holy Smoke! More Haiku

One Single Impression: Smoke

Pipesmoke filled garret,
Patriots sign Suffolk Resolves
-a revolution born.

He stood on the street,
Simply watching his home burn
-thinking of treasures.

Sitting in silence,
In temple sanctuary
-recall auschwitz smoke.

Young boys in bathroom,
Pass cigarette around twice
-principal comes in.

Meal would win him bride,
Funny smell from the kitchen!
-oh no! toast instead.

Copyright 2009

Child's Special Moment

Sitting in small chairs,
Parents and teacher talking
-as child shows drawings.

Copyright 2009

At Last...Spring!

Late March chill over,
The warm weather caresses
-balm for winter's sores.

Copyright 2009

Hard Time

Little girl in chair,
Crying for the lost play time
-an angel fallen.

Copyright 2009.

Uh Oh #3

You had to throw it,
Nick used the Double Dog Dare
-called to principal.

Copyright 2009

Oh No!

Many use Facebook,
Facebook loses face, gives bill
-many go elsewhere.

Copyright 2009

Things We Do For Love

Dragon's mouth shot flame,
She plunged the sword through its' side
-to rescue her prince.

Copyright 2009

Equality And Justice For All.

One Single Impression: Equals

Mabel stood her ground,
Met the sherriff's angry stare
-let my people vote!

Raj faced British guard,
Officer's truncheon came down
-returned two more times.

For living wages,
Employees spoke with one voice
-voting union.

She stared from the page,
Telling me her sad story
-so many children.

Dictator now dead,
People pulled down his statues
-now for Bill of Rights.

Taunted and teased,
Billy ran hard and won race
-special Olympics.

Copyright 2009

Uh Oh #2

Police call at ten,
Want to ask questions at station
-somebody saw you.

Copyright 2009

Uh-Oh.

An auditor called,
He would like to have a "chat"
-bring all your receipts.

Copyright 2009

Paperchase

Documents piled high,
Lost in bank bureaucracy
-mortgage labyrinth.

Copyright 2009

Good Night...Sleep Tight?

Once she's put to bed,
She pops out and runs around
-'for she falls asleep.

Copyright 2009.

For Josef Sudek, Photographer (1896-1976).

I caught the tree's eye
As I sat there on a bench
-in magic garden.

Copyright 2008

Josef Sudek 1964
Self Portrait
From Josef Sudek: Poet Of Prague
Aperture 2004

Josef Sudek 1964

Self Portrait

Only The Beginning

Driving home at night,
Mind weighed down by day's debris
-it's only monday!

Copyright 2009

Farewells, Sad And Happy.

Married twenty years,
Each day a silent goodbye
-lovers, now strangers.

He stood by her grave,
Not believing she was gone
-her moist eyes and smile.

Lukas stood on deck,
Saw Statue Of Liberty
-goodbye poverty

Copyright 2009.

One Single Impression: Goodbyes

Battle Of The Pundits

Talking heads chatter,
Verbally jousting and shouting
-contest of egos.

Copyright 2009

Future Shock

From an old hilltop,
One can see them spread for miles
-abondoned suburbs.

Copyright 2009

The Jaws Of Math

Looking at numbers,
The way they never add up
-end of the month blues.

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #53

After twenty miles,
I took a break, looked around,
-back at starting point.

Copyright 2009

Contemplation

Future uncertain,
On couch, staring at ceiling
wondering, wonder...

Copyright 2009

Spring Break

As snow melts on ground,
Papa helps small girl peddle
-tricycle racer.

Copyright 2009

The Paths We Take

Alone in his room,
Old man reads letter from youth
-rejected her love.

Walking along path,
I came to a fork, pondred,
-saw snail, followed it.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Fork In The Road

The Times

Savings depleted,
Month's bills accumulating
-millioniares bailed out.

Copyright 2009

Lifetime Memories

Friends post old photos,
Picnics, parties and frisbee
-a lifetime ago.

Copyright 2009

Museum At Home

A sitting room wall,
Adorned with paintings and crafts
-a life's souvenirs.

Copyright 2009

Life Cycle Of A Snow Flake

Snowflake falls to ground,
Used by children for snowman
-then, black roadside mound.

Copyright 2009

A Child's Wonder

As Papa reads book,
Small child looks out the window,
-winter wonderland.

Copyright 2009

Unexpected Holiday

Children celebrate,
Town officials have cancelled school
-snowballs fly from forts.

Copyright 2009

Creating In Circles

Pieces of a Labyrinth
Photography: Edward S. Gault

Somebody comes by,
He sees stones, then builds something.
It stands for that day,
As we all walk by and see it.
Next day, somebody comes by....

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression

and Forest River Creations

Her Own Drummer

Children at party,
Run around and wrestle
-one girl by herself.

Copyright 2009

Lil' Sleepyhead

Asleep on the couch,
Small girl dreams of puppet shows
-chocolate after.

Chocolate 2009

Here's Looking At You!

Cupcake in the fridge,
Red frosting with two big eyes
-To Kim,with love, Mom.

Copyright 2009

Time At Last

With wife on the couch,
Solve riddles within riddles
-watching late movie.

Copyright 2009

Close Call

Having climbed back up,
I saw my friend lose footing
-reliving the fall.

Copyright 2009

Forging Ahead

Rain pounds windshield,
Wipers clear surealism
-just keeping control.

Copyright 2009

Last Light

Sitting on the porch,
watching the orange sunset
-magic evening.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Twilight

A Week's Freedom

Parents with children
Jaunting around Boston's graves
-school vacation week.

Copyright 2009

Humor Of The Weather Fates

Spring around corner,
People enjoy the warm days
-One more snow storm looms.

Copyright 2009

Post Dessert Nap

At dinner table,
A little girl sleeps in high chair
-to new adventures.

Copyright 2009

(After all, no kid is is going to doze before dessert!)

O Muse, Hear my Cry!

Staring at the screen,
Waiting for great words to come
-or maybe a nap.

Copyright 2009

Saved By A Child!

Monitor pulls me,
Papa, quit the computer!
-daughter wants to play.

Copyright 2009

Gossip

Paul smiled at Mary,
Alice told Jen, Jen told Liz,
-wife divorces Paul.

Copyright 2009.

Homecoming

Dead for twenty years,
Harry missed his wife so much!
-one night, she came back.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Spectral

Happy Valentines Day 2009

A gondola glides
Through the esplanade canal
-a couple kisses.

Copyright 2009

Andy's T Shirt

Edward S. Gault's Stone Soup Poetry Feature

January 5, 2009

Family Commute

On the morning train,
Small girl plays puppets with mom
-foxes and rabbits.

Copyright 2009

Funny Face, I Love You!

At dinner table,
Small girl makes funny faces
-memory to keep.

Copyright 2009

Winds Of Change

Freezing, then warmer,
Weather moves like pendulum
-coat, then sweater, coat....

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #52

It's when I'm relaxed,
Honey, take down the trash please!
-simply never fails.

Choices!

Inquisitor asks:
Vanilla or chocolate?
-on this my fate rests.

Copyright 2009

Fast Go and Slow Mo

Little girl gliding,
All pliés and grand jetés
-hopes for Nutcracker.

From on top of hill,
I saw car skidding to crash
-particles fly out.

Baseball rolls to bush,
Tried to find it, felt fur,-snarl!
-set world record sprint.

Drops trickle down slope,
Cutting deep eddies in earth
-behold, a canyon!


Tall case clock chimes twelve,
Pendulum swings to and fro
-waiting morning’s glow.

Copyright©2009

One Single Impression: Movement

Faith Tested

Standing stern judgement,
Sword of truth searches whole self
-only faith can save.

Copyright 2009

Through The Valley Of Death.

Many sleepless nights,
Scenarios haunt the mind
-finally, deep sobs.

Copyright 2009

Watching, Thinking,...Waiting!

Watching the chessboard,
We have both moved our first pawn
-what is her next move?

Copyright 2009

Suspense!

In wrestling match,
Crowd watches as they circle
-which one will move first?

Copyright 2009

Contemplating Mortality?

Looking from cliff's face,
Jagged shoals point up at me
-beckoning to me.

Copyright 2009

Reckoning

When promise beckons,
Ghost of the past lurch forward
-reaping back the gains.

Copyright 2009

Daily Crawl

Appointment at nine,
Trolley moves at sluggish pace
-morning traffic jam.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression

That Time Again!

Speaking at speed of light,
Each complex code memorized
-talking with taxman.

Copyright 2009

Revising World's View

I shut off the news,
Then go to my desk, and write
-seeing a new world.

Copyright 2009

Full Cycle

Children cheer snowfall,
Rain creates slush, then freezes
-adults curse slick ice.

Copyright 2008

O Gentle Muse...

Now sleep, poet, sleep,
Let me inspire your dreams now
-with verses and dance.

Copyright 2009

Next Up Is...

Hosting open mic,
Poet sees other side
-like a juggling act.

Copyright 2009

Monday Computer Blues.

Turning on printer,
Program refuses request!
-takin' shotgun down.

Copyright 2009

A Timely Subject

If I had the time,
I'd throw work out the window,
-spend it all with you.

Since you are here now,
And maybe no tomorrow
-we'll go for that walk.


If I could stop time,
I would keep this moment
-pressed in my journal.

For many years now,
I've worked twentyfour/seven
-all alone in room.

Arrived in heaven,
Peter led me to my cloud
-a vast library.

Copyright 2009

One single Impression: If I Had The Time

Hope Delayed

New president starts,
Economy in free fall
-honeymoon over.

Copyright 2009

Moving On

Former President,
His legacy in question
-leaves with winter wind.

Copyright 2009.

United We Stand

He told the people
Common purpose and courage
-we would overcome.

Copyright 2009

Dare To Believe

Looking out to crowds,
To a nation needing hope
-he said, Yes, we can.

Copyright 2009

For Our New President

Nation divided,
Strives toward new beginning
-Barack Obama.

Copyright 2009

My heartfelt congratulations, support, and best wishes to our new president!

In Honor Of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

"Ma'am, some coffee please?"
She stared, sign said Whites Only
-she poured him coffee.

Copyright 2009

Now What Was That Title Again?

I saw her before,
She said she was... my daughter?
-then hugged me, crying.

Told my children tales
Of my years coming of age
-almost believe now.

Looking in yearbooks,
A long line of photographs
-where are they all now?

He jumped up on me,
Looking up with those brown eyes
-single memory.

At night you come back,
And we live those times again
-the way we should have.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: Fading Memories

Contemplation

Demons in my mind,
parading scenarios
-stream of tragedies.

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Tanka #51

Riding in comfort,
Our train re-routed halfway!
-windchill at zero.
Walked a good seven blocks home,
can't turn key-doorlock frozen.

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #50 - College Days Series

Professor lectures,
I'm chased by Molasses flood!
-woken to take quiz.

Copyright 2009.

Murphy's Haiku #49

Alarm rang at four,
Made coffee, drove to airport
-flight was yesterday!

Copyright 2009

Murphy's Haiku #48

Just to pay my bills,
I filed my taxes early
-State said I owed Grand.

Copyright 2009

Confessions Of A Wannabe Knight

Playing Dragonquest,
won gold, land, and Lady's hand
-bills still on table.

Copyright 2009

O Like A Summer Day.....

Dragging heavy chains,
We sang old songs as sun baked
-slow death by chiggers.

Picnic blanket spread,
I read poetry to you
-breeze goes well with wine.

Hiking through woods,
We saw a deer in clearing
-looking back at us.

Sun shines on lush lawn,
Children run slow through sprinkler
-cold water soothing.

Small girl tugs Papa,
Bringing him to the park's swings
-her winged chariot.

Copyright 2009

One Single Impression: A Summer Day

The One We Don't See

After the car crashed
Crowds gathered to see who died
-someone cries tonight.

Copyright 2009

Chaos Theory

Car crash snarls up traffic,
Flashing lights and sirens-crowds,
-next morning, quiet.

Copyright 2009

Slip, Slip, Slidin...

On icy sidewalk,
I hold tight my daughter's hand
-each step walking slow.

Copyright 2009

Lets Have Bad Weather For A Change!

Freezing rain and slush,
Face pelted trudging ahead
-then eight hours of work.

Copyright 2009

For Michael Amado 1975-2009

You lived poetry,
Each syllable had a dance
-goodbye is so hard.


Copyright 2009

Post Holiday Blues

Holidays over,
Taking slow train into town
-new year, same routine.

Copyright 2009