SamadhiMuse

         Seven years ago today I got out of the service
         and I can remember, like it was yesterday.
         Rose and I, driving north through central Texas,
         eating the fried chicken she'd made for the trip.
         We were going to Barry and Carol's in New Mexico,
         we were going to L.A. to visit,
         we were going to Eureka to live and go to school.
         Freedom on that day from four years of service,
         I was walking tall.
         Now I'm here in a laboratory,
         looking out at Palos Verdes
         and its like a time jump from there to here.
         How did I come to be here and where did Eureka go?
         What became of all my dreams of freedom
         and why are Rose and I living apart now?

                                 gallagher
                                 20 Oct 1977

— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —

 
           Saturday morning...rain coming down
            what do I feel here
            inevitable hurt mixed with centeredness?

            Rose grows and I'm hurt
            but why...Suzanne and Lee and Helen's lives
            all press mine.

            The rain loves me no matter what...
            page days turning me;
            lover, friend, husband, loser, and winner.

                              gallagher
                              5 Nov 1977

— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —

            Conjunction, for weeks growing
            and I could suddenly scream from the press of it
            washed clean of all I called mundane
            pilgrim to a madness I cannot name
            I'm here and growing
            wash me life, with your joy and pain
            and leave me stumbling, dumb,
            if you must, once again.

                                 gallagher
                                 6 Nov 77

— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —