Archive for the ‘1984’ Category

1984-04-29

Sunday, April 29th, 1984


           Today I was shaving
           and putting in my contacts
           and Chris sat on the sink watching
           like he's done a lot this last two months.

           Suddenly, from this random behavior,
           came pattern and purpose.
           if I were making a fire or tanning leather
           or stringing a bow or gathering herbs
           there...it was...

           there he would sit, receptive
           to what he would need to live;
           the transmission of learning
           parent to progeny.

           Wolf cubs, seals, monkeys and man
           all the same...small eyes learning.

           And in our plastic electronic world
           where this has little validity
           the instinct still lives.
           he looks to me to show him the way.

                        gallagher
                        apr 29, 84
                        San Juan Capistrano

— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —

1984-05-08

Tuesday, May 8th, 1984

Poetry is hard to read because
the meanings of many of the words used
are not the first meanings
which come to mind

If the effort used to make the mix
was born only of puzzle making drives
then the effort to decode it
could never be worth it

But if the poet plays
on those lower registers
only as he needs for accuracy
then let him play on
for how else could
the thought be rendered

gallagher
8 may 84
Irvine


— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —

1984-05-08

Tuesday, May 8th, 1984

I think depth must go more from age
because its hard to believe it goes from lack of courage
but, as I grow older and experience less depth,
I wonder if its they or I.

I bring my sword to bear on the solitary pages of my life now
because there’s no one else to play
or, no one judges me fit to play.

Because I love Rose and the wild naked fear
no longer shows in my eyes?
more the lack of opportunity than challenge, he…

Because God’s handing out my Karma … for free?
and what I’m looking for, I’m not supposed to see.

gallagher
may 8, 1984
irvine, ca

— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —