poetry from Andy Christ

My Toenails

Battle-hardened soldiers, I cut you.
Your heads I throw in the trash.
Like a lizard, you grow back what you lost.
I know you. I will cut you again.










Andy Christ

poetry from Andy Christ

Philip and the Poet

Remember Sheherezade, the character
who had to tell stories or die? Well I’m not
Sheherezade. My loquaciousness
is not due to a horror story, although
my sister is a Stephen King fan.
This is my play time, and you, dear Reader,
are my imaginary friend. Where shall we go?
To my childhood? My teen years?
The Oval Office? Grocery store shelves?
I want to tell you about Philip. I saw
him almost every day when I worked
as a lifeguard. In the suburb of Cleveland
where we grew up, lots of kids would go
swimming at the public pools. Like anything else
that needs organization, the pools were fenced in.
Philip would run with his little nine-year-old legs,
bare feet over rough concrete, from the fence
to the deep end of the pool. I guess it was about
twelve feet. There goes Philip in my memory,
trotting toward the water, calling out
“To the Netherlands!” or maybe “To China!”
and, diligently holding his nose, he dives
into the nine feet of water. He stays close
to the pool’s edge, and he always tries
to touch the line at the bottom. Each time
he succeeds, he pauses at the surface
to attend to the pressure in his head.
Then he’s back out again, walking to the fence,
dripping unconsciously. Now and then
he says something to his imaginary friend.
How simple it is to be nine years old. All
those people around, all that sunshine, and
Philip prefers his imaginary friend and
imaginary trips around the world. And if he
got too far out, someone would jump in after
him. Now I’m a poet and we have
imaginary friends too (they’re called readers), and
we dive into our unconscious and come up
with something beautiful. Our imaginary friends
will go anywhere with us.



Andy Christ

poetry from Andy Christ

Open Invitation

Philippe Soupault, where are you now?
We need your humor. Are you still walking
the streets of Paris after the Great War,
the War to End All Wars, asking strangers
if they know where Philippe Soupault lives?
Is your friend Jacques Rigaut with you still,
and do you still go together to
dinner parties to which neither of you
were invited? I hope you will
bring your flowers and chocolates here, and
have supper with us.
Teach us how to smile when the door opens
and we are welcomed to a little feast
of strangers.




Andy Christ

more of Elliptical Shores

I have decided to post more of my story, Elliptical Shores, partly because I haven’t posted anything in awhile. I intend to make additional postings when I have additional material on the story.



Elliptical Shores



Opening


Yes, he thought he knew a Rebekah once. But was that years ago, or minutes ago? One thing he did know, here time did nothing but go by. Not fast, not slow, it just went by, with nothing to show that it was inherently meaningful, or anything out of the ordinary. But, She had her forever dream. The phrase haunted, and in this haunting he could take solace.


Section 2


The art of listening is not lost among any of the fine people living here. Indeed, to listen is to live in this place. Ah, but what, and in some cases who, do they listen to? For me, it is the night that speaks, and it is the night that awaits my answers. I try to give it justice, what it and I deserve. You see, it’s part of the game I play, the game that I’ve learned to play so well.

What amuses me is there are those who think I belong here. I am, of course, quite willing to let them believe that. I take my victories when I can, and I’ll tell you it is a pleasure to fool my captors. It is a consequence of my musings that I feel at home in this place – and quite interesting, really.


High Tides and Low Seas


It is now your turn to listen, for I do not wish to waste these words on those who would trivialize my intent, which is only to offer evidence of my frailties. In telling this, I hope to give you justification for your mission, and to give myself a few smiles. The irrelevancy of what you may think of me no doubt is upsetting to you, because you see your mission as a great one, but you see I don’t want you to suffer from any delusions. I get so tried of you wanting to understand me, to figure me out. Why do you persist so? If you will allow me, I might help you to find an answer. But you have to listen, and listen with care. That’s all that’s left for you.

poetry from Lyn Lifshin

LOVING THE NAMES OF THE CITIES YOU FALL THRU


Kuala Lampur.
Jakarta, Ho Chi
Min City, wildly
intriguing as
yours, with its
season nothing
season nothing

melts in. I think
how you write
of your friend
scattering his
mother’s ashes.
how probably
you didn’t even

have that when
your mother
leaped into
Niagara Falls.
Your “plans”
have changed”
you wrote two

years ago. They
keep changing
but I don’t think
now I’ll know





Lyn Lifshin

poetry from Lyn Lifshin

I THINK OF YOU WITH YOUR CAT AND INSULIN NEEDLES


that’s how I will scan
you under my hair
talking after the first
reading at Rosa del Sol
when I was still some
one you wanted, tried
to find me in San Antonio.
I’ll think of you scooping
your “guy” the stray up,
fussing over how he
guzzled water, was a little
` too fat. I won’t think of
the only time you kissed
me and I knew it was the
last. You, at the vet, all
day for the glucose panels
soothes. I know now I’ll
think of your cat still with
you probably longer than
most women. How you
measure his water, how
you found him near the
Golden Gate. I won’t think
of suicide there, a perfect
spot, as Niagara Falls was
for your mother. I like it that
you named him Question. I
have a lot of questions too.
I’ll think of you listening as
he talks and talks of her, of
course, in a questioning tone,
will imagine you stroking
his tail that bends and hooks
at the top into a question mark
and know like so much, I’ll
think about you too often,
he’s soot black





Lyn Lifshin

In a section I call authors of note, the list is admittedly subjective. I can’t help it, I’m predisposed! So, I will say a few words on my choices, but authors not on the list may creep in there, too. .Now, are you ready? Am I ready?

Vladamir Nabokov is becoming one of my favorite authors. Well, actually, he has been for awhile. He’s very easy to read, something I can appreciate. However, I enjoy challenging works, too. While I’m having trouble with Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake, probably one of the reasons I haven’t picked it up lately, the book I am reading by Samuel Beckett is a pleasure. I’d say it is written in an unconventional style, but that could be an understatement. Its paragraphs, sometimes short but more often extended, the re-statement of sentences and what I think may be stream of consciousness style, are all what I like about the book. Plot, situation, and characters, recognizable objects that seem to be largely missing, are also I things I like.

Also challenging is Umberto Eco. In Island of the Day Before, I believe the island is metaphorical. Actually, I’m not sure about the entire book, which is a reason I’m having such a good time with it. The stories of Sheridan La Fanu and Edgar Allan Poe are great stories for the introduction, and maintaining, of suspense and horror. I recommend both.

Well, I didn’t cover all or the listed authors, but it’s a start. Right?

some authors of note

This list is according to me. I’d be interested in knowing some selections others.


Vladimir Nabokov

Umberto Eco

gabriel garcia marquez

Sheridan Le Fanu

Edgar Allen Poe

Nikolai Gogol

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Elliptical Shores

Tjis is a portion of one version of my story . . .


Elliptical Shores


Opening


The paths that led to its graves, narrow and winding, gave, for him, the cemetery its charm. As did the graves themselves – with their spare stone markers, some of which were decorated with ivy.

As he walked down one of those paths, the grave his eyes focused on brought happiness to his soul. The stone said simply,

Rebekah. She had her forever dream.

He knew someone named Rebekah once. Or thought he had.


Section One

She alighted from the carriage, and was greeted by an immediate sense of isolation. Rarified air, deep rooted and leafy trees, high but neat grass; this was why she had come here.

“It’s so beautiful here.”

“Yes,” the driver said. “Well, get back in, and I will take you the rest of the way.”

“Good,” she said, mounting the carriage. “How far?”

“Not very.”

It was more than a passing reflection , she did feel very good here. Within her sight was all that she wanted. It felt good to escape the limits of her village, so much more than she thought it would. Good to escape the often conveyed indifferences and the pettiness of its inhabitants. She felt uncomfortable with life in a community where privacy was little more than a word. The contradiction was that she did feel safe and cared for among so many who knew her.

Still, here was a place at once refreshing. Its naturalness assailed her, though she had not yet reached her destination. It was under such a spell that she again asked the driver, “How far?” and was exhilarated by his rewarding answer, “We will be upon it in moments.”

When she saw it, the shadow of the great asylum, predominant against the afternoon sky, she felt, beyond anything she thought she might have felt, her purpose, and so her soul, was shown her.

“I am,” the driver said, “as are we all, at your service.”

“Good,” she said, trying to sound as though she were not taken aback.

“Yes, it is. We’ll be served well.”

“We’ll see,” she said, forsaking further conversation for the present beauty that was hers to enjoy. Hyperbole threatened to visit her, even as the façade of the asylum, with the continued pace of the carriage, broke through the shadows. She could see its stature; such an asylum, she thought, should be imposing. For a curative atmosphere, and certainly cures were hoped for. While continuing to be impressed by the asylum’s austerity, she looked forward to be the one to offer such hope.

“We’re glad you’re with us, Miss Jenkins,” the driver said.

She smiled, but her focus on the asylum permitted no further conversation.


Standing before the asylum’s expanse, memories come easily. She was a child, and stories of lunacy were told, were believed, and were ignored. She was a girl of teenage years, her perceptions were framed and shaped by those around her. Stories of lunacy were no longer ignored but were woven into community gossip at times hurtful and cruel. She was a young woman of imagination and changing passion, stories of lunacy so much more now than the entertainments they had been. Now she was here, standing before the asylum, her freedom from perceptions formed by ignorance about to be realized. Here, she would no longer have to feel herself part of a citizenry whose care for “our unfortunates” was little more than a façade. Here, she could rejoice in letting such memories fade into the nothingness they deserved.

She regarded this as a good place, a place that ―

“Miss Jenkins.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, embarrassed because of her inattentiveness.

“It is impressive, isn’t it? I’ve only achieved part of my purpose.”

She smiled, a beautiful smile. What this place needs, he thought.

“I am to introduce you to our family,” he said. “I know you will be well received.”


Guided down the well lighted halls of the asylum, the colors of the walls pleasing, she felt the informality of our family most appropriate, and was happy to tell him so. All this was somewhat surprising. She read of asylums that were stark at best and not much more than warehouses for the ill at worst. This place was refreshing; she did not want to work in one of history’s relics.

“The souls who come to stay with us,” he said, “are all here because they want to be here. We have no problems.”

“No major problems, I believe you mean?”

“Yes, I suppose you might say that.”

Do I hear annoyance? She wondered. Good, it shows I’m talking with an honest man.

“We do have our little antagonisms, but it’s like I said. We’re family here.”

“Yes. The normal annoyances of family.” God, there was that beautiful smile.



The warmth of such a fine day was but one thing that invigorated her soul. Her resoluteness in coming to this place, her desire to better herself in a place where she could find purpose, was another, and one of far greater importance. The existence of such a place she found difficult to imagine, even now while she was looking at it. It was expansive, and austere, and what she thought she needed. She had a personable man to show her the asylum. She truly felt her life was on the up-turn.

She was most interested in seeing the asylum’s family, the reason why she was here, and the one member of that family who was to be her specific charge. She looked upon the challenge of such a singular thing with just enough apprehension to elicit questions. Why should she be given such a responsibility? Was she prepared for this? And, all apprehension aside, the answers were clear; her preparedness was not in question, it was the asylum’s faith in her that was worth everything.
She was meant to be here. Nothing else was to be said. Or thought of.


Proud to be accompanying such a lovely woman down these halls of her future employment, he felt a sense of the worth he was aware he possessed but lacking on so many past occasions. The reason for this, he had no doubt, was Miss Jenkins. Her enthusiasm was indeed needed in this place, but it was the decisiveness he had seen in her countenance, that he had heard in her voice, that made her presence here indispensable.

Her employment at the asylum would be challenging. The patient she was to be charged with was, he would have to say, enigmatic. A good word, perhaps the only one that did him justice.

“You provide a good tour,” she said.

“But not a complete one. That will wait for another time.”

“Really?” He couldn’t miss the sardonic quality of the pronouncement, a bit of charm he found highly agreeable.

“Until you familiarize yourself with some of our family.”

“With one in particular?”

“Yes. With the reading of his history. The history that we know of.”

“Or that he is willing to provide?”

“Yes, we think that’s probably right.”

Was this “family member” a manipulator? It seemed to her he was being described as such, and this struck her as especially attractive. That thought, attractive; a most interesting thought. One that bothered her. Just a little.

“My name’s Rebekah,” she said. “Miss Jenkins sounds so formal.”

“And formality doesn’t become you?”

“Not right now.”

“Does that extend to our family here?”

“I’d like it to. That might take some time.”

“Time. Yes, you’ll have all you want. I trust it won’t be too much.”

“It’s time I will appreciate.”

“Good. There’s much to know.”

She wanted nothing less than to immerse herself into the life of the asylum. To appreciate the trials of those living here. To prove to herself the worth she was certain she possessed. And, of equal importance to these two, to free herself from the sameness of the community she wanted little part of.

Those around her could never she her in a role such as this. Neither could she. Things have a way of changing, and so do fortunes; this was a reflection that she both desired and needed. She smiled, and she hoped her guide saw it.

“I think, Rebekah, we should see the director now,”

“That’s not you?”

“No, and I’m sorry.”

“So am I. I was feeling rather comfortable.”

“He wants to see you.

“Why? Doesn’t he know who he’s hired?

“He wants to see who he’s hired.”

“He will tell me what I need to know?”

“Perhaps more,” he said, taking her hand, to their mutual pleasure.


The Director, Rebekah thought upon her first introduction, was an amiable man. The importance of this, she could not dismiss. It meant she could work with him, not apart from him. His smile was warming, as warming as her guide, and she wondered is everyone in this asylum so friendly?

“Can I call you Rebekah?”

“Please.”

“Sit down. There are things I would like to tell you before you start with us.”

“Which will be?”

“As soon as we finish here.”

“No time to catch a breath?”

“I don’t believe you’ll want any.


Frank J. Mueller III

some of my poems

for art’s sake



in his solitude
he courses level and safe landscapes
undaunted by those burdened by cliché

in his solitude
told his is beset by visions chimerical
Boschian nightmares and Charon ferrying his souls

the gryphon and the phoenix vie for his regard
deserts and tempestuous seas speak to him
in voices he alone can understand

and …

in his solitude
he fashions his dreams onto canvas
at peace with the ghosts that haunt him

____________


Life


In school we diagramed sentences
Strait line subject to the right predicate in the center
Followed by object and by modifiers below

Sentences that ran on and on followed their own diagrams
Much as did their creators

Do things really change?

___________



Pools



In her eyes I see the vastness of deserts
Sands blown by breezes both gentle and strong
Mirage and Oasis offered in equal measure
I have walked here
And am walking still

2

In her eyes I see crystal chandeliers
Glass capturing and reflecting light
Prisms of pleasures and of truths
I have visited her too

3

Deserts and chandeliers
I am torn as to which way I shall go

___________


speculation




in the floe of ice
on fire with the coldness found in pain
we can see the healing rays of light
if we look hard enough

in the churning and embryonic sea
mourning over her future children
we can understand her promise
if we look hard enough

in the knowledge that waits
just below the surface of a dream
in the fires of discord
allowing truths to be born
in the possibilities of things
that are impossible
the friend of wonder and speculation understands

__________



Dear Edgar



It was a long and dreary night
You fell into the pit
And I kit upon your shoulder

Your heart told tales of horrors
That no man should ever know
And I lit upon your shoulder

Your house fell in shambles around you
Walls cried with living souls
And I was at you shoulder

You tried to drink away the masque of death
While your screaming died from within
And I was forever perched upon your shoulder

But I must leave you now
Dawn is swiftly approaching
I am not fond of these horrors
You cannot seem to escape from
You have forgotten many things
I shall leave you now
I am tired and I am weary
Do not ask me to stay with you till the morrow

Cold and dank are your nights
Dear Edgar
Your shoulder no longer affords comfort
I desire companionship of my own kind
Dear Edgar
Stick with your horrors
Stay with your tortuous fantasies
I shall depart
Because quoth this raven
Nevermore

The Doorway

The Doorway / flash



Rachael didn’t feel threatened by this thing, and this pleased and perplexed her in equal measure. The daylight hours that brought a dimming of her eyes led to their closing by nightfall. She felt it was a temporary closing, and perhaps this was why she felt a wonder as to the cause of such a thing. Or, more importantly, the lack of one. She tried, from time to time, to open them, and the effort was straining, but even this didn’t cause her worry. This was a curiosity, and she loved curiosities.
A good and honest word for her life, she thought. Her parents often called her a precocious child; she decided it fit, if not defined her, and she saw no reason to change as she grew in years. But now, on the eve of her twenty-eighth year, curiosity had become a strange thing. She spent time asking herself why this should be visited upon her, knowing that any possible answer wouldn’t matter. Everything told her her eyes would open in time, and then she would have something to talk about.
But this mystery that had come to her did not follow the rules she had defined. For as the time for simple curiosity passed and grew to one of concern and then to worry, she saw her wonder over this thing vanish. She usually didn’t get frightened, and tried hard not to this time, but she was in new territory now, the effort she employed in trying to open her eyes frustrating and painful. Why won’t my eyes open? She thought. And then the scariest thing, What if they never do?

With these questions serving to strengthen her efforts, Rachael’s eyes began to open, and fright started to leave her. Remarkable, she thought, how senses can dissipate from one minute to the next. Wonder returned to her, yes, but not completely. Perfectly agreeable. The happiness she felt was that of overcoming something, a thing that she may not easily, or ever, understand. But, this didn’t seem to matter.

On Music and other things of interst to me

For a long time now, Jazz has been my favorite kind of music, followed closely by the Blues. Then again, they could be tied. But what does it matter, for me they out distance every other kind of music. This doesn't mean I only like those two, but I am more familiar with Jazz and Blues musicians. I think this goes a long way in my preferences. Besides, the two represent very good music, and have interesting histories.

I don't have any formal musical training, have never taken courses in music appreciation, but I have listened to enough of it over the years that I feel I can discuss it with a good amount of knowledge. So, I thought I would. Included will be lists of musicians in various musical categories that I particularly like. Of course such lists are subjective, but that's the fun of making them, on't you think?

Rock music has its definity appeal for me. It's my opinion that rock is more about the music than about the lyrics. Even so, there are some songs where the writing shines through. Macarthur Park (or is it McArthur Park?) is defintely one of these. So is American Pie. In both cases, the originals are preferred. And then there's tthe Eagle's Hotel California. I'm still debating exactly what the song means, a thing I think is a real pleasure. The combination of guitar, drum and keyboard -- this is what I like most in rock music.

Okay, I feel a list coming on now. Isn't that wonderful?

For guitarists, you have Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and a number of others, but for me it's Carlos Santana all the way. With songs like Jingo, Black Magic Woman, Europa, and Samba Pa Ti, his guitar sings like no other. So Carlos is my choice for guitarist, even though the talent, and the innovation, of Jimi Hendrix cannot be denied. The choice is less clear to me with every other instument in rock music, and it is interesting why that is. Mabe Carlos is enough of a musician that no one else comes close. So, I will shift gears, as the saying goes, and go back to Jazz, where the selections get much easier.

My comments on . . .

the other things of interest to me can cover wide ares. For instance, I have something to say on short stories I've read and enjoy. Here is what I have to say on --

The Middle Toe Of The Right Foot, Ambrose Bierce

One thing that appeals to me about Bierce's story, The Middle Toe of the Right Foot, is that it's written is first person. Another is the atmosphere he creates, heped along by strong attention to detail.

The Manton house is said to be haunted. Unlived in for some time, Mr. Manton, for reasons unknown, has cut the throats of his wife and two children, an act that's made important at the story's conclusion.

The first section of the story tells of a trip to the Manton house by four men in order to fight a duel. Section two speaks of the circumstances that led up to the duel, one of the men telling that he broke off a relationship because of the woman's amputation -- the middle toe of her right foot. She ends up marrying a Mr. Manton, who ends up cutting the troats of her and their children. Was it because of her amputation, a "deformity" he couldn't tolerate? The answer is not given, but I find it's an interesting speculation. The third section again takes place at the Manton house, where a figure is seen crouched in a corner, discovered to be dead. He is recognized as Mr. Manton. Not far from him are observed three sets of footprints -- of a woman, and two small children.

Flash Fiction, or something like it

Image In Glass

There were oceans of possibilites in the skies above. But, oceans were deep, and far from merely stating the obvious, he did not like the prospect of falling.

Angelina was dressed in shadows, and came to him out of those depths. To love him, she said. To confuse him? He was almost certain of it.

"I came to you because you invited me. I will stay with you because you need me."

"Need you? I love my wife."

"You don't act like you do."

His admission that Angelina was right was a hard one to take, but he reminded himself that sometimes things were hard. It was because who Angelina was, a very beautiful character he was developing. And because Angelina, in a way he found disconcerting, was taking on his voice.

"I love both of you."

"I know you do. But I don't think you know why."

"Can you tell me?"

"What do you love about your wife?"

His wife - Nicole. They had met at the university. He admired and appreciated her candor, her ambition. He was a little awed by her beauty, her dark hair and eyes working strongly onn his emotions.