Canal View

Distant
Mountains
Peaks hidden
Behind veil of mist
Darken from ghostly grey
To soft purple, Turning darker still
As they approach in the lower foothills
Turning to browns then greens
As they reach
The water’s
Edge

Gentle
Wavelets
Pattern the canal
As it spreads out all around
From east to west filling sight
And reflecting the cloud dotted sky
Carrying boats and floating logs
Silently, calling to me
High above on my
Quite tranquil
Perch


Ken Goree


My friend Kelly and I took a road trip today.  We had the pleasure of visiting my friend Diana at her wonderful cabin on Hood Canal.  I can’t imagine a more magical place.  The view from her deck looking out across the water is incredible.  The tips of the Olympic Mountains were hidden in the clouds, but we could see the progression of lower and lower hills that were closer to us.  The Hood Canal had a slight ripple on its surface, marked occasionally by passing boats, diving birds and here and there the dark slash of a salmon’s fin as it cut through the surface.  It is a very peaceful place.  Thank you Diana, for your hospitality.

Earning Wings

When on dying
We all earn
A pair of wings
To wear
How you live your
Life till then
Tells which will be your pair

Are you living
In the now,
Thinking only
Of yourself
With scaly, scabrous
Leather wings
Goaded by
Satan, himself

Or

Are you living
In the moment
With kindness
For all you see
With pearly, white,
Bright feathered wings
In heaven’s light, and
Flying free


Ken Goree



This is more about Karma than actual beliefs regarding one religion.  I know Karma balances everything and the receivers of bad, most often don’t receive an equivalent balancing good, themselves.  However, I’ve seen several situations lately where the person creating bad, got back at least a share of what they gave out.

Burning Embers

Burning Embers

Like a living thing

Pulsing light, shifting, moving

Radiating warmth 

Ken Goree

I was just sitting around a small bon fire with friends.  I realized how the warmth of the embers and the flickering shifting arrange and yellow glow of the coals weaves a closeness between people.  I usually feel the need to keep conversations going when there is group of people together; silence feels awkward.  Around a fire, that changes.  Silently watching the dance of light within a camp fire, or even a fireplace fire is not taboo.  It is like a shared meditation. 

Catching Crabs

There once was a man who caught crabs
To the neighborhood somebody blabs
The word spread ‘round quicker
His friends had to snicker
For these crustaceans he always grabs


Ken Goree

Dealing with a Psychopath

Dealing with a psychopath
A hobby I eschew
Even if they chose to stop
There’s nothing they can do

You see they’re driven on their path
A darker inner light
Following a shadowed way
Gives them a delight

Thank God, there are not more of them
Among us in this age
Because they never end their drive
They cannot be assuaged

So if you ever find yourself
In company of one
Don’t plead for better treatment
All you should do is run


Ken Goree


Sorry, about the subject.  I just saw an advertisement for Dexter, and it got my mind flowing that direction.  This poem could be considered a Didactic poem, since it does a little instructing. 

My Boy

My boy is at a job again
Started yesterday
He’s working at the carnival
I guess that that’s okay

He isn’t quite a carny
When it goes away
And moves to other places
At my home he’ll stay

Glad to see he’s now employed
Doing work that’s steady
In something that’s financial
For cash he was ready

When to school he’s back again
Learning something new
A jingle in his pocket
Cash from me is through

He says he has the worst job
On his rear he sits
In a clear and hot glass booth
Sells the parking slips

If that is the worst of it
All he does is wait
A story I have for him
Cutting stinky bait

There are so many worse things
That a lad can do
I’ve farmed wheat in Monatana
Drove an old truck too

Yes, my words fall on deaf ears
Rolls his eyes, you see
“Dad, what happened yester-year
Does not count for me.”

I know you other parents
Saw this act before
I did the same thing to my dad
But now, respect him more

Oops, I think I did complain
Really I’m excited
My boy does honest working now
I am much delighted


Ken Goree

Let Me Eat

Yes, my cute little lady
Daddy loves you true
Tough decisions are my job
Something I can do

Yes, you have a different thought
A fantastic plan
I think it’s a bad idea
I’ll stop it, ‘cause I can

Like I said, I’ll pick you up
Please don’t call again
I be there sharp at seven
No, I didn’t say ten

I sit here with my two friends
Try to eat my crepe
I’m sure I said at seven
No, NO, not at eight!

I just tried to take a bite
My phone? Please, not true!
I’m really getting hungry
Not so good for you

I guess that I’ll not get to eat
You have made this fix
You have made me change my mind
I’ll be there at six


Ken Goree

Okay, Are We Done?

I thought her Mohawked friend
Was just a little glitch
He's just the tip of the iceberg
She's acting like a witch

I dropped her at a party
Another girl's birthday
“I’ll pick you up at nine o’clock
Beyond that time, no play"

“Why” is a word, before today
I thought was cool and curious
Now, if I hear it one more time
I think I will get furious

I never changed my mind before
To each decision I stick
"Can’t you see the deal is done?
Think, come on, let it click!"

We’ve been home an hour now
And still I hear that word
"You can't be serious, still you’re asking?"
This is just absurd!

"Cold shoulder?  That’s your worst?"
Thank God there's finally silence
Don't tell her that I like this
Or she might resort to violence

When morning comes, I'm hoping
Peace will reign again
I’ll be her hero father
Just like I've always been


Ken Goree

My Daughter’s Protector

My daughter has some friends
They may be stopping by
I think I’ll grab my shotgun
As I know one is a guy

Oh crap, he has a Mohawk
This just does not seem right
He has a vicious smirk
This might end with a fight

I pulled out the gun oil
An old man needs his fun
And nothing as impressive
As a pumping 12 gauge gun

All of a funny sudden
As if I’d been a planner
This six-foot punked out teen
Showed more than just one manner

He wasn’t such a bad guy
But a father has to show
A frightening, mean façade:
“Through you a hole I’ll blow.”

We all sat for movies
We saw Rocky’s Picture Show
But when I got too drowsy
It was time for him to go

The boy did call me, Sir
Perhaps I'll change my mind
I may not need to hurt him
He's quirky - just my kind

However, I'm still thinking
His haircut needs to go
Lots of dads said that of me
A long, long time ago

Like I said before
Not that bad a guy
I think my jury’s out
He may not need to die


Ken Goree

Restless

Trapped.
Quiet roar
Of thick rain
Steaming up
From brittle
Baked stems
And dry
Cracked earth
Suffocating
Homebound
Hands
And
Feet


Ken Goree

Marina Dark

Rocking
To wakefulness
Dancing gold and
Silver reflections on ceiling
Dewdrops having settle through window
Wet my cheek, thrilling early rising

Stepping
Softly stepping
To not disturb
Companions at my leaving
Slipping on hard worked deck
Breathing in the crisp early morning

Shining
Dock lights
Mirrored off Smooth
Dark and friendly water
Off still sleeping fishermen’s marina
Before morning has chosen to break

Coughing
Seal breaks
Gently, water’s glass
Pressing arced ripples out
To caress slick boat sides
Before man’s day, on docks begins

Treading
Lightly on
Grey wooden planks
So not to cover
Each solemn, morning dock sound
And know the marina, before leaving


Ken Goree

Lost Time

Somehow think I lost my time
Or at least I’ve lost its track
It’s not good to lose it
You can’t ever get it back

You see I thought this day I’m on
Wasn’t this, but yesterday
Sometimes I’m my worst enemy
And get in my own way

So when I thought my work was done
Then figured out that wasn’t true
I’ve caught that time up just in time
And wrote my poem for you


Ken Goree

I’m Just a Boy with My Thing

There's always just a little thing
I think all must know
I’m just a little boy inside
Nothing else can one bestow

On summer days, with a plaything
Of age there is no limit
It doesn’t matter what the thing
A spider, frog, or cricket

Sometimes it is a precious thing
A gift from God above
Other times a curse like when
Understanding a thing like love

Trying to define this thing
Is sadly beyond my means
Just when I think I have it
I’ve mussed it up, it seems

A happy and a joyous thing
From whence all good does come
A many splendored thing is love
You should try it, My Good Chum

But then there is a “girl thing”
Which I try to understand
Sometimes I think I’ve got it
A thing of a different brand

Sadly though their special thing
Of charm, and grace, and soul
I wish I had more of it
But flounder at my goal

Ladies do all know these things
Your hearts sing forth with feeling
Emotionally you seem to know
The power of love’s healing

Here I am, with my “boy thing”
About that once more I’m torn
Again, could be, I’ve screwed love up
I’m feeling quite forlorn


Ken Goree

Clean White Sheets

Waking
Disconnected
Unable to connect
Jigsaw thoughts
Throbbing aches
Drugged dulled shock
At recognition
Of Clean
White
Hospital
Sheets


Ken Goree

Reb Sighting

On my way to the gym this morning, I saw Reb and his family (check Jan 2nd's post if you weren't around when I first saw them).  I had been telling myself that if I saw them again, I would stop and ask for a picture of Reb in his wagon.  When I saw them, though, I got shy ... I know, me, shy?  I will go to the gym at the same time each day so that I will hopefully see them again, and hopefully stop and chat with them.  A couple months ago I noticed they had a new puppy.  It was much bigger, today.

Night Journey

The burn
In stomach’s pit
Of shortened sleep
Rising to darkness
Setting wheels
On pavement
Adventuring
In to the
Night

Dashboard glow,
Rough friction
Of rubber on asphalt, and
Disembodied
Radio voices
Are the company
Kept
On a dark
Night

Destination awaits
Ahead, calling out
God speed, be careful
Be smart
Be safe
In the cloaking
Blackness, of the
Cool summer
Night


Ken Goree


Ever since I was a kid, I’ve love a roadtrip, but none so much as a roadtrip that begins in the deepest part of the night.  An ordinary trip to Grandma’s house turns into a mysterious adventure.  Trees looming out of the darkness, or on really special occasions, looming from the misty darkness and take on some dangerous malicious intent.  Ghostly green faces that would like have seemed commonplace during the light of day, take on the strange light and shadow common among movie ghouls and zombies. 

My own children used to know the excitement of a 3am start to a roadtrip, but as they dig deeper into their teens they seem to be losing the knowledge of that magic.  I wonder, did I temporarily lose it when I was a teen?  I hope so, so that they have a chance to regain that imagination when they make it into their adult years.

The Catch

Anticipation
Of the catch
Planning
Of the feast
Organization
Of the tools
Internalizing
Of the intent

Thanking
For the fish


Ken Goree


I am getting ready for salmon fishing with my good friend, Steve Davidson.   We should be on the water in a couple of hours from now. 

We will be fishing near the mouth of the Columbia River; a place I have fished since I was a child.  I have memories of waking in the dark of night, so we could meet up at 3:00 for breakfast with my Uncle Bob, and Cousin Jeff.  We would arrive at 3:00, as planned, knowing that it would be another hour before my cousin and uncle arrived.  They were always late, without exception.  We would always arrive on time, without exception.  I asked my dad why we didn’t just get that extra hour of sleep and he would always say, “We are men of our word, Ken.  We are going to keep it that way.”  My dad is a pretty damn good guy.    Then he would sometimes point out, “Just think how exciting it would be if they actually made it here on time, once.  Would you want to miss that?  It is probably less likely to happen than aliens arriving in our lifetimes.”

Lesson Learned?

I thought I learned my lesson
But that story just ain’t so
Keeping up my fitness
Quite certain’s the way to go

And sure enough, when checking
That’s right, again I find
About heading to the gym
I left routine behind

So today I made myself
After a long rebuke
I drug my but back to the gym
Worked hard and almost puked

I think again I learned my lesson
I’ll keep my body prime
Until I have to, once again
Learn my lesson one more time


Ken Goree


I actually have been going to the gym, and doing other exercise, lately.  For some reason today’s workout seemed tougher than it should have.  Can I blame the weather, or allergies?  I think it may just be one of those days, that I should have spent enjoying the doldrums.

Doldrums’ Day

Paralyzed afternoon
Sound drops
From air
Without will
To reach out

Park swing
Hangs still
in air
Empty lawns
Couple whispers

Blank
Bright gray sky
Above air
Gives light
But no life


Ken Goree

Beautician

I once knew a stunning beautician
Who fell for the local mortician
He said in her ear
“I was thinking, my dear,
My clients could use your addition


Ken Goree

Unclean

Unclean

Chaink, chaink, chaink

Sound vibrates

As each boot 

Steps

Tink, tink, tink

As pressure filled hose

Pendulums  against 

Ladder

Fyoosht, fyoosht, fyoosht

As violent vapors 

Burst out of 

Grip

Zipht, zipht, zipht

As billowing blast

Strips away time’s 

Grime

Clean

Ken Goree

I was pressure washing a house a few days ago, in preparation for painting.  It was mesmerizing to watch years of accumulated grime and soot strip away to reveal the clean, comparably vibrant paint beneath.  

Pant

Ragged, panting companion
Pelting, rocket-like
Across green turf
With happy abandon

Pounding canine heart
Beats wildly
Within furry ribcage
With dizzying delight

Seeking tree shade
Rushing wet breaths
Golden fuzzy plaything
Between outstretched paws


Ken Goree


My wonderful companion, Orion, loves to jog down the hill to the nearest park.  When we get there I throw a tennis ball for him.  He will run and run until I worry that his giant golden heart might burst.  I’ll include a picture soon.

The book is finished!!!

The first of the poetry books is finished and up for sale!

It is called,
Glass, volume I: One-quarter Full

There are three ways to buy it, if you are interested.
1)  Ask me to bring you a copy, next time I see you.  I will sell it to you at a discount ($10.00).  With this option, you get to see me shyly, and feeling awkward, hand it over and write something sweet about how your were likely the inspiration for one or more poems in it.
2)  Buy it from the company I published it through, at: https://www.createspace.com/3593993 
3)  Buy it from Amazon, at: 
http://www.amazon.com/Glass-I-One-quarter-Full-1/dp/1461166659/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313025021&sr=8-1

Thank you, everyone who has taken the time to drop by this blog and read my work.  I greatly appreciate it.  So far there have been around 3200 visits to the blog.

PS - Buying the book directly from me will do the most to make me smile and brighten my day.
PPS - Buying it through Createspace will do the most to help me pay my bills.

Firefighter

There once was a girl firefighter
Who liked to play with her lighter
She then had a thought
Said, “Look guys, I’m hot”
They agreed, and that did much delight her


Ken Goree

My Stream

Step over
Gray, twisted, steel cable
Or crawl under
Rabbit scampers
On trail ahead
Escaping
Late for nothing

Grass seed drifts
In through lace holes
Encroaching blackberry
Snags, socks, skin, shorts
And is kicked away

Narrowing path
Closes in
Quiet “plurp” as
Bullfrog leaps
From pond lily
In the sun

Path twists
Around and over
Root and trunk
As trail dirt
Darkens
In deepening
Shadow

Stream voice
Calls out a cool
Liquid beckoning
As footsteps
Quicken in the
Choking summer heat

Frayed, bleached rope
Hangs still
Over deep, clear
Green eddying pool
Lapping, tickling
Brown sandstone bank

Staring to heaven
Shoulder blades  settling
Into sand
As friendly water
Sings away cares
Of life


Ken Goree

Patches

“This boat is such a deal!”
That is what he thought
Though yet to be discovered,
The trouble he had bought

He needed a dingy for his ship
An inflatable, he sought
Patches was the name she earned
No bargain, he was taught

Ken Goree


True story … not that it sounded like a lie.  My Lifelong Buddy, who honestly is “The King” of finding a great deal, bought an inflatable “Zodiak style” boat on Craigslist.  He got a great price and thought he could fix an minor leaks that he was sure that it probably had.  Three months later and countless hours put in trying to locate and fix the leaks and Patches still gets quite saggy in just one night.  The poor man is getting endless teasing about it.  I, for one, have finally stopped pointing out all of those “funny looking puffy boats,” at the marina.  If you Bump into him, make sure you don’t tease him about it.

Captain Randolf

I got this here
Disability
Thank Gōsh It don’t hurt my
Ability
To plug in my stinkin’
Utility
With quite a bit o’
Facility

I find I don’t mind my thumb
A’shortened
Though I used to consider it
Importan’
It comes in kinda’ handy when
Cavortin’
Though the ladies still my advances are
A thwartin’

I spend my day on my sailboat
A’floatin’
Though with the motor shot where I’ll land there’s
No knowin’
Hope the Coast Guard will give me
A tow in
If not, to the bottom I’ll
Be goin’

I just had me a great big
Epiphany
The same thing my mom always would
Plea to me
If I put a few less beers
In to me
When coming in, two docks I
Wouldn’t see

Once again I returned
Quite alive
Although I was much drunk
By five
From another six pack I will strive
I’m sure for more days
I’ll survive


Ken Goree


I met a very nice gentleman on the marina docks this afternoon.  He lives aboard a small-ish sailboat.  He is friendly, outgoing and loves to chat-up anyone he meets.  In the space of five minutes he drank several large cans of beer that he had just picked up at the harbor convenience store; explained the wonderful bargain his boat had been; and recapped a story that apparently repeats itself on a fairly regular basis.  In this story, his boat engine always dies, but he is able to drift to his destination.  On the return journey he gets another boat to tow him a quarter mile from shore and then has the coast guard tow him back to the marina.  He is Vietnam veteran, with a thumb he gave for his country.  I liked his friendliness, a lot.  He is at peace with life, and has found a place that is comforting and welcoming, to him.

Echoes

Lonesome
Echoes
Where once had been
Laughter
Tears
Friends
Love

Frightened
Echoes
Where now there are
Alleys
Cement
dumpsters
Stink

Joyous
Echoes
Where there now  are
Mountains
Valleys
Flowers
Streams

Delighted
Echoes
Where there are
Friends
Family
Laughter
Love


Ken Goree

What did My Doggie Eat?

What did my doggie eat
I’m sad, I’m sure he liked it
Like many things he chews on
He swallowed it lickity-split

He snuck into the woods, you see
Far from my watchful sight
What would surely turn my stomach
Was much to his delight

When fine’ly he returned to me
He’d found a dreaded morsel
I’m sure he found the time to gulp
A tidbit mighty fell

Since afternoon, my pretty pup
He wouldn’t even chew
All he did was lie around
There’s nothing he would do

I had a worried feeling
That I knew what was up
That rotting little tidbit
Was going to come up

When evening came, however
Of vomit, was no sign
Could I have been so wrong?
I guess he might be fine

And though his stomach settled
Was not so with his bowel
He released from deep within
A smell, much more than foul


Ken Goree

Tide of Smarts

Just today, my friend did say
No … to accuse me he did start
Of my not using precious years
Of accumulated smarts

“Oh, My Friend,” I told him
How sad you do not know
Those blessed smarts you speak about
Already have started to go

Much like the tide, you see they are
Built when logic we did not heed
Our tide of smarts long years do rise
But now, they do recede

Quite sure you will dispute this, but
I know this fact is true
Last night, our ladies, I saw they were
Quite sad, while watching us two


Ken Goree


For you, Mr. Hill.

Between

Never is there quite the time
To tell you how I feel
A fire when together
Adore your sweet appeal

Though when apart, I long think
Of gentle, so light touch
Diamond light within your eye
To me you give so much

Your bright, and joyful laughter
Rings precious in my ears
I hope to often hear it
Though many blessed years

Finding that I see you smile
Sometimes with thoughts risqué
I wouldn’t want to change that
We’re blessed to share that way

I often sit alone to ponder
How felicitous we met
I wish the wait to end, or
Find patience so not to fret

During times when We can’t be
My thoughts quite often seem
To fix your face within my mind
Across space that is between


Ken Goree

First Book!!!

The first book from this poetry blog, should be available online in the next couple of days.  I'll include a link to it when it is ready.

Ken

Fort

Long ago
By time and space
While playing with my friends
School was out
For woods we ran
To achieve our playful ends
Our ideas
For fun did flow
We'd make ourselves a fort
But the wood
We did not have
Our great plan we might abort
Then the scraps
From building site
We found were to our liking
We did build
A great clubhouse
The hangout for we friends
There we spent
A summer day
That seemed to never end


Ken Goree

When we were kids we built a lot of forts in the woods
behind my neighborhood. I'm not exactly sure that the
construction crews were finished with that wood, however.
Oops!

Night Terrors

Dark terror in the night
Gripping heart in cold
Jagged squeeze

Holding voice silent
Without chance to scream
Warning

Limbs bound tight with
Ropes of sharp panic’s
Strength

Senseless mind’s scattering
In rabbit-like frenzy of
Fear

Dark terror in the night
Releases its hold
Grudgingly

Fading quickly from memory
Fog running before
Sunlight


Ken Goree


My daughter talked me into watching a horror movie last night.  I wasn’t impressed, just the same old “teenagers making bad choices, get their come-uppance,” through going insane or being murdered.  Happily, a dog started barking back in the wetlands behind my house, where no dog has barked before.  My daughter went out to see what it was.  Then I did something I have never done to my kids before, I played on her fear … “Carly, careful, it might be The Other Twin (one of the evil legends in the movie).”  I’m not sure I have ever seen her move that fast.  I wish I had tried that when I was coaching her softball team, we would have been champions.