Galveston Coast

almost drowned down there, on the galveston coast, had to go deeper and deeper to make sure a big one was rode. passed on a few, got oily saltwater in my mouth, sunglasses aflutter. purchased a boogieboard that morning, a day after constructing massive and precise castles and underestimating the sun's capability to turn me bright pink. wore a longsleeve shirt and tight hat from then on. spent the morning getting the hang of it and instructing my daughters as they caught wave after wave. then went out deeper to find a wave of my own. my youngest daughter stuck with me for awhile, but halted with great concern as she saw me heading for the big breakers. wanted to ride one all the way in. had two concealed modelos iced down on the beach. a huge umbrella covered our possessions. finally got out to where the big waves broke, having to jump as the waves passed to prevent a face shot. learned this the hard way. then it came. saw it from way back. had a rythym so my confidence was high. took the final plunge and leaped on, my elbows tucked ridgedly on the board. whipped by my youngest, who looked astonished and proud, and felt the speed. riding an uncontrollable wave, with complete control. came to a complete and exhausted stop at the ankle water. turned over and laid flat in the shallow water. wife, friend, and lover of our soul, saw the whole thing.  perched on the beach with a golden tan and floppy hat. she smilingly motioned approval and reached for the camera. youngest came running over, the most excited of all. oldest missed it, distracted by the loss of her shades, but heard the story, in detail, later that night over fish dinners and shrimp.  those modelos went down in a rush, drank from a hotel cup. think of that wave. it's creation, it's maturing, it's final service. indifferent to the seemingly important tasks of our daily actions and uncaring of my ride. this life ain't hard and this life ain't easy. spend your time finding waves, just the right ones, the uncaring ones. ride them all, take drink breaks, and control the uncontrollable.

Hemingway Said

wash behind your ears son.
and pluck out the hairs.
grooming is a selfless act.
andy rooney was a menace.

lights went out.
when the wind picked up.

cuban beans and corn chips.
sweating dancers.
tired and sleepy women.
very loud in the early hours.

Swaying California Brown

em                            g                
just drove up from kerrville
em                               c
been sunning in the guadalupe river
g            c                d          c
saw the brightest sky ever last night
g        d            em           c
venus shining like a spotlight

c                   g
i'll have another
d                      c
make it two or three
em                         g
keep 'em on ice my honey
c                             g
come and dance with me

tidy cafe in a one light town
near dublin coming home
texas ranches go on forever
buzzards sit atop cliffs and wait it out

i'll have another
make it two or three
keep 'em on ice my honey
come and dance with me

hooked by the swaying california brown
military men all get in line
college degree and beans with chili
the road is open and the sights are hilly

Jungle Vines

into the costa rican waters we waded
on the hunt for natives and bounty
floated on a battered ship for months
for the chance at riches and fame

set your braids just right darlings
make sure your hat is pulled down tight

trapped in a net of jungle vines and leaves
a two-eyed one nosed spiked haired man looking down on me
a spear blade sticking in my side
jibberish is spoken to a few others that arrived

eat a bite of something in the morning
just to get you going girls

a few kicks later i finally screamed out
thought maybe if i acted like a crazed man they would scatter
they talked some more and eventually began giddy laughing
released me from the net and hooked me to a large limb

keep your friendships in perspective
you're in school to learn honeys

two natives picked up either side of the limb
carried me through the jungle with no concern for my groans
approched what looked like a small village or a tidy campsite
set me above the fire and that's when i passed out.

chicks, boys only have one thing on their minds
and when they become men, nothing changes

Colored House

on the other side of time, there is no wisdom
on the other side of time, there is no gray
on the other side of time, there is no coffin
on the other side of time, there is no coughing

on the other side of night, i saw a sun beam
on the other side of night, i saw a colored house
on the other side of night, i saw a windmill
on the other side of night, i saw a bad deal

on the other side of life, we'll be floating around
on the other side of life, we'll be restful souls
on the other side of life, we'll be satisfied
on the other side of life, we'll be sanitized

on the other side of love, i feel a razor blade
on the other side of love, i feel a sunken heart
on the other side of love, i feel a desperate touch
on the other side of love, i feel a merciful touch

Bubble

built up a bubble of sorts
control the swaying of the thin layer of soapy film
it never breaks
come close a few times

inside the bubble there are only two people
remember, of course, my wife and i are one
the other is Him
He's always around, in my head, in my dreams

left there, in my bubble, by God
I wanted to escape a time or three
always held back, every time
instincts sharpened by His voice

looking backwards from the bubble
the distance and fleeting is understood
avoiding disaster and dodging bullets
this faith life is hard.

Horn Sections

early am air seasoned just slightly with coming heat
two dogs chasing flies around, cornered one and got it

photographers and the clueless in rapid discussion
about new orleans guitar players with horn sections

modern day rum runner on the fayetteville to austin line
cigarette hounds step up to the grill and make selections