Bob Atkinson - Poet

Piano Lessons by Bob Atkinson

2012-02-01T17:52:00.012-07:00

Piano Lessons

weekly lessons began to build

upon the nimble fingers

of Joan, the student, learning now

the ins and outs of music

Evonne doted over her

the making of a student

to her was not the trivial pursuit

of what was plain and useless

one more soul versed in the arts

of working the musical machine

added to the importance of her time

she enjoyed this music scene

for a while the outside world

faded away in consequence

not seeing nature other than

relationships to sound structures

lessons added to

skill of the moving hands

gave to both satisfaction

over ability's rapid progression

those tones which verified
the love one has for harmony
sweetened life as if by honey
spooned into boiling tea

Plight of the Jellyfish by Bob Atkinson

2012-02-01T12:30:00.006-07:00

Plight of the Jellyfish

forty guns she had aboard

launched in year eighteen ten

her purpose meant for war upon

those seas so far from France

a simple sailor's hard won dream

a beautiful ship of combat

so wonderfully equipped and manned

through waves she slipped so fast

a captain appointed doubtfully

for reasons not clearly known

sailing skill and wise of decision

were lacking
yet he had backed the throne

headed for the Bank of Arguin

to become embroiled in distress

confused guidance carried her

below the surface to rest

Gericault captured pain of death

inflicted hard upon men of salt

freezing emotions of the struggle

well versed, a canvas well thought out

a painting of the raft
constructed to save the souls
victims of an ego broad
which left them wet and cold

caught out without control

those men held so few options

survival at first was offered

then in the end withdrawn from them

tow ropes were cast off

leaving souls to ponder fate

of those who lacked the basic needs

to reject death as something strange

all who trusted lives with faith

to the captain amateur

felt the wrath of incompetence

as salt waves broke overboard

decisions less smart than bold

the triumph of ego over sense

she blew out her hull from pressure

as she scraped wood

against hard granite

in a later time when a ship followed

in the way of this fine craft

following too close to shore again

resulted again in more pain and death

as a white ship touched the shoals

to sink decks beneath the waves

was revealed that her captain too

broke the hull upon rocks raised

so twice and many more times

a captain left to chance

the survival of ship and men

by lacking common nautical sense

a ship is made for the ocean

upon it gracefully she glides

needing water under keel

without it she will surely die

die the death incongruous

how could he navigate

so close to those rocks of danger

smashing hull upon mortality's open gate?

Taxing Problem by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-26T08:42:00.002-07:00

Taxing Problem

we have our county government

the city has one too

then there is the state

which has something else to do

again we have the federal

that overgrown balloon

and in Europe they've created another

which they simply call the “Union”

purpose of which is to expand

on that oh so purposeful deed

tax the wealthy, tax the rich

which is taxing to you and me

take away any freedom

take away my pride

with each dollar going to

that different flag which files

take what has been made

and spend it where you please

throw away the hard earned pot

that we would like to keep

isn't that we believe

in starvation at a level

where children go without

or people have no shelter

problem isn't only at the top

though top needs to be addressed

problem is at both ends

where we've created quite a mess

oligopoly and monopoly
have been the game
growing to great size
causing endless pain

market share expands for those

who exercise sneaky stealth

by swallowing the other guy whole
leaving jobless in their wake

this game is acquisition

requires taking all fierce competition

and buying it with future earnings

to be gotten by price increases

then at the bottom we have the lot

who think procreation is their job

and taking from the government

has become their rightful pot

they don't wish to expand

on what has come before

just wish to use what they can

and stay home behind their doors

my simple recommendation

from my simple mind

is don't let any get that big

reduce the maximum size

and at the other end

don't squeak and squawk and moan

about what the other guy has done

if you've not moved your bottom bone

Compound Locomotion by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-24T09:56:00.001-07:00

Compound Locomotion

compound locomotion

begins movement at the start

pulsing in its inclination

to push all those wicked hearts

stretching close bonds between

remaining still or moving backwards

hard pulses of independence

rattle status quos as it shatters

by breaking all those directed paths

of minds who would conform

to that which nature has produced

in her effort to move us onward

many, many ways become

expansions of the soul

with compound locomotion

driving us to our homes

the alternative moves within

the group's directional norm

and gives up all advancement

in exchange for social comfort

comfort becomes the ease

with which we give up the ghost

and die without knowing

did we accomplish all we hoped

The Mother of Whistler and Poets by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-22T11:48:00.001-07:00

The Mother of Whistler and Poets

she sat there not knowing

she'd be the main attraction

in the struggle for dominance

of production over passion

those with credentials

that sat upon the pot

rarely defecated

in their erudite response

to the charge they had been given

progression of the form

learned definitions

written poorly in those stones

she sat there posing smugly

broadening appeal in her game

taunting generations of producers

to feed upon meal's grains

this poet feels her comfort

lives within her realm

watching those with letters

pushed behind their names

produce that which is abhorrent

and doesn't fit the need

of those wishing emotional content

be contained in poetry's refrains

content that has broad meaning

and pushes us to find

that soul we hide within our hearts

in the back-side of our minds

Mona Lisa by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

Mona Lisa

Viale Niccolo on her right

Boboli Gardens on her left

the woman of subtle beauty

lays her hands down to rest

the painter gives her words

his frustration evident

“...asked you to keep your hands

laying by your side...,” he said

she smiled in appreciation

of emotions she had brought

to the surface of the man

who no one else had mocked

“....you fool, you cannot tell me

what to do here in my life

I am not your concubine,

neither am I your wife....”

he fumed at this sign

of bravery on her part

the chaotic situation

brought him quickly to a stop

slamming down the painter's brush

not motivated to continue on

he stomped out of the room

to walk quietly in the garden

she touched his hand so gently

and kissed him on the neck

she whispered softly in his ear

“....you are such an impulsive man..

you have no thoughts for others

concentrate only on your task

you need to feel emotions that

can be laid down

with your colored paints

else, you'll be only one of many

with talents large and small

to freeze emotions fully

takes bravado and fierce gall

so, dear let us return

to the setting you have made

and put into your painting

that wild internal rage..."

Bless Those of the Waters by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-15T12:18:00.003-07:00

Bless Those of the Waters

oh, bless the waters truly blue

to the lives of many men

who live the gallant life of sacrifice

and pain over and again

theirs gives a tribute to the soul

of that which doesn't always win

but expends those efforts anyway

has been this since the world began

true to traditions garnered

of many, many in the past

from Smith to Billy Tyne

and countless other thousands

here is the quest of mankind

to expand and conquer all

to rise beyond the simple fears

dying for it, or standing tall

upon the mountains or the oceans

running down fast river flows

up to the heavens beyond the clouds

or deep into the earth's bowels

we see them as heroes

we see them in their travails

we glow in their accomplishments

and watch them sometimes fail

Animal of the Seas

2012-01-15T11:29:00.004-07:00

Animal of the Seas

wandering through the oceans

the ship circled coasts

where people lived the lives

of traditions well toasted

toasted to by those who thought

continuance was success

of what had before been lives

lived out for the best

plowing through the waters

freed from cables and chains

this large animal of luxury

gave satisfaction in place of pain

unseen below the keel

unseen by others' eyes

the beast with throbbing engines

passed over hardened sands

sands upon which flora anchored

and fauna roamed and bucked

when waters left the oceans

below their uncovered crust

but now the large strange animal

which floated upon the crests

of waves of endless waters

kissed the lands that it had blessed

the Captain was surprised

to feel this kiss of death

of the sands below the vessel

knew his career was at an end

frozen, his instincts churned

his mental processes stopped

tried to find a consummate response

while asking for damage assessments

instructed helm to veer toward

the Island of Giglio

he would save the passengers

by sacrifice of his vessel's hull

again the steel animal ground

this time upon a rock

tearing into deeply chewing

its rivets and steel plates

impaled by this large stone

the hull no longer held

water back, the ocean

was by the ship inhaled

bunks that had been slept in

by crews of many nations

and stores of goods to be used

to produce smiles in patrons

flooded down the hallways

never to be used

as they were intended

was the end of this cruise

the crew responded faithfully

did the best they could

but this situation being new to them

wasn't easily understood or stable

those who should have known

what was the ordered way

of ship evacuation to safety

let their communications stray

stray to words of their home tongue

not understood or heeded

by those who lashed the lifeboats

not dropping them neatly into the ocean

the ship assumed the form of

a sea animal in distress

leaning over on its side

wanting only a moment's rest

passengers did what they could

the crew did the same

and rescue boats and helicopters

jumped into the saviors' game

co-ordination wasn't needed

each assistant knew his job

saving as many passengers

as dictated by the hand of God

Slow Burn by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-15T10:05:00.002-07:00

Slow Burn

he shook off centuries of civilization

told them how he felt

the basil feelings of liberations

well tucked up under his belt

no sincere form of flattery

could enhance his understanding

of those who could not see life

through the fog of one man's imagination

this all contributed to his revelations

which he shared with some who mocked him

casting doubt upon the beliefs of weenies

those simpletons among them

so, sitting in a circle

trying to be sincere

he wandered over intentions

of many who couldn't hear

hear his heart beating loudly

his anger at the hurt

imparted by those unthinking

both in pants and skirts

the White House by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-09T20:16:00.009-07:00

the White House

so many ways in Paris

to fall in love to stay

walking along the River Seine

on a bright lit summer's day

sitting at a cafe'

on the Blvd St Germain

or attending a great party

given by Florence and Pierre Chenal

driving along the river

this time, the River Marne

for a picnic on a grassy bank

with good bread

fair cheeses and fine wine

Rick felt Ilsa was his woman

she met his every need

no other one could seed the love

she'd grown so much in him

then came the dreaded news

invasion had commenced

the bad men would come to Paris

and take control of them

so, Marseilles would be their escape

that lovely seaport town

upon the train they would ride

together to the south

but Ilsa had much to do

she'd meet him at the station

and they would escape together

their only lover's consolation

Rick told Sam he'd get aboard

when Ilsa arrived upon

that rainy train station platform

where together they'd depart

but Ilsa did not come that night

a note to him she wrote

which told him of her situation

sending her love to him alone

she wasn't able to leave with him

something from her far past life

had ridden in to claim her soul

and change her future path

“.......you know Rick how much my love

is yours and yours alone

but it isn't possible for us to have

that life we both dreamed of......”

the note had told him then

his dreams had all been shattered

he cared not that the train

would move south, soon, without him

Rick wrapped his arm around the pole

her note fell from his hand

his senses all collapsed as he

dropped his black leather bag

the last train started moving

his last chance to escape

he didn't care what happened next

he wished that he were dead

but Sam grabbed him by the arm

and picked up his wet bag

and drug him onto that moving train

was still freedom to be had

Rick and Sam traveled onward

from Marseilles to Africa

they landed in Casablanca

with few Francs in their pockets

struggling to make it big
at first was really hard
Sam sang at his piano
and Richard tended bar

although not a gambler

Ricky's luck gave him a toast

when he won an old Cafe' Concert

in a game of cards
at the Casino on the Coast

with much hard work and skill

nearly two years it took

to turn the place around
and show profit on the books

he made the most of his luck

the popular night club in town
poured money in his pockets
but his face still held a frown

Yvonne took Rick's attention away

from romance for all that time

with her he knew he'd never

fall for her silly lover's lines

(to be continued)

Inactivity by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-08T10:42:00.001-07:00

Inactivity

“Oh No,” she said as she woke up

waking me from my deep sleep

“it's late we must arise

much too late to delay, get with it !!”

eyes closed, I asked her

“what time is it now?”

7:14am in the morning

was her response so softly sighed

eyes still closed I calculated

what that meant to me

did we have appointments?

or somebody we must see?

no, to those two questions

then what could it be so hot

to roust us from our sleep

to stand at the coffee pot

asked her what's important

that we must hurry fast

to get ready for nothing

no scheduled tasks

this, she couldn't answer

didn't have a clue

I thought as I showered

I know what she must do

end her inactivity

do something with her time

no matter what it is

wasting life, to her, was a crime

Drums by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

Drums

stepping down into the form

of the trough of sound

super booming nuggets

within and outside minds

you wait for the upbeat

the downbeat pleases some

and I wait for the symbiotic

mixes that I always love

da-doom do do dum

da-doom do do day

da do do do um

da do do do hey

callous looks for those behind

the smoke filled public halls

laying down their simple tracks

containing numbing calls

traces upon my memory

that which I love best

the martial drumming sound

which I hope never rests

At Les Ambassadeurs by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-07T11:09:00.010-07:00

At Les Ambassadeurs

she threw her hand into the air

a folly someone said

how she could show such emotion

with everybody sitting there

the concert orchestra

played its impulsive tunes again

nothing staid, traditional

new songs created just for them

she stood there as if in a trance
not resisting the room's vibrations

hip moving timed with the music

to her romantic mood, ankle twisting

inside the Hotel de Crillon

a Cafe' Concert was proclaimed

an informal place of song and dance

entertainment for a weeknight's game

sitting with those friends who came

to banter freely within the frame

of those independent ideas

at least that which propriety tamed

tonight Bruant would woo the crowd

give them food for thought

entertainment at its height

song and comedy brought

brought to the people

of Paris' alluring central zone

to be given smiles and laughter

from that red wrapped clown

sliced through the center

by the River Seine

the city of bright lights

throbbed with tunes again

nightlife at Ambassadeurs

brought pleasure of the mind

and gave a destination

to those wishing basal fun

with streets of cobblestone

this city of tapping feet

gathered the rich and famous

on weeknights to meet

for laughter and informal thoughts

for friends and new friends to be

and those who pushed the boundaries

of the arts so wild and gently

the Battle of Borodino by Bob Atkinson

2012-01-06T22:10:00.011-07:00

the Battle of Borodino

fever drove the want of battle

to provoke the emperor again

this time driving into mother Russia

intent upon conquering them

then causing him to stretch his lines

more so than prudent or wise

driving army forces controlled

deep into plains for endless miles

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
while picking at a meal

attacks toward those supply strings

drew armies ever smaller

sapping growth of forces

endangering assaulting soldiers

sickness and diseases

thinned lines of the proudest soldiers

that followed his directions exactly

within shadows of mindless orders

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
his heart filled with thrills

defeat, not an option

he believed in his self worth

ideals of the purest nature

set his followers to conquer worlds

Spain, as had been seen

saw his army's strengths

fighting those who saw his shadow

as something of a giant's hand

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
for his fame and his ideals

now in this larger land

where rules were made without

the same forces of good and evil

that caused such strange results

they viewed his hand as not benign

but threatening to engulf

centuries of established order

set up by older sons and daughters

thoughts of these imperial leaders

within the borders of the north

were those of the mother

protecting what has been born

from attacks of wild animals

those who hungered for

the meat within the population

gold, silver and political scores

all threatened by the conquest

of many villages and towns

who spoke the Russian tongue

and left their leaders astounded

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
onward marching still

the endless plains and open range

that Napoleon couldn't leave alone

gave to him supply lines

both stretched so thin and broken

was his head that exploded in

a firestorm of demolition

expanding workings of the legion

which had many victories commanded

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
prestige his only thrill

gambles made to engulf

all cultures which competed

with the force of mighty right

which he embraced and ever pleaded

heartless in his approach to doctrine

making fear his motto for life

selling cheaply the lives of men

who followed him with such driven pride

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
on the battle fields

against all enemies of the righteous

which they imagined as imperfect lives

felt fate had given them

the simple right to genocide

ideals, moral strength of thought

and usefulness of purpose

were sound reasons for violence

upon those foreign persons

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
without much shame or guilt

theirs was the cause to propel

man to a higher plane

of liberty and justice

within the French domain

that man had engaged before

no feelings of remorse

in carrying out this war of ideals

upon those foreign shores

leaves one now not in control

of why this siege began

how could a half million men

allow themselves to be damned

causing so much life to shed

from the earth's round skin

dying deaths of violence

for the madness of one man

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
his pockets yet to fill

with gold of the conquest
with riches of lands good wealth
with titles to be bestowed
upon those favored men

sickness, starvation and pestilence

became so commonplace

that ranks of fine soldiers

began to dissipate

marching in formation

dressed as gentlemen

flying flags of false hope

of Russian victories again

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
while he counts new claims within

the boundries of his new lands
to be won with blood of those
who'd fight for his name and pride
false liberty exposed

with scarfs, hats and belts of leather

banners flying for the pride

of men in ranks who lifted eyes

to the victory of their own side

powder brought for their guns

screaming shots into the ranks

of those who stood to oppose

the advance of so many pompous gents

imposing upon those who made

a living tilling land for crops

the will of a foreign leader

whom their lives he thought not of

the star of world salvation
sits blindly on the hill
watching men die horrible deaths
insensitive, no inner feelings

he commanded respect of his men

fighting for his own side

because of pride and sacrament

for which they'd give their lives

by control of their thoughts

within the martial ways

as drums and fifes and marching songs

carried them to their early graves

now he sits there sulking

one leg upon a drum

asking silly questions

such as this one:
“why?”

why does my army not advance?

why do we seem to be

losing strength to opposition

with every cannon's scream?

why do we not kill them all?

why do we not prevail?

ours is the cause that is supreme

life's nose, not its tail...

my army has met its match?

of this I cannot believe

no form now in our lines

are we really in retreat?

no, now we seem to hold steady

have them on the run

but with my glass I can count

one dead for each two advancing

some say it was victory
some say it was the end
of this brash and useless move
to conquer fellow men

Rocky Cats

2011-12-31T07:24:00.002-07:00

Rocky Cats

five felines moved enmass

gliding here and there

moving toward attention

with normal kitty flair

seems they're good for mousing
and kitten atmosphere

watching over stallions

and younger, yearling mares

then Rocky comes out of his stall

to exercise his frame

and dance and prance until he

is ready for his riding

buck and snort and move around

in circles he did go

tethered to the guide strap

woven in bright yellow rope

when he's told to slow and stop

he does as he is told

stopping still while the beating heart

is hidden below his shoulders

she pulls the stirrups down

to dangle at his side

then satisfied with his disposition

mounts him for a ride

around he goes in a large circle

around the arena's walls

kicking softly so she can't see

the smile below his nose

jumping would have to wait

until a better time

but tonight the angled gait

crosses hoofs in stride

then again she brushes down

that pretty shiny coat

that covers a finely formed

well trained equestrian horse

the cats return to their event

sitting on the hay

waiting for another mouse

to come to them for play

The Beat by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-30T14:24:00.003-07:00

The Beat

swayed up to the microphone

all full of confidence

telling tales with his own style

useless to resist

entering his world of devolution

killing the time machine

telling those within earshot

of his wondrous detailed dreams

he shot full the future

describing to those who'd listen

all those horrific visions

living within his edition

beating on his bongos

drawing one into bliss

not caring about real things

only his vivid descriptions

goatee pointing at

those within his crowd

who knew his words and mission

as he spoke of them out loud

all the patrons of the shop

and those down the street

could feel the strange vibrations

he tapped out with his feet

hookas pulled at working
to withdraw the pill of hope

giving wilder imaginations

some enhanced smoke filled dope

imparting to those he wanted

real and false made thrills

carrying softly their inner minds

way up onto the hill

of superstition on top of lies

and wonderful future visions

while seated on the stage

not moving or even twitching

The Second of May by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-30T11:05:00.002-07:00

The Second of May

stallions abreast

so still, in two files

carrying old traditions

brought many miles

snorts of wild breath

seemed eager to fight

these beasts of the war cry

expressing their might

scimitars held

high above heads

blades newly sharpened

to chop off some heads

the citizens shouted

the citizens begged

give us our world back

and leave us our bread

don't bring us the Arabs

again to our shores

to take from our lives

our culture and mores

this stand-off had happened

it seemed quite surreal

the edge of a fight

for expansionist zeals

a king that was weak

left his country to foes

to conquer this land

with armies of Moors

the Celts weren't foreign

were of blood like the rest

yet fought for those men

who paid them the best

ideals it was said

spread faster than fire

when landing on foreign shores

creating quagmires

and here in the heart

of the Spanish homeland

sat those who had been driven

back to their own lands

powerful stallions

upon which were men

who longed to recapture

this good fertile land

and others who felt

this wasn't to be

no long term occupation

was wanted or needed

then came the order

immediately obeyed

to put down rebellion

on this fine spring day

keep those who oppose

what had been installed

the brother of a tyrant

replacing weak Charles

they drove down the street

in columns of fours

clapping the cobblestones

the noises of horses

blades at the ready

to slash those opposed

to the orders of Napoleon

and to calm restore

Pablo stood

at the front of the pack

not willing to surrender

or even run back

to the shelter of alleys

to safety of corners

of doors he could hide behind

or walls he could climb over

he stood like a statue

dagger high in the air

this would be his fight

of his life he'd not care

his pride swelled over

his fears for his life

his sons and daughters

were safe with his wife

his country was harmed

by these despicable Moors

who teamed up with French

to conquer his Spanish home

this wouldn't stand

this force on his sands

stomping traditions

developed through eons

Tomas at his side

as always to be

his friend and supporter

in all of his deeds

not seeing too clearly

through glasses steamed

Tomas stood proudly

with Pablo his friend

they charged down upon them

to push the crowd back

with screams in Arabic

a deadly attack

Tomas held in his hand

his father's sharp dagger

with handles of ivory

and family name carved in

covered with gems

this wasn't to be

a weapon of war

but was now needed

as something to fight with

not much around

had not planned battle

yet they stood their ground

Francisco and Raul

stood by their side

nervously twitching

but held by their pride

to the center of action

to this lovely square

in the town of Madrid

with its clean spring air

the others, they followed

the mass of angered folks

the group of dissenters

their country taken over

as the stampede of horses

approached them so fast

they took deep breaths

thought would be their last

Pablo grabbed

the first horse's muzzle

and swung him around

tossing the rider from him

down on the ground

the man with the turban

shouted out loud

as Pablo's dagger dug in him

straight to his heart

beating its last

thinking of mother

and dear old dad

up the horse stood

to protect his man

giving the body

a good hoof slam

fight they gave

for what they could

some died of intrusion

of the curved swords

some had heads chopped off

some simply succumbed

to the thrust of a dagger

in the fist of someone

someone who knew

not who they were

or cared in the least

if their children were murdered

and so it was

on that fine spring day

how some with the passion

for ideals displayed

more courage than cunning

more deed than thought

more pride than was safe

in the end

being killed or caught

The Third of May by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-29T18:10:00.006-07:00

The Third of May

(2011) Bob Atkinson

Pablo stood strong

tall like a man of purpose

arms held high into the air

not shaking, quivering or nervous

a smile on his face

teeth flashing and gnawing

his words spoken serious

about pride, country and church

posture straight

no care about dying

although bare chested

you could feel his flags flying

“kill me !!” he said

not sad with despair

“I'm ready to go

I've done my share”

those around him

quivered and shook

those with their rifles

and those with their books

those who were waiting

for their time on the stand

and those who were praying

for life mortal, too soon abandoned

hands on their faces

groaned Francisco and Raul

Tomas with his glasses gone

head back, looking square on

who were these demons

who killed those that wanted

the freedom from control

of tyrants and monarchs?

they'd fought for the day

through barrages of muskets

had known were outnumbered

expecting death as comfort

from shot through the ear

or cannon balls dancing

through soft bodies of men

shortly after their prancing

who just yesterday

were alive with great passion

for a cause which they knew

could end their lives soon

death quickly gained

from cannon ball shot

the artillery of soldiers

hardened from battle's fought

explosions of fire

sweeping through the heart

blowing friends' bodies away

tumbling them for yards

killing those who longed

to see the French departed

revenge for murdering

soldiers while marching

souls would be martyred

shot to the ground

with rifles from marksmen

not sure what they'd done

were they killing men

who should be in the grave

or just wild hearts wanting freedom

from chaos and chains?

The Skinny on Muscular Body Building

2011-12-18T16:19:00.001-07:00

The Skinny on Muscular Body Building

seems such a little step

upon the stage to make

muscles glowing from the oils

of a perfectly applied glaze

that little step took years to take

wasn't a quick, fast parade

much care and understanding

was needed for that stance to make

knowledge of how the body's built

and how it gains that perfect form

sinews tight, tissues bulging

posed in the textbook way

now ripples appear from nowhere

muscles show their wares today

the one who worked and listened to

those in the know gained ways

to make those meaty forms

impress those who view

the body tight, muscles right

scores upon the highest plateau's range

The Battle of Plum Creek by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-13T16:23:00.018-07:00

The Battle of Plum Creek

a Texas sized herd of animals

walked north with fixed purpose

horses, mules, fed on grain

packed to carry away

prizes won in the battle for dominance

of the western Texas lands

driven north, this conquered loot

may someday assume good use

had been revenge this raid upon

white towns with their children young

capture ugly golden haired women

kill the men, take their weapons

west Texas felt the wrath of numbers
the warrior peoples' violent plunder

shaking now in the grasp of those

whose retribution rained like thunder

many chiefs were killed in council

under a white flag of truce

senseless slaughter of those revered

shattered the search for truth

left revenge in minds
some broke down weeping

left militant desires, caused war fires
and many womens' screams

no peace restored to open plains

all efforts toward this goal in vain
no talk would now erase the memory
of their dirty little game

rage, it was a weak word spoken

when describing all that had occurred

base senses felt such wild feelings

pondering horrors of callous curs

the heathen must be made to pay

for their wicked, wicked ways

catch their women and children running

rebuild, replenish our stocks of humans

ransack their buildings

pack what can be taken home
burn what's left in order to
make them suffer for what they'd done

make them pay for their misdeeds

make them regret they hadn't gone
give them reason to leave this land
justification to never, ever return

Part II

carry away spoils of war

take only what you need

to begin a life again on plains

not burdened by intrusion's greed

take their pride, take their boldness

take their progeny

take their lies and give them all

respect for Comanche

knowing this there still are some

who refuse the older ways

of buffalo and grounded feet

those times before freedom failed

expect, now, a new attack

that bee sting at our backs

our people are invincible

that is the strength we covet

how do we look now upon

the safety of our kind

giving to our way of life

security of quiet nights

how do we set them back

on heels of leather boots

how do we turn about

their needs for our own use

Part III

in the towns of the fellows

who came to our lands

without an invitation

respect for what we had

yellow gold had been piled

into large and heavy stones

these we have no use for

that awful yellow iron

but, as we are afflicted

by the liquor curse

they are also devastated

to their bones for it to search

place the shiny stones

around some pony's necks

let it sparkle in the sun

and send those horses back

send them in direction

of attackers in the rear

let them fight over possession

of these useless metal trinkets

it is the symbol of their greed

it causes them to fight

they have within their hearts

wealth desire unsatisfied

perhaps it replaces that which

they can never have

the freedom on the land

freedom from their fellow man

watch them fight each other

for possession of the gold

watch them run the other way

when their pockets hold

enough of it to satisfy

all their greedy needs

watch them run away from us

and a fight they no longer seek

Movements by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

Movements

many move as if transfixed

the sway of bodies in the pit

call for reason loudly resounds

why and what is this about?

holds our imagination, does indeed

the rocking back and forth of any

mass of objects, no matter what

seems our world's a rocking bubble

think about the force which gives

ebb and flow of whatever 'tis

rocking chairs or music airs

in and out and over there

earth rocking around the sun

moon zipping around our hearts

money flowing in and out

of our pockets, mine's outbound

score changing in the game

first we win then we're losing

wings of birds flying by

flapping up then reversing

first we live then we die

nobody can rightly say why

unless it adds to the mix

of movements here to there

a trip?

AN ARIZONA RANGER IN OLD MEXICO (the Musical Play) by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-10T15:48:00.017-07:00

AN ARIZONA RANGER

IN OLD MEXICO

Bob Atkinson

bob_saltzer@yahoo.com

Tucson, AZ 85713 November 22, 2011

ACT 1

FADE IN:

CURTAIN RISES

(curtain has exterior shot painted “Rosie's Mexican Cantina”

INT. LOCATION #1 – NIGHT

Interior of Cantina. Maraichi Band Playing.

Maraichi Dancers dancing. Customers drinking Cerveza,
talking loudly.

Tune ends. Maraichis bow to the audience. Lead singer,
Character #5, steps forward. Band plays and
Character #5 sings, dancers dance:

CHARACTER #5

(sung/band playing)

Alone, Cerveza going down

Cantina, on the edge of town

not thinking of the heart

nor wondering of tomorrow

free of fear and sorrow

in Nogales

in walks a seniorita

she glides and she sways

up to the Mariachi leader

wonder what she said?

asked him later and he told me

I remember to this day

"play me a song of Nogales

play me a song Jose

make my heart begin to heal

my lover has gone away

I'm alone in this world

my emotions are on display

play me a song of Nogales

play me a song Jose”

(Mariachi instrumental break)

(sung)

"play me a song

to heal all the wrongs

play me a melody

to sway and dance alone

give me the strength

to find new romance

play me a song of Nogales

play me a song Jose”

(spoken)

“play me a song of the heart

give my sadness support”

(sung)

“healing hurt that has come

turn tear filled eyes toward fun

play me a song of Nogales

play me a song Jose”

Crowd applause, rowdy whistles, Mexican yells (bravo, bravo etc)

Spotlight draws focus to a lone Arizona Ranger sitting in a chair against the wall.

CHARACTER #5 (Narrator)

Sipping at his beer, the foreigner settled down. A

drink to quench the thirst of a hard ride to this town

pondering his next move....

would he find the outlaw here

or waste his time with those he knew

begrudged him breathing air

CHARACTER #1

(ARIZONA RANGER)

Ranger applauds, then sips Cerveza from bottle.

Light on the Character #1 dims, light on three individuals brightens

CHARACTER #2 & #3 & #4

TWO DEPUTIES AND BAR OWNER

Two deputies sitting, facing the bartender standing between them.

The three in animated conversation.

Looking to the deputy on his left, then nervously looking to the deputy on his right.

CHARACTER #4

(BAR OWNER)

I owe you nothing more. I have paid you what you asked.

Now you double what I should pay you for your protection

of Rosie's Cantina. This is not fair seniors. I pay you and get

nothing in return.

Char#2 & #3 point their guns at char#4.

CHARACTERS #2 & #3 (in unison)

You get to keep your life senior

Char#2 & #3 point their guns around the room, then point together at Char#4,

then again they wave their guns randomly at the patrons in the bar.

CHARACTER #2

If you were dead senior, how could these people

quench their thirst in a closed saloon?

CHARACTER #3

Where would your wife find a lover?

CHARACTER #2

Who would feed your children?

CHARACTER #3

Who would shoot the man who spoiled

your daughter's virtue?

CHARACTERS #2 & #3

And you say we give you nothing?

We give you your life senior.

Is that not worth all the gold in Sonora to you?

CHARACTER #4

….please seniors, do not take the food from my family's mouth.

Please do not give my efforts no reward......

For this I plead and beg yourselves............

CHARACTER #5

The deputies enjoyed the game, shaking down

the merchant's cash. Was not for selfish motivations

was tradition here abouts. They held their station

not for money, seeing respect in other faces

meant they could collect a fee from all without good graces.

Tradition from the old country said corruption was the game.

Were left to take what could be taken from citizens for their pay.

Light on the three dims.

Light brightens on Char#1.

Char#1 had been listening to the conversation, smiles and reaches into his vest for a match to light his cigar. As he moves his vest, a tin star on his shirt pocket is revealed. He strikes a match on it and lights his cigar.

CHARACTER #5 (Mariachi Narrator)

This Arizona Ranger was a sergeant in the corps.

Not a newly minted recruit, a veteran of the outlaw wars.

Was an outlaw stalking, sent south of the border for a month.

To bring the devil home again, or kill him for his trouble.

Running free was this wild killer. This situation had to change.

He'd been given direct orders, and those the Arizona Ranger

must obey.

The light brightens on Char2&3. They freeze. They send each other signals with

their eyes.

CHARACTERS #2 & #3

Did you see?

CHARACTER #2

Did you see that star upon “hombre con los ojos del azul?”

CHARACTER #3

Did you see him challenge us “con ese rifle en su regazo?”

CHARACTER #2

We can team up on him

CHARACTERS #2 & #3

We can sell his rifle and Revolver

Char2&3 move to opposite sides of Char#1

CHARACTER #2

…..hombre you are from the north,

down here you must beware.....

Char#1 sits relaxed, a slight smile, else no other emotions or movement.

CHARACTER #3

Hombre........we are talking to your face...

we are here right next to you.......

we are deputies of this town...

us you must give some respect....

Char#1 sits stone faced, not looking at them and says one word.

CHARACTER #1

Really?

Char#2 & #3 wave their arms, stomp around showing great signs of emotion.

Then nothing happens, all freeze waiting for Char#1 to speak. The two deputies

lean toward him to better hear his response. The crowd also leans forward.

All freeze in this position for 5 seconds.

Char#1 speaks without moving. He is frozen, no body language or outward sign of emotion.

CHARACTER #1

…...you shake down the bartender in your silly little game

of expanding your petty fortunes by taking another's hard earned pay.

…...for this you ask respect....how do you figure that?...

how do you think you are so righteous, that you carry on like this?

Char#2 & #3 resume their emotional body language, stomping around, waving arms,

shaking heads.

CHARACTER #2

Senior, we are decent people, we have children and wives to feed.

It is out station in life to represent decency.

We are very very good men, all this is evident.

We are proud and hard working fine gentlemen.

CHARACTER #3

We are deputies of this town....thought our badges settled that...

Don't you see we are the ones who give the people peace and quiet?

Character #3 is quite frustrated at this lack of respect.

Character #3 reaches for his side arm.

Character #1 shoots Char#3 with the rifle on his lap.

Char#3 falls dead on the table.

The anger swells in Char#2 and he shows great emotion.

CHARACTER #2

Senior. My friend, he is dead. Shortly after his Siesta.

I don't understand how this could happen so fast.

I will kill you for this.....you will die you filthy Americano

Char#2 draws his gun, Char#1 moves the barrel of his gun up without removing the revolver from its holster and shoots Char#2 in the side.

Char#2 holds both hands to his left side, looks down, understands what has happened,

that he is hurt, falls to his knees, then falls prone onto the floor, dead.

Hearing this commotion, two gunmen, Char#6 & #7 arrive at the Cantina's swinging

barroom doors with guns drawn, look in, duck down, come up and shoot at Char#1.

Char#1 falls to the floor, holding his left side, and with his right hand fires two shots,

wounding Char#6 & Char#7, they both fall to the ground and continue to move, as if wounded and in agony.

Char#1 runs out the back door.

END OF ACT 1

..............................................................................

ACT 2

EXT – LOCATION #2 – NIGHT

Char#1 runs to the corner of an adobe building. Visibly out of breath, holding his left side with the left hand, a rifle under his arm, and a pistol in his right hand.

Char#1 begins to sing:

oh I have chewed the bit

down here in Mexico

they will not rest until

I'm dead upon their soil

a Ranger doing duty

in Old Mexico

has many reasons to be afraid

but that's not where I will go

I came for good reason

the Captain told me to

go down and get that bandit

bring him home to a noose

I left my sweetheart knowing

it would be a great challenge

to survive the first day

as a Ranger down in Naco

an Arizona Ranger

doing duty in Old Mexico

has many reasons to be afraid

but that's not where I will go

now here in this sleepy town

everybody's got a gun

and seem to being shooting at

my body as I run

back to my country

not too far, a hundred yards

there is a lead wall in between

through which I must charge

back in my home again

is where I want to be

but there's very little chance of that

because these men are mad at me

I will try to outrun lead bullets

but I'm not sure that I can

I will try to reach the border

where I'm not a marked man

an Arizona Ranger

doing duty in Old Mexico

has many reasons to be afraid

but that's not where I will go

I give my life for my country

there is nothing that I ask

but to be remembered as

one who tried to do his task

Thunder, flashes of lightning.

Char#8 & Char#9 arrive across stage and shoot, but miss.

Char#1 fires a volley of shots....all miss.

Char#8 advances.

Char#1 fires one shot.

Char#8 falls.

Char#1 pulls the trigger...click..no more ammunition.

Char#1 discards the pistol, fires the rifle...click, no ammunition.

Char#1 discards the rifle and puts his hands up, surrenders.

Char#9, Char#10 drag him to the jail's door, drop him, Char#1 is dead.

CURTAIN FALLS

CHORUS (ALL PLAYERS SING AS CURTAIN RISES)

so sad is this senseless violence

rips at all of our hearts

to live in such a way

that

good lives are torn apart

we all have different fears

north and south of the border

maybe some day we will see

each other as close brothers

we can build together

that which no longer shreds

a base of simple dignity

by rejecting all cruel sentiments

then bad will be forgotten

from days out in our past

when animosity prevailed

as in “them against us”

we'll build a world together

with new histories built upon

the deeds of all our peoples

no matter where they came from

(repeat chorus)

we'll build a world together

with our histories built upon

the deeds of all our peoples

no matter where they

ALL came from

.........................................................................

CAST OF CHARACTERS

CHARACTER #1

An Arizona Ranger Sergeant

CHARACTER #2

Town Sheriff's Deputy, Naco, Sonora, Mexico

CHARACTER #3

Town Sheriff's Deputy, Naco, Sonora, Mexico (twin of Character #1)

CHARACTER #4

Owner of Rosie's Cantina

CHARACTER #5

Mariachi Singer/Narrator

CHARACTER #6

Mexican citizen with a gun

CHARACTER #7

Mexican citizen with a gun

CHARACTER #8

Mexican citizen with a gun

CHARACTER #9

Mexican citizen with a gun

CHARACTER #10

Mexican citizen

CHARACTER #11

Maraichi Band

CHARACTER #12

Maraichi Dancers

Jealousy by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-08T11:41:00.004-07:00

Jealousy

oh those enemy of all times

sneaking into our lives

find out their intentions

go and capture some for asking

the governor had been explicit

do this as I have wished it

find me some trappers

bring them so I can ask

what intentions do the French have

what are they doing here

in this wide Spanish dominion

where I have carved my career?

onward the party traveled

into lands sparse of men

who came from the Old Land

where was the origin of standards

standards of civilization

where order instituted and prevailed

until some fighting began anew

between the Kings who coveted things

things of land

things of wealth

things of ideas

things of stealth

carry violence to the enemy

why? Because they are not us !!!

kill them without quarter

why? To make them powerless !!!

seems in their minds the correct thing

a judgment made, a useful killing

we have the army to impose

our ideals on those other folks

sound familiar?

on they trekked out to Nebraska

to the town of Columbus en-nee

down the path that would become

Howard Boulevard a hundred years hence

past Wagner's lake to encamp

near the 9th tee's benches

at Van Berg's green pastures

where the clubhouse

would be built and plastered

where fights with clubs wouldn't kill men

just hurt egos when attacking pins

bets made for competition

didn't have the same sad meaning

didn't end the lives of contestants

as it did 300 years before in battle

bets fought for on these same lands

in those old and violent days killed men

ford the river to the south side

where the others could be found

the ones conquered without power

to be enslaved by Spanish order

cross the river they did en mass

to encamp on the greenest of grasses

sitting idle for a long time

trying to contact the other side

awaiting an envoy from those bands

Pawnee and Otoe camped at Bellwood

nervous had they found themselves

as attacks were common and fiercely led

then the answer to their question

came with arrows tipped with poison

fire spears into their hearts

clubs of stone snapping necks

disaster

a few came back to Santa Fe

from this expedition to tell the way

their men had died from that attack

way up there in Nebraska

all those ears listened intensely

to what had been seen

and endured because of

a heathen savage horde

attacks from a fierce foe

killing men with whom they'd gone

described in most gory detail

shocking those who heard those words

was this a massacre or salvation

a good thing or a bad one?

depends upon your origin

where you come from,

your favored drink

your favored color

your imagined world

your created bubble

what you think is only a product

of years of ingrained thought processes

of that which seems natural because

that is the way it was

because your morals

change with time

they can't be understood

by another with a different life

ingrained and homogenized

into your brain until you die

particular feelings, a certain pride

is felt only by those

of your same kind

No Colors by Bob Atkinson

2011-12-06T20:08:00.001-07:00

No Colors

no colors on a staff flying

would set their men apart

from the rumbling massed formations

on this forward battle ground

bugles carried tunes of orders

for their efforts to focus upon

and give their sights to the enemy

hopefully soon to be dead grounded

green uniforms upon their backs

no red clothing did they wear

that signaled to the enemy

they would shortly be impaled

the Baker Rifle had been issued

along with black body straps

to go along with green pants

tunic, and fine Shako hat

set upon sharpshooter training

no muskets here for long

was not a fight of close quarters

pick them off from a distance far

since that old forgotten war

of shame upon the shore

within a former colony

had taught them so much more

taught them tactics heretofore

not accepted nor trusted deeply

by those stuffy generals of status

who had their station purchased

where some minds believed

new methods gave advantage

some others saw a waste of time

resources misused or useless completely

hide behind those trees out there

secret yourselves in the bushes

aim you rifle at the bodies

of the enemy attacking, thrusting

keep them wheeling,

keep them frightened

not knowing who belongs

to the lead that flies so fast

out from the trees and bogs

sneak upon them in great stealth

don't mass for them to kill

a regiment with their cannon

no fodder for artillery to splinter

no drummers walking tall

with martial drums giving orders

as this would keep all in earshot

apprised of your new intentions

fifes or flutes within the heart

motivating hearts mightily

bugles now giving quick orders

move up or fall back rightly

such evolution of a war

hiding a company out of sight

not standing shoulder to square shoulder

had some officers and men mystified

seems no wild push

of imagination now

but then was not accepted

stood only for limited trials

war required evolution

a better way to win

the battles bloody brought upon

both soldiers and later civilians

seems that those who insist

upon their own definition

of moral order and succession

of governmental institutions

find their own rationale

find their purpose sound and sincere

yet fail to see that in war's violence

its user is the moral loser

yet through all our history

we never have been loved

by those who wanted what we had

or fought to protect what was theirs

so the question sits unanswered

is violent struggle good or bad

does it keep us living stronger

or does it take from us what we have

Christmas by Candle Light by Bob Atkinson

2011-11-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

Christmas by Candle Light

wax dripping, light waving

dancing memories in your heart

the candles flicker brightly

as you're darning your socks

tree lights ablaze

as thoughts re-appear

from old times, were good times

we've put on many years

tree lights of ages

past youth's active stages

done all the dreams

we set out to do

tree lights bring memories

of people gone from your life

through death and moving on

into others' lives

was good those things

we did together, and apart

building that good life

and never having wants

now it is over

all we have left

are flames from the candle

hope we did our best

tree lights ablaze

as thoughts re-appear

from old times, were good times

we've put on the years

tree lights of ages

past youth's active stages

done all the dreams

we set out to do