By John Grey The wick is as reluctant to light as the wax is to burn. Darkness is such a natural state it seems, even simple physics is reluctant to upset its status quo. You fiddle with the match. I'm wondering should I try to help, with gentle-fingers, aid you in the striking. But what … Continue reading IN DARK PLACES
FIFTEEN YEARS SERVICE AWARD
By John Grey Ah yes, vast symbol after fifteen years, success measured in the weight of two bricks, enough largesse to stop a ream of paper from blowing away. With this forever in my sights, I will always remember the incomprehensible, a thank you as useless as a bald man's comb. In other words, … Continue reading FIFTEEN YEARS SERVICE AWARD
THE WOLVES OUTSIDE
By John Grey My dogs get antsy when the wolves howl. That wild beast is broadcasting something no doubt but, when they try to reply, it comes out as just pathetic howls or timid barking. They're not hungry like a desperate creature in desolate woods, mid- January. And nor as randy and lascivious in the … Continue reading THE WOLVES OUTSIDE
GROCERY SHOPPING HERE ON EARTH
By John Grey There's row after row and then there are more rows - some are stacked to the rafters with soda bottles and cereals - others are lower to the ground, piled high with fruits and vegetables - then there are the freezer cabinets - be quick in and out or the glass … Continue reading GROCERY SHOPPING HERE ON EARTH
SMALL FRY
By John Grey I've long since given up on history. From the beginning, it never liked me. My revenge will have to wait until the sun burns out, the earth implodes, and Shakespeare and the jerk who cut me off on Reservoir Avenue are on equal footing. History was just a comfort zone for … Continue reading SMALL FRY
Enough
By John Grey Enough is enough. It's also a strip mall where the woods used to be. And a housing estate that doesn't know from cornfields. And people are indifferent. While they sleep, the big box store is chewing up the pond. Everything's cheap, they boast but I remember what my mother … Continue reading Enough
A Find
By John Grey Poetry disturbs homeless man who finds coffee-stained magazine in trash barrel, while his comrades in the alley pass a bottle from hand to hand, catch a drop or two of liquid on the tongue, a holy elixir for the wildwood state of no comprehension required. He huddles in a corner as … Continue reading A Find
My Health
By John Grey It's all screwed up, that's what I know. Working more hours for less pay. College degree and flipping burgers - that's combo number 5. And debt - I've got more debt that you've eaten stale buns. Credit card debt. Car loan. A month's back rent. And the ten I borrowed from Jake. … Continue reading My Health
The Class
By John Grey Large and small, dumb and smart, emphatic strides, indifferent straggle - the classroom fills. Some heads stare eagerly at the blackboard, others twist, bob, whisper. A few are clear about what they want. Most are attuned to getting by as best they can. The dunces wonder what they're doing there. The teacher … Continue reading The Class
Academy of the Heart And Mind 