balloons

any other night

flecked with flashes

small surprises

notes bouncing: balloons

circus light swoons

balloons off the wall

pop pop squeak and

pop balls (mostly

red) sticking to you

companions in your

dance

floating into the hundred

watt bulb and bursting

pop! pieces fall at

your feet flightless

balloons.

---------

NOTES:

Andy Laties and his sister, during his Child's Play days

My friend Andy Laties, author, bookseller, and musician extraordinaire, when he performed with me in Child's Play had an interesting practice of carrying black balloons in his pocket. He said that they were weather balloons because black is easier to see in the sky.

Andy carried these balloons and would randomly offer one to someone he'd just met. He'd pull it from his pocket, inflate it fast (a wind-instrument musician he has excellent breath control) and hand it to the stranger who would now be his friend. No conditions and no expectations, just a free black balloon.

Charming.

That has nothing to do with this poem, but mentioning balloons always reminds me of Andy.

Oh, and yes, you really should read Andy's books.

Book and Puppet Company: https://bookandpuppet.com/

Rebel Bookseller: https://bookandpuppet.com/item/JfyTu211AvS6DUwZrcr2Nw

Son of Rebel Bookseller: https://bookandpuppet.com/item/-xqxnISJ0wDCLnFHuj17yw

The Music Thief: https://bookandpuppet.com/item/QZ_xa5QNxDYVQiJrwkATPg

Living Ur Sonata: on Google books here.

A more recent photo of Andy

Comments

Transporting The Message Keeper

Transporting The Message Keeper -- collage by douglas brent smith

You Can Be Positive

You Can Be Positive - collage by douglas brent smith.

Spotted Off The Coast of Jersey

Spotted Off The Coast of Jersey -- collage by douglas brent smith

Selecting Changes Using the Logical If

Selecting Changes Using the Logical If - collage by douglas brent smith

Examination of the Numbers People

The Examination of the Numbers People -- collage by douglas brent smith

Attention Paid to the Spiritual Side

Attention Paid to the Spiritual Side -- collage by douglas brent smith I think I've used some of these images in other collages. That happens, sometimes. The context changes the meaning and justifies the redundancy. Or, at least I think it does. I gave some thought to coloring this collage and decided against it. Maybe later, with time on my hands, I'll decide to color it. Probably not though because that process takes many hours and there is so much new work to do. This piece is from 1994. I was a completely differently person then and so were you (presuming that you were even alive then!) We're changing every day. What color do you think that floor is? -- dbs --

instant breakfast dreams

scrambled dreams scattered schemes ideas flashed on the mezzanine the balcony's crowded with narrow scenes colorful dreaming liquid sleep poached eggs dreams wet and fried homage to the dreams that died rules that flutter into melted butter dreams design their own red line fried dreams my dreams your dreams ours evening slips and then devours sheets around us lights dimmed black shadowed visions on our backs your dream is my dream is our dream complete.

Levitating a Small Guitar

Levitating a Small Guitar - sketch by douglas brent smith (probably 1991). "Do you think that he could levitate a large guitar, that is to say, a normal sized guitar as well?" "No doubt. It might take some practice, though." "Does it come naturally?" "It comes with practice." "That is more like a ukulele than a guitar." "Nope. It has six strings. Guitar." "Small" "But he could also levitate a large guitar. Maybe one wasn't available." "Well, you've got to start someplace." "Yes." - dbS -

Worldview Built In a Day

Worldview Built In a Day - collage by douglas brent smith, 3 January 1988

Worldview Built In A Day With Fire

Worldview Built In A Day With Fire - collage by douglas brent smith, 3 January 1988 Something about this collage causes me to page quickly past it, yet if I spend more time absorbed in it there is more to see. I pondered cropping it. I cut out dozens of pieces of pictures that could go in with it, but found it hard to obscure the central image. Worldview? Examination? Built in a day? The hints of mixed media with the pen lines were attempts to draw it all together. Did it work?

douglas brent smith

Search This Blog