Secret Recipes - sketch by douglas brent smith, from Journal #9, Midwest Blue (1976-1977)
i heard somebody mumble
that we live inside a jungle
and if we're not judicious
may meet someone malicious
cold lurking on the prowl
intent on business foul
disaster faster than we care to know
but if we're extra wary
about such terrors scary
our awareness could prepare us
for phenomena that scare us
and with targeted intention
succeed with its prevention
escape that shapes a better freedom flow.
douglas brent smith
ashes, roaches, tweezers, matches
our hands a foot apart
not touching until
you pass the heavy book of
Picasso paintings
tapping the cover telling me
without telling me
the days grow shorter
a candle burns slowly
security in its perch
atop the bottle of cheap wine
(a pair of feline eyes stare
through the glass top sharing
perfect secrets knowing what is real)
"who believes in love anymore?" you
say, a provocation? an invitation?
"maybe," i reply, "maybe!"
if it is you
who is of
love and secrets perfected by scars
but!
you feel untouchable heavier than
this table carrying
questions that burn, that smoke
that penetrate us, but
why?
i'm alive enough to know i'm
near you
not near enough to you to
know i'm alive
douglas brent smith
the words you want
most to write
never come
until
they (you can't find them) find you
unprepared: unaware
and they laugh fast and run
the people who all mean the most
you take for granted
as their memories become
lingering ghosts
of lines you never chanted
songs you never sang
but i refuse to let that slide
because it boldly matters
and honestly, without you
i'd be forever sadder
douglas brent smith
Filling the spaces, sketch by douglas brent smith, 1976
The doodle sketches of a busy time, from Journal#9, Midwest Blue, 1976-1977. Letting go, moving on, trying on Chicago for size, while also re-inventing in New Jersey. The notes on this page span a wide amount of time with notes for plays in Chicago and rehearsal with -- DD -- in NJ and a Polaroid picture of Annie herself, standing outside 2065 Pennington Road. Not sure that any of this is noteworthy much less art worthy but here it is anyway. History.