Johns Poems

The Forgotten

I know not of these thoughts,

these carnages of damnable passing-

and yet I think there was once

a man whom they belonged to.

I know not of these moments,

these portions of delirious ecstasies-

and yet I think there was once

a woman who taught them.

I know not this forgiving,

these mercies tendered of purest heart-

and yet I think that once

God whispered them lovingly to me.

Tennessee

Wonder is it the same as yesterday,

when your voice called my name,

how can it be different anyway,

 been too long to think ‘bout blame,

I wander with greyhound to Tennessee,

 my hand out to feel the rain,

if you’re ever back this way again, you said,

be sure to call my name.

There’s distance in eyes that look at me,

there’s tears in the voice that speaks,

and as I wind the road to Tennessee

there are promises that I can’t keep.

Wonder if it still is yesterday,

wonder if you will remember my name,

wonder if the rain will ever stop

cryin’ in the hills of Tennessee.

Old Moon Rising

Beyond the beams that gather here

from open airy moon,

comes the rhythm of a heart-

so gently does it swoon.

Far away in clouds high home

gathering in bleak of night,

the beams fall fast away

to where there is no light.

The failings of a lifetime

compressed into wee hours,

I sit beside the pasture bar that

stretches country bower and

wondered when love first died

that we always believed was ours,

remembered now in distant beams

that falls hopelessly to the ground.

An old moon rising in the sky,

Slowly, without sound.

 Portrait

Garnished and painted,

like silk flowers

never wilting

through the years,

like porcelain

figures with

make believe

tears…

you stand immortal,

legends of time

do not disturb you,

fixed in pose

as stoned reminder

that love is lost.

Framed now in gold,

you smile the same smile

you did a lifetime ago.

Forever young

as  a new Spring,

while I dust

your memory

over and over again.

You Always Hurt The One You Love