Jaffe Jamz

Broken Eyes

My eyes are broken
they tire from
relentless
bashing of principles

They wanted to see
what they should
not see
and broke
irrevocably sad

The fire that
once fed my belly
has gone out
replaced by
damp spirits

Now the kindred
fly lame
without wonder
transmitting disdain

I wanted to envision
peace and found war
my eyes cried
until even
the tears dried

I have learned
to confront the world
with my stupidity
and nakedness
this was my legacy

I was a fallen angel
without a god
to inspire me

I turned myself
inside out
removing the skin
from the soul

And without effort
I now see
without eyes
touch without fingers
and laugh
and laugh

I am no longer
a body
and soar like
an eagle
sans wings

I am a free spirit
engaged in the
most gentle
of intercourses
the world is my wonder

We will heal the disease
end the mayhem of war
calm the troubled
and bring joy to the sad
this is our legacy
© 2009 lgjaffe

NERUDA STILL DREAMS

Poets
we do not listen
to Neruda
or feel his pain
when he implored
you to look
beyond the leaves
and see the bark
we balked
When he implored
you to see the faces
of those that pass
we stare into space

Poets
Neruda had a dream
where all were
citizens of this
damned world
yet we hesitate
to complete his dream
and talk of pollyanna
as if it were reality
Both the left and right
have lost their senses
and betrayed us
filling us with lies
and hate

Poets
Neruda still dreams
his field of butterflies
lives on
Yes he decried fascism
and bled at the alter
of communism
but had he been
at Tiananmen Square
he would tear
his collar and scream

Poets
Neruda shadowboxed
with vultures
what is our excuse
As we let excrement
guide us on our follies
not exercising
our right to know
simply discussing
dogma with politicians
of the soul.

Poets
I call upon you
to take a leave
of absence
from your senses
and rise to higher plane
see the man behind the guilt
and most of all
don’t wave wands without magic

© 2009 lgjaffe

I remember
when I left my body
to visit new skies
and star fields
the universe
glowing in wonder.

My friends
spread
imaginary wings
and hovered
over rainbows
to enjoy
their majesty.

I remember.

© 2009 lgjaffe

Despite how I voted yesterday, I really am glad Obama won. I could not put up for another nano-second another Republican in the White House. W has systematically destroyed everything this country has stood for over the past 8 years. In many ways it has been horrible to be an American during his term. The compassion and care others spent hundreds of years fostering were destroyed in violent surge after violent surge. I think Obama has values and after listening to him last night I think he brings something to office we need so badly — intelligence and compassion. I am impressed with his victory. We need a bi-partisan leader to get us out of the division the Republicans and Democrats have created. We need to do what is best for the country not for the greedy. I am hopeful that this man can do that. We have had enough of “politics” it is time for change. “Yes we can!”

i did vote for today.. but could not vote for either of the leading candidates.. some might think i threw my vote away but had to vote with my conscience.  i am so tired of voting for the lesser of two evils… just cannot do it anymore

I woke up this morning with ghosts in my eyes and tears dripping. I am writing a new collection of human rights poems called A LONG WAY HOME. A friend of mine was just appointed as director of an organization called ONE MILLION KIDS. I am dedicating the book to war against slavery. Human Trafficking is the fastest growing illegal business in the world. Children are the commodity. This must be stopped.

It is not good karma to be a slave but even worse karma to enslave.

I am sitting here looking at my voter reg card and while I might be contemplating this election of “giants” (not) I think of another use for the card. I mean it reminded me of the cards I get at the java house where after so many punches I get a free cup of joe or a bagel or something. It’s kind of a pedestrian end of a frequent flyer card – dig? So I wonder why they don’t start giving out punches or even stamps for every time you vote then maybe when you hit ten or twelve or something you get an extra vote or a date with a nominated VP. Well maybe not a date but perhaps you get to have a cup of coffee with some politician.

Usually I am a big do it guy. But when it comes to the news, I don’t do it. I don’t read it. I don’t listen to it. I don’t watch it. It is full of trash and its only purpose is to get folks upset and panic. So my rule of thumb when it comes to news — is don’t do it.

I remember late summer days cracking open tootsie roll pops to get to the tootsie roll. Why we did not simply just get tootsie rolls and skip the pops is beyond my current comprehension.