Jaffe Jamz

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

HEMORRHAGING

The Earth bleeds
we stand around
hands in pockets
some shout retaliation
some scream futility
still the earth bleeds

We proclaim peace
accuse each other
march and protest
hold hands for inner warmth
love one another with venom
still the earth bleeds

We kill songs with rocks
torture memories
plead sides
and wonder
why the Earth
still bleeds

– Some never learn to hate

Peace is not a tourniquet
Peace is a new Earth.

© 2009 lgjaffe

11/27/2008

Dear Friends, Relatives & Associated Beings,

Please forgive the general greeting; however, I wanted to wish you all a most splendid Thanksgiving. And despite the current chaos, I do believe we have much to be thankful. Most importantly, we have each other and friendship is priceless. I thank you for the incredible support you have provided me over the years.

It has been some ten years since I wrote a poem called Unprotected Poetry. It caused quite a storm at the time and it still seems to create a bit of an effect. In honor of its 10 Year Anniversary, I am reissuing the CD and book. You can get it directly from my web site:

It is difficult to believe that the poem is ten years old. It seemed just like yesterday when I first read it at my friend Donn Deedon’s venue on Ventura Boulevard. Donn has moved on from that life and I wish him well. He gave me my first break and my first feature. He always has a very fond place in my heart.

I would like to induce you to buy this CD for yourself or as a present for a friend or relative. As you know, poetry is my life and how I survive and it sure would be swell to have your support. Just click here:

Much Love to You & Yours,

Larry

LAYERS

I unfold
destiny
diminished

I unfold
precious wings
arc into flight

I unfold
twirling
through space

I unfold
music triumphs
in endless beat

I unfold

– I fly

© 2008 lgjaffe

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.