Aug 17 2007
Unplanned Poetry - Judgment Lunch
Chris at Tears Shed on Paper has, like many of you, been overwhelmed with work responsibilities and has not written the poetry he normally does. I have missed the surprises I always find. His words are accessible, his thoughts sometimes are thoughts even poets may tiptoe around as long as they can, until they give to their honesty for a moment or two.
He made or found time to write again. And, true to Chris’s nature (somewhat like my own in that respect) he posted several poems. One was written in a barbecue restaurant, in part on an overheard conversation. I remembered this conversation at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in a nearby town (during one of our stolen moments) and had to try my hand at it.
Judgment Lunch
We heard
from the booth behind,
F this,
every f’ing that,
more times than
I could countLeon is a slow eater
r e a l l y s l o w
and I can tell you he ate
even slower as we paused
to listen.The peppered
conversation was spicier
than our Mexican food.Two men, and if judged
by their country surroundings,
their loose jeans and bootsand if judged
by their f’ing this and
f that
more times than even
I could count,notwithstanding
Leon is a slow eater
r e a l l y s l o wthen they might be called
low life
cattle prodsbut between the
F this and
every F’ing that
was a commitment
to a promise made
to a someone
miles away,
a commitment
to be kept
despite the travel
or lacking fundsand on hearing this
several times
I reminded me,
myself,
and I,
and any other that
might be readingwe really
can’t judge a book
by its cover
any more than we
can judge the true
worth of man
by the color of his words.MeeAugraphie
08/16/07
Please, in no way whatsoever take this as inflammatory toward cowboys, ranchers, rodeo workers, farmers, or any group of people… I was referencing that when you combine that language with grubby dress or appearance people tend to overlook the person and make snap judgments. I was trying to write this as a realistic account of what I saw clothes wise, etc. Had I been in a city, the references would have been different, and still probably thought by some as inflammatory. The human inside the poet felt the need to explain, though from a poetry standpoint, I probably ruined the moment. . . But, then this is unplanned poetry, and these add on remarks are also unplanned, but felt.
Please, honor my right to control over my own words: do not copy. Thank you!
3 responses so far
Great poem. I don’t think it even needed a disclaimer!
Thanks, Damien. I know it didn’t, but I was feeling protective of the world’s feelings, I think.
well i certainly didnt need the disclaimer,, i know exactly of which you speak,, and i feel that everyone deserves the same respect,, until they prove they are individually not worthy…
i loved this,, very frank and honest…
Paisley, thank you. I do try to write that way, usually.
I love that poem….it’s so &^%$$# real! No disclaimer needed. That’s life and life is poetry. Well done!
Matty, glad you found it real, since it was, grin. And, thank you.