That’s my good friend Berkeley. He’s a chef here in Portland. You don’t really want to mess with him. He’s a big dude.
It’s been a big year.
I put the first poem up on Knife Gun Pen on April 3, 2006. The original idea was to take it directly to anyone who cared, cut the middleman off at the knees, see if the little poems mattered. I did not have great expectations.
Well, you guys came around, one by one. You are the originals. Thank you.
As I sit here with a Mirror Pond Pale Ale, trying to peer into 2007, I can’t see a damn thing. All fog. I’ve got a few items on a list somewhere that I’d like to make happen, but you and I both know how that usually goes…
So instead, I’ll put pen to paper, fingers to keys, eyes to camera, etc., etc. and trust the Lord with the rest of it.
Happy New Year from Portland, OR. From a small red house that is filling with unfiled poems. From ink-stained fingers and coffee-stained midnight pages. From a man of laughing desperation and confident uncertainty.
Grace and Peace to each one of you in 2007…
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahhh… the most eloquent sign off of the year. I would expect no less.
I think I’ll have a few more glasses of wine, and see if I can top you. Something that works this one in…
“She dances in a ring of fire, and throws off the challenge with a shrug.”
It’s hard not to show up when the words reach to grab you . . . Happy New Year!
Let us beat our hearts in unison and raise the relic of Aphrodite…
Happy new year dude.
I wasn’t one of the first to visit, not stumbling along until the fall of the year, but I am glad I stopped by.
Liz Strauss is correct — once I did visit your words welcomed me in a way that compel me to return, and for that I thank you.
Peace to you and your family in 2007.
Brian - Funny that you quote the Lizard King, Berk hates him… I on the other hand…
How’d you do on the wine?
Liz - I have nothing but love for you my dear. Thank you.
AndrewE - Of course, I can always count on you to bring in the Greek gods… you and Brian are on the same page tonight. Well, at least Morrisson thought he was a Greek god.
Happy New Year.
David - Look, OK, so it took you a few months… I’m not going to hold it against you ;)
Thanks for all your support and good words man.
RB, you challenge me continually - as a thinker and a writer. May 2007 exceed all our expectations.
BTW - Does Chef Berk know how ominous you have made him appear?!?
WPS - Thanks much brother. And I’m with you on 2007…
As for the Chef, I had nothing to do with that ominousness (don’t know if that’s a word)… but we both know he’s a true original with a big southern heart.