Blank Stare

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Art of Mind II: All In

*Blank Stare*

Her eyes rise.
She gives a seductive glare.
But until she knows what she’s eying —
This is just a blank stare.

The physical scope is far too limited,
Her lens can’t expose what really matters.

I know what she doesn’t know about herself —
Which is that she knows nothing at all.

Her eyes are dancing and her lips are curling —
Very inviting, not very exciting.
Because I know until she gets to know me,
Our slate is clear and will likely remain unwritten.
I’m an outsider, different, perhaps even unusual,
I’m willing to bet this type isn’t her usual.

I wish I could say I don’t judge by covers,
but she seems fairly easy to read.
I’m nearly certain I know what she goes for,
and I have the good sense to know it ain’t me.

So her smiling and staring is empty —
Since it means Absolutely Nothing.
If I am wrong, by all means
sit with me:

And let’s get to work —
Filling in these blanks.

Tagged with: Books, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Books, Poetry, Writing

The Staredown

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Art of Mind II: All In

*The Staredown*

I’m not used to being looked at that way.
Rather, I’m not used to having someone around to look at me that way.
No, no, it’s just that look.
There was a certain admiration, lust,
Power
In her stare…that proved just too much.
Now I can stare down Bloods & Crips,
Starving Nymphs,
Navajos, Ball Pros, and Hos…
but it is honey and sweet things
that bring the Strongest Men to their knees.
When she wins this staredown, she may assume it’s because I’m weak —
When she really is just oblivious to her own strength.

She engages me with that look.
That tender, longing look.
I step up to the plate —
Ready for whatever she throws at me…
Then my eyes go like the electricity:
Down and Out.
And our hopes go like a
Bambino slug:
Up
Up
&
Away.

I inhale, Man Up and Look Up…
But as I looked away —
She had gone away.

Tagged with: Books, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Me Against the World

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Art of Mind II: All In

*Me Against the World*

Never take your eyes off the opponent…
Any great will tell you that.
Even before the bell…
Tyson was the best at that.
I’m alone in the corner.
Eyes on opponent.
Always on opponent.
I pace, loosen, stretch, waggle.
They may remain steady
or step violently in an attempt to intimidate.
My eyes shift with them.
Where they go, my eyes follow. Every movement is countered by my head.
My focus is undaunted, unflinching.
Finally, we meet in the center.
Human rulebooks stand in-between…
Telling me what I can and can’t do.
I pay no attention.
I stay focused on my opponent.
I make no faces —
No menacing gestures.
I just stare.
One of Tyson’s victims swayed during the staredown…
Trying to stay active and keep his energy.
Tyson’s head remained firm as Iron,
but his eyes swayed with the opponent.
Left to the right. Right to left. His eyes followed.

I go back to my small corner
where no one can touch me.
My opponent has already been announced.
The match already set.
It’s Me Against the World.
Bell rings.
I leave my corner in pursuit of a partner.
A Formidable Tag Team Duo.
Together let’s win the title; Change the title:
*Us Against the World*

Tagged with: Books, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Unsung

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Art of Mind II: All In

*Unsung*

It’s sad how narrow a voice can travel,
Even with the Range of a Soprano —
Just because so many doors are closed.

There’s only room for so many Divas…
You can belt your heart out and shatter glasses
but you cannot crack Ear-Muffs…
You’re a superstar blending with the rest of the masses,
It seems that’s just tough luck.

There’s a voice as pure as Norah’s,
With a pitch that cannot be made clearer…
Yes, Somewhere — there is Someone Singing:
And No One is around to hear her.

Tagged with: Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing
Posted in Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Thank You

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Art of Mind II: All In

*Thank You*

“Thank you,” he said, with a still expression and tears in his voice.
Sincerity soaked in those two small sponges, and it was the shower of acceptance —
or Love — or both — that befell him and he used to absolve himself.
She acted unaware, but she knew what he was thanking her for.
I’ve heard the same phrase spoken by fallen angels who were picked up when they thought they could never stand again…they showed gratitude in their loving eyes and frequent appreciative strokes. But in case that wasn’t enough, they say, “Thank you.”
They package their delivery with emotion so those two little wings will travel farther, but in case that isn’t enough, if asked to explain their message, tears often escape the silently quivering voice and spill down towards their lips.

“Thank you” — it’s a phrase said so often in passing, it’s often taken for granted.
Patrons to Servers
Recipients to Delivery Men
Checkers to Baggers
Customers to Clerks
Clerks to Customers
Owners to Visitors
Strangers to Strangers
The Clumsy to the Generous.
The same two words for handing down dinner rolls are expressed in this much more profound instance.
Those two words alone can’t be depended on, so they’re emphasized with deep, earnest stares and soul-measured tones to ensure the full message was received.
It is usually dropped long after / / And Before a specific act of kindness. Just a “small”
“Thank you.” Those who have said these Thank yous know to what I am referring…
and so do their recipients…though they usually insist on acting surprised.
I am not too proud to say, “Thank you,”
but they usually leave before I have a chance to tell them.
So when faced with an Eternal Dilemma:
Either continue falling deeper into a dark hole, or take it all as it comes…I decided it wasn’t much of a dilemma.
Can’t say that I’m happy… nor content… but I am something a bit Easier:
I’m at Peace.
There may come a time when I am faced with that Dilemma again…
Then again,
I could actually become Happy.
Until then, I’ll keep grinning,
Someday, I may even start smiling.

I am proud to have come this far on my own;
but I’d much rather have someone to thank.

Tagged with: Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing
Posted in Books, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Alma Mater Vol. 1 The Midwest: Available Now!

Posted on December 20, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

Take this weekend to take a tour through the plains and skyscrapers of the Midwest. Go experience what it’s like in the Allen Fieldhouse. Travel through The Big Ten in schools like Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan. Learn of new places that made so many fall in love with college…and indeed, with life. Get the chill you can only get from the outdoors of the Midwest…right from the warmth of your couch. And do so, not for the price of an airline ticket…but for 99 cents.

Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest is a collection of poetry that celebrates the major universities of the Midwest region. It is a project that Kirkus Reviews calls an “Engaging Poetic Tour of the Midwest” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” And it is available now on Kindle for only 99 cents.

Tagged with: Books, College, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Book Reviews, Books, College, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Alma Mater Vol. 1 The Midwest: Available Now!

Posted on December 19, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

Do you want to learn about all the major universities of the Midwest region in a non-boring, creative fashion all within a few days’ time? Have you ever wanted to know what makes each university unique? Now you can find in this memorable collection that re-introduces the world to the greatness of these universities in this introduction to the Alma Mater series.

Tagged with: Books, College, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Book Reviews, Books, College, Poetry, Writing

University of St. Thomas Poem

Posted on December 19, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest
Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)

*St. Thomas*

UST is the heart of Trust,
In St. Thomas, our light thrusts—
Illuminating the world is better than to shine,
The divine credit is neither yours nor mine.
The charity of God began in the earth’s crust,
With St. Thomas’ foundation—This is our shrine,
Devoted to serve by pushing ourselves,
Toiling with study and working our shelves,
For living well is tantamount to working well,
Restless activity for every man to dwell—
Together through work where every man delves
In a harbor of healing—where the grief fell.
A world reunited with the harmony of stars,
Sharing possessions—healing the scars
Of wounded extremities where anguish lives,
Love is the charity that counts not what it gives.
The measure of a man is the injustice he bars
By changing our world with the faith that he lives.

Tagged with: Books, College, Poetry, Religion, Writing
Posted in Books, College, Philosophy, Poetry, Religion, Writing

University of Minnesota Poem

Posted on December 18, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest
Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)

*University of Minnesota*

Minnesota is blessed with water in acres,
Our many lakes and skyscrapers make us great,
We run through our mills and life’s purity distilled:

This is the Gopher State.

Over 10,000 lakes form the Land of Sky-Blue Waters,
Between the Mississippi are campuses on either bank,
The U of M is the Gateway to guarded history,
A better school, to be sure—to be frank.
With America’s mall and state fair at our shoulders,
We shrug off the boasts of all the other burgs,
The school of Twin Cities is the wedge of opportunity,
Taking full swing like our own Patty Berg.

An F5 of pride rolls across the Wash’ Ave’ Bridge,
Onto the East Bank of TCF and Will’ Arena,
Among the affected is the stock in the Barnyard,
Rabid Gophers with the fervor of hyenas.
Craving Big Ten Basketball and Big Ten Football,
We outwrestle competition in the name of tradition;
We defend our border from Badgers at all costs,
To this conviction we will wage our tuition.

When the Maroon and Gold is in the fold,
Take it all in, have a seat, and snag a scene,
Then read on the changes of student expression
In the latest issue of The Wake Magazine.
They may catch up on our news but not our chemistry,
Our chem-engineering turns molecules to modules
That fuels new concepts that react to overdue process
Converting life science into modern rules.

We’re pioneers, frontiers, and centennial men,
Global women of the Superblock and this community,
Who lend a hand to hear talented local bands,
Service provided for betterment,
Not self-impunity.
Time at the U illuminates many local paths,
Shedding light to guide youths through all the fray,
We guide our own and build tunnels for the next passage,
And say:

That is the Gopher Way.

Tagged with: Books, College, Minnesota, Poetry
Posted in Books, College, Poetry, Poetry Books, Writing

Michigan State University Piece

Posted on December 17, 2014 by clydeaidoo — Leave a comment

From Alma Mater: Vol. 1: The Midwest
Available Now for 99 cents! (Link Below)

*Michigan State*

MSU entrants travel cross-country across the Red Cedar River of East Lansing to reach the epitome of the college experience.
They are greeted by abundant trees, winding roads, and gothic architecture beyond the forested corridors. At the intersection of Chestnut and Kalamazoo, south of the Cedar River, they meet
The Spartan.
It is at this junction when entrants, guests, and intruders alike realize that
This is the Spartan State—Not Wolverine Country.
Prowlers will not prance. Only
Real Spartans Advance.
Transforming Lives by Advancing Knowledge.
We preserve energy for essential encounters and destroy the hazardous pollution of reservation to defend this land.
Proceed, New Entrants! Maintain this Environment!
Go Green.

Spartans, Stand Strong
on this land your ancestors built.
This pioneer land grants students with the exploration of nuclear physics, osteopathic medicine, industrial and organizational psychology, and we continue forward in our advancement of knowledge by placing only the nation’s best new teachers in the elementary and secondary classrooms. We rehabilitate distressed minds that have lost their ways so that they, too, can advance to their goals. Say it Loud:

We Are Spartans!

Led by Sparty we fill the Spartan Stadium with Spartan Pride—

You are now surrounded by the Spartan Army.

In Breslin, where the winner is determined by determination,
You will know
the
Spartan Will.

There is magic in this storied center. With a rich basketball tradition, we have hoisted 13 Big Ten championships and two national championships.
We tried to send out a raven to tell the world of our conquers,
but
Our Magic killed The Bird.

Fear the Spartans.

Take heed of the army going down the downtown strip.
This is a Greek community of over 50 organizations.
We started as the 300,
now over
3,000 in this Greek Nation…

And that still leaves over 40,000 thirsty Spartans ready to fill their cups.

Our Spartans spread out across the globe in their pursuits of educational dominance more than any institution in this nation. We also fight from home to keep the peace abroad. We fight against South African apartheid and for worldwide freedom
While defending the political advancement of this great country.

We believe change starts here in this miraculous institution.

And we vow not to stop at the pages of the Red Cedar Log. No, our journey is just beginning.
Young warriors, when you surmount your beloved institution, and graduate to the vast, intimidating world at your feet. Do not let these tears slow you down…

Spartans,

Go Forth

Tagged with: Books, College, Michigan State, Poetry, Writing
Posted in Basketball, Books, College, College Basketball, Poetry, Poetry Books

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