I want to share a poem written by my friend, Richard Argo, who is having some health problems at this time. I love this poem which was published on the Netwest Writers site in 2008. It was a winning poem in a contest held by the Senior Games, I believe. Tell me how you like it and I'll be sure Richard sees your comments.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Richard Argo's winning poem
Ode to Rock and Roll
On a cool morning I helped my friend Bob collect rocks for his garden. We drove his pick-up to a rain-rutted road off the highway and rode a quarter mile, sheer wall on one side, sheer drop on the other, to the top of a mountain.
First we huffed and hefted, stumbled and cursed the two-man rocks. Then we hugged the one-man rocks to our chests like teddy bears. Finally, we filled the gaps with one-hand rocks until the bed sagged as if the truck would tip up on its tailgate.
No room to turn around, Bob, eyes flitting side-mirror to side-mirror, backed the truck down that rutted road. The radio blared rock-and-roll, blared the Rolling Stones. Oh, children. It’s just a kiss away, kiss away, kiss away.
I knew what the song said. The precipice is a kiss away. Death is a kiss away. It’s always just a kiss away. In the seat, eyes closed, dust and sweat coated my arms and chest, seatbelt flapped against my shoulder, I smiled. Oh, children. I was not afraid.
Richard Argo has a story in the latest edition of Moonshine Review.
He facilitated the Netwest Prose Critique group for many years. Look for his story, Apple Man, in the forthcoming anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge.
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