I AM a published poet
Bet ya didn't know that...
Back when I was in Iowa City, and taking part in the non-fiction creative writing class at the University of Iowa, I decided to take one of my assignments (I may post a revised version of that later), and turned parts of it into smaller poetic vignettes that I could submit to a small poetry publication (now defunct) of the U of I International Writing Program, "100 Words". This one was for the "on the City" issue, Vol. 1 No. 6, 1994.
Why? Why the hell not? With a little encouragement from my friends, I took a chance with the submission of a half dozen verbal "sketches" of Cedar Rapids, IA... the place of my first professional, post-graduate job (OPN Architects... still in business!). Surprisingly, they accepted one.
And so, I present for your consideration...
portrait - C.R. 003
Beneath the blanketed sun, muted tones of surfaces blend further together, a vortex into which new sparks of vibrant hues are sucked and scrubbed, churned like contents of a washing machine, then spewed back out, victims raped of individuality and vitality. Passersby stare and shrug off their degraded existences. True Blue decays to Cool Medium Grey. Vermilion Red fades to nauseating washes of Rose and Mauve, while Canary Yellow bleeds into various Cremas and Ochres. New, brilliant colors wither in this city; there isn't enough light for them to breathe.
Yeah, not the most flattering portrait... but I call 'em like I see 'em.
