ME

ME


My bed remains unmade
I just don’t see the logic
Perhaps my silent protest
Against uniformity
I shave my face
Only when my son complains
Not for the vanity of a masculine beard
Simply my dislike for a razor skimming my skin
Sleep
I wish
A few precious hours at a time
My love for ice cream
Well documented
Common knowledge
Manifest
By the size of my behind
I despise most vegetables
Always have
Yet my Doctors tell me I am healthy as a horse
My diverse taste in music
Still rocking at age 46
Deafness in my right ear
Notes are muffled but stimulating
Metallica to Mozart
The Cure to Chopin
Ziggy Marley to ZZ Top
Extreme appreciation for their art runs deep
My love for my children is unconditional
Despite my many failures as a father
I use the same bath towel
Sometimes weeks at a stretch
Mineral water tastes awful to me
New Mexico Fluorite on the other hand
Breathtaking
I am sensitive and complex
Yet simple
And quite stubborn on occasion
I am a child of God
Unique
Called to service
Blessed
Grateful



(C) Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

YUDHI

YUDHI


Gracious Russian gentleman
Living in Frankfurt Germany
With his beautiful wife Rasa
Happily married for almost three years
Their love for each other
Inspiring
Beautiful
Harmonious
Both are devoted Hare Krishna
We differ on spiritual truth
Their beliefs are deeply rooted
As are mine
Gentle people
Warm
Refreshing
Sincere
Seeking higher consciousness
Humble peace
Swims in Yudhi’s grey eyes
Strong as a bull
Intelligent
His command of English
Sturdy and adequate
He carried my bag to the train station
At least a half mile walk
Close to 40 kilos in bulk
He never faltered or broke a sweat
I thank him for his wonderful assistance
He thanks me instead
For showing kindness to young Ame’dee’
Now that’s a REAL MAN
I honor you my friend
We will meet again very soon
JAI


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

COMMERCIALISM

COMMERCIALISM


Can a gecko really influence car insurance decisions?
Will a jolly blob of dough
With a jovial laugh
Sell more biscuits?
How about battle scarred Viking Warriors
Hell-bent on pillage and plunder
Quelled by a credit card in my wallet?
Please
Cell phone technicians
Walk the earth in increments
Stopping at three second intervals
“Can you hear me now?”
The Sahara desert may be a problem
Then there is Uri
Hawking alcoholic beverages
In sub zero conditions
He never drinks and sleds
Sound advice in Siberia
Madison Avenue genius
High priced creativity
Can make or break a product
Some brilliant
Most simply garbage
Dependant on public acceptance
Personally
My intelligence cannot be bought
Insulted
By such psychological gibberish
My intentions
Deepest desires
To let my message do the talking
My work
Shall stand alone on its merit
Regardless of greedy opportunist
Hope
Encouragement
Kindness
Needs no gimmicks
Simply an open mind
Sell out?
I would rather starve

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

THE POETS MESSAGE

THE POETS MESSAGE



Purge
Soul cleansing for weary ones
Divinity
Vast heavens frosty plain
Cloud spirits whisper
“REST DEAR CHILD”
Release diametric demons
Deeply recessed
Within scattered brains
Taste the glory
Sweet nectar
Viscous consciousness
Slides downward like honey
Spiral current
Vortex of emotion
Bearded Holy Man
Walks in silence
Hungry
Self induced trance of denial
Dancing mystical aura
Wet
Warm
Straining for release
Fear
Arrives in raging contradiction
Moving blindly towards the apex
High speed penetration
Supersonic scene of a bitter struggle
Transparent hammer cocked
Silver bullet
Poised to blast the flesh of innocence
Psychedelic green lights
Disrupt my balance
The hero is the villain
In this warped epilogue
Crimson curtain
Falls in confusion
Wasted
The Poets message
Slumped in crumpled metaphors
Zombie audience
Clamors for topless choreographed temptation
Languid
Deathly still
Entertainment
Distraction
The American way
For only 56 payments of $19.99
Hefty price for insanity
Mongrels
Prowl the gutters for the latest lost ones
Rambling premonitions
In the frigid thin air of 35,000 feet
The black Atlantic Ocean
Lurks in liquid stealth below
It’s awfully hard to pee
When the floor below you convulses



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

PATIENCE

PATIENCE



Paris Airport
4:00 PM
Mad dash
Through the Charles de Gaulle labyrinth
Such a difficult place to maneuver
As I rush to make my connection
Our plane
Delayed fifty minutes
The natives are restless
I am given a customs form
I do declare
I bring gifts for my family from Germany
Visions of quarantine dance through my mind
I gulp a refreshing apricot juice
No ice of course
What’s up with this room temperature drink thing?
I order spring water
She hands me mineral with gas (carbonation)
Yuck
I share it with a Doctor from Georgia
And order another
S’il vous plait (please)
No gas
No mineral
She eyes me with mischievous mirth
My return flight to Atlanta is packed
Elbow room is scarce
If we all inhale and exhale in unison
Perhaps we will have more breathing room
The arrogant businessman in 31E
“Mr. Bitch E. Whiner”
Complains loudly to the poor Bursar
“I usually get a window seat”
“Never an aisle”
“You must find me another immediately”
“Pardon Monsieur” pleads the flight attendant
“The plane is full”
In selfish rebuttal, Mr. “B” demands
“OK, then you must instruct the gentleman in the seat before me not to recline”
Can you imagine?
Nine long hours of landing posture discomfort!
To appease one selfish man
BROTHER
GET A GRIP!
There are 200 other human beings on this voyage
It’s not about you and your personal comfort
People
Quirky Homo sapiens behavior
Irritating
Yet invigorating
God made us unique for a reason
To teach us patience


“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves”

Romans 12:10


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN


Pleasant train ride
Gliding along the German landscape
Giant Mercedes plant
International symbol of luxury
More graffiti
I ponder what it all means
Some protest against oppression perhaps
Or simply a social statement
“Eat at Joes”?
Maybe not
The damp grass
Glowing neon green
Mixed with black rows of soil
Freshly planted fields
Some recently harvested
Circle of life
Reap and sow
I chat with Sebastian
As he studies his chemistry flash cards
Fourth year Dental student
Bohemian style
Twenty five years of enlightenment
His polite and friendly personality
Such a refreshing travel companion
He makes sure I understand the proper stop for the airport
Before he departs
Thank you my friend
May God bless you richly for your kindness
Shetland ponies
Huddle under a tin roof barn
Conserving their warmth from the cold Düsseldorf rain
The kiosk at the station
Hot coffee and bratwurst
Two Euro
Business is booming on this chilly morning
I shall miss this wonderful place
And my many new comrades


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

LOVELY RAECHEL

LOVELY RAECHEL


Radiant light in Jordan’s heart
Curly auburn hair
With black tints
Brilliant blue eyes
Dancing
Vivacious
Her soul erupts in simple joy
Alive
Vibrant
Delicate blossom
Milky white skin
Smooth
Supple
Angelic voice
Soothing
Silky sonance
Explosive smile
Warms the coldest solitude
I celebrate your presence
Gentle stunning princess
Go with God
Special one


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SHORT STACKS

SHORT STACKS


November 26th, 2005
We continue a holiday tradition
Morning excitement
Warms my humble home
Jordan, Will, and I
Bachelor slumber party
“Can I make a request”?
Jordan already knows the answer
The thick bacon begins to fry
One and a half pounds
Soon to be devoured
Fresh eggs
Sunny side up
Short stacks
Butter toast piled four high
The rich aroma
Brings back such wonderful memories
Lazy Saturday brunch
Sleeping late
Even Will eats heartily
A pleasant change from his normal finicky habits
Ice cold milk
Two gallons
Downed in eager gulps
Special times indeed
For this loving extended family
I sip my steaming coffee
And observe this happy feast
Thank you God for my children
I am so satisfied
Thrilled
Blessed


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

HALIFAX AT DUSK

HALIFAX AT DUSK



Halifax at dusk
St. Johns in the Captains sights
Thundering home on a sleek steel bird
Alabama bound
Sweet anticipation
To sleep in my own bed
Best cure in the world for jet lag
We wink at Toronto
As the jet cruises along at 6oo MPH
My legs grow restless
Six hours in
Three more to go
The portly gentleman beside me
Claims title to the thin armrest
No worries
It seems important to him
Complete control
The head bobbing Asian man
Filled with curiosity
Down south they call it “nosey”
I prefer “curious”
Exploring his surroundings
Grand Funk Railroad
Provides a pleasant distraction
At 36,000 feet
TNUC
“You ain’t gonna find nobody, to treat you like I do”
Rock on Mark, Don, and Mel
The service is excellent
Bravo Air France
Merci
The airplane john smells horrendous
As weary travelers struggle for regularity
My seat
Adjoins the aft la sale de bains (rear bathroom)
I hold my breath each time the door opens
I wonder if “Hoss” beside me
Notices the foul aroma
I battle with my stubborn seatbelt
Rough skies over Lunenburg
The old man
With a bad case of gas
Passes by me again
My gosh man!
Something has died inside your bowels
Cabbage
Perhaps Limburger cheese
My eyes are watering
Can’t you hold it until you get to the toilet?
Sorry
My patience wears thin
Maybe it’s the altitude
I long to be a local again
My feet on southern soil


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

HYPOTHERMIC HYPODERMIC

HYPOTHERMIC HYPODERMIC


Fatal injection
The filthy needle
Still dangles from her lifeless limb
Such senseless death
Hopeless addiction
Her last ride
Upon the lethal white horse
Cobalt blue tints
Invade her feminine features
Once rosy and spirited
Tragic waste of vitality
Quagmire of ruination
As she lay inert in the frozen slush
I wonder who she was
My guess
Around age eighteen
What were her thoughts on human existence?
Deepest hopes and dreams
The joys within her heart
As I mourn her passing in silence
My friends
Please take offense
To such irrational loss of precious life
So many still suffer this torment
Sick with chemical enslavement
We must offer optimistic promise
It takes our patience
Understanding
Empathy
And most of all
Our unrestricted love


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SAD FAREWELL

SAD FAREWELL


Train ride from Cologne to Düsseldorf Flughafen (airport)
My eternal gratitude to Yudhi
For helping me find the right connection
And carrying my heavy bag
A true Gentleman
Spiritual
Strong
“Jai” my friend
I shall see you again soon
I soak up the beautiful German countryside
Rural farmland
Industrial city smog
Poverty quite evident
Tiny one room shacks with stovepipes
Rows of them dot the landscape
So cramped and meager
Yet neat as a pin
National pride beams from their humble homes
Graffiti is everywhere
No clue what it means
But passionate is its message
I gaze at the magnificent dome
Ancient church of regal beauty
Towering
Breathtaking
Darling young girl beside me
Perhaps age six or seven
Traveling with her Mom
Her curious excitement
Keeps us all entertained
“Vas is das Momma”?
I offer her gum
Mom politely but cautiously refuses
I understand
I practice the same restraint with my son
Bicycle garages
Now that’s an interesting concept
The day is cold and dreary
I have grown accustomed to this shade of murkiness
It starts to rain
Sleet
Mixed with shiny wet droplets
I shall miss this magical place
An the new friends I have made
Ciao
We shall meet again someday


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

EUROPEAN OBSERVATIONS

EUROPEAN OBSERVATIONS


Phone booths
Located at the corner of Rochusstr and Veneloer Streets
I smile
Evident kindness of a stranger
Corn and birdseed
Left lovingly between the shelters
Out of the frigid howling wind
For the cold and hungry pigeons
A beautiful act of God’s compassion to admire
I marvel at the German work ethic
Most enjoy a thirty hour work week
Closing early on Friday
The pace
Quite relaxed and productive
In comparison to my ninety hour slavery shifts in the US
Even the street sweeper smiles
Happy and proud of his daily task
Such warm diversity
Boroughs of subtle cultural distinction
Turkish
Russian
Polish
Italian
Greek
German
Gypsies
Exotic blend of unique humanity
Ingenious entrepreneurs catch my eye
The public toilet mafia
Cologne Town Center
Ultra busy shopping district
The cleaning people
Charge anxious shoppers one euro
For use of the communal restroom
A practice quite illegal
But standard procedure
I ignore the injustice
When natures call is urgent
I search extensively for silver linings
And find them everywhere I wander
Blessings my new friends
I shall always remember your spirits


(C) Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

PARDON ME MONSIEUR

PARDON ME MONSIEUR


I met a Frenchman today
Such an arrogant imbecile was he
No disrespect to The French intended
His self-centered attitude confirms
A jerk is a jerk
In any native tongue
I do not think it was me
Who triggered his tirade
Simple loss of control
Perceived within his boisterous ego
A married man
His invalid wife at their home in Paris
Three beautiful children
And a mistress
In every city he frequents
An illegitimate son in Germany
Precious lovely child
I hear tales of abortion demands
Now turned to jealous indignation
Blatant narcissistic disposition
In such glaring reality
I suppose he feared my imposition
On his Harem’s tranquil balance
Whatever the reason
Simply unacceptable
Was his childish conduct
For a man of fifty plus years
His feeble attempt at civility
Fell upon deaf and disappointed ears
Such a pity
His rejection of my friendly gestures
A poor example of brotherhood
For mere mortal men
I shall offer prayers of hope
One day his eyes will see clearly
His soul be blessed in abundance
Pardon me Monsieur
For stepping on your pride
I meant you no personal insult
Merely respectful discovery
Au revoir
Gauche
Adieu




(C) Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

MY QUEST FOR MUH MUH

MY QUEST FOR MUH MUH


Beautiful Gala
Her delicate body
Develops a craving for Polish Fudge
To ease persistent cramps
PMS assault
I venture to DM
Colognes corner drugstore
In search of feminine products
And sweet delicacies
My pursuit lasts for hours
As I scour foreign aisles
“Muh Muh” she describes
Look for the package with a cow
It will signify success
That was six stores ago
And still no confections
The amused young salesclerk
Speaks very little English
But tries valiantly
To understand my Southern plea
He leads me to the ice-cream toppings
Close
But no payoff
In typical American ingenuity
I purchase Truffles instead
In hopes this will suffice
Tomorrow
I shall try again
If I only had a picture…….


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

TINY MEDOCHEK

TINY MEDOCHEK


Crusty stains
Dot my proud chest
Dried cereal and saliva
Porridge
Bananas
Sweet Ame’dee’
Marks his new territory with innocent precision
Eternal reward
Found in angelic purity
Stinky pants
Gleeful naked dance
As Momma intervenes
Only a special little man
May pee on my suitcase without objection
Cooing songs of enchanted legend
Cherubs
Speak to him as he sleeps peacefully
Instructions
Guidance
For his next level of growth
Tiny Medochek
Russian for “honey”
Small bundle of sedative
Just the right size
For this captured heart
May you always talk to God in such communion
I love you young one
Without exception


“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven”

Matthew 19:14


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

STUNNING ONE (For Gala)

STUNNING ONE (For Gala)




Silken swirl
Beautiful girl
Perfumed hallucination
Exotic scent of Tiger Balm
Heightened expectations
As she slips into something more unconscious
Pasteurized party dress
Slow motion seduction
With RFID meticulousness
Tracking waves of rapture
As the meter escalates
Preoccupied incantations
Spellbound
Canned laughter
Cheese Dance
Exotic lactose lambada
Performed by “Gene Gene”
The Dance Machine
Any excuse for a party
Crystal vaudeville
Defective choreography
Born crippled
In this freak show cabaret
Razor wire
Juggled on time share pitches
Iron clad contract
Fast track succession planning
Infatuation
Bogus love language
Sidetracked
By such a stellar performance
Indigo sutures
Lace the gaping wound
Psycho ward
Filled with insomniac insurance salesmen
Soused on intricate pie charts
Her delicate bare back
My palsied fingers
Trace her supple spine
Geographic erotica
Nurture me stunning one
In fields of effervescence
I gaze into almond eyes
Deep and delicious
Unsuspecting allure
Hold me close my dear
As I slowly pass beyond


“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes”

Song of Solomon 1:15


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

GERMAN HOSPITALITY

GERMAN HOSPITALITY


Winding streets of Deutschland
Narrow coiled adventure
Mini automobiles
Compact and fuel efficient
Scream down hidden alleyways in haste
I walk for miles
Bringing love
Bama style
Attempted greetings as we pass
Strangers no more
Their genuine shock delights me
As my smile attacks years of stone defense
Young men of every shade
Sleek and virile
Eye my tennis shoes with fascination
American culture
Arrives in unique presentation
Kindness surrounds me
As my southern drawl reaches unsuspecting ears
Such manners are displayed
Pleasant addition to their impressions of me
I am treated so richly
Most welcomed in this wonderful hamlet
Forget détente
No signs of trade war mentality
These are proud working class people
We share a human bond of fellowship
Lasting long after our interaction
My kind of politics
I cross their borders freely
Without angst
Mesmerized
Dreamy
Satisfied


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

MEGIDDO

MEGIDDO


Leper warriors
Vast pariah
Draw their poison blades
Impure
As evil is
Thundering advance
Horrid legions
Marching on Megiddo
Violence
The new deal
A way of life in the melting pot
Boiling cauldron
Reeks of forsaken dreams
Birds of prey
Eye the carnage with delight
Currency
Power
Oil reserves
The lesson begins
Stark halls of impunity
Richter scale
Abandoned in dismay
There shall be no escape
As destiny approaches
Appointed
In ancient passages
Shofars sacred blast
Angels gather for battle
In multitudes
No man can number
Havoc
Scriptural skirmish
Purification
Good versus evil
Have you decided your allegiance?


“A sound of battle is in the land and of great destruction”

Jeremiah 50:22


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

NOVEMBER 14th, 2005

NOVEMBER 14th, 2005


Cold grey day
Opaque Cologne sky
Foggy mist of frigid haze
Shrouds gothic architecture
Apricot tea with honey
Steaming potion
Warms my chilly bones
Tasty treat on this winters epoch
Celsius or Fahrenheit
Matters not
Bundle up and walk briskly
Against the stiff north wind
Hearty meal of homemade chicken soup
With fresh grain bread
Delights the depths of my soul
Magical time
Excursion into 17th century Germany
Where massive church steeples
Dot the lush landscape
The town clock strikes three
All is well in the Motherland
So rich in tradition
Hospitality abounds
This enchanted place
Forever seared into my memory


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

FIRST SNOW

FIRST SNOW


Gorgeous south of Germany
Celebration erupts
Excitement
Ripples through the cold November air
Virgin snowfall
First of the year
Heralds the arrival of ski season
Simple appreciation
Refreshing lack of commercialism
No lift ticket price wars
Or lodge rates competition
Pure admiration
Esteem for God’s splendor
Involuntary enjoyment
Rejoice the coming winter wonderland
Silent giant flakes
Graceful
Drifting gently
From swirling clouds of ivory precipitation
Welcome whiteout
Bavarian panorama
Stunning
Unforgettable


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

COMPLACENT DAY

COMPLACENT DAY


Lazy Tuesday afternoon
Dreary day indeed
Outside
Cold and damp
Strange shade of navy grey
Emits from overcast clouds
My belly
Full of delicious schnitzel
Succulent pork cutlet
Fried in milky crusted decadence
The small screen TV
Volume silenced
I can’t understand them anyway
I watch the German version of the Travel Channel
Young Ame’dee’ naps peacefully
I marvel at the local wonders
Not taken for granted
By this wandering poet
Such exotic destinations tickle my trance
Lush wine country
Aside the famous Rhine
Bavaria
Towering snow covered Alps
Historic Berlin
Rustic old world charm
Time passes slowly
I am lost in the seduction
Lavish beauty surrounds me
In so many ways
My thirst for stimulation
Perception of exciting new places
Quenched
In complacent satisfaction


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

RUSSIAN TREASURE

RUSSIAN TREASURE


I visit a Russian Market
With no visible name
My discovery
A dual function
Upstairs
Delicious smoked fish
Fresh meats
Beautiful vegetables and fruits
Green cabbages
The size of basketballs
Exotic sweets
Cookies and pastries
Pryaniki
Luscious tarts with jam filling
“Birds Milk” Chocolates
Food from the heavens
Ukrainian Tea
Spices
I wander behind the meat counter
Downstairs
A mystery
Quite unmarked
There you will find VisiTravel Reiseburo
Madam Gelfrich
Happy to accommodate your holiday travel needs
Six Hundred Euro
Not a bad price for Gala and Ame’dee’
Their passage to our Alabama home
I salute the reasonable prices
Excellent quality
Friendly warm service
Such a rich international experience
Hidden treasure
My compliments dear friends
I wish you continued success


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005