Retina Refraction

my one eye half open
notices your door half open
framing you in back-lit silhouette
I smile and return to sleep
your image now burned
in the silver solution
of my memory plate
for ever and a day

by-Doug Mathewson

In Seidel’s Eye

you protest it is ludicrous, being our age
after so many years together that
I find you intensely alluring
utterly fascinating and
so passionately desirable
“but I’m old” you protest,
dropping your china blue satin robe
in our candle lit hotel room, glaring your challenge
“look at me damn it, just look!”
I do, and take you in my ropey old arms,
gently stroking your lovely grey hair,
being so grateful that such a beauty as you
would love an old train wreck like me.

by-Doug Mathewson

Six For Phil

You told the cops she committed suicide with your gun on a first date, oh Phil why, I know you are so crazy but why oh why did you kill The Barbarian Queen?

Growing up I played handball against your wall of sound, Phil, and even dressed like you, my sister cut my hair styled and layered long like yours, my Mother cut down my thrift store suits to be Edwardian and slim like yours.

But it was the music that mattered most of all, Phil, it changed how I played, and how I listen still, but you got so damn crazy and people turned away.

You know Ronnie loved you, she really did, and the music you made together was a love supreme, but you just got too crazy Phil, and she was scared and had to run, so now who’s fault was that do you think, surly not The Barbarian Queen’s?

Please can we play one song together (before you’re locked away so tight), me doing the backup and playing your big white Steinway, and Phil you singing Ronnie’s part , and we’ll do it, I swear for all we’re worth:

“So won’t you please”
(“be my, be my,”)
“Be my little baaby”
(“my one and only baby”)
“Say you’ll be my darlin’”
(“be my, be my”)
“Be my baby now”
(“my one and only baby”)
“Whoa, oh,oh,oh”
Lyrics and music to fade