Off the AP Wire

T

his adaptation was from a news item I read in the St Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper in the summer of 2006 and later the story was presented on Minnesota Public Radio. I am not sure of the woman’s age, but she was in her 50’s or early 60’s. I questioned the decision to cancel her credit card, a decision never fully explained to my satisfaction, as this would have left a trail of information as to here location. This piece of prose is difficult to understand if you fail to read its title. And think of the very sad situation of the daughter and grand children waiting at the Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport.

Off the AP Wire… in and out of consciousness… Alzheimer’s. ------------

“Good morning, you’re listening to Minnesota Public Radio…”

(She backed out of the driveway …. An hour, west, from Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport ….)

sea turtles dig in the sand to lay their eggs,

street people stand on the corner to beg.

(She is going to pick up her daughter …. grandkids …)

The first derivative deals with the slope,

Lost souls give up hope.

(She needed gas …. and was several hours south of the airport … credit card …)

The white house is in the news,

We soften blows with a little booze.

(Officer, my wife is missing ….. abducted? …. CANCEL HER CREDIT CARD…)

Stars shine on a winter night,

Boats in the sea looking for lights.

(West on Interstate 80….. needs gas….. no time to sleep…)

There are cars riding on trains,

juxsposition your life to have no pains.

(Credit card does not work…. They take a check… South Dakota…)

Peruse the paper with great care,

Mountain climbers take dares.

“Good morning, it will be a hot one today as the high in Northern Wyoming is expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit…”

Incidentally, the song has no rhyme,

Geese fly in straight lines.

(Gravel road …. The SUV gets stuck … No time to sleep…)

Blasting pictures fill the mind,

Some people are just too kind.

(She walks …. she crawls…. 108 degrees Fahrenheit …)

Heavenly days sometimes are few,

Union people have to pay dues.

“Last night a rancher discovered a woman lying face down on a hillside in a remote section in Northern Wyoming, her SUV apparently…. “

Cloudy days interject with swimming pools,

Carpenters used lots of tools.

(Of course she had died…. She was 52.)

O

ne early afternoon I stopped in a local bar in North Port, Florida. This is not a bar the tourist frequent as the bar has no water access or gulf views, is very dimly lit, smells of smoke and is very dirty. The locals park in the back to seek autonomy from the busy highway and its travelers peering eyes. The bar was full of patrons and I saw this incident and wrote this short bit of prose.

Abused -------------------

H

air disheveled, clothes to match,

Eating fries, drinking, smoking.

She is talking to herself.

“You’re a good dog; here, have some food.”

There is perpetual chatter, just her and the imaginary dog,

Which is her.

A man appears; her equal.

“Look at my pet monkey.” He flips a switch.

The monkey dances on the bar.

“Mine is different. It had a different colored hat.

I found it in a dumpster.”

He puts his hand on her shoulder and

She freezes, no smile, a blank stare, no talking …

He goes to the other end of the bar.

“You’re a nice dog, you didn’t do anything wrong,

you’re a nice dog, you’re a good dog,

you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Much later.

Leaving her purse, she walks to the other end of the bar,

She sits down, she is still talking to herself.

They both stare at there drinks,

She is talking to herself.

I remember as a young child, lying on the ice at night on one of Minnesota’s ice frozen lakes near Frazee. It would be one of those cold, but very clear nights in January. The Milky Way would be brilliant and we would search for the few constellations we knew such as the ‘dippers, Cassiopeia (chair) or Orion. If the Northern Lights were showing that was an extra benefit to us kids out exploring. When our own children were young the search was expanded to find satellites moving across the sky. Naturally, we preferred this activity in the warmth of a summer evening.

Remember -------------------------------

O to see a starry night,

Stars showing all their light.

Sitting on a grassy knoll,

Taking in such a show.

There’s the dipper over there,

Then I thought I saw a chair.

A streak of light suddenly appears,

It’s falling down like a tear.

Just to see the milky-way,

Awe inspiring wouldn’t you say.

There, the artists brush is prancing,

Those northern lights are ah dancing.

T’was so quiet and tranquil there,

Leaving it didn’t seem fair.

Stars showing all that light,

O to see a starry night.

The Blond

The Blond

As I leaned on my car I could see from afar, a body so fine and free.

My heart began to beat at the looks of the treat; what a sight to see.

She walked with a sway, what could I say, she was so divine.

Her long hair, it was so fair; I thought could this be mine?

After the door I saw her no more, I better get inside.

So I left my car, snuffed my cigar and started my stride.

Inside the bar, not too far, I found an empty seat.

I looked around, heard some sounds and saw the gorgeous treat.

In the bars din, I ordered some gin and I saw her wary smile.

She was looking at me, now you see; I felt I could walk a mile.

I took my drink and started to think, I’ll invite her over here.

She saw me wave and with a sway, came to see me dear.

She sat down and with a frown I could plainly see,

This girl so fair, with the long blond hair was ah he.