Strode rode: 74

had

I not held your hand in my beige 

plaid walking suit

spit shined like night paintings

in poster color tempera

this

egg yoke ride slides

in oil painting chrome. Electra 225

with fender skirts

in front of "Kato's"

with radio moans

like the expatiate winds of

Pam Grier's thighs

getting tune ups with

the hood propped  open with

silver sticks. 

giggled hush

at the very umption

of un-cool. Duly prepared

to spend the night on my elbows

emulating the cheeky temerity

'don't dare let my punk wave wash out

to the sea'

Making carbon paper stained palm

moons as if pixels were the fragrant

chutzpah distances like objects

in the rear view,

diamond dice bouncing

"Yeah you" it's all just arrogance

at the alter of self importance. 

It is silver white plushness

like the breath of kittens, I told myself.

Drove all the way to Virginia to pick

up my cousin's lady getting dishonorably

discharged. Couldn't drink a cold coke

on it's front seat. Stations along the way

forbad a fillup.

We were happy.  

Reviews

[Davidgeo]

You spit hot fire. Dave Chappelle would agree. . .

Pam Grier is underrated in general. She's one of those 'timeless' women.

"we were happy" is a timeless truth. 'we are happy' is subjective every time.

[h d e rushin]

thank you dearest for visiting me.....dana

[Davidgeo]

mind and body strong grasshopper

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Strode Rode' 74'
h d e rushin,
The tile is the first hint of the high energy rhythm within this piece. I could tell that you had a fun time bringing this one together. How much enjoyment can be placed within a poem? I was very impressed with the poetic and musical verbs you sang from your soul. You are an amazing word builder.
Blessings,
Kathy

[h d e rushin]

thank you so much for the inspiration Kathy....I love you..dana

[Ken Simm.]

If there is a greatest hits of American poems played on FM. Yours would be up there on the top. This has meat and heat and story and associated experiences. All in a wonderful road trip. you take the tropes and change them to make them art once more.

[h d e rushin]

thanks Ken Simm….I promised myself that in 2019 I would have my own signature sound. Like you my friend, whose genius is in it's display. Thank you my friend for those kind words...dana

[redzone]

WOW, a tricked out Buick, a road trip, and memories of Pam's thighs, now this takes me back, an old school visit and almost a 'beats' throwback vision of a journey to a happy ending.... hey, who got chip crumbs all over the upholstery????

well Dana, that was some 'ride' you treated us to, thanks... and ah, could we go again.... er… ;0) (I'll pay for the gas, especially if that Buick has gangsta whitewalls)…

[h d e rushin]

that's right Redzone, I steal from others. Your "colorful reality" comes to mind here....lol. Thanks for those kind words my friend..dana

[Corset]

You are very good at holding someone's hand when their knees be tremblin' (thank you) so many wonderful lines Dana, your poems are a constant wonderland.

[h d e rushin]

my dearest love: we are veterans around here on the café. Under dispositional circumstances of this world ain't it amazing that I can still say that I love you.....which I do..thanks dana

[Corset]

amazing and wonderful! ( and you realize that's because you don't really know me right?) Mwah!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wasn't she Jackie Brown? Pretty sure..good flick...
"it's all just arrogance/ at the altar of self importance"....great lines there...

and those Buick Electras...fancy...i am sure one would get in, start driving and never want to stop...
worth the dishonorable discharge perhaps?

as usual...inspiring and absorbing writing from you...you never disappoint...this poet appreciates you.
j.

[h d e rushin]

thank you my drear friend. i'm working my a*s off just trying to keep up around here...so many new and great poets on the café. poetry is alive and well....dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

absolutely, there are some terrific new poets on the site...and the older ones like you who still inspire the rest of us...