friends – The Occasional Poem

I have a file I call ‘Warm-Up Exercises’ where I record bits and pieces of things that perhaps don’t rise to the level of a complete poem but which I think are nonetheless worth keeping. I was reviewing that file early this morning and thought it would be fun to post a few examples on this blog.

WARM-UP EXERCISES

I once chose a girl
over a sailor's cap,
but she's long gone and now
I'll never sail the seven seas.
And only a mother could love
those drunken frat boy days.
But never mind . . . never mind.
I've learned to accept 
the things I cannot change.
     __________

I found an old journal on the shelf
and things deemed important then
are of no matter now,
while matters then undreamed of
now consume my days.
On and on it goes.
     __________

Tell your grandchildren -
because their parents might not -
to remember where they come from,
to disregard the baying mob,
and that nothing good
happens after midnight.
     __________

I live in the modern world
but am still sometimes guided
by the sound of my grandmother
spinning in her grave
or my father putting his foot down
to end all the nonsense.
     __________

There is a difference between
long-time friends
and those who were friends
a long time ago.

Two of my best long-time friends – Tom U. and Tom A. – came to support me at a successful event to promote my new book at Schuler Books in Ann Arbor. I remember when the three of us were but fair-haired boys roaming the beach on Grand Haven’s north shore.

If you are interested in purchasing my book – SLOW RIVERS, Poems From My Sixties – I suggest the following options:

1.) order the book through a local bookstore anywhere in the country. Some stores in Michigan will have the book on their shelves already and others can order it for you. The ISBN number might be helpful when ordering (979-8-218-43822-7). If you are in the Ann Arbor area, Schuler Books (formerly Nicola’s, in the Westgate Shopping Center) has been good about keeping the book in stock.

2.) You can order the book online through bookshop.org, which benefits local bookstores. As of 12/2/24, Bookshop.org is offering free shipping

3.) Order the book directly from the printer/distributor.

SLOW RIVERS; Neely, Joseph L; Buy Now

The price should be the same regardless of which option you choose. If you have trouble or questions, please contact me via email at slowriverpoems@gmail.com.

Subscribe to be notified of new posts by email;
it’s free and your information is never shared.
Leave a comment so I know you were here
and please share this blog with a friend.

A New Poem Every So Often.
(No regular schedule right now; life gets in the way.)