Bob Atkinson's other Sites

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Essence of Poetry - by - Bob Atkinson


sometimes questions come of age
in an age of sweetness dawned
some semi circle arranged in patterns
without which our lives lie dormant

here, in our wondrous days
we softly ponder meaning
define please essence of poetry
without which I'm only dreaming

well dear, 'tis not a definition
to wonder and berate
we've come to know a why of life
when we write words on page

to think begins a journey
into the mind of us
settles for us ever more
what's good about this fuss

good can find many meanings
as bad can find one's sad
elegance of finite solution
begins each day at dawn

to answer your good question
about poetry's erudite parade
we must here find a purpose
to why these words get arranged

poetry doesn't tell those facts
which prose must duly report
poetry tells how you feel
about this new discourse

emotions laid upon a page
where feelings come to front
how did you react to the news
with love or real discomfort

do you like these events
or do they make you sad
how could you find solace
in both good and bad

so there, in a nutshell
we've shelled this beast again
telling all there is to know
about one plan of man

Thursday, October 16, 2014

The Critic - Art & Poetry - by Bob Atkinson

The Critic - Art and Poetry
(c)2014 Bob Atkinson
'tis always easier to criticize
than is to do it yourself
although in truth the latter
contains far more fun and mirth


my point lies somewhere in between
good and bad of poetry
adjustment for the mainstream
how we absorb ideas


to see this in a different light
with crystal covers on the lens
we can, with open eyes
love writers with sharp pens

those who look beyond the fluff
and understand good meaning
divest themselves of constraints
and pursue a different dreaming

they see a world with tearfulness
not holding on to chains
which produce establishments
that grate and agitate

my desire in this arena
carries to all a simple message
don't let the future be determined
by past usage and direction

what you see is fabricated
a reality far from real
poo pooing things that matter
holds their only zeal

me, I've grown accustomed
to my meaning zipping by
heads of those who look
only at the surface side

doesn't mean I'm disheartened
to try is not hard at all
when you feel compunction
to rearrange it all

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Statesmanship - by Bob Atkinson

Statesmanship
(c)2014 Bob Atkinson
"... we hold it to be the first task of statesmanship to develop the stength that will deter the forces of aggression and promote the conditions of peace ..."
Dwight D. Eisenhower

here in that time of crisis
those wayward days of mud
when those who would be powerful
gain fashion with use of gun

not seeds of perfect charity
no love do they possess
just overriding purpose
by thumping of their chests

here in our development
nature has our crossroads made
do we digress to the point
where progress reverses trend

back to a time when people lived
a life so badly blessed
with slavery, toil and pestilence
given to their masters' whims

or do we define the nature
of progress to be made
a simple organizing statement
which carries to the grave

all we seek of accomplishment
all love grown for our friends
no enemies designated
we're all just mortal men

so first we can define
the void of useful souls
that underlying demon
we can't allow to grow

when some seek to gain power
by force or use of gun
intimidation, recklessness
they need to understand

society cannot fathom
such willful negligence
needs of the many for peace
herein takes precedence

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Sound Turned to Silence - by Bob Atkinson

Sound Turned to Silence
(c)2014 Bob Atkinson
we all, in our own way
struggle through pursuit deranged
broadcasting our thought processes
in that in life of little gain

how much snaps your memory
to where you hear my tune
and sift your own experience
to drive home my good moods

how much of who I am
rubs right off on you
am I just noise in your cabin
as you ignore my attitude

silence knifes the book pages
as if cutting sentences in half
spewing waste out through a gate
and pulling shards of glass

silence feeds the open echoes
trundles through my past
and forms that open crust
of my ocean as I laugh

silence fills my need for clarity
non-ambiguous in its tone
the world defined by nature
or total lack thereof

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The Art of Poetry vs The Discipline of Poetry - by Bob Atkinson

The Art of Poetry
vs
The Discipline of Poetry
(c)2013 Bob Atkinson

Fine Art has its alter ego
Art D'cor which also breaks
these two ideas into factions
one primitive, one more staid

Fine Art means something learned
art constructed from the past
having trained in master's techniques
meaning that will ever last

Art D'cor lies more transitory
fills merely a momentary need
more for pleasant decoration than
further advancement of the breed

in literature begins an era bold
of truly differentiated tastes
in a time of new beginnings
of newness that will rage

Poetry as an art leans
toward the wispy, mindless tripe
thoughts without complex emotions
guided by throttled emptiness

no purpose in its dreaming
no research done for its themes
no imparting information gathered
beyond simple illusion of mindless motif

Discipline of Poetry
on the other hand
takes our minds into a world
of culture broadly expanded

always purpose in those words
always thought deep in what seems
complex exploration of existence
researched flowing through watered streams

that tell us what we didn't know
what a writer knew not too
when he began his assemblage
of words that wanted to

expand our understanding
of this, that, or the other
setting us on a journey to
correctness, not toward blunder

he sets out to explore a point
be it theory or merely fact
and takes us on a journey meaty
never wanting to look back

he opens books of reference
gives those notes there for our usage
to let us quickly acclimate toward
understanding an idea's currency

here we've gotten something good
what pushes on our hearts
total construction of our world
observed at least until we're dust

Monday, June 21, 2010

"Roberto's Apple Reflections" by Bob Atkinson

"Roberto's Apple Reflections"
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

he brought the apples to the beach
to "Scotty's on the Strand"
at eleventh and the windy shore
where for nine years he'd been
"the man"

who carefully prepared the dishes
for people traveling far
to enjoy the peace of this nice town
"Hermosa on the sand bar"


he gave them a delicate wash
then held them in his hands
turned them over more than once
to insure their flawless nature

these orbs will make a flavored dish
he thought as he removed the peels
we will, today, make people smile
as they give our pancakes flavored sauce

not many in this world
can do what Roberto did
with skillful hands he crafted
the great food for the people

Debbie came and watched him core
those little yellow balls
and place them gently in the pot
where water was now very hot

she didn't say a word
just stood there in the doorway
and savored what she saw
in the kitchen of this cafe

thinking of the broad smiles
of the people she would see
made Debbie so satisfied
in this ocean town to be

as more customers were seated
to view ocean through large windows
she smelled the ingredients he'd added
to the pot of appled sauces

Martine was yes astute
at making people feel at home
and giving them what they desired
to drink, have knives and forks

the people he did seat
in the picturesque cafe
on the beach of white sand
north of Redondo bay


Debbie knew Roberto's skill
was superior and refined
she knew it would be easy to get
customers his cinnamon pancakes to buy


the pancake batter she'd watched him make
she saw him measure precisely
parts that would make up the whole
and give his dishes such nice flavor

a lone customer on the board
had seen the special's description
wanted slices and sauce of flavor
placed on his stack of cinnamon discs

sadly, he couldn't wait
for the apples to be cored
and cooked to simmer in the sauce
of Roberto's family recipe

to his work he had to go
to make his dollars large
to pay for pancakes in a plate
tomorrow he would get some

more people, as they trickled in
did have sleepy eyes
she explained the care Roberto took
to cook for them a wonderful surprise

they thought about the change in menu
was that really what they wanted?
as Debbie stood there confidently
saying they would enjoy this muchly

Evonne reflected this change in plan
she had her food picked out
eggs and potatoes she had thought
would be so very magnificent

but Debbie's confidence was clear
in Roberto she did trust
to make a dish of taste
that the world would love

so Evie allowed herself to believe
that what Debbie said was true
how could she pass up the food
that was extremely hard to do

Bob sat there thinking of the way
they would arrange this dish
the eggs they could cut in half
and potatoes were good too

when that egg plate was empty
the pancakes, with apple, and flavor
they would attack with gusto
taste the sauce of Debbie's description
and give her their unqualified opinion

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Debbie if you please
would you bring this chef out
we want to congratulate him
on his most delicious production

this isn't an ordinary dish
it's obviously made with care
and brings so much pleasure
to the tourists over here

so Roberto came to our table
not knowing what was wrong
we shook his hand and told him
we had this food enjoyed

he told us he had grown
the apples in his garden
and brought them to the cafe
for us to take part in

the tree he grew from a seed
in his flowered garden
bearing fruit of the apple
in a wooden box he packed them


apples sweetly cooked
made memories of food sensational
in the town of pier and sand
of swings and beach volley ball

in the cafe tucked away
near sand and strand for bicycles
of those memories we are so grateful
we genuinely thank Debbie, Martine
and especially Roberto


" del ********; Roberto' s Apple Reflections" ************ (c) Bob 2010 Atkinson ............................ él trajo las manzanas a la playa .......... al " Scotty' s en el Strand" ........................ en undécimo y la orilla ventosa ............... donde por nueve años de he' d sida " el man" .............................. quién preparó cuidadosamente los platos .................... para la gente que viaja lejos ............................ para disfrutar de la paz de esta ciudad agradable .................. " Hermosa en el bar" de la arena; ............................. él le dio una colada delicada ............... entonces sostenido les en sus manos ................... dado vuelta les sobre más de una vez ................ para asegurar su naturaleza sin defectos ........... estos orbes harán un plato condimentado ............ él pensó mientras que él quitó las cáscaras ............. , haremos hoy que la gente sonríe ................... mientras que ella da nuestras crepes condimentadas sauce ............... no muchos en este mundo ............. puede hacer lo hizo qué Roberto ............... con las manos expertas él hizo a mano ............... el gran alimento para la gente ................ Debbie vino mirarlo quitar el corazón ................ esas pequeñas bolas amarillas .................. y coloqúelas suavemente en el pote .............. donde estaba muy caliente ahora el agua ............... ella didn' t dice una palabra ............... apenas colocado allí en el umbral ................. y savored lo que ella vio ................. en la cocina este café ................ pensamiento en las sonrisas amplias ............ de la gente ella vería ............ Debbie hecha satisfecha tan ............... en esta ciudad del océano a ser ................ como asentaron a más clientes .................. para ver el océano a través de ventanas grandes ................. ella olía los ingredientes he' d agregada .............. al pote de salsas appled .................... Martine era sí astuto ............. en la fabricación de la sensación de la gente en el país ............. y dándolo qué desearon .............. para beber, tenga cuchillos y bifurcaciones ............ la gente que él asentó ................... en el café pintoresco ............. en la playa de la arena blanca ............ norte de la bahía de Redondo .............. Debbie sabía Roberto' habilidad de s ............ era superior y refinado ........... ella sabía que sería fácil conseguir ........... clientes sus crepes del cinamomo a comprar ........... el talud de crepe she' d lo miró hacer .......... ella lo vio medir exacto ............. piezas que compondrían el entero ........ y dé a sus platos tal sabor agradable .......... un cliente solitario en el tablero ......... había visto el special' descripción de s .......... partes y salsa queridas del sabor .......... colocado en su apilado de discos del cinamomo .......... tristemente, él couldn' espera de t ........ para que las manzanas sean quitadas el corazón ............ y cocinado para hervir a fuego lento en la salsa ........ de Roberto' receta de la familia de s ......... a su trabajo él tuvo que ir .............. para hacer sus dólares grandes .......... para pagar las crepes en una placa ....... él conseguiría mañana alguno ......... más gente, como ella goteó en ........... tenga ojos soñolientos ........ ella explicó el cuidado Roberto tomó ......... para cocinar para ellos una sorpresa maravillosa .......... pensaron en el cambio en menú .......... ¿eso realmente qué él fue querida? .......... como Debbie se colocaba allí con confianza ............ diciendo gozarían de esto muchly ......... Evonne reflejó este cambio en plan ........... ella tenía su comida seleccionada .......... huevos y patatas que ella había pensado ......... sea tan muy magnífico .......... pero Debbie' la confianza de s estaba clara ........ en Roberto ella confiaba en ........... para hacer un plato de gusto ............ que el mundo amaría ......... Evie se permitió tan que creyera ........ que qué Debbie dijo era verdad ........... cómo podría ella pasar para arriba el alimento .......... eso era extremadamente duro de hacer ........... Bob sentó allí el pensamiento en la manera ........... arreglarían este plato .......... los huevos que podrían cortar adentro a medias ......... y las patatas eran buenas también ......... cuando esa placa del huevo era vacía ............ las crepes, con la manzana, y el sabor ........... atacarían con entusiasmo .......... pruebe la salsa de Debbie' descripción de s .......... y déle su opinión incompetente .......... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .......... Debbie si usted por favor ........... usted traería a este cocinero hacia fuera .......... queremos felicitarlo .......... en su producción más deliciosa ............ este isn' t un plato ordinario ............. it' s hecho obviamente con cuidado .......... y trae tanto placer ........ a los turistas aquí ........... Roberto vino tan a nuestra tabla ........... no sabiendo cuál era incorrecto ......... sacudimos su mano y le dijimos .......... teníamos esta comida gozada .......... él nos dijo que él había crecido ........ las manzanas en su jardín ......... y traído las al café ......... para que nosotros participemos en ....... el árbol que él creció de una semilla ......... en el suyo floreció el jardín ......... fruta del cojinete de la manzana .......... en una caja de madera él los embaló .......... las manzanas cocinaron dulce ........ memorias hechas del alimento sensacionales ....... en la ciudad del embarcadero y de la arena ............ de oscilaciones y de la bola del voleo de la playa ........ en el café remetido lejos ........ cerca de la arena y del filamento para las bicicletas ........ de esas memorias somos tan agradecidos ......... genuino agradecemos a Debbie, Martine ........ y especialmente Roberto ............

"Carol's Point Fermin Birthday Party" by Bob Atkinson

"Carol's Point Fermin Birthday Party"

(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

the party wasn't scheduled
above the streets of Pedro
that had tumbled to the sea
and made some homes quakefull

overlooking God's ocean
where tourists had come to gawk
we ate ice cream cake
and with Carol talked

we stopped to see
where we had grown up
the fishing hole called ocean
where we had fished
with Earl, Vaughn and Boatman

down below on the rocks
with pole, bucket and line
we had caught perch and crab
and cemented friendships fine

the rope ladder's no longer here
on steep cliffs we climbed
down to the rocks below us
with fish bucket in hand

would now not have the guts
to do it once again
the mind swims dizzily
looking over
the waist high wall of memory

haven't seen anyone go
over that stone wall today
straight down to the rocks
no one to lead their way

the coffee house was right in front
blue Harley's parked along
the street where we had walked at ten
over fifty years are gone

Kahula guards the open doors
of Walker's ocean Cafe
we sit in front soaking warm sun
on our shoulders
as this poem we type away

which is a present to Carol
the one who shares her cake
and gives us smiles from behind
the counter on her birthday

the spirit of San Pedro town
gave us a warmth again
when to a birthday party
we found that we had come

the city of our early youth
with charm and smiling faces
no worries on these tourists' minds
all was great and cake-ly

for to those who today
have birthdays to celebrate
we give a great big cheer
and their hands shake
we sit and eat our cake
and enjoy our roasted brew
then go on our way again
more stories to travel to