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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
 

"the Pain of MacBeep" by Bob Atkinson

"the Pain of MacBeep"
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

on a trip it is so natural
to the yellow arches go
along the way you can see
what's there along the road

a place to get some coffee
food and internet
but whoah it wasn't fun this time
to hear those shrieking sirens

French fried potatoes
have to go into a vat of oil
to be cooked so tenderly
of those we can enjoy

but, when the strings of taters
are fresh and finally done
the beep goes off in your ear
stick a fork in me, 
I'm done !!!!!!

my ears cannot take it
my head throbs and hurts
'cause those idiots
don't the button push

to turn off that shrill sound
rattling my brain
give me peace and quiet please
don't let that thing go on

I have to others spoken
they agree on this one point
it hurts to be in a MacDonalds
when those sounds your ears poke

I have called on the line
that they prominently display
to give complaints and suggestions
when you travel on your way

but they give me no satisfaction
these awful sounds prevail
when we stop at the store
to get a simple meal

please mister duck
shut that thing off
give me peace and quiet
don't let my brain explode

Monday, March 15, 2010

"Tarmac Boy" by Bob Atkinson

"Tarmac Boy"
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

Wasn't far at the time
just down the road
over to the airport
this boy would go

to oogle at the machines
that supermen flew
above the heads
of me and you

"hello Mister is that yours?
the pretty red Bellanca there
no it's not?  you're selling it?
something wish I could sit in

does it go fast?
do the wheels come up?
it's not like those 
other flying trucks"

wander here
wander there
around the corner
to see more

down the tarmac
as the planes
taxi to the runway
and fly away

up and back
here and there
I walk around
without a care

mouth open wide
eyes too
just something
I wanted to do

a truck comes by
orange light flashing
stops to chat
an important man

in charge of all
these wide spaces
where planes are parked
awaiting pilots

"how old are you kid?"
my hero says
"eleven sir
why do you care?"

"well kid this is an airport
where planes fly and taxi 'round
really dangerous
for one so young"

"Sir, is that a B25?
I saw one on TV
flew Doolittle's Raid"

"Yes son and that one too
but walking around an airport
is something one so young
shouldn't do

you should bring next time
your father or uncle
or some other grown-up
fellow or cousin"

"thank you Sir"
I said to him
and began to wander on

but, I didn't travel fast
as there was more to see
on my way toward the gate
all this fun for free

“Blowin' Me Away” by Bob Atkinson

Blowin' Me Away”

(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

don't blow me away
don't stop all this fun
I'm not a felon or a soldier
or someone on the run

had good vibes
in the city
could feel the gritty kitty

a pick-up game
on some strange lot
would new friends make
for me

sad sack there
watching my flair
bets were made

bread paid
spun around and proud

shot, dunk, points
money in the pocket
trinkets here, no cash there
I'll take your locket

simple was 
the rush to hoop
ball gently laid


gimme five
oh yes behind
we're champions
for the day

Firestone to Washington
was my range of motion
it didn't matter 
where I played
were lots of folks 
who liked my jokes
said come again some day

up from the city
empty lots not pretty
tags on walls 
near
brick building tall

proof of ownership in paint
no trespassing on the gate

some would rest their bones
some had left their homes
others would search for things
wire carts they would bring

homeless they did toil
hard upon their souls
to live another day
and maybe 
even bum a smoke
with their neighbors
they would talk and joke

maybe eat a meal
maybe lie in a bed
of cardboard shards
tin panels large
or freeway covering heads

someday in a field
of green clover or grass
they would forever sleep
beneath their river overpass

with needs met
and no frets
about being weaker
than the rest
as prey of the best

thoughts of good times
when they were young
life new to them each day

an adventure sweet
many games play
young and innocent fools

future seemed
to brightly gleam
then comes
the saddest kind of gloom

great fun always to run
wanting to get older
brightened up their days
bantering with
brothers, sisters and mother

but now it's different
hearts in a mess and spoiled
future soiled

control not theirs
they weren't really bad ones
only somewhat broken
direction unclear
maybe even hopeless

they gave up jobs
which frowned their mom's
and couldn't do no show

without a needle in their arm
or a pipe for smoke to blow

they didn't see out in our city
we sang and danced and played
did the drugs and bad stuff hard
which took our future away

we did romance
we did bang
the sweet ones
and the ho's

some took to forty-fives
some took to thirty-eights
me, I took to having fun
on the street a dollar to make

don't blow me away
don't stop all this fun
I'm not a felon or a soldier
or someone on the run

I'm someone 
who is older now
by luck I'm still around

I'm myself, my me, who else?
danger's a sad old thing

don't keep me from doin'
all the things that I like best
don't let me die
on pavement lie
with blood all over
my face
 

Sunday, March 14, 2010

King Harbor Kid by Bob Atkinson

King Harbor Kid
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

 Seemed way far out 
the green ocean did go
beyond what imagination
could hold for my small soul

wasn't indifferent to the dream
just didn't know
what lay beyond 
the foamy waves
of Redondo Beach's shore

salt water tasted thick
sand between toes
soft surf taking away 
my cares for a time
 
no, it didn't replace in me
the desire for some things
that could be had by others
but that I couldn't keep

was content with what I had
didn't really know
beyond the open borders
someday I would go

there were, I'm sure others
looking toward the water large
out beyond the Sacramento
an old ferry fishing barge

the land called home
was where I stood that day
if tomorrow I did leave it
no homage would I pay
wouldn't miss or grieve it

was too shy back then
to ask aloud
the meaning of life
what was it all about

so I stayed contented
in my mind
enjoyed every day
spent on the waters edge
feet wet from the waves

it did scare me some
the depths and sharks
sinking down to the bottom
to be stripped of life right then
 drown in the salty brine
or
come to some other end

you know it was a tranquil time
how adventure attracted me
to those golden shores
and that sandy beach

when they came 
and laid the rocks
for the new harbor's edge
left caves and caverns
my small body could get in

was just a child of ten
bus would bring me there
for a fare of ten cents
a penny for each year

that a child of ten
would travel so far alone
in today's times
would be unknown
 
my own child I worried about
when he was well past grown
didn't leave the nest
until thirty years old

but there in my younger years
before my early teens
my heart gave my brain a rest
and called home the water green

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