Poem on Progress

Looking for a five-syllable phrase

on a sobbing Saturday

my rain and the skies tears

reminding me it’s here

 

Working Gal Rock and Roll Poet: Puff’s “Brandi Carlile”

Working Gal Rock and Roll Poet: Puff’s “Brandi Carlile”: New poem that helps Puff the Magic Dragon deal with his depression through love and reaching out to him.

Puff’s “Brandi Carlile”

It seems that my colleagues in the Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale have been the first to receive some of my awakenings.  I’m going to make you the second to hear about what my experiences have been at Toastmasters.  

I talk about ways to make the world a better place. Folk music professionals, such as me and Peter, Paul, and Mary inadvertently created generations of children whose lives were affected by a depressed dragon, who gave up his fearless roar because he lost a friend.

As fellow human beings, we should reach back when someone—especially a creature so strange—gives up. You have to keep reaching back to them, trying to share love. I do this. Some of my best friends withdraw from friendships and soak in anger and isolation. Reaching back in love and giving them space when they need it is a good way of showing compassion and understanding.

One of today’s folk artists, Brandi Carlile has set an example of how it’s done. Check out her story about helping Tanya Tucker make a comeback.  Now she’s helping Joni Mitchell perform again…. One day at a time.

Here's what I’m doing for Puff the Magic Dragon, Brandi Carlile-Style.

 

One blue night I was lonely

And set off for Honah Lee.

My feelings I could not ignore

for I missed Puff’s fearless roar.

 

I knew he hid in his cave

and that we both needed to be brave

We also need dragons of magic

their strong intrepid spirits.

 

Hey, Puff you magic dragon,

Tell us what’s going on

With some support you’ll get through this

‘cause you helped us feel so blessed

 

Puff felt like we were listening

and smiled his firery grin, ‘cause love reached him--

our attention returned his old flames  

and so did playing tag and chess games!

 

This dragon lives forever.

He has his people everywhere.

Together we all are friends

our courageous roars will never end!

 

Puff the magic dragon still lives by the sea

And he loves it when we play

And now he’s happy most everyday

in a land called Honah Lee!

 

Yay!

 

--October 2022

 

Anxiety

 Sometimes I walk closer

to New York City buildings,

so I’m not alone

 

 

I need a human

Not just anyone will do.

Comforters like me.

 

-June 10, 2022

 

 

 

Yes, it’s Super Broke!

Super Broke

saves what he can

which saves the day someday!

Intriguing adapting!

 

Oh my gosh,

he gave away his secret identity,

the guy working at the deli,

behind the counter

when the shopper asked for a loan!

“I’m Super Broke!”

believing in truth justice

and the American dream!

 

Super Broke

willing to fight

He’s the one who speaks up

no matter who objects.

 

He can’t fly,

he’s going to amount to something!

He knows responsibility

balancing his budgets

and coming to his own rescue!

It’s Super Broke!

He never makes enough- but

he knows he is enough!

 

Super Broke

finding free pleasures,

and when the car breaks down

he rides early bus to town!

 

Poverty

the system built by people struggling

from cotton to textile mills,

rags to riches, do the dishes

and cooking up peoples wishes.

It’s Super Broke!

A true protagonist

defines antagonists!

 

 

Super Broke

who loves to help

and eats what he affords…..

mmmm-hmmm -- looks good in tights!

Yes!!! It’s Super Broke!

 

Our Mother's Prayer

(RESPECT, the movie and me)

 

That was the scene

at the piano

Jennifer Hudson as Aretha

and Audra McDonald her mother

From beyond.

 

 

Aretha was

A natural mom

To Jennifer and music girls

I think of the roles my mom played with me

I had needs.

 

 

Sometimes darkness

replaces losses

When we couldn’t mother our hurters

the folks we wanted as our special friends

were dead ends

 

 

 -Nov. 25, 2021

Read All About It

"You treat your pets special"

Says the dude w the big muscles

Held the door open

"I like you lady,

You mind your own business

Yes oh yes oh yes."

 

OH NO! I don’t

Whatever happened to truth telling

And "If you see something, say something"

But now folks aren’t living it

so many so apathetic?

 

Oh he was so beautiful

His biceps, triceps visual

I pointed next door

Some things I won’t ignore

He flexed and then he hissed

"Yes oh yes oh yes"

 

no way, jose

Whatever happened to truth telling

And "If you see something, say something"

But now folks aren’t living it

so many so apathetic?

 

 Said he knew all about it

And told me to forget it.

Said not to speak up

He’s someone that’s xo tough

"Stay safe," he punched with snickers

Yes oh yes oh yes

 

Oh yes, siree, ! I’m saying it

‘cause I see it!

Next door to me

Where these ladies

Show cruelty

Animal neglecting

Bullying, abusing,

then lying.

So here’s me preaching

And saying what I’m seeing

Won’t you join me

In seeing and saying!?

 

Time to wake up

It’s time we all bring back truth telling

And "If you see something, say something"

cause now folks need to say it

and stop being so apathetic!

  

C Anne Leighton, 2021, All Rights Reserved