The Arrogant Young Men

I see you in the picture
certainly proud
you do look amazing
for your age
better than I ever looked

Then you note
your dislike
for creepy old men
Well that's me
and I arrived here honestly

It's easy to get here
Parents die and divorce
wrinkles and accidents
arthritis in those
well-exercised joints

Enjoy sunning yourself
on that gorgeous beach
then despite all your preventives
I'll watch your nose
lopped off



Barry G. Wick

This Winters Day for The Magic of Love--(Manuel de Falla “El Amor Brujo”)

Some tardy leaves swirl
across the top
of a thin snow
Knuckles of the apple tree
can be seen wishing
a warm palm
would be welcoming
A small clutch of sparrows
circles concrete
under a roof
more protective
of a black car
than their anxious circus

Is there some kind of seed
upon this barren shelf
of an open air freezer
It's hard to tell
as some move in and out
under a sculpted evergreen
or in search of something
beneath the apple
though these singular hoppers
refuse to stay
where there is nothing
Though there is no sun
it seems too bright too cold
to leave the curtain open

Manual de Falla
wrote this music
for the warmth of Andalusia
We could use a Ritual Fire Dance
today in Iowa.
We wonder which of these birds
are in the passionate flame
behind this libretto
then
suddenly
a Scarlet Tanager
which doesn't seem to belong here
at this time of year
arcs by the neighbor's storage shed
This is the misplaced fire of winter
that dodges snowflakes
as easily as the magic of love
slips between the notes of music



Barry G. Wick

Simple Plan

A bag of garbage in the hall
sat there demanding
in charge of all it blocked
ego-inflated plastic
the used and useless
in haughty perfection

The hand extended
plucks this maniac
from its perch
as the door opens
to reveal its partner
the snow and sleet-covered porch

The conspirators of spoiled odor
once again deny extraction
to this hallway commander
its access to a bin of waste
as fear of slipping foot
foils a simple plan



Barry G. Wick