Recent Obsessions

There are two things that I have been crazy for lately.
#1 - Khakhra
Let me explain to those of you unfamiliar with this wonderful delicacy. They are Indian spiced wheat crisps. They sort of look like a crepe, but are crispy like a cracker with wonderful flavors of curry, fenugreek and cumin. They make a great snack, or as a side to a nice dal and rice. As you can see, I am totally into Indian food lately too. Maybe this would be the general obsession?

#2 - Yorkshire puppies.
I do not consider myself a huge pet person. I have two cats and wish I had none. I do not want to occupy my home with another animal ever again. However, this particular one has stolen my heart. Ever see the movie As Good As It Gets? Well...just think Verdell. Coincidentally, inebriated with some spirits after a nice meal at an Indian restaurant, I walked past a crappy strip-mall pet store and saw him there, head cocked to the side, staring at me quizzically. I could not resist and had to get him out of his plexi-glas box. He immediately started working me over, trying to convince me that I would be the best way for him to be free. I did not give in, even though the price-tag on his life was $25 (unless I read that wrong due to earlier referenced inebriation). I think of Verdell often and hope he twisted some other sucker's arm into springing him from Puppy Palace. I would hate to think that he could still be there waiting for my return.

The Royal (Quiet Deluxe)

It is new and crisp,
child vision fresh.
The ribbon runs through it,
makes it bold and true.
Keys need some oil,
a tune up or down.
The speed is too fast for fingers,
too fast for themselves,
crowded up together like people
dodging the rain
on Flatbush Avenue.
Deadlocked
Break it up with my billy club fingers
start again.
Hear the rhythm in strokes
elevated smoothness,
the melodic ting of the bell.
Metallic and solid
quality made
the quick and the dead.

To George Ohr

It drips through the cracks,
the slip in my fingers.
My headlight is ablaze.
Pry it open
take it crowbar style
to your ranch hands.
It will never get there
unspoiled.
I had it wrapped to save the trouble
It was an ideal,
ripe for the picking
just right but never fulfilled.
The precious two
adjoining rooms
optical illusions to soothe
the solitary confinement.
They never made it past dreams of Arizona
those pretty words
tied snug with satin ribbons.
Keep them in your cedar chest
to fret over when it is too late.
You tell me it is okay to leave
no holding back my reins -
just
go.
You have a callus overgrowth
the twist of your words
just like our bodies.
A knife in my palm -
I can't.
I will accept the last meal
change my horizons to suit you.
Be something for someone else
who is lost.