A.G.E's Joint

A piece of cardboard Slipped into a folder As I walk up to the table Two older men smile and hand out glossies. Many years ago, they were on separate teams Each a star in their own right Locked in a race For the most home runs hit.that year I'm kind of nervous Would he sign this? And make  twelve-year-old me happy "Mr. Stargell?" The grin lights up the room "Willie." Holding out his hand "Would you sign my card?" He takes the card and shows the other man "Hey, Hank. You recognize this young man?" "You look good in that." He laughs Another guy in the crowd pulls out his card "What about us? Willie asks "Where have they all gone?" "We kind of got old," Hank replied Left them behind "You boys have made our day." They said as they gave us our cards back And the free glossies. We were happy.  Note-These are not my baseball cards. I sold my Stargell card not long after his death when a dealer gave me a d

 The scotch rolled as he brought it to his lips. Most of the time he came to the bar, he wanted to be alone. Tonight wasn't one of those nights. He was looking for a spring fling. A one or two-night stand to take his mind off the worries of the world.  Maybe I am selfish, he thought. Maybe it is inevitable. After all, I am only myself looking out. I can't really put myself in someone else's shoes. I'm only propelled by my own desires. And I want the scent of a woman as she whimpers under my touch. One that doesn't have an idea what the world is. All she knows is this is fun and there is no fear of consequences.  A tiny woman sings in the corner. Dressed simply in a flowered blouse and slacks, chocolate drop eyes framed by a mass of curls. Large hoops dangled from her ears and a slender gold chain around was around her neck.  The piano sounded harsh and thin like it had been beaten in a past life and resented music. But the performance rises above it all. The voice i

 Emily came in from school and found her mother at the living room table with a bunch of pieces of paper scattered in front of her "Hi, Mom." picking up one of the pieces. "Whatcha doin'?" "I'm trying to decide what color to paint the living room." She gave her daughter a hug, "Do you want to help?" "Sure" Throwing her book bag on the sofa, Emily pulled up a chair and looked at the piece of paper in her hand. "Char...trise?" "Chartreuse, Honey."  Emily made a face. "Yuck, that looks like baby barf." She tossed it down and pick up the one next to it. "This one is called Seaform." Mom looked at the chip. "Too light, Your Brother would mess that up in one day. I've got this one, Kelly Green." "That's the same color as the guy on the Lucky Charms box." Emily giggled. "And it's making me hungry." "You'll ruin super." She said without looki

The beer was warm and flat, but it was free. It wasn't the first time Jerry had subbed in the middle of the set, but it was getting old. Something had to give. The Spock Brothers not being able to deliver just couldn't keep going. They drew a crowd, for sure.  Kirk was as solid as ever, though. But S'Chin seemed to fade with every performance. Maybe it was his Vulcan life force finally winding down? Who knows? He wasn't going to live long and prosper if he didn't get his act together.  Jerry looked at his watch, 2:30A.M. Should he stay till close or should he go? Looking up at the TV above the bar, he noticed someone had changed to TCM, probably Charlene. Old movies were her bag. He'd spent the night at her place a couple of times. They would play Spencer and Katherine where the scenes extended far beyond the Hays code.  The sound was off, but West Side Story was on and Officer Krupke was trying to instill his "wisdom" to miscreant Jets. Almost without

  Only memories remain Whispering wind moving small chimes Small flames peek through mesquite Arguments fade Evening wanes I thought I was mistaken I thought I heard your words Backflipping through the air Landing flat on the mat Morning will bring Balloons rising over Golden Aspens Leaving us behind.