Image: Participants of the 16th Annual Central Texas Poetry & Prose Festival on stage at Tablerock Apmphitheater, Salado. The theme was aninals and saled of the anthoogy have helped spay feral cats.         

 

26.04.24 – 136:104) Piped music playin’

In the corridor of the motel I’m stayin’

Makin’ my way to the communal shower, it’s an early hour

Only me there, no more I ain’t got nothing they ain’t seen afore

Soon I’m done, dried, dressed an’ away, AWR first call of the day

They ask “Will you do Mammal Room 2?”

I’m on it straight away, workin’ away

Through the cages I’m headin’

Givin’ formula water, dried food an’ clean beddin’

One by one, the possums an’ squirrels get done

I’m sure havin’ fun, really grand holdin’ ‘em in my hand

Possums teeth bared, no longer scared

I can also say, not one squirrel tried to get away

Their all done but before away I run

I got photos to download an’ share an’ thank ‘em for havin’ me there

An’ as usual one things clear, God willin’ I’ll be back next year

 

137:105) Drivin’ away, library priority number one

Get some updatin’ done

Then me an’ Jojo’s gonna take stock about tomorrow an’ Tablerock

I cook lunch she says “Thanks a bunch”

She’s really pleased, plenty of taste, no waste

Then a leisurely afternoon which all ends too soon

Then I’m headin’ back to hit thee sack

Set off early tomorrow, a steady run in the morning sun

Get there with time to spare,

An’ if all goes well, get some sightseeing in as well

 

27.04.24 -138:106) Early hours once more to face the day,

Not quite as early as yesterday

Call to collect Jojo for Tablerock at Salado

No need to hurry or get in a flurry

We got plenty of time so I can concentrate on my rhyme

Breakfast first collect a package from Rebecca on the way

The we’re away soon om I35 Northward bound

On our way to break new ground

 

139:107) Venue found, time for a walk round

Pictures taken so once more it can be seen

Who I’ve met an’ where I’ve been

An’ so she don’t get blue, Jojo’s on them too

Salado’s really quaint, commercialised it ain’t

Friendly local folks we chat an’ make jokes

An’ then some, an’ I’m feelin’ really glad I come

An’ soon it’s time to go to the venue

An’ add our offerings to the “Pot Luck” menu

 

140:108) There was Me, Thom, Bob an’ Ben, Poets 4 together again

Me an’ Jojo dropped our offerings of so all could delve

Into the “Pot Luck” offerings at twelve

Then Thom decided to do

An impromptu open mic before the event started at two

First a reluctant few, then more got up to read a score.

An’ while it’s flowin’ Bob’s getting’ his earth art goin’

I look up an’ see Ron bringin’ some songs he’s gonna be singin’

Connie’s here at last, Yup looks like it’s gonna be a blast

We’re all gonna let it flow,

An’ I’m thinkin’ how far we’ve come since 2011 all those years ago

 

141:109) Ron gets up to sing a song he said was inspired by a poem of mine

An’ he sang it so fine

From the start, from the heart, I’m listenin’ my eyes glistenin’

His work not in vain he’s done my poem proud again

An’ there’s one thing I gotta do

Read the poem that inspired his song too

 

142:110) Anthology poems read, onward we head

Gonna read some more, poems from anthologies before

No stoppin’ don’t be caught hoppin'

Me an’ Jojo go see what Bob’s makin’, what’s in his mini kiln bakin’

Burnin’ away an’ its a fish made out of clay

Jojo’s amazed at what can be done

Natural materials, usin’ ‘em to play his part

In creating his world famous Earth Art

 

143:111) Wasn’t gonna do more but thought “What the hell”

An’ so got up to tell, What inspires me to take the time

To record my travels in rhyme

Country music when I’m on the road, inspires many an ode

Gave a couple of samples as examples

Audience enthused, so amused

So it weren’t in vain, maybe I’ll get up again

 

28.04.24 -144:112) I awake to find lightnin’ flashin’ thunder rollin’

Rain fallin, not a day to go strollin

My last full day, tomorrow I’m away

As usual it’s been a blast, time seems to have gone too fast

Anything but drear, look forward to next year

And how but enjoy the now

 

145:113) Jojo’s for breakfast then away to enjoy my last full day

To hell with the weather two friends together

To Zilker Park where we see, the stone on which sit the Philosophers Three

Onc seen we wala an’ talk, about how good National Poetry Month’s been

Watching ducks shelter by the Colorado River,

Raindrops making the surface quiver

Lunch then some packing, but the fun’s not lacking

When Alexa comes on an’ we’re singin’ along to our favourite song

Showin’ what we can do, goin’ through the actions too

 

146:114) Kick Butt again to share our words an’ rhyme

Me an’ Jojo it’s my last time

There’s Thom an’ Bob too, no time to feel blue

Rules laid down we go to town.

We’re done, later we’re away

An’ I’m gonna be countin’ the time till once more I hear

Hot Tamale say “It must be April Trev’s here”