30.4.12

Image: My hire car outside Bruce's on my return

 

144) Again it was still dark as I left the motel car park

Down the road to roll, no toll,

Just stop for the Border Patrol

They’re wantin’ staff should I try

Would they consider an over the hill Limey Guy?

 

145) Stop for a bite as one might

On the way keep the hunger pangs at bay

Something quick will do the trick

If willing later something more filling

But for now on to Austin where my journey ends

Catch up on the news with some friends

First I’m gonna hang loose with Shakespeare fan Bruce

We met last year at Austin’s Barton Creek both of us solitude did seek

The dry river bed leading, me to where he was reading

Greetings bade, conversation made

Kept in touch it meant so much

And how great at journeys end to drop in on a friend

 

146) Hands shook we parted, for elsewhere I departed

To meet at Super 8 another poetry mate

We’d met last year and given our best

At Austin’s Annual Poetry Fest

This year we hope to do it again but our hopes were in vain

The Fest postponed how we groaned

Saying “it wasn’t right we’d both booked our flight”

But we came anyway at open mics we’d have our say

Not being down in the mouth I went and headed South

An event right up my alley, a festival in the Rio Grande Valley

And this easy going Brit was an instant hit

My poems found pleasing to the ear,

They’ve asked me to come back next year

Meanwhile Sharon found it just the job

Open mics in Austin with Thom and Bob

With her rhyme had a whale of a time

We chatted about what we’d done how it had all been fun

Then I had to tell I had to go to my motel

We didn’t cry as we said goodbye

But hope not fear to meet again next year

And head for the Valley showing them what we can do

And even better if Bruce came too

 

147) Time to unpack, change the shirt on my back

Something more suited that can’t be refuted

When once more I engage with verse and take the stage

My talent to pillage at an open mic in Wimberley village