she said
I get lost
in love
and I said
I get found
a difference
in expectations
and definitions
in a language
we both
are trying
to learn
other writing
contemplating if
if
the longest word
in the English language
it takes forever
to cross
from the beginning
to the end
of that word
and much
is lost
along the way
anticipation
wine can’t quiet
the nerves
which twitch
and the heart
which beats
a bit faster
even the cat
quite accustomed
to mood shifts
is jumpy
and avoids
the open suitcase
and what it signifies
will follow
Jake the cat
every morning
at 5am
I rise to cries
f
rom the cat
with one torn ear
who I call
Jake
who has adopted me
or me him
the issue unclear
but the feeding
established
a routine
and though
others join him
he is the one
that gets my attention
for life
has not been kind
to this survivor
and I now
have been chosen
as a stand-in
for a benevolent
host
in this unkind
world
Notaları Bilmek (knowing the scales): for İbrahim Kadioğlu
there it was
on the board
at breakfast
in Şirince
Kadın, hayattaki, en mükemmel enstrümandır. . .
Fakat, ne yazık ki, her erkek nota bilmez. . .
Woman is the most perfect instrument. . .
but unfortunately not every man knows the scales. . .
and I thought
conversation
could have ended
right there
the age old rub
go
or stay
walk
or run
you can’t hide
from yourself
in a room
of mirrors
and there’s
the rub
Mevlüt
the custom
is about mourning
7 days later
then 40 days
saying goodbye
to those who have gone
before us
to wherever whatever
one believes
awaits us
and as I touch
my head
on the carpet
of the mosque
I say goodbye
to all those
I have lost
along the way
listening to Waylon Jennings: for Cisco & Pancho
playing pool
in some local bar
whiskey sips
between shots
neither keeping
the score
the playing
what’s important
not who wins
it always was
that way
40 odd years
sworn brothers
from bell bottoms
to gray hair
if being an outlaw
is living
by one’s own rules
then heaven
was never an option
uncharted territory
is where you both
are headed
with Honky Tonk Heroes
full blast
on the tape player
of that ’66 Mustang
you’re driving
new old acquaintance
New York
he said
and I nodded
yes
then he showed me
a New York State
driver’s license
Babylon
damn
almost neighbors
newfound friend
a small world
after all
on timing
once
long ago
in a land
much different
than where I am
now
I came to
a realization
timing
it was all about
timing
and as I look
at things
as they stand
now
that thought
resonates
in my head
sometimes
it’s the right time
and other times
it’s not
so here we are
kid
timing
and only time
will tell
which time
it is
Leonard Durso 