Chief Joe's Cafe

Chief Joe's Cafe is a book of poems all too likely found in all too few places besides my bookshelf. The poet, Joe Mundy, is an old friend of my daughter Caroline. They met in Middle College High School, a very special place once available for those kids who chafed too persistently at the strictures of a curriculum which, although no doubt excellent for some, fell somewhat short for others.

I hope Joe is still writing. Here's one of my favorites:

Java Avenue

I see sunshine through the patterned branch of leaves. Green filtered sun speckles my eyes. Flashing neon Avenue. light pink. battling with Sun. waiting for it to recede. An alphabet soup collection of people slide down sidewalk. both sides of the Avenue. A pleasing female pulls my sight. like a dog on a leash. In the strong smelling coffee house. Coffee. caffeine soaked tongue. Grinding gears of cars humming gunning engines. Awkward whale size buses move people here to there. Chit Chat. Blue pig stereotyping someone. Rock and Roll slamsspews from speakers. trumpets away. guitar jamming. Frivolous "art" decorates wooden walls. reminds me of bazooka joe. Please combust your table reads a crayola sign. People read their books. papers minds. Kind coffee sippin. waiting. writin'. wired like that fly buzzing. zigging. zagging. everywhere.

Tags: