burningman panic

panic time

it's that time again
the annual burningman panic
usually occuring a month
to several weeks in advance
the wake up in the middle
of the night
going over lists
packing lists
where did i put
last year's stuff?
what costumes
need to be made?
i don't remember where
i put the solar shower
and where did the rebar go?
what food do i still have to make
and freeze?
how can i fit it all in the car?
what things still need to be bought
and how can i do it with
hardly any money?
fitful sleeps
but right now
the self imposed projects
create more anxiety
than exuberant excitement

i can't imagine how people
with major art projects
or camps handle it
the payoff of a good project
or camp not realized until
actually there
and when it's over
and glitches were minimal

gotta give mega cudos
to those people
you people are amazing.

tourista

a chortle rolled out
from the darkened room
followed by the smell
of chipotle chicken
it was enough to intrigue him
enough to make him brave
despite the obvious carnage
of bird feathers and bird claws
by the side of the small adobe building
his mouth watered
anticipating a cold corona
in the roadside cantina
the noise of children playing
relaxed him as he entered
picking a bench near a rough table
the waitress approached him
with a smile
what would you like?
chicken please
with soup or salad?
soup please
and a cerveza por favor
then she was gone
sunlight cut oblique patterns
in the cool shadows
a couple holding hands across
their table
a family with squirming kids
absorbing the posters and colorful rugs
pinned to the walls
he took a deep easy breath.

memory tag

Tag! Here's the drill (This one's kind of interesting...)
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

i want to go somewhere

3 days off
I don’t want to sit at home
I would only end up
picking weeds
& watching old movies
in the heat of the day

I want to fill up the gas tank
damn the cost
And go somewhere
To greenness
And water
Preferably with a tent
But I know most
Campgrounds
Are filled

I don’t care about the
Fireworks
I care that I have time
And health
And choices

my friends all seem to be
staying at home
working on projects
& others are camping in
the desert
I’d rather pick weeds
& watch old movies at home
than camp in 100 degree heat

But having
Somebody to do things with
Would be nice
I have a full tank
A lead foot
& an empty passenger seat

any takers?