By J.J. Tindall
MY NEW JOB
My new job
is finding
my new job.
My new office
is straddling
my small crib.
Posted on January 12, 2009
Chicagoetry: Wonderland
By J.J. Tindall
WONDERLAND
So I got fired and may lose my home.
I wonder why it has to be so hard.
The very December wind now hounds me,
chilling visions of homelessness abound.
I wonder “why now?” I wonder “so how
do I party with the holiday crowd?”
Life takes no holiday. Life is this hard.
My sense of self has imploded in shards.
But I must smile my way through the season
and I must guile my way through cold reason.
The garish December sun gives no warmth
though after Solstice light again comes forth . . .
–
Posted on December 16, 2008
Chicagoetry: Elegy For Studs
By J.J. Tindall
ELEGY FOR STUDS
Listen: voices embroider
the unwelcome November rain.
Wind: mind radio. Radio:
great friend of the solitary.
Listen: my favorite
spoken-word artist
has checked out.
Posted on November 14, 2008
Chicagoetry: Inaugural
By J.J. Tindall
INAUGURAL
adapted from Lincoln’s second inaugural address
Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray,
that this mighty scourge of war
may speedily pass away.
With malice toward none,
with charity for all,
with firmness in the right
as God gives us to see the right,
Posted on November 5, 2008
Chicagoetry: Life With Bon Scott
By J.J. Tindall
LIFE WITH BON SCOTT
“Powerage.” I didn’t know it at the time,
But it was
“Powerage.”
I was in high school, attending Naperville’s “Last Fling”
Labor Day carnival. Steel dinosaurs trampled the muddy grass
In Knoch Park. I was waiting in line at the Tilt-a-Whirl.
The ride was run by a grizzled, burly man with tattoos,
Years before they were chic, and then common.
With a pony-tail, years before
They were chic, and then common.
Posted on October 27, 2008
Chicagoetry: Silent Supernova Symphony
By J.J. Tindall
SILENT SUPERNOVA SYMPHONY
Autumn? Advantage: Chicago.
A tree transmogrifies into
A silent supernova,
An explosion of
Amber,
Auburn and
Amethyst.
Posted on October 7, 2008
Chicagoetry: Five Boys On A Golf Course
By J.J. Tindall
FIVE BOYS ON A GOLF COURSE
for CDR Dan F. Shanower, USN
Feb. 2, 1960-Sep. 11, 2001
Me Speed and Dan
were in the middle
of the first nine
At Springbrook Golf Course,
Naperville, Illinois, 1977.
We
Sucked. We just wanted
to be together.
Speedy and Dan were
the first new friends
I made in high school, dorks
in the Awkward Age, coming
together from differing
junior highs,
House of Saints and Sinners.
Posted on September 11, 2008
Chicagoetry: Great Expectations
By J.J. Tindall
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
It is the best of cities
And the worst of cities.
I checked it out, and I found myself a city
To live in.
WHERE will let me
Be me?
I made a bet. You bet!
I knew I’d need
Big shoulders to cry upon,
Big enough for both
My dirty angels. I knew I’d need space
To spread my brittle wings. I knew I’d need a place
To sing.
Posted on August 18, 2008
Chicagoetry: The Great Black Diamond
By J.J. Tindall
THE GREAT BLACK DIAMOND
At the center
Of the universe, at the center
Of the skyline,
Feminine handiwork.
At the center
Of two long, thick, metallic American thighs,
The Diamond.
At the center
Of miles of thrusting
Phalli, the center
Of the visible universe,
Amidst preening, reaching, grasping, often FAILING
Posted on August 11, 2008
Chicagoetry: Wish You Were Beer
By J.J. Tindall
WISH YOU WERE BEER
So: you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell?
Swell!
Do tell.
Your husband
Wants me to help him
Go out and
Get
Laid.
“What a wonderful world!”
Men cave, and then
Cheat.
Men cave men
Posted on August 5, 2008