Chasing Rainbows

Chasing Rainbows

Gregory Wright

Copyright © 2015 by Gregory Wright

Mill City Press

322 1st Avenue North, Fifth Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55401

612.455.2293

www.millcitypublishing.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Cover art by Tristan Wright(son) of daeyeth.com

ISBN: 978-0-9962962-1-2

Table of Contents

Cover Page

Introduction

Foreword

4 Vera

INTRODUCTION

~

This has been a 40 plus year journey and now I am here. Like my friend Joe said ‘what took you so long?’ This book started as my means for communication back when I was still in high school and I was not good at self-expression. My creative writing class at Community High (part of Berkeley High School) with Professor Peter Kleinbard encouraged me as he wanted to know what I was thinking and feeling.

My first two poems were published in the school year book, Maze and Confusion. I’m not sure you call it poetry , but it is my expressions about my views, thoughts, feelings, inspirations from people around me, things I see, my experiences and conversations with people. Music movies, dance all inspire me. Some funny, trite, heart felt or just stupid I included all of it. Maybe one or two will bring out some emotion and mirror your experience like the poem Class 2.

I want to acknowledge Libby, Susan and Sandy for editing, making sure my writings were readable and understandable. I know in some cases difficult task. A special thanks to Joe for reminding me it was good and for writing the FOREWARD for this book and Geoff for the encouragement to read some of my poems at the open mic at the Frank Bette Center and for assisting me in my bio edit.

My thanks to my son Tristan for his art work and putting his Academy of Art University degree to use!

To Charity for her friendship and our tropical travels. To my friends from Berkeley, San Jose, co-workers, performing arts and Salsa, thank you for your support and encouragement for this project.

This book is dedicated to my mother, who rests in peace. My role model and most positive influence in my life.

FOREWORD

~

I believe that we all have these certain people in our lives...

...you know... of course you do...

...those uncanny people no matter how infrequently you see or speak to them, the conversation just picks up where you both left it, and the 2 years or so of time magically becomes 2 minutes... you know? ... of course you do...

...and if you don’t, let me present as evidence, my friend the uncanny Greg Wright...

We met in college back in the mid 70’s, and have wondrously kept in contact, from phone calls to emails to probably whatever becomes the newest mode of communication that only my son can explain to me... you know...

From the moment we met, Greg has always been the quietly cool personality, but always a step ahead, from news to art, from poetry to history to what is hip, tell me, tell me... and he moved in different circles with ease and an old soul smile... and can presently salsa with the best of them...cutting the rug as he always seems to do.

He can sing a classical art song while baking a cake for your wedding... commenting on a Lenny Pickett sax lick straight from the Tower of Power to a sticky Baroque improved ornament on a harpsichord... surprising? Yes, no... it’s just that Greg felt it all, shared it all, and we all were better for it if only vicariously.

Through the years our talks and texts were rarely bound to the past. He easily shifts the atmosphere to future musings, but eventually, he’s heavily, reliably targeting the present... how he was feeling today, what dealings were weighing on him with his children, his frail father, that life as we know it... as we know it today... subjects we share in earnest, as with my children, my frail mother... and I recall the many many things we’ve shared before: a Janacek choral piece, theme park choreography, a Sondheim verse from West Side Story... and predictably Greg steers me back to today, a present he revels in in quiet comfort... of course he does...

... of course you do, old friend... I wouldn’t want it any other way... because Greg reminds me constantly whether he knows it or not, that to look behind, halts one from going forward, forward towards the next 40 years or so, but better yet the next 40 minutes/ seconds of a friendship... of shared music and art, the next dance step, the next surprising talent he tells me he has just learned, and unassumingly gives me the gift of possibility... what?... and ,a book a poetry?... how generous, you know?... of course, of course you do...

-Joseph Anthony Foronda 2014

4 VERA

~

It’s that photo you sent, where you are staring right into the camera. I can’t take my eyes off of you.

There have been many photos, many people, letters and conversations with the ultimate goal to find someone. At least that is what everyone says.

Smart, fun, funny, beautiful, what to do, the direction to go.

...but don’t move it too fast, let time go and everything go in time... To wait just to find frustration.

You’re fighting the fear of the unknown, rejection, disappointment, loneliness. To have it better than before. The statement, that you are responsible for your own happiness.

To find that person that makes you better than what you were before. To move outside your comfort zone, beyond the old boundaries. The one that lifts you just at the right time.

To have the one that makes you a better person, a better man. More passionate, more committed, more devoted.

To avoid the one that is aloof, distant, cool, disinterested. But that is not you is it? Waiting for the right words to say. It’s not easy is it? Can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about you.

24 HOURS

~

Would you like to spend 24 hours with me in your life? What would you do if we have been given for the meeting only 24 hours?

24 hours I would like to spend a bright and fun day with you, what could I do so you never be able to forget me? More and always remember of these wonderful 24 hours in our life.

I would go on a cruise with you on the boat and you and me around the sea, seagulls, hot sun and a minimum of clothing on us.

We have strong cocktails, sweet kisses, diving, swimming in the sea with dolphins.

At night you dress a long, tight dress with an open back, a beautiful necklace and intoxicating fragrance that would make me mad.

We drink wine, dance to jazz in the restaurant, flirt and fall in love.

We understand that we can no longer live without each other.

And it does not last 24 hours in our lives.

A CRUSHED HEART

~

I’ve been brutally crushed by love so now; even though I run to the door I am slow to open it.

The worse thing is to be holding on to hope and have it burned while it’s still in your hand.

But you, you made me feel safe, to take a chance.

You put a smile on my face. You told me we should cut the formalities and just jump in the dirt so to speak...

If it feels right we’ll do it in the moment.

When I first lay eyes on you it will be a moment to savor for a lifetime

It may be hard for us to control our wanton desires as we have so much love to give one another.

Come here and I’m going to love you to death with smooches galore to show you how much I love you.

Most of all I just want to be with you side by side sharing life’s intrigues

To just believe that we will work out, to have faith. If we do both have faith in one another then we will work out.

Can you say to me: I only have you Love!!! You’re the end of the line for me?

A crushed heart now warmed by your embrace. You are the soft pillow to fall onto, hopeful.

A GLANCE

~

It began with a glance, a desire to know, to have.

It was that moment that made us use our brains and think for a change.

It was your laugh that made the room sparkle, your smile that made my day.

Your kindness, tenderness and loveliness that would almost make me say

I love you.

A NEW FEELING

~

A Strong Feeling coming from the sound of a guitar. Folk music being played by a friend.

The gut level heartthrob that makes you feel queasy inside.

Like when you look at someone you’re attracted to and they look up while you’re watching them. The heart stops recording momentary bliss. Like soft images changing in the wind, pleasant and then non-existent.

I want to be marooned with you on a desert island just long enough to fall in love.

Stronger feelings build as I think of you. Just my imagination, fantasy and romance in all its innocence.

My ever present non-reality, it’s what keeps me alive.

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

~

You were the only reason I had to go on.