All Along the Maricopa Highway – by Charlie Macias

 -When was the last time you had to crawl through the back of your car to get something? It’s tough because there’s a lot of junk in there, right? Who knows what you’ll scrape up against! When you lock in your keys on a dark night you get a desperate feeling. Good thing the trunk was open.

-The emu with yellow eyes just stared at me from its pen on the side of the road.

-The friendly dog was not named David Bowie. Its owner seemed shy. When asked about the weather she said, “Pretty hot!”  Anyways, she slipped and joked that the dog was checking me out.

-At night be careful when you come upon the clearing. Watch out for the ruts under the moonlight.  You don’t want to misstep, fall and dirty that clown outfit of yours. Yes, that rooster crows all the time.

- The coyote was a jackal

The horse a moose

Just thinking aloud

Thinking like Seuss

Rabbits that fly

Condors that screech

Out in the wild

Not Mulberry Street

-Looking for that blue mask. Do you see the blue mask? Where’s that blue mask? Is it emerging from the oaks? Is it coming up the hill? I like your funky hat. I like your patterned coat, Oh, that’s you wearing the blue mask. I kinda like it, too.

Acceptance – by Charlie Macias

 

It happened by chance anyways. Now it had to end. I think it came upon a dream. Now back to normalcy after the unforeseen disruption. Calm and life anew – one can only hope.

Forces came down upon us. Battles were fought and – mostly – won. New challenges came almost every day.

Some of the new consequences from all  the bustle actually brought a strange, renewed beauty -some of the best stuff we hadn’t seen in a while. It became normal, expected.

But it could all be taken away in an instant.

You had to adapt, be quick on your feet. If you didn’t you’d just kind of linger. No rhyme or reason to how, why and when things would happen or change.

“How long will it be taken away for?” “What will replace it?”

Ever wake up from a bad dream, but the bad dream keeps happening?

Looking For A Little Help - by Charlie Macias

You cannot find anyone in this fog
Just when you get some momentum going...
C'mon! Put out your thumb, hitch a ride!
Let's go already!
Throw on that new Bob Dylan and let's figure it out

Pop, pop, pop!!!
Just like 4th of July
She'll turn up spectacularly and dazzle!
Que no?
Claro que si

3-4U2C - by Charles Macias

1.      First of all, the message was late. This kind of thing really pissed her off. So, it was off to the track to work off some steam. A little exercise would bring her back to a calm level.

At the track she came upon a male jogger slogging his way round and round. He was sweaty and smarmy, but he certainly was in good shape.  She tried not to stare at him. The fact that she was wearing her dark sunglasses helped with her subterfuge.

She started walking the outer lanes, just warming up. He passed her by and looked back, “You’re not just gonna walk, are you?” He joked, “C’mon! Pick up the pace!”

She smiled and ran to join him in a jog around the track. She challenged him to a sprint for the last 60 yards. He smiled and they were off!

She won. Maybe he let her win.

“Not bad for a girl wearing sunglasses,” she teased.

“And what’s behind those glasses? Let me see your eyes.”

She laughed, “Oh no. Just take my word for i. They’re violet….just like Liz Taylor!”

2.  She woke up violently. She looked at the clock: 3 AM. She was panting. It was a bad dream: An operating room, a surgeon looking over her. He placed the oxygen mask over nose. She went out. Kind of.

She could hear the surgical team talk. She heard the surgeon, “You’ll feel a little prick in your eyeball. Nothing’s wrong. This is all part of the procedure.”

It felt like he was sticking a fine needle into her eye. Then he pivoted the needle like a joystick jostling the eyeball back and forth. Sometimes soothing water would pour over the eye. Her upper body shook and he told her to try to stay still. She “saw” a kaleidoscope of colors, then darkness, then the most beautiful blue sky with puffy white clouds floating by. More soothing water.

And then, “Ok, all done. Wheel her out!”

3.     Sometimes words just look funny, don’t you think? I mean they’re really just random markings that are assigned certain sounds.

Loo k at “LOOK.”  A partial triangle, two ovals and a straight line with another partial triangle. Write it down,  ogle it. “LOOK” could be two eyeballs just staring back at you. Ha, write down “OGLE” and take a look at that one!

LOOK     LOOT   LUTE   CUTE

At least I’m used to reading these funny looking symbols.

 Slows me down now. Thanks.

Sad Ocean Days – by Charlie Macias

Can I just ride around in my car?! Stay in a bubble and drive around, check out inventive face masks, the homeless almost the only ones on the street, remember the eats out there, smile and wave to kind folks, say hi to the seagulls, check out the Friendship Bell behind locked gates, people walking six feet apart, get up early, get in line for paper products, write the worst poetry ever written  in mankind’s history, stay warm under the covers and dream of brighter days, got some ginger ale in the house.

But the dolphins in the harbor cackle good tidings. The sea lions bark “who cares - just feed me.” The pelicans wonder where all the humans are. That Bridge welcomes fewer ships. Will those feral cats and raccoons at the wharf die off? Still seeing cuties of all kinds walking and biking, wearing their tights, shorts and athletic sneakers.

The Jacaranda Brings on the Texas Boot – by Charlie Macias

She was too caught up in what she was caught up in. She wasn’t paying full attention to the details. And it cost her. She got the Texas Boot, baby!

The end of the summer came around and she really hadn’t taken a break. Work, work, work. Finally, she requested time off in early Septembe.She wanted to visit a spa she’d heard raves about. It would cost her a pretty penny, but she deserved this treat, she thought.

Massage, meditation, total relaxation were the spa’s calling card. A retreat like no other! Come in, forget the world out there and come out cleansed and de-stressed. Marvel at the centerpiece of the spa: a mighty jacaranda tree! Purple flowers/petals creating a canopy of utter beauty! Some say simply viewing the tree and contemplating its wonderfulness could bring a peace like no other. She was looking forward to being in the presence of the wondrous jacaranda!

But the trip to the spa was troublesome. There was a lot of traffic and she got lost when her car navigation system went blank. But some helpful town folk put her back in the right direction and she was happy to see signs on the highway announcing that the spa was very near. Yes, the signs featured the purple –petaled  tree!

Alas, when she drove to the entrance of the spa there was a long line of cars in front of her and the pack of cars was moving slowly. She decided to be bold; she decided she could not wait any longer. She wanted to check in quickly, get to her room and rush to see the amazing purple tree!

She decided to park on the side of the road, grab her luggage and walk to the front gates of the spa. I will NOT be denied! she laughed to herself as she strolled onto the grounds. She was met by friendly spa staff who escorted her to the front desk of the facility.

Moving quickly ahead: She had an amazing experience! The yoga, mindfulness workshops and clean eating menu was just what she needed! The spa more than lived up to its billing! She was one very satisfied (and relaxed) customer.

At the conclusion of her stay she walked back to her car. It appeared different to her. As she walked closer she saw a bright yellow metal yoke of some sort attached to her front wheel on the driver’s side.  There was also what appeared to be a parking ticket planted on her front window planted behind the windshield wiper. She grabbed the ticket and looked it over. “Parked in a No Parking zone.” The penalty fee was astronomical. In addition, the ticket described that she’d have to call a local tow service to remove the yellow yoke locked onto her front tire. There would be no way she could drive her car with that thing attached to the wheel. To have the bright yellow yoke removed would be another high fee. She looked further down the road and noticed a small sign on a metal post. It probably warned that this area was a No Parking zone, she thought. She hadn’t noticed it when she drove in.

As she took another look at her ticket a patrol car drove up and slowly rolled to a stop next to her. The patrol car window eked down and an officer looked at her, “You got the Texas Boot, lady!”

Moonshot – by Charlie Macias

I talked to the moon because I thought it was my friend--

You let me down on two fronts!

What’s up with that?!

I’m gonna give you one more chance

I know you’ll let me know it’s coming

Maybe you’ll shoot down a particularly bright moonbeam

Maybe you’ll give us one of those fantastic Harvest moons

(Pause….sigh…reflection)

Did the moon just wink at me?!!!

Jaguar Says – The Return -by Charlie Macias

PSYCHIATRIST: Haven’t seen you in awhile.

JAGUAR: Yeah, been sorting through some stuff.

P: What’d you come up with?

J: Life is a grind.

P: Oh wait! Let me call the New York Times and get that as tomorrow’s headline!

J: I pay you too much.

P: So your realization has helped you somehow?

J: It’s hard working the jungle, but I know how to do it. There are things I don’t like about the work, but I know how to do it and sometimes you just have to grind.

P: Cool. And you don’t even go for those expensive coffee beans that you must GRRRRRRInd.

J: You get infused with the spirit of Henny Youngman somehow?

P: My work is a pain sometimes, too. I get facetious to unleash tension.

J: Glad to hear that your patients and I bring you such joy.

BIRD: I will attack them while they ponder their lack of stress management skills!

I Got My Answer – by Charlie Macias

Did I tell you I got my answer? That would be a lie. There is no answer. Just ever-changing highs, huh-whuhs, absences and more highs. You wanna know why? Because I can’t settle for the obvious (?) no, because her looks get to me, because she gives me that smile, because I don’t want to believe nothing’s going to happen.

I may leave with no answer.

This, my friends, is called sweet confusion.

But don’t worry. Charlie is cool at this end of the year.

Its Own World (August 2018) – by Charlie Macias

Talking to yourself about her

It’s its own world

All the ups and downs

You’re sure, you’re not sure

The evidence is obvious

The evidence is misconstrued

Sometimes you get so angry

Sometimes you get so blue

What the hell is going on??

But you know the answer

You ask for a sign

You yell in the car, smack the steering wheel

And you ask for a sign

The desperation makes you laugh

And so relief is delivered

And you can go back to banging your head against a wall

Smacked by the Angel of Love – by Charlie Macias

I was out walking, just minding my own business. (No, I was not whistling) I walked around the corner and PUM!

Now why did she have to go and do that?

So who am I to fall in love with? The first lady I meet? That cute girl back at the office? The wonderful cheeseburger and French fries lunch I’m headed to? Will I end up clucking like a chicken?

I’m frightened. I haven’t been in love in a long time. Then a message from her was transferred to my mind, “Trust love. But be diligent about love.”

Huh???  What???!

I think I’ll just wing it!

Belinda's Cafe - by Charlie Macias

She was good at writing little notes to herself. She was good at making lists. To-Do lists mostly. And sometimes things on the lists actually got done!

She had prepped and listed for all that needed to get done for the gathering. Cooking, baking, and cleaning the place.

All were enjoying themselves so she felt happy.

(Alternate dark ending)

What did and didn’t get done? Let’s take a look at her list! Got done: make cake, make soup, wash utensils. What didn’t get done: meet new people, stop living in an imaginary world, get out of the house once in a while.

New item on her checklist? “Don’t call Charlie an insensitive jerk-off.”

Threesome – by Charlie Macias

1.   The talk was......decent.   It didn't break any barriers. It didn't invoke revolution. Some people described it as staid and proper. Many just walked on by. Now it has been institutionalized and many folk enjoy decent conversation. Or, as the millennials say: decent convo.

2.   Seattle cannot hear you. Heck, even Portland shrugs its shoulders. You DID conjure up something the other night, though. Too bad you can’t remember it. So we seek out the gods for help. Too bad you don’t believe in god. It’s that misty, rainy, wet weather that messes with my good vibes going north.

3.   And suddenly there were two. Out of the blue. Let’s just say that I woke myself up real fast! Yes, it was unreal. But the possibility had not come about for a long time. What to do? “What to do??????” Idiot. Nothing’s going to happen. You had that stupid smile on your face the whole time. Yet it was this wonderful thing coming out of nowhere, coming on the start of a crappy day. What a stupid smile.

Are We Calm Yet? -by Charlie Macias

Are we calm yet?
No.
Are we calm yet?
I don't know when things will get calm again.
Are we calm yet?
No, but I just want to taste it.
I know it will be so good.
Are we calm yet?
What?! Did I throw away most of the people in my life?!!
Are we calm yet?
Give me a map with directions and I'll work to get there!
Are we calm yet?
You kidding me or something?
Are we calm yet?
In this order: quiet, peace, contentment.
Are we calm yet?
Sigh.

An American Girl - by Charlie Macias

Chicka-ha! And she fell down when I explained. It was an avalanche of good tide. The ones that were single didn't thrill me, but the other eight were gems. An early rap struck me strange, but it slowly grew on me. There were two mystery girls at the time. I walked out into the rain.

A Silly One for February 29 – by Charlie Macias

February 29^th doesn’t come around very often so I put together a quick one to celebrate. It’s silly and makes no sense, but what the heck!

Yes, the story takes place on a ship—

Bingo, bang-o, bunco

The cow jumped over the moon

I was maybe mesmerized

But it happened way too soon

The shoes, the shoes!  Thank you!

You’re looking pretty hot yourself

Needed to be holding you

But I got thrown into the kelp!

Ok, so in Doris’ painting it looks like the young woman is in a lily pond NOT necessarily in kelp. 

That’s what happens when you do a quick one. Yep, blame me.

The lily pond theme would go better with a tribute to L.A.’s Echo Park (known for its lily pond). But there are already so many parks—and not a lot of February 29s. Ok, thanks for reading. Everybody back to work! Hi to March 1^st. 

(Please note: no people, kelp nor cows were hurt in this silliness)

The December Dream – by Charlie Macias

She and I had a typical nutty conversation at lunch. She was my colleague at work and this was a usual routine. The topics went all over the place. We came to talk about dreams. I was given a dream challenge.

I remarked that I could never remember my dreams. I could remember dreaming, but not the content. She suggested that I will myself to remember my next dream. Each night this week I should give myself a little suggestion as I go to sleep: I will remember tonight’s dream. I was to do it every night until I actually dreamed.

So I gave it a go.

That first night was rough. I was not able to fall asleep. I tossed and turned. I remember looking at the clock and it was 2 AM.

Then I fell asleep.

I must have because I awoke to the morning light. And I could remember my dream! Half-awake, I smiled.

The dream I had concerned someone’s December birthday - a young woman’s birthday. It was a sad occasion since most of her friends and family forgot it. You see, between Thanksgiving, Xmas and New Year’s everyone is so busy. A birthday that falls in December just doesn’t get the same attention as one earlier in the year.

The dream was weird because it was like I was looking into this woman’s world, but not participating. Yet I felt her sadness at being forgotten and I felt bad for her.

I woke up and smiled that I remembered my dream, but I was not so happy that it was a sad dream.

Anemone Anyone? – by Charlie Macias

All the expert chefs and restaurant owners told me it was time to move on. So I picked a new spot to start over, shipped my stuff ahead and went on a little side trip. I thought back on the fateful meeting. All the usual faces were there. Most of them sitting there, hands folded on the table looking like they just ate something  sour, couldn’t smile even if you’d told them they’d just won the lottery.

They asked for fresh new ideas. I ran with my shrimp enchiladas proposal. It was just something that came to me in a dream I once had.  They didn’t react. They just sat there. What?!! Did they want me to jump on the table and dance a jig for them?!!  I wanted to shake them. Wake up, this is a good idea!!!

I got lost on my little side trip. I thought I was pretty good at navigating the territory. I must have done some wandering.  I thought I was circling back to my original location, but not quite. Fortunately, I ran into some nice folks that set me on the correct path.

They were a couple that ran a spa and tourist center. They had escaped the rat race and purchased a spot to share with visitors their love of the reef, the squid and the octopus. I sat with them at lunch one day and told them part of my story. I mentioned my enchiladas. They said I could come back sometime and try it out on them. If they liked it maybe they’d add it to their menu.

It was no guarantee, but at least they were willing to give me a chance. 

It’s Not Maria - by Charlie Macias

 

I believe her name is Monica, Millicent --or maybe Maple Springs.

It’s probably Melinda.

What I know about her is not real

 She glides above the gardens on a glorious summer day

I can’t catch her

She doesn’t want to be caught

I try and she laughs at me

That beautiful laugh

One day one man will win her over

And we will call that bliss or love or luck or fate.

Something official.

One Last Frozen Gasp – by Charlie Macias

This is not a happy tale. For many years Doris confused me with this painting. I couldn’t figure out what she was portraying in this simple winter scene.

The reality is that our main character has become trapped in the snow…out in the wild…no way out…no rescue.  She is all alone. She went for a winter stroll out in the country. Things turned tragic when an unforeseen snow storm hit quick and hard.

As her body goes numb she becomes delirious.  This picture is her last vision. She wishes she were in a warm house with the snow pilling-up outside. Notice how the house is barren just like the barren landscape outside. Notice how her hair is transforming into snow piles just like the ones outside.

She imagines herself a countess or some sort of royalty. It’s as if she is fighting this death still and being royalty offers her an extra measure of protection.  She does not deserve to die this tragic way. It is much too common.

Think I’m way off on this one?

Take a look at her locket!