Author Archives: Roy W. Backes

If I Could Only Get Out of My Own Way I’m like the drawbridge Lifted to allow the armada through. I’m like the big yellow bar And flashing red lights at The railroad crossing, waiting For the freight train to pass. I’m like the tree laying across The road, blown over by the wind, WaitingContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 54 – If I Could Only Get Out of My Own Way”

I Swear My friends, you need to know, I swear…….a lot. I drop the ‘F’ bomb Way too often. I use the Lord’s name in vain All the time. But, then again, I don’t really believe in the ‘Lord’ Any longer. I never use the ‘C’ word Or racial slurs. I am often not theContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 53 – I Swear”

Another Country Song lyric. Gotta Get Up She is a hard pounding woman, My woman is. A bottle of bourbon and a shotgun glass She has no problem Whooping my ass. It’s Tuesday night. I say as a warning, Honey, I gotta get up in the morning She is a hard pounding woman, My womanContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 52 – Gotta Get Up”

Now Now is a fleeting memory. Now is constantly changing. Now is already gone. Now just became the past. Holding onto “Now” is like…. Shit, it’s gone! Roy W. Backes © 2014

Death Row I walk down the hallway Of what we used to call An “Old folk’s home.” No hope in these hallways. Everyone here has been Condemned to die. The threat of death is found Around every corner, Behind every door. It infects the air. It infects the bodies. I see the Grim Reaper, ScytheContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 50 – Death Row”

Reflection The morning sun reflects Off of the gray-blue lake Like an emptied bag of diamonds On black velvet. It calms my mind and Allows me to reflect. Staring at the sparkling light Is a form of meditation Taking me deeper and deeper Into the present, Allowing me to access the past. A past withContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 49 – Reflection”

Thumbing (Splash) I’m tired. I’m cold. My feet are wet (Splash, splash) My calves hurt from walking backwards with my thumb out. High beams, Bright (Hand covering my eyes.) headlights. Come on, come on, come (splash) on. Will I ever find a dry spot? Headlights (low-beams. I smile.). I’m not a rapist. I’m a goodContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 48 – Thumbing”

Spring Song Early spring In the middle of the city. Temperatures are mild, The trees beginning to bud, The perennials finally peeking Out of the ground once again. Among the city sounds Of construction and sirens Sits a bird in my local tree Singing her song, or Calling her mate. Either way the song isContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 47 – Spring Song”

City Heels or Country Boots In the shadow of high rises Along an avenue with taxis honking And bus fumes choking I’ve seen her almost every day. Dressed to the nines and Always wearing a gorgeous pair Of high heels that show off Her legs in a wonderful way. Then one sunny autumn day IContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 46 – City Heels or Country Boots”

To Write To write takes an artist’s eye. To write takes an artist’s soul. To write takes patience. To write takes persistence. To write takes effort. To write takes great strength To push aside and keep aside That big granite block. To write takes putting pen to paper Or fingers to keyboard. To write takesContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 45 – To Write”