Author Archives: Roy W. Backes

Good and Evil There always seems to be Two opposing forces working Together in life. Good and Evil. Light and Dark. Back and Forth. In and Out. When Evil walks into a classroom With his gun ablaze Shooting innocent beings Over and over Is Good to be found in The room as well? Maybe thatContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 44 – Good and Evil”

Distress All 200 of us, trapped on an airplane, Strain to hear the steward’s safety instructions Over the wail of a distressed child. As we gain altitude, I can feel The collective tension of all of us Continue to rise. Long after we are cruising At 34,000 feet, the child’s wail continues. There is somethingContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 43 – Distress”

Prayers Gathering Dust Lonely Marionette hangs Suspended above the earth Across the room from Christ Hanging on His cross. He has prayed to this Christ For many years, But nothing has changed. He hangs too far away To see his prayers Gathering dust On Christ’s thorny crown. Roy W. Backes © 1994

The Alley The Alley You know, that place out back. That place that isn’t A road, or a lane, or an avenue, Or even a street, But only a ‘way’. That place where your trash sits, That place where workers sit To steal a smoke Or maybe a toke. That place of fences and gates.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 41 – The Alley”

Summer Storm A storm struck my neighborhood last night Stripping leaves off the trees, Ripping tiles off of rooftops, Blowing roofs off of houses. The trees are still standing, wounded, But stripped naked and bare. This morning I stood in the street Stunned and speechless, staring at the trees Not seeing a single leaf anywhere.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 40 – Summer Storm”

The Train West I’m standing on the East Coast Waiting to board a West Coast train. Who knows how long the trip will be. No matter. I look forward to the long luxurious ride. I look forward to the clack, clack of the wheels On the track, Hypnotic music to my ears. I look forwardContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 39 – The Train West”

Anticipation and Expectation They say you can’t go back. They say you can’t get “it” back. That feeling of anticipation That feeling of expectation. They say you can’t go back. I went back. Back to my old neighborhood, Back through my memories, Back to my youth. I went back to my life That was fullContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 38 – Anticipation and Expectation”

Alone in My Bed Alone in my bed Between two chilly sheets I try to generate some body heat. Alone in my bed I imagine your smooth curved body, Your perfumed smell, Your loving presence. Heat arrives. I sleep! Roy W. Backes © 1986

March Wind The wind, Blowing Gusting Lifting my hair from my head. If I had a hat it would Snatch it like an overgrown bully. The wind, Blowing Gusting Dusting off the layers of silt That gathered over the winter Under so much overheated air. The wind, Blowing Gusting Guiding me into spring. Escorting meContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 36 – March Wind”

Stumbling As I weave my way Through this intricate maze I keep my eye on the sun, Aiming west when I can. With my eyes at the sky I stumble quite a bit, Stubbing my toes and Scraping my knees., The surprise around each bend Is what keeps me going. I never know what IContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 35 – Stumbling”