Author Archives: Roy W. Backes

Willow Weeps The willow weeps while I sit in its shade, My cheeks, as dry as sun bleached sand. I want to cry. I need to cry. I can’t cry. I come to this willow in hope Of some relief. Relief from my grief. But my cheeks remain dry, Not a tear in my eye.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 34 – Willow Weeps”

Surrounded by Color Well, my friend, when your brakes stopped working On your long drive west You drove right under the sunset. Drove straight into the heart of the color At full speed. I only hope that the colors Are as beautiful from your perspective As they are from mine. May you rest in peaceContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 33 – Surrounded by Color”

Walkin’ the Blues A Lyric Standin’ on the sidewalk Under the bright streetlight Feelin’ the rain fall from the sky, I scream, “Baby, it was only a fight”. Now Baby, you got me Walkin’ the blues. I walk down the East side I cross over to the West My hands buried in my pockets MyContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 32 – Walkin’ the Blues”

In Her Wake She came down into the shop Like a bird who had Just escaped its cage. Flying from there to here Trying on this dress and That pair of shoes. Everything was, ‘fabulous’. She wanted it all. Her daughter followed along Saying all the right things. “Those are beautiful”, “That dress is perfect”.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 31 – In Her Wake”

Old Man Through a Window Standing in the mist of a recent rain I peer through the parted curtains Of an old man’s window. The color images from his TV Create flat entertainment. Bottles of pills lined up Like soldiers next to his bed Keep guard against the pain. The bedpan, all shiny and silver,Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 30 – Old Man Through a Window”

Daddy’s World She grew up Daddy’s Girl, Pigtails and pink hiking boots. Scraped knees from climbing trees. Calloused hands from softball and Hitting the heavy bag. She studied hard. She played hard. She fought hard. Now, she is out in Daddy’s world. A world full of sharks With loose hands And sharp teeth. She stillContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 29 – Daddy’s World”

Foggy Road As I creep along this winding road My fog lights on My vision impaired The fog wraps itself around me Like the cool silk sheets Of a fancy hotel. Leaning forward against the steering wheel Straining my eyes against the mist I struggle to stay on the road. The wipers sway back andContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 28 – Foggy Road”

One Plate, One Glass Another evening washing one china plate And one crystal wine glass in the kitchen sink. It would take forever to fill the dishwasher, It’s easier to wash the stuff by hand. Her counter clean Her hands dry She wanders into her living room Feeling the plush carpet between her toes. WhileContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 27 – One Plate, One Glass”

The Steel City They still call Pittsburgh The Steel City. Pittsburgh, the city that produced Steel for over a hundred years. In mills my family worked in. In mills that lined the three rivers And polluted the air. In mills that have been razed After being picked clean of anything of value. In mills thatContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 26 – The Steel City”

Whiskey and Lace He noticed her sitting at the bar Nursing a whiskey – on the rocks. She seemed to savor each sip. He noticed the lace of her bra That she allowed to peek out Of her half-unbuttoned blouse. They started to talk. His eyes kept drifting to that lace. Her eyes kept driftingContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 25 – Whiskey and Lace”