Author Archives: Roy W. Backes

Chipper We had a dog growing up His name was ‘Chipper’. I think he was actually My dad’s dog Or Maybe my brother’s dog. Not sure which. I never thought of him as ‘my dog’. Truth be told, I don’t think I was ever Much of a ‘dog person’. I’ll tell you why. I hadContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 74 – Chipper”

Stopping Time Morning, noon and night, It just keeps coming And passing me by, No matter what I do. I’m reduced to sitting With my back against the Number six and my feet out Straight, firmly planted in place Holding the hands of time at bay. My left hand holds the second hand, Which pulsesContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 73 – Stopping Time”

Blues in The Night Blues in the night It only seems right The blues belong in dark, smoky Clubs sometime after midnight, Not in a sunny city park on a Lazy afternoon in broad daylight. Blues in the night It only seems right. Roy W. Backes © 2008

Dancing in the Dark The moon’s been swallowed by Dark dense clouds, The starlight is all snuffed out. In front of his penthouse window Surveying the crowded city, With music playing soft and Romantic in the background, He sways to the beat of his heart, His hands in his pockets, Alone, Dancing in the dark.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 71 – Dancing in the Dark”

Welcome Back It has been over a year since I last sat on this deck And looked out over the Bright blue lake. As I sit here the wind Blows in my face. The waves kick up and Beat the shore. The birds squawk And chirp in the trees. The eagle flies by. All asContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 70 – Welcome Back”

Murdered My friend was murdered. He wasn’t shot. He wasn’t stabbed. He was infected. By a virus. By a virus that kills, That murders. That murders by The hundreds of thousands. That kills you slowly or quickly, That causes you pain. My friend was murdered. Like he was shot in the heart Or stabbed inContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 69 – Murdered”

Between the Lines In bounds. Out of bounds. Onside. Offside. Fair. Foul. We have been taught To live our lives Between the lines. Driving down the highway My car now tells me if I drift outside my lane, Often forcing me back Into compliance. Back between the lines. I pass through this life Afraid toContinue reading “Words of Art – Day 68 – Between the Lines”

Beware Beware Of William Shakespeare The theater’s poet. Centuries dead His words live on. Trying not to saw the air Actors speak his speeches. But Beware, Many an actor has drowned In his poetic imagery. Roy W. Backes © 1986

Phrases “You feeling okay?” “When are you coming home?” “I’ll see you later.” “What do you want to do for dinner?” “What do you think?” “Did you see that?” “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” “Just relax.” Just some phrases not heard When you live alone. Roy W. Backes © 2011

Carrying Grief I’ve been carrying grief Since my mid-twenties. I carry it in my bag. I carry it in my pockets. I carry it in my heart. I can’t let go. The loss is not something You can just leave Abandoned by the side of the road, Or buried in a box Under a tree.Continue reading “Words of Art – Day 65 – Carrying Grief”