Raisin Braden

A TESSA IN THE WOODS

Once upon a path
An occasional glance may find a Tessa
Nestled among the pine
It’s a simple little flower
That peeks in your attention

The beauty in it’s lines
Are pure as the light
The beauty in it’s color
Matches no other time

It’s petals catch the gentle wind
Capturing fleeting moments in the sun
While it’s spindly stems sway seductively
Alluring the life that is abound

Shy it is to human eyes
Clever too, a deceptive sigh

Save this wild one not
Let her dance naked in a summer shower
For no one will see
That life
Once confined to a pot

Walk along your path
With a smile deep inside
Holding the secret you share
With a flower that lied

Braden Stephens
September 6, 1994

THE MORNING PAPER

Expensive silk pillows on long remembered couches
lightly caressing the memories from our minds
as if they were a party to the revelry of past
and not an observer without recall

It’s that room I find myself now
looking for something I’m not quite sure
But it’s in here…I think
Under something

I’ll sit and try to remember what was on my mind
only moments ago in the hall
before being lost as I saw those silk pillows
nicely faded and inviting a casual sit

Well they’ve won
I’m sitting and can’t remember why I’m here
Looking East and looking West reveals nice weather
But no recollection
Of the thought that now seems more important than before

Maybe I’ll come into the den again
possibly remember
But no, the pillows knew I was coming back
and I knew they knew

Square one or should I say pillow?
It was a…
Ahgh! A small…um readable thing…magazine?
No! A palawat…rhymes…yes…a pa…
Paper! Yes! By god a damn paper!

So where is it?
It’s not here
Maybe it’s in the kitchen
Let’s check that

Wow. Nice smell that is
Wonder what’s baking this morning
Looks like the timer is just about done
I’ll think I’ll just stay here with some coffee and wait

Hi. Whatcha doing?
Waiting for the stuff
Oh. It does smell good doesn’t it?
Yes. I can’t wait.

It has to cool, why don’t you go get the paper

The paper?

BEST OF MAN

Leave the best of man.
The future has little time.
No one to browse our writing.
Only to select and praise few rhymes.

Your life feels very short
but even shorter when you are dead
and being remembered
by those who never knew you.

So capture the best
in your home, your art and love.
Anything less will be forgotten
and your work will not progress man.

Taking challenge or a chance
a standard path in destiny
propels an individual to excel
releasing inhibitions of the impossible.

PIE IN THE SKY

I told you I was quiet and shy
You believed me
My pie in the sky
You said some things don’t matter
Living your life is sometimes…
And other times sadder
Where can this happen?
My love, a you, and gone the latter
Stars explode to shed this light
And the shadows make your eyes so deep
I lose my thought and keep you tight
Your breast is full against my hand
And lips so brazen attract my desire
But the thinking is wonder where you are
A heart keeps beating with little fire
Time is long and life is short
My time is yours with little remorse
Keeping the light shed by icons of past
Hoping for more in world that will last
Although time is short and life long
A fire I desire and nothing less forever

Modern Living

I thought I lost you
I turned, you were gone.
Up and down aisle nine
I never saw the sign.

Then I saw you standing in line
…dropping the cantaloupe
…looking at him
I went searching for a bottle of wine.

You said he was a friend.
I’m sure he was.

Taking advantage
Always winning your serve.
Never a love
always keeping your nerve.

A super intellect?
I’ll ask you a question.
You say you forgot
but knew yesterday.

Sake

Hello.
Sake?
No.
Why not?
Don’t know.
Why not?
Don’t…OK. Sake.
Good. Waiting for someone?
Yes.
More Sake?
No.
Why not?
Look…OK, more sake.
Good.

She arrives…

Lot’s of sake…
Yes.
Why?
Hello, more sake?
See?
No.
Why not?
Did I miss something?
She late. Dynamite for one?
No. More sake.
More sake? You sure? She late…
Yes.
What? I’m not that late!
Yes. definitely more sake.
I think you’ve had enough.
Yes…no…why?
Why?
Why sake?
No. Why no enough?
Why not no enough?
Humm…
Yes. So, you’re late.
Sorry.
Sorry not enough. Sashimi for one?
No. Go.
OK. No more sake.
No. Stop. Yes sake. No you.
Well…
Thank you.
Is he a friend of yours?
No.
Seems like it.
Humm…
Sorry. Sake mine?
Yes.
Good.
Yes. More?
No.
No?
No…thank you.
Yes…
More sake?
Humm…no. Humm…no?
Taxi?
See brother. Outside.
Thanks.
She go home with you?
Yes.
No.
No?
Yes.
Humm…more sake?
No! No!
Come back soon?
Oh yes.
Uh-huh. Sure.

Sayonara!