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?

Dinner @ 8

by Braden

Tonight’s guests:

It’s Sunday night, so, it must be another impromptu dinner party. One thing led to another, as it always does, and Marisa’s and I’s place became a “destination” on Sundays for casual seeking locals and visiting friends and acquaintances. Thankfully, the guests are diverse and interesting given that Marisa’s odd job brings her in touch with lots of “characters.”

This week, I guess George was looking for a little more, but I’d just gotten back from Lexington and couldn’t track down the starlet of the week, although, I was able to persuade Ana to stop by on her way to NYC. Luckily, Teresa had called Marisa this morning and somehow ended up here. I suppose ingénue will have to due.

Lyle had heard from a friend that I had free dinner and/or parties. I told him he could come if he cheered the hell up! I also asked him if he was a vegetarian before I gave him the directions. I don’t know why I ask if people are vegans, I’m not going to change the menu. Anyway, there’s always some salad-ish thing they can eat or…just drink.

George: More wine?

Ana: I think sex is over rated.

George: What? I said wine, not whine.

Teresa: Ana, I don’t think you got the right instruction manual, because there’s one thing for sure, and that’s that all women love it so much that they let men control them!

Lyle: I…

Marisa: I don’t think so. Braden doesn’t control me at all. I even make more money than him.

Braden: Well…I’m just starting…

Lyle: Yeah, he…

Marisa: Sure you are honey and that’s what I love about you.

Braden: Thanks Lyle…

Teresa: Then who was on top last night?

Ana: What does that prove?

Teresa: Who?

Marisa: He was?

George: Way to go!

Lyle: Huh?

Read more…

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!

les goûts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas

Two tigers real fast
One red shoe lost
A man and his mojo
Fishing with worms
Music in a submarine
Messages on tape
Callers on hold
Blue paper on fire
Understand?

Fall Portfolio Of Dreams

My portfolio

Of dreams

Whistling

Scattered about

Like leaves from a tree

Shriveled and light

Blown against a fence

Gathering up

An army of leaves

Ready to explode

When a gate is opened

Pseudo Intellectual Hollywood

Writers play golf with god
Producers go to parties with angels
Directors correspond with saints
All actors can play a convincing devil

The Beginning of Calais

Two people sit in a closed bar. The room is black with only small spotlights on the tables that seem to highlight the lonely and desperate, but separate, couple near the center of the room.

Nikki has been tired of the life she has been leading as a small-time actress in the Atlanta art community. She hasn’t told anybody though, thinking, this is all she should expect in her life. She’s just damn lucky to be alive. Lucky…to be…alive. She thinks.

A sad story yes, but not nearly as sad as her companion.

Michael has never in his life been tired, or for that matter, without something to do with his time. But in all his years, he has never done anything of any importance. A frivolous life. A life without direction and without meaning. Unfortunately, Michael doesn’t know it.

Until tonight…