Tell A Tale of Cotton
by Robert Filos
blue jeans growing in October fields
the Georgia sky singing the blues
red dirt roads pave sights with color
as turkeys scratch along the sides
kicking up feathered echos in union
copperheads sleeping in the mist
fading away in elegant rows distressed
their small puffs roll away out of sight
tiny twisters, southeastern tumble weeds
worn til the threads dangle flags battered
Jewels Of The New South
by Robert Filos
blue stone walkways drenched early summer rains
the palms arching above casting fronds earthward
row houses each painted a pastel rainbow shade
porches dangling crooked stacked pale blue skies
oaks live return glances toward uncivil grave stones
weathered to a smoothness engraving distant past
narrow alleys posted with old ornate wrought gates
a century and a half of cobbled streets concealed
contrasted the battery retains the sea and its guns
brown pelicans glide in a seashore symphony flight
ever present the dolphins join adding their melodies
land and seascapes on easels abounding artistry
old and young all sing the southern song of crabbing
sandbars expose a treasure chest of spiral shells
bottling shark teeth and sand dollars a starfish prize
looking afar off as tides resume the ancient parade
inward salty trawlers return to barnacled creek docks
a plate of shrimp and grits greets diners races lost
sweet the baskets crafted as the hands that weave
old markets bow themselves a symbolic confession
while the color of flags and dignity both are attained
elders purchased misery of bonds in whole grains
glory in compassion and absolution dot their crowns
jewels of the new south treasured neighbors uniting
One Avenue or Shade Separated
by Robert Filos
darkness falls midday
out in the street where
children play
stacked as shoe boxes
in a closet, tenements
block the light
no horizon seen here
winter’s tide rises
in the city
subway prophets call
the cold and lonely
reply, coins ring
uptown the lights ignite
the blessed, curse
the called’s plight
colored wrappings under
the bright white
families trees
again, drug store presents
those caught without
means or ways
no sympathy for Satan
found here, just
a living hell
excess in both directions
so closely related in
place and person
just one avenue or
one shade of skin
separated
Imagine With Me What Could Be
by Robert Filos
incense burns silently infusing the earth with songs of caring
crafts a new blending of medley within the children’s orchestra
notes splendidly shaping harmonies along the staffs of rainbows
this superior highway bridging cultural waters no longer troubled
walls now laid out neatly a libretto softly to follow unifying us all
mandolins dancing with the wind do shine in a golden cadence
their chords ribbons flying gracefully strum out a last waltz to war
in a symphony filled with a resonance to embrace each a virtuoso
(Editor’s note: NonDoc publishes poetry and creative writing in addition to commentary and news reporting. To submit your poetry for consideration, email editorial@nondoc.com.)
