Featured Poet: Oliver McKeithan
Oliver McKeithan has resided with his wife on ten acres in the heart of Bradford County, PA for the past 25 years. He has always enjoyed reading and writing, but holds no degree in any area related to poetry or literature. A pharmacist by trade, he sought a creative outlet in poetry classes and discovered he enjoyed working with words. In writing, he likes simplicity and a touch of humor and irony. His favorite poets are Ogden Nash and Shel Silverstein. After retiring, he hopes to branch out to short story writing. He also plays mandolin.
BACK TO ERIN
I want to go back
to Erin. I want
to see that green
isle again.
I want to drink a pint
of the Guiness and a
shot of the Jamesons. On
that green isle again.
I want to pick the lucky shamrock
and feel the soft summer rain
back, on that green
isle again.
I want to hear the bodhran thump
and the fiddle squeal as I dance
another Ceili on that green isle
again.
HAIKU
Warm sun,
Asphalt appears, dull gray
From melting ice.
High winds,
Fill the narrow driveway
With deep drifts.
Cool dewy morning-
On the long green vines
Pumpkins ripen.
Hot, humid day.
The pond is still and quiet.
Suddenly bass jump.
Pregnant pause,
Nine months later the idea
Was delivered.
Promise the world-
Politicians speak globally
But the world turns.
Polar bears hunting,
Seals lie basking on the ice
Become blubber 'sickles
Music plays softly,
Lyrics and melody harmonize,
Soothe the savage beast.
IED
My legs like steel pistons
when I ran, winning gold medals
for galloping ovals.
Lean, hard, taut,
strong struts for farm work;
pivot points for the Twist, Virginia Reel,
or whirling my girl in a waltz.
Twenty-mile marches with fifty-pound pack.
Rough training, leading my company
over rugged mountains and through
waist-deep swamps.
Legs that led our company on
the silver bird and then off.
In to the dirt, dust, heat
of the hell of Iraq.
Leading the patrol
slowly putting one foot
in front of the other,
feeling for the enemy.
A loud boom, a thunderclap.
The sudden stab of pain,
heat, burning in my legs.
Then, sudden darkness.
I saw myself racing, legs
carrying me across the finish line
first in every race.
Dancing with my girl.
I came to in a soft bed.
Looked down the white sheet
To where it dropped
To meet the bed.
FOUR SENRYU
First customer of day
Sheep farmer needs life insurance.
Fleecing begins early.
Politician’s server
Holds wealth of information.
Hidden in the Cloud.
Pharmacist counts pills
Last one falls on floor.
Fifteen second rule in effect.
Dog begs for treats
Sits and shakes paw
Owner well trained.
TANKA
Contrails streak the sky.
Vaporous cotton
Left by silver dots in a hurry.
My mind takes flight, but
My feet are grounded.
THE CAT
The truth I do not stretch or shove.
The haughty cat looks down from above.
She struts about with nose held high
and glares at me with disdainful eye.
I AM NOT AN EAGLE
Majestic, streamline,
bold symbol of power.
No way a fat, old guy
represents a country.
Soaring to great height,
the breeze his plaything.
I am a ground plodder,
gravity holds me close.
Eyes sharp and bright,
no movement un-noticed.
Eyes clouded with cataracts
my vision needs magnified.
Razor sharp beak and talons
rend and tear its own food.
Slaughter houses, knives forks,
I need help.
Simplicity, efficiency, magnificent
is the eagle. Complex, clumsy
dependent on others,
I am not an eagle.
