1. |
And The Broken Man?
01:07
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a good man
loves mercy
like a wife
virtue flows
from his heart
a rhythmic tide
the starving come
to suckle life
the selfish man
will not give
he devours
what others sow
he gores
& grunts
always wanting
never granting
& the broken man?
he can only pray
shame, a weight
he packs each day
ever walking
barely tasting
the mercy
he gives away
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2. |
In The Letting Go
02:10
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whisper my name
I will call you Don
if you call me Dulcinea
it's not my name
still, I love to hear you say it
whisper my name
come, whisper my name
a word made flesh as you dream it
please, say it again
if only I could believe it
whisper my name
overcome, she bows
her past is tragic & painful
but look at her now
she sheds her tears & gains a soul
whisper my name
what’s my life about?
I’m trying to find my way home
where will it be found?
it’s always in the letting go
whisper my name
whisper my name
whisper my name
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3. |
Oh, I've Walked With God
02:16
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an empty skin
slouching open
harried by the wind
ambling across the sand
swiveling head
envious of clumps
a passing soul
aiming at shadows
flaming curls
teasing the sea
electric youth dancing
for static patronage
bending round matron
bundled against the day
fingertips sifting
searching for whatever
burgeoning beauty
conquering basalt
russet calves flexing
she could show me God
Oh, I’ve walked with God
in imperfection
on a cragged path
to a stone perch
he comes laughing
kicking up foam
anointing my lips
with a sacramental kiss
I draw him in
tasting fire
releasing to the wind
not daring to breathe him
spitting out the bitter
acquiescing to the buzz
trading common desire
for an omnipresence
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4. |
Both Feet
02:47
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they see me with one foot in the grave
in truth, I’m very healthy
Mr. Pettis would say that I’m their buffalo
they feed on my existence
& really, that’s ok
I’ve fed on theirs for decades
They are not psychic vampires
They are feeling their mortality
They are not soul suckers
They are souls awaiting their ascent
They hold on to me, a lifeline
They remain anchored via my youth
& what do I get?
I get dinners out on Fridays
I get gray haired wisdom, times two
I remain in touch with the feminine
I connect with the paternal
I sleep with a mother’s prayer at my back
it’s not the life I expected
then again, I helped create it
at times, I feel entrapped by their concern
but, there are worse prisons
life with imperfect affection
is better than a life of disconnect
I am alive today
That means I have something to give
What is life without sacrifice?
It is a life void of compassion
An endless inner knot
A life without them
A parentless life awaits me
Not now, but too soon
They grieve their own passing
Early, but not by much
How can I bring them comfort?
With both feet
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Sherman Salem, Oregon
Sherman is a pilgrim, poet, artist & street musician. His creative works are his prayers, conceived in solitude & prayed
publicly. His poetry is featured in Mount Angel Pilgrim, an award winning short film by Coleman Weimer that documents Sherman’s 2019 pilgrimage to Queen of Angels Monastery in Mount Angel, Oregon.
If you would like to sponsor a reading in your community, contact Sherman.
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Sherman recommends:
Between Suns
by Joel Martin from Toledo
Joel Martin From Toledo’s music is creative, poetic & just fun to listen to.
go to album
in delicate balance
by J.J. Gregg
JJ Gregg’s music carries my soul into the heart of beauty.
go to album
To the Wild
by Wallflower People
Urban folk - organic pop - concrete & earth. Whatever you call it, the music of Wallflower People is soul floating infectious!
go to albumIf you like Sherman, you may also like:
Understand What Black Is
by The Last Poets
featured on Bandcamp Radio May 15, 2018
go to album
Bonjour Mon Amour
by Camille Bertault
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 6, 2023
go to album
Hope/Currency
by rPH and Kins of Spade
This album by Kenyan electronic producer rPH and poet Kins of Spade reflects on the impact of religion in their lives and society.
go to album
