Tuesday, December 30, 2008

happy ha ha days 4

hi folks: well the count down has begun. another year has almost gone but its not quite over yet.
Yet thirty six hours is still long enough to write a new poem but today my thoughts have turned to an older one. I may write another but for now here's the old one and yes, its on the CD.

2o seconds to midnight
By Lawrence R. Berger
There's not enough time
quick
some body hand me the knife!
corks are poping champagne is flowing and blood
is Drip ping from my pen .
Lord help me there's just not enough TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIime
how the hell can you write anything decent in just twenty seconds?
see you next year.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

happy holidays3

Hi folks: happy hanuka, merry christmas, happy Kwanza and national pass gass day! I 'll see you in the new year.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

happy ha ha days 2

hi folks : just two parties left for the holidays ! boy its been a busy year socially. now I know how butterflies feel. no poem this week but happy holidays.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

happy ha ha days 1


Hi folks: you missed a great time at the young poets reading . High quality work but very poorly attended this year. Anyway , I'm doing a signing at Lift bridge books ( 45 east main st.) in Brockport , NY on sunday december 14th. stop by if you can. here's this weeks poem:


faces can show emotion

And still waters run deep

but conversation is a two way street.

see you next week.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Back to the grind.

hi folks: I hope y'all had a great thanksgiving and enjoyed last weeks post. I just found out about a poetry web site called Allpoetry.com where you can get critiques of your work and review others . my poem & picture are under laughingl. I submitted the meek shall inherit the earth but not the mineral rights. check it out if you like. I hope to see some of you at the "young poets" reading at St. john fisher college in Rochester, NY on Monday ! I'll be there cheering on my students. December 8, 7-10 pm, at St. John Fisher College in Basil
Hall Auditorium (B-135).

If interested in participating, contact Frank Judge at http://us.mc510.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sns1@msn.com, 260-9005,
ASAP so he can schedule slots and here's this week's poem:


words work wonders when wielded well.

see you next week.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Hail the feast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

happy thanksgiving folks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember , we've got the Young poets reading coming up in St.John fisher college's Basil hall auditorium on December 8Th see last weeks post for info contact. I'm going to post info on my fifth annual poetry contest again this week. primarily because we star accepting submissions December first and if I wait to post you might not know to send in . this weeks poem is entitled A bible belt polonaise by carl stilwel
here's the info Announcing the Fifth Annual Skysaje Enterprises poetry contest.
This year we’re offering a $250.00 first prize and three $25.00 honorable mentions.
This years judges are:
Ellaraine Lockie: Multiple award wining poet, ( including our 2008 contest)
MJ Iuppa: Legendary Rochester, NY based poet and professor at St. John Fisher College.
Rick Petrie: co-host of the long running Pure Kona poetry series.
Guidelines for entry into the 2009 contest:
1. All entries must be typed in 14pts font
2. Submit up to five (5) poems per entry
3. Title of poem and author contact info must appear on each page submitted.
4. A $15.00 non-refundable entry fee must accompany all submissions.
5. All entries must be received in our offices between 12/1/08 and 4/30/09
Make check or money orders payable to L. Berger and mail to us at:
Skysaje Enterprises
50 Amesbury Rd.
Rochester, NY 14623
Due to a publishing conflict we are as yet unable to present the winning poem from the 2008 contest ( Ellaraine Lockie’s She reads Virginia Wolfe) below is one of the three honorable mentions from last year:
A bible belt polonaise
by carl stillwell
I met Richard Brand while we were both Juniors
at Midwest City high.He was playing a Chopin's Polonaise on a Steinway at a church social.
As his bony shoulders pumped, his long fingers flew furiously along the length of the keyboard with a power i wouldn't have believed possible for someone wit such a small frame. It was the first time I had liked anything classical.
The last time I saw Richard, he drove me home in his '40 Plymouth Coupe. I had just returned from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and looked forward to telling him of the white bucked college quarterbacks and high heeled blode beauty queens I had seen testify at Youth for Christ rallies about the unspeakable joy the discovered the moment they bowed their heads,closed their eyes and asked Jesus to come into their hearts and take total control.
I knew Richard was"madly for Adlai" when most of us "liked Ike"and that he might have believed Evolution was true but i still wasn't ready for what he told me. He could no longer bend his knees to the god of our Bible belt fathers... his eyes had been opened and could never be shut again... He recommended that i read JB Philips book" your god is to small... Before i got out of his car he placed a hand on my left wrist and said in an anguished voice please don't pray for me.
I'd like to visit That north Carolina oak grove
where Richard shot himself, kneel before a mound of brown and yellow leaves Piled within a circle of ash white stones and let him know
I never prayed for him...
I read JB Philips ...
I've yet to hear a better polonaise
Copywrite carl stilwel 2008 used by permission.
see you next week

Thursday, November 20, 2008

sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi folks: I got busy today and almost forgot to post. See you all on december 8th at St. John Fisher college in rochester ny for the second annual young poets reading . for details send an e-mail to: rochesterpoets@gmail.com . here's this weeks poem

silence is illigeal
words must be used
hail the poet !


see you next week.

sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are going good today all things considered. So good I almost forgot to post. Here's this week's poem:

bite and chew, bite and chew
copying lyrics is all you do
let me keep my rhyme or pay me for it
don't make poetry a crime .

see you next week!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

happy november!

Hi folks: here's this weeks poem:

Change is in the air
the snow will fly soon
we huddle in our houses for warmth and find the sun.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

new poem

hi folks : thanks for reading this blog! here's this weeks poem

The future looks bright
and the market has stabilized
words make time stand still and last forever.

see you next week

Thursday, October 30, 2008

news of interest!

Thanks for all the support you've shown me since I started this blog! It's been really fun writing it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't worry i am not about to shut it down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But instead of one of my own poems this week I've got a real treat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm starting to advertise my fifth annual poetry contest and I've included one of last year's Honorable mentions in the ad. Even though the contest doesn't officially start till 12/1/08 I think you'll like the poem So I'm posting the ad here this week. Enjoy Narrowing the line by Kate Eisenberg and feel free to take down or copy the submission info if you chose to see you next week.
Announcing the Fifth Annual Skysaje Enterprises poetry contest.
This year we’re offering a $250.00 first prize and three $25.00 honorable mentions.
This years judges are:
Ellaraine Lockie: Multiple award wining poet, ( including our 2008 contest)
MJ Iuppa: Legendary Rochester, NY based poet and professor at St. John Fisher College.
Rick Petrie: co-host of the long running Pure Kona poetry series.
Guidelines for entry into the 2009 contest:
1. All entries must be typed in 14pts font
2. Submit up to five (5) poems per entry
3. Title of poem and author contact info must appear on each page submitted.
4. A $15.00 non-refundable entry fee must accompany all submissions.
5. All entries must be received in our offices between 12/1/08 and 4/30/09
Make check or money orders payable to L. Berger and mail to us at:
Skysaje Enterprises
50 Amesbury Rd.
Rochester, NY 14623
Due to a publishing conflict we are as yet unable to present the winning poem from the 2008 contest ( Ellaraine Lockie’s She reads Virginia Wolfe) below is one of the three honorable mentions from last year:
Narrowing the line
By Kate Eisenberg

1930 and hunger ruled.
it was wrong I know,
but it was there and our children were starving.
We were walking
The back roads of rural Mississippi
carrying everything we owned,
looking to work the fields .
thin but strong
All of us.
My husband took off his hat,
went to the back door and asked about work.
mean as a caged tiger,
A woman came at him broom swinging.
We all hightailed it back to the road.
as we gathered our wits a large cock strutted our way.
I looked up to God and asked his forgiveness .
With that I grabbed it and I wrung its neck.
Safe on another stretch of highway we built a fire.
Best darn chicken I ever did eat.
Every one of us scraped the bones.
Poverty has a way of narrowing the line between predator and prey.
ã 2008 Kate Eisenberg . Used by permission

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I'm back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi folks: Well, on Monday it'll be official! I'll be forty two for real! It's a scary thought. feel free to post comments on this blog or send me and e-mail and if you really like the work i've posted here and want a CD, please e-mail me as I've only got a few left. now here's this weeks poem:

Philosophy
by Lawrence R. Berger
Some folks have asked me if there is a purpose to life
the answer is of course yes and that purpose is survival.
but is there a purpose to living? Again I say yes!
that purpose is to leave something lasting behind
to show you existed.
In my case
its these posts that show
i was here, i don't have kids
and I've never had a real girlfriend
but like i said earlier , I'll be forty two on Monday
life is not over yet
but on the other hand
man do i feel old.

Friday, October 17, 2008

enjoy!

Hi folks: Thanks for sticking with me and continuing to read these posts! no new poem this week but please keep you eyes here for more interesting verse.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

welcome back!

I hope you enjoyed your holiday last week for those of you who celebrated it. Here's this weeks poem.

Circle
By Lawrence R. Berger
Wheels turn round and the
circle of life goes on.
One day follows another
and every second adds to the journey.
First you cry to be taken from
safety and then before you know
it your over forty years old
and you want to cry because you've made it to adult hood.
see you next week

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Happy New Year!

hi folks: It's that time of year again. the leaves are turning colors. There's a chill in the air and people start eating pumpkins and apples again. I hate this season because it means my birthday is coming up. Man i feel old! I'll be forty two this year! Well, considering what I've gone through in the past year maybe its a blessing. Considering the alternative maybe its not so bad. Anyway, this week is the Jewish New Year so Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks for the feedback on this blog too. Sorry no poem this week. see you next time.

Friday, September 26, 2008

friday september 25, 2008

hi folks: well September is almost over and so are my current gigs for the year. I'm always looking for reading opportunities so if you like my work please e-me and we'll talk about my doing a set for you. Also, Please send me your comments on what you think of my words! it's hard to keep up a blog without feedback so please give me some. Now here's this weeks poem:

Gold Star
By Lawrence R. Berger
Happiness is fleeting
but its often worthwhile.
Children are given gold stars for doing a good job in school.
Better than A's or B's these symbolise excellence.
I Miss getting the gold stars to put on the refrigerator
they used to look so pretty.
but at 42 i guess I'll have to settle for monetary compensation.
or I need to have kids who get the gold star.
But I did make it to 42 .
at least that's something to celebrate.
See you next week.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Back to the grindstone.

Hi folks: Thanks to David Wheeler at Canadagua Messenger Post for the fantastic write up on the Artwalk Alive festival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can view it at www.cmp.com and look for "The stroll for the soul" article from September 11,2008. Thanks also to those of you who came to the event. It went very well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's this weeks poem
Heart Song
By Lawrence R. Berger
Lub dub lub dub the beat goes on with each breath
and often doesn't stop till we do. We try and keep the beat
going as long as we can. we exercise, we eat right
we lose the weight . But still, you can't get out of life
alive and the trick is to be worth remembering.
see you next week.

Friday, September 12, 2008

home strech

Hi folks! Well its that time of the week again. I'm looking forward to the Art Walk Alive showcase and i hope to see some of you there. please feel free to comment on these posts.

Here's this weeks poem:

Dog Star
By Lawrence R. Berger
The world revolves around the sun
like a dog retriving his master's kill.
The night sky is clear, but for the full moon
another ball to chase, another day to shine.
see you next week.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

onward and upwards!

Hi folks: First a big thank you to everyone who came to my reading at St. John Fisher college in Rochester, NY last night. It was a Huge success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My next booking is Sunday September 14Th 2008 at the Art Walk alive festival. And by the way, I'm always looking for bookings ! just use the contact info on my profile and we'll talk. Here's this weeks poem:

Radishes
By Lawrence R. Berger
Red and tasty
they grow like weeds.
Farmers may grow vegetables
but children eat them , well sometimes
Children grow too
one day in the sandbox the next ripe for the picking and off to college.
Hockey moms
become chauffeurs and
eventually give up the keys.
(c) Lawrence R. Berger
See you next week

Friday, August 29, 2008

happy labor day!

see you on the 3rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! here's this weeks poem:

Happy Dance
By Lawrence R. Berger
It's good to be grateful for what you have.
Sometimes it brings in more.
I just got back some software that i thought was gone for good!
I got lots of help setting up my new system and a few words of advice on how to use it .
When I'm happiest I like to do a little dancing
Its a celebration of a job well done when rainbows
fill the sky and there are fireworks.
thanks for reading !

Thursday, August 21, 2008

welcome back!

Hi folks: I just bought a new computer and I'm still getting used to it. Let me know if you get this. And don't forget about my set at St. John Fisher college.(3690 east ave in Rochester, NY) it starts at 7:00 pm on Wednesday September 3rd, 2008 for more info call the host Frank Judge at(585) 260-9005 . Now that that's out of the way , here's this week's poem:

Dose not compute
By Lawrence R. Berger
Some things need replacing every few years
but hopefully friends are not amongst them.
rhythms ebb and flow and sometimes they
make sense.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thank God for small favors

Hi folks: not much new happening this week. remember,I'm scheduled to do a set for the Rochester Poets group on September 3rd 2008 at the Hughes Rotunda room at St. John Fisher college. (3690 East ave . in Rochester , NY) The show starts at 7:00pm and runs till about 9:00pm. I go on at 7:00pm-7:15 pm . There will be an open mic so bring words . see you there !
now for the poem of the week:
In the life of...
In days of old
when knights were bold and the minstrels carried a tune
spring flew in on robin's wing and lasted from march till June.
If you'd found the call to make a journey north of
Hadron's wall and found yourself in need of renewing hops bright spark
You'd simply forge a new quest and search for a nest of the bird called the meadowlark.
These days I find we haven't the time to listen for a seasons song
and we take nary a blink to stop and think and I consider this to be very wrong.
Ah but there are those few heroes
the truly shaman and sage
those for whom life is in bloom and all the worlds a stage .
Yes its these few heroes
who'll make sure we never lose
the kiss of a breeze or an elders wheeze
or the voice of the laughing goose
for you have my word it 'tis the birds that bring the
voices of song to man
so take the time to ask for a rhyme
or write one yourself and join in the band.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Opps !!!!!!!!!

Sorry folks: I posted the wrong address for St. John Fisher College last week. Its actually 3690 east Ave. in Rochester NY. Hey I'm only human . My apologies. here's this week's poem :

SECOND TOE
by Lawrence R. Berger
Years go by fast and suddenly
we go from showering in the sink
to the daily grind.
This little piggy became a doctor.
This little piggy went to Vegas and became a Black Jack Dealer.
This little piggy died in a war.
This little piggy buried him
and on through history.
Time marches on and sometimes takes us with it.
see u next week

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I've got some gigs comming up!

Hi folks: okay maybe it's a little early but I'm doing a set for the Rochester Poets group at
St. John Fisher college (3690 east Ave , Rochester NY.) on Wednesday September 3rd 2008 so mark your calenders! I go on from 7:00 -7:30/8:00pm in the Hughes Rotunda meeting room. Its right above the Skalinsky science center on the St. John Fisher Campus. My friend Garry Lehmann will be reading for them on August 6Th 2008 so if you want to try and make that so you know where the place is feel free. And by the way, the events are free of charge! I'm also booked for Artwalk alive on September 14th 2008 . more on that after the St . John Fisher Reading. I haven't heard from any of you regarding last weeks post so no poem this week! Remember to e-me with questions or comments or post them here . see you next week.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Let's talk!

Hi folks: I got a lot of good feedback on last weeks poem!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!! This week I'm posting another Poem for your enjoyment. If you like it please post your comments. if you don't like it please post your comments. If you love it buy a copy of the CD. You can always look at archived posts or e-me for purchasing details. Or if you just happen to be in Brockport, NY stop by Lift bridge book store( 45 east main street, Brockport ,NY) and ask for Joe Hoffman and tell him you'd like a copy of Dragon's Dance volume 1By Lawrence Berger and he'll be glad to help you out. Now here 's the poem :

DRAGON'S DANCE

Harken my friends come gather near
for I have a tale you might wish to hear
It begins on a night many eons ago
come close and I'll tell it . Are you ready?
Alright now here we go!
This tale takes place in the land where
the dragons dwell. Some say its the highest of heavens,
others the very lowest pit of hell.
This land is ruled by the dragon king
he goes by many names:
god, source , the eternal everything.
His queen was joy and her Majesty soared
but on this night in pain she roared
for their children had been bound by destiny
to kill their mother, at least temporarily.
there children too are known by many names:
anger, disease , poverty, hate and other games.
Anyway, upon hearing the cries of his lady true
swiftly to the scene our Dragon king flew
and seeing what his children had wrought
he knew that a lesson needed be taught
and in his efforts to make this plain he didst cause their twins
to become chained . And to heap more onto this injury
'twas given to man to hold the key.
Now this didst cause amongst that dragon brood
a quite profound change of mood. As of the dawn of the next bright morn
four new schools of thought had formed:
First came those who were pious and good, next came those who had clearly misunderstood.
next came those who thought the judgement was riotous and fair, lastly came those who flat out did not care. And now dear friends this tale's been told but if i may be so bold I'd like to share one last thought with you . for to you their key has been given too. for all who wish to truly be free must forever face the twin dragons of Crisis and Opportunity.

(c) Lawrence R. Berger

Yes you caught me. this IS the title cut from the CD. enjoy SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

Friday, July 18, 2008

a new poem

Hi folks : Here's a new poem for you:

Diana's Dawn :

History records not accurately the fall of Olympus. Yet, if you search the writing on the walls of this temple the true record can be found there. For 'twas to be the hour of victory for the Titans! Lord Kronos had dealt his son Zeus a mortal blow, Cerberus had been called from Hades to serve his true master and had Apollo at bay. There was however one more warrior present . though as a mere Goddess she was considered insignificant and just plain not worth the bother.

Diana was free to act and so act she did:
Arching her bow to form the crescent moon
she let fly a message arrow into the great ocean
requesting aid from her uncle Poseidon.

As it happened the arrow
struck Ocean full in the chest
and allowed Poseidon to win his battle for the sea.

So of course he granted her request
and called forth warriors from the world of men.
now these warriors where not armed with spear or lance
bow or quiver, sword nor shield or other accoutrement's fit for battle in the world of men.

No , they came armed for battle with the gods
for the were armed with brush and with Quill, with ink and Vellum,
with the music of the Lyre and all the colors of the Rainbow!

And with these they captured the god of time and forced him back into the blow meant for his son. Zeus then cast his bolt , opening Tartarus and carrying the day.
Ever since these Warriors have been mistakenly called the children of Apollo
for in the end 'twas his rays which brought Cerberus to heal and gave the warriors their opening.

But as the gods drank that first cup of Ambrosia on the next bright morn
Zeus himself heralded the bright new day as Diana's Dawn.

(c) 1999 Lawrence R. Berger

remember to e-me for info on purchasing my spoken word CD. have a great weekend!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

poetic conversations3

Hi folks: well I went to a picnic with Rochester,NY Mayor Robert Duffy Last week. It was a lot of fun. I'm always looking for new places to read so if you've got one let me know. this week I'll be attending the Rochester poets annual Picnic. send me an email if your a poet who might want to come . It's this Saturday. I hope I'll see you soon . L.B.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

a little bit more about me.

Hi folks: I've had a lot of good feedback from you on last week's post and I hope everyone had a great fourth of July! Here's a little bit more info on me. I'm first and foremost a working poet and have been since1996. In addition to Dragons Dance volume 1, I've also published three other poetry collections and a self help book. I got most of my training by apprenticing under Jack Michelin. A San Francisco based street poet who taught in Los Angeles. I now go to workshops to tighten up my written work as I was taught in a performance manor. I'm looking for bookings all the time so if you'd like to have me come in and talk to your classes, colleges or just book a co-feature I'm very available. Just e me with "bookings" in the subject line and we can talk rates. Oh by the way, I just got hooked up with pay pal so if you'd like a copy of Dragon's dance volume one and want to pay by credit card go right ahead. you can also pick up copies at Lift bridge bookstore ( 45 East Main St. Brockport , NY) ask for Joe Hoffman and tell him you'd like a copy .
thanks for reading! see you next week.

Friday, July 4, 2008

poem #1 the meek shall inherit the earth but not the mineral rights!

In the bible, we're taught that the meek shall inherit the earth.
That human beings were created in the image of god and given dominion
over the rest of creation.

We're also taught that shortly there after
Along comes old Mr. Satan and he steals it all away.

Now this has prompted a lot of my friends into thinking that maybe that first lesson aught
be changed. To read something along the lines of the meek shall inherit the earth but only what's left after those who hustle.

I have got to say that that would be fine with me!
I'd gladly let the hustlers keep all the cancer,
the ulcers, the stress and the greed!

I for one would be very glad to take the pleasure of watching a sunrise
right off their hands! I say let the hustlers keep the psychiatrist couches
and the operating tables.
I'll gladly "settle" for a life of peace and harmony.
Let the hustlers keep the mineral rights.
I 'll keep my sanity thank you.