Bandera
I offer nothing in return, and in offering, receive.
My mouth is a river
whose current bears no words,
but the silence is not of my making.
Notice the streets and their grey
hunger, the rain and the sun
passing by much
as one passes an unopened door.
That question, unvoiced.
That shiver preceding the icy touch.
You may deny my motives.
You may deny my existence and
the very notion of shape unto form.
I offer nothing, and in offering, receive.
O at the Edges 
Beautiful poem!
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Thank you, Victoria. I’m pleased you like it.
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Never was a more humble town glorified in poetry with such simple words. My kind of stuff, Bob!
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The “Cowboy Capitol of Texas,” Obi-Ron!
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Not sure I’ve ever been there but hope to swing by there on our way to the coast on a checkout run in our motorhome (If we ever sell our house!). *g*
Obi-Ron
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A good place to test the motorhome – many snowbirds winter there in RVs, so there are facilities aplenty, and I’d guess you’d find no lack of advice or assistance.
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enjoyed the poem…loved the cactus photo 🙂
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Thank you.
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A lot to think about in that first line, alone. Lovely!
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Thanks, C. Bandera is an interesting town.
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Reblogged this on poetessparlant and commented:
His work is incredible. I love this piece.
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Thanks for reblogging.
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Except, the offer to be captivated… beautiful poem.
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Thank you, Tammy!
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Enjoy the play of paradox here. Arresting time. You do it well, the noticing, of which we could all do well with more.
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Thank you, Gary. It helps to be slow-moving… 🙂
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Very moving, really liked this, nice job… Michelle
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I appreciate your comments, Michelle. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Ripple Poetry and commented:
Robert Okaji has some startling lines and reminds me why I love the poet’s art.
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Thank you, June!
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Thanks Robert – maybe you’ll like reading some of the other poets featured here.
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Oh, yes!
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Reblogged this on mahabatta2012.
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Thanks for reblogging. FYI, I just found your comment in my spam folder.
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maybe i comment make mistake
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Truly stunning…such deep profound words and imagery and I love the photos. Very well done.
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Thank you, Krys. The photos are from morguefile.com.
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Really loved this poem. Great job!
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Thank you!
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Did you find the pictures first- and let them speak to you or did you write the poem and find matching pictures with what you had in mind? It looked great.
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The poems always come first – this one about a decade ago – and I try to match them with photos that either illustrate or enhance a particular facet (with mixed results). 🙂
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No-one carves words like you.
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You’re very kind, Joycelin. Perhaps they broke the mold then made me? 🙂
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Perhaps indeed!
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Sometimes I feel that way.
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This is wonderful. Contemplative silence is such a gift in a world so full of chaos.
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Thank you. It is indeed!
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