Old Man Jay [Poem: written 1960/61; #8, Jr. High School Days]


Old Man Jay
lived in the trees
Old Man Ja
had ten mph shoes
Old Ma Ja
had a secret
Ol Ma Ja
could not forgive the self
Ol Ma J
had it under control

To different trees
he conveyed each night:
his hopes, and wishes
under the sky’s light

Ol M J
walked twenty mph
O M J
asked for forgiveness
o m j
spent all his time
trying to control
being out of controlling.

No one noticed
No one knew
that he existed
but…. o w j.

And because
he couldn’t
control,
his heart gave away
he died at thirty-three,
the city’s newspaper read:
“Vacancy!”

Note by the author: “Perhaps this should remind me (rereading this old poem after letting it sit for 25-years, and writing it 45-years ago), that when we are kids, we are displaying our gifts, if only we could see them; here I’ve noticed a pattern of diminishing letters, and the psychological melt down; perhaps that is why I majored in psychology in college, and a minor in literature. We think we are doing strange things, when we are not, we are doing, or writing what is inside of us, what we feel is important. Control is a major power player in any part of human behavior; in the Army, or family, or place of employment. The Government, the word power never rises as high as control I do believe. Influence is based on leadership, but behind leadership is control, and behind that is power. This poem was written in l960/61, number #8, while attending my first years of Jr. High School, at Como Park, in St. Paul, Minnesota.”