Donal Mahoney lives in Belleville, Illinois. He has had poetry and fiction appear in various publications in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has been nominated for several Best of the Net and Pushcart prizes. More of his work can be found at http://eyeonlifemag.com/the-poetry-locksmith/donal-mahoney-poet.html.
I Feel Like James Brown
This morning I woke up early
feelin' good, feelin' the way
I felt 50 years ago, no aches,
no pains, can’t wait to shower,
hop on the El, go back to work,
get the magazine out on time
then dance all night in a bar
to the music of James Brown.
I feel good like James today.
Wonder what my problem is.
Fifty years ago I felt good every day
but never wanted to go to work.
I must be sick so I called the doctor
and described my symptoms.
I told him I felt like James Brown.
Anything he could do to help?
He said take two aspirin and
call him when the music stops
and I'm my old self again.
Bears Starving in the Woods
Long article in the paper
this morning stops Tim from
gobbling his bacon and eggs.
Bears are starving in the woods.
Too many cubs, too little food.
There’s a plan to feed them.
But no plan yet to feed people
in the city nearby waving signs
about working for food.
The Human Condition
Did I forgive her, you ask?
What a silly question.
Why wouldn't I forgive her?
The mother of my children,
she's been dead for years.
Our long war died with her.
Did I attend her funeral?
I'd have been a distraction.
But I pray for her,
the repose of her soul.
She belongs in Heaven,
no denying that, up front
in a box seat after all
she's been through.
If I'm lucky, I'll find
the side door to
Heaven unlocked.
I'll sneak in quietly
and if Peter doesn't
throw me out, I'll sit
in the bleachers.
The question is,
will I wave if she
turns around?
© Donal Mahoney
I Feel Like James Brown
This morning I woke up early
feelin' good, feelin' the way
I felt 50 years ago, no aches,
no pains, can’t wait to shower,
hop on the El, go back to work,
get the magazine out on time
then dance all night in a bar
to the music of James Brown.
I feel good like James today.
Wonder what my problem is.
Fifty years ago I felt good every day
but never wanted to go to work.
I must be sick so I called the doctor
and described my symptoms.
I told him I felt like James Brown.
Anything he could do to help?
He said take two aspirin and
call him when the music stops
and I'm my old self again.
Bears Starving in the Woods
Long article in the paper
this morning stops Tim from
gobbling his bacon and eggs.
Bears are starving in the woods.
Too many cubs, too little food.
There’s a plan to feed them.
But no plan yet to feed people
in the city nearby waving signs
about working for food.
The Human Condition
Did I forgive her, you ask?
What a silly question.
Why wouldn't I forgive her?
The mother of my children,
she's been dead for years.
Our long war died with her.
Did I attend her funeral?
I'd have been a distraction.
But I pray for her,
the repose of her soul.
She belongs in Heaven,
no denying that, up front
in a box seat after all
she's been through.
If I'm lucky, I'll find
the side door to
Heaven unlocked.
I'll sneak in quietly
and if Peter doesn't
throw me out, I'll sit
in the bleachers.
The question is,
will I wave if she
turns around?
© Donal Mahoney
