Announcements from the Underground A Collection of Poetry 1988-2016

By Mark Lutenbacher

This poetry collection by Mark Lutenbacher includes over 100 poems over 28 years. with topics ranging from babies to the passing of time and everything inbetween, Announcements is a delightful collection of poetry sure to make you grin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Lutenbacher
• Release date: Dec 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9780692827109

Mark Lutenbacher

Mark Lutenbacher, born in 1953 to a Louisiana family with deep Cajun roots, was educated by the Christian Brothers at De La Salle High School in New Orleans and attended Tulane University where he earned a degree in History. His early career was devoted to the advertising, marketing and public relations industry. In middle age he became a middle school History and Geography teacher, a devotion which ended abruptly as a result of the effects of Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans in 2005. An accomplished photographer and artist, he has been a summer camp counselor working with 9, 10 and 11 year old campers, a carpenter’s assistant and a long time employee of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. A River in a Bottle, his first novel, draws its theme from his love of family, children and the historic traditions of life in southeastern Louisiana.

Book preview

PART 1

THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

Ideas seem to crash upon me like never ending waves on a sea of change. Thoughts strike me harshly, entering my conscience from somewhere suddenly as if rising from below the surface of the earth. Wild spirits of imagination stalk me;

I have captured but very few of them here. I am drawn to describe emotions and their consequences, the inexorable movement of time and space inside the brain. These thoughts are brought up from below my subconscious, thoughts of circumstances encountered long ago. This work is a consideration of the impact on the mind as it recounts memories of people and things seen and unseen from long ago. These are the announcements from the underground, of thoughts, of sight and sound, taste and smell of life and of inspired remembrances of life encountered, observed and endured.

A POET’S FRUSTRATION

No honorable poet can truly write the words,

That bespeaks their deepest feelings,

For the mind may plumb the darkest depths,

Of things that cannot be decently spoken,

Thoughts too vulgar for the brilliant,

And the common man knows them only too well,

For one’s inner being is impossible to tell.

I COME BEFORE YOU TO STAND BEHIND YOU

The angel was sent to me,

Eloquently announcing: "I come before you to stand behind you,

I come to tell you something I know a lot about,

A poet’s enemies are time and doubt,

Do not fear futilely, be compelled to take action,

A writer’s longevity outweighs practicality,

Express yourself for the time is nigh,

Nothing about this life is easy,

While you have it, accomplish the important,

Discard plans for this and that, they are the stuff of empty dreams,

Your most priceless possessions are in your mind,

Release these gifts upon the world ceaselessly,

For these riches are meant to be shared amongst us,

When human nature is involved anything is possible,

This is the meaning of life",

And then the angel departed.

LOVE LIKE PLAYING CARDS (A GREEK CHORUS)

Jack of Clubs: Other girls just come and go.

Queen of Hearts: And other boys that I might know?

King of Hearts: "Could not love you like I do,

With a heart so warm and true."

Queen of Clubs: "If we play it right this deal is able,

To win the entire table."

Jack of Diamonds: "Fan the cards and play the hand,

For thus begins a chance so grand!"

Ace of Spades: "I’ll match your bet with those of us,

Who stand alone in hope of trust."

King of Hearts: "And so my dear, please be