Walking to China: A Collection of Short Poems

By Robert E. Rhodes

For most of us poetry is a form of noise that poets make because they can. Like birds, poets are more active in the spring. Like dogs, poets growl if you get too close to their easy chairs, but respond well to any show of affection. Poets are not even-tempered creatures, but are nicer after a few drinks. They expect too much of their wives and too little of their children. I am at liberty to tell you all this because I am a special breed of poet whose noises are pure music . . .

Robert Rhodes has been a teacher, editor, published poet, translator, director of a museum, and a major figure in the Live Poets Society. He was born in the South, attended U of Florida and UNM and has an MA and a PhD. He is married, has five children, lives in Santa Fe, writes poems and walks his dog.

PLEASE USE IMAGE (SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR) USED IN PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS FOR AUTHOR PHOTO AND CREDIT ALL ARTWORK: M. VERLAINE RHODES.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 7, 2010
• ISBN: 9781440198809

Robert E. Rhodes

Robert Rhodes has been an educator, a managing editor of a publishing company, a translator and a director of a museum. He was born in the Great Smokies, graduated from the University of Florida and has an MA and PhD from the University of New Mexico. He is married, has five children, lives in Santa Fe, writes poems and walks his little dog.

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Copyright © 2009 by Robert E. Rhodes

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ISBN: 978-1-4401-9879-3 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4401-9880-9 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 12/17/09

For Mimi, of thee we all sing.

GOD, OUR MOST SURREAL,

1) SUPREME ACT OF POETRY,

HELP US TO BELIEVE

ON A SUMMER BEACH

2) BLACK FEATHERS OF A SEABIRD

MARK REACHES OF THE NIGHT

GO TO WHERE WORDS WAIT

3) THERE IN CALCULATED LINES

TELL THEM I SENT YOU

I WATCHED TWO GROWN MEN

4) HIT EACH OTHER WITH THEIR FISTS

SOLDIERS HOME FROM WAR

THE SLOW DRIFT OF SAND

5) OVER THE ABANDONED HOUSE

LEFT NO ROOM FOR LOVE

THERE IS A LOGIC

6) IN THE WAY A WOMAN MOVES

THAT INSISTS I WATCH

WE LIVE OUT OUR LIVES

7) IN THE SMALL ROOM OF OURSELVES

LOOKING FOR A DOOR

I HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE

8) GOING ABOUT IN MY MIND

NONE OF WHOM I KNOW

HAIRS ARE DRIFTING BY

9) THAT SEEM IN THE MORNING SUN

AVENUES OF LIGHT

THE SOFTEST FEATHERS

10) NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE NEST

PLUCKED FROM