First Poem of Words

By Jef Harris

This first book is a personal reflection of experiences, places, peoples, trials, and successes of the author. The goal is to inspire by sharing poignant thoughts, encourage by spreading ardent hope, and enlighten by being honest and forthright. The words in this glittering collection of poems and lyrics form one of the most naked self-exposures undertaken by a retired Soldier. Jef Harris reveals himself with vibrant literary invention. Speaking face-to-face to his readers, he paints a colorful tapestry of language that invites you to read or listen, appreciate and understand as you relate to the emotive messages in his voice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466910362

Book preview

© Copyright 2012 Jef Harris.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-1034-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-1035-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-1036-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011963567

Trafford rev. 08/06/2012

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Contents

Author’s Note

TriWords

Paris 1980

As a Teen

you killed the beauty

Temptation and Repentance

Fragments of a Nightmare

first poem of words

Three Ships

Loving In Silence

Faces Moved by Different Pangs

when i was lonely and in boston

TriWords

Peeling

Wrecking Ball

Life Today, Not Tomorrow

Invasion

ROK

For Al and Camilla

Chicago Calling

Wisdom

Idle

Blocked

My Fall Thingy

TriWords

Her Mouth is Crooked

10/07/07

Running After Men

Brown Boys

Fly

Tennis

Veggies

Yellow Dust

A Chaplain Is Praying

Treats

Nine Songs

In this House

Lead Me

Ikengitmicelfout

Satisfied

Eve

The Holes in the Rain

Fruit

Outside

Screaming in ein Kissen

TriWords

Hurt Men

Ballerina

Smooth Ride

Kiss a Frog

On Faith

Submission

What next?

Expired Thinking

I Used To Wear A Ring On Every Finger

Hope

3/11/08 (D Challenge)

TriWords

Absence

Behind

12-11-07

Uncanny

I Will Never Go To Paris Again In Winter

Protest

Nobody’s Fool

Kaiserslautern

Reunion

It’s Stealing

3/9/10

Sortie

TriWords

Epilogue

About the Author

Sources

About the Book

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Unknown

Author’s Note

There are no substitutions for the words that found their way into this collection. This is what I want to say. I’m asking for consideration, appreciation, and understanding.

The three unrelated words that divide sections of this book are not intended to name chapters, since there are only two chapters: Poetry and Lyrics. They represent an exercise I call TriWords. I use them as a pause. Examine their structure and movement. Speak them out loud. Look them up.

Yes, meaning is important but I didn’t consider conventional denotations when choosing my TriWords, only their linguistic allure. Have fun and enjoy the words.

Jef, November 2011

Integrity

            Cogent

                       Justice

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Jef Harris

Paris 1980

The street was too narrow

The bus was too big and

You parked like a toddler.

The driver couldn’t back

Us out of that