phillip christopher
A Lone Duck
a lone duck
wack wack wacks
in motorboat surf,
calling us to
swim and fly,
quack at the sun.
…
On A Lake
a busy insect
flitting about the surface
of a sunlit pond,
unaware of the sun
but warmed by its rays.
…
Phillip Henry Christopher spent his childhood in Paris, France; Biloxi, Mississippi; and the Green Mountain State of Vermont before landing in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, where he grew in the smokestack shadows of blue collar America. Since then, he has been a news reporter, industrial mechanic, taxi driver, karate sensei, political activist, educator, reggae singer and mambo orchestra leader. He has published in The Caribbean Writer, Gargoyle, New York Quarterly, Blue Collar Review, and others. When not occupied with survival, Christopher can be found performing a sometimes joyous, sometimes disturbing blend of Cuban, Jamaican, African and American music with his psychedelic group, Mumbai Taxi, or as “Philadelphia Phil”, playing original acoustic Blues.
Curio Poetry 
I always try to heed that quacky call; zoom in tight with the dragonfly. Two well-captured moments. Well done!
Ron. Lavalette
Barton VT
Thanks, Ron. Those quacks are just across Lake Champlain, not far from the New York shore. You’ve probably pondered them, or their kin in your woods.
Peace,
Phillip
On A Lake is a nice tanka. The last two lines are particularly good.
Why, tankya!
I should like to read more of these little cameos.
Hi, Viv,
So glad you enjoyed them! More can be found online at http://www.blazevox.org/06-phc.pdf
Peace,
Phillip
Delightful poems.
Pamela
Muchisimas Gracias!
Philip, these were like aperitifs, perfect moments, captured in your mind’s eye. I don’t know what’s more impressive – your poetry or your bio! It’s wickedly fun, and I share that travel/musician/off the beaten track life, at least until the last few years… Great poetry! Amy Barlow Liberatore
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/the-high-church-of-jazz-poets-united/
Amy, thank you for the compliments. Your affinity for a musical life, music in poetry, and the poetry in jazz is obvious from reading “The High Church of Jazz” I’ve many, many poems inspired by music, from Samba to Son Cubano, psychedelic Blues to Bikutsi. You may stumble upon some in your poetic journey– Haight Ashbury Lit Review, Caribbean Writer, New York Quarterly all contain music referencing poems. Really hoping soon to publish homage to Brubeck, Elvin Jones, Odean Pope, others written over the last few decades.
Took the liberty of reading Come The Revolution. Much love, much inspiration. Do hope your revolution comes, and Riley is firing words along with you.
Do keep the faith with poems and songs!
One Love,
Phillip
Amy, thank you for the compliments. Your affinity for a musical life, music in poetry, and the poetry in jazz is obvious from reading “The High Church of Jazz” I’ve many, many poems inspired by music, from Samba to Son Cubano, psychedelic Blues to Bikutsi. You may stumble upon some in your poetic journey– Haight Ashbury Lit Review, Caribbean Writer, New York Quarterly all contain music referencing poems. Really hoping soon to publish homage to Brubeck, Elvin Jones, Odean Pope, others written over the last few decades.
Took the liberty of reading Come The Revolution. Much love, much inspiration. Do hope your revolution comes, and Riley is firing words along with you.
Do keep the faith with poems and songs!
One Love,
Phillip