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This book of metaphysically inspired romantic and travel poetry,
Fool's Knapsack"** is now available as an E-book for a suggested
gift of $10. You must have an e-mail address so it can be sent to
you. Below are two poems from the book:

(c) 1999, 2008 - Misty Day

Trucking for Grace
[triptych]

I

That afternoon I found a gull's egg glowing
in a puddle by someone's back forty.

When I looked in the water
I didn't like the look of the foam.

As I stood and prayed for an army of naturalists
and chemists to mend our earthsky home.

I think someone was listening.

Someone with God in him, nearby, with raisin skin,
rheumy eyes & khaki pleat pants,
no more an old man, and laughin' right out loud!
Celebrating those long, low years
with the one and only You.

I took his photograph,
thanked him for his grace
And tucked it in the egg to carry with me.

II

And Thumper now, he wore dreadlocks
of many colors
red, gold and black.
He had a face like butter and honey,
Robust, shining, shoulders balanced perfectly.

He & his day lady
stopped to admire my case --
I was ready for some company.

They beamed two big grins,
one for my harp and one for me.

III

Before the last loop of my journey
I stopped at a village shop,
bought two volumes of Whitman and
put them in my boots.

One for me and one for you.
So when the truck broke down
and Lemon Sun glittered through the
windshield, through the rain,
along came the Gentleman's Patrol
(black and white, with a free man's courtesy).

While they towed me into town
I drew out Walt's verses and read aloud.
His voice was there with me,
a Friend better than imported coffee,
better than the windshield in a storm,
arms raised high above his head
ravin' and dreamin'
about times to come.

San Joaquin Valley, CA 5/23/89

Gingerbread Girl

Traipsing again, are you?
Well, wander where the Gingerbread Girl
lies shy and naked beneath leaf-mold--
half-baked, circle round,
Call the Sun in and:
There she is, coming up
through the topsoil
uncoiling like a fiddle fern
poised in ivy, masses of air in her face
Oh my lace and gravy!
What a warm wet summer it will be.

Set several places for Mother
at table
A long row of ancillary distaffs
One lazy summer thread
tatting them into a basket for his doorstep

Muffins bred for strife
melting in the butter

See that vowed hand pluck
the sweetest from her crow's nest
and toss it past the gentlest, Sun's face
to land in the mighty carpenter's wood
for a soft naked harpsichord night

wet face
broad shoulders
red song
in the blue light
in the blue light

A light stirrup for a such a heavy foot.

Honolulu, Hawaii, 1980's

** Publisher's Review of Fool's Knapsack:

'...you touch upon diverse challenges one might find in a
sometimes-uncertain modern society. Along the way, you
investigate the relative complexities of human nature and interaction...
[Your]...entries...incorporate an almost-mystical feel to contemplate the
position of the human within what may be viewed as a larger context
of being... From the pain normally accompanying loss to the strength
that may come through a turn heavenward, Fool's Knapsack covers a
range of topics. Altogether your contribution is designed to mark
phases of your own journey as well as to speak to the reader
who may be following a similar path.'

-- Managing Director, Dorrance Publishing.