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Jo Sundberg's avatar

So powerful. What a ride he takes us on.

"Money buys everybody, that is why the world is fucked up

That is why politicians have seventeen faces and speechwriters

And waitresses wear lipstick

Why mediocrity rules

Why poets hang out in groups for protection"

And then the light:

"The wonder of children and salamanders and birds

Wonder is the thunder......

Wonder is the Spring rain itself..."

He was a genius.

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Bruce Isaacson's avatar

This same poem was also published under the title Walking In Kerouac's Shadow in his Zeitgeist book, Cockymoon. Jack's poems for Kerouac, so many of them, always move in beautiful melodies. We love his work and miss his voice! Thanks Poetic Outlaws for the reminder.

https://www.zeitgeist-press.com/index.php/product-category/authors/jack-micheline/

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Taishin Michael Augustin's avatar

Ah, these lines towards the end:

The light is coming out

I'll give the sun away

It belongs to everybody

That was a welcome read. Thank you!

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Jamie Millard's avatar

“I seek the genuine leaf blowing in the wind

The real person tapping a song whose melody

flows through rivers and time

The image that dances with stars

The sun that melts anger and harassment”

~ Wonder is Thunder

Fucked up poets we be.

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How to Love the World's avatar

wow. love this so much. "Why poets hang out in groups for protection."

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Malcolm J McKinney's avatar

Right. Exactly. Write.

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Carol Tavares LidoAlbiza's avatar

Years ago I had two cats. Marmalade. Brother sun sister Moon. They were brother and sister to your poem. This isn't a poem. this is much more than that.

And Sam Shepard is smiling

Thanks from one poet to another man this was a great trip.

😻❣️😻❣️😻❣️

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Nikki Hardin's avatar

I thought I knew a lot about Beat poets but I’m embarrassed that Micheline is new to me. What a poem! You feel like you’re in the bus beside him, the wheels in his mind turning with the wheels of the bus. I’m blown over by this--thank you so much.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Go for men, but one inside for women. I think at this Kerouac would roll a stone and blow smoke streams, take a deep toke get a drink to think of the next line. Enjoy his conflagration of words, many train cars linked and carting me away to a beatnik, gray sweatshirt time where we all felt adrift with nihilism but just wanted to be free. A hard subject to teach these days.

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Poetic Outlaws's avatar

Indeed, Kerouac wrote the introduction to one of Micheline's books.

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Berkana's avatar

Wow

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Daniel Henderson's avatar

I love the use of repetition here, even used to frequently it doesn't get tiring and feels fresh.

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Hudson E Baldwin lll's avatar

Neal Cassidy is God…..

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Sia's avatar

❣️❣️❣️

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Shannon McCloud Johnson's avatar

Have always been into Kerouac. My friends with New Riders of the Purple Sage wrote and play this song. It's known as one of their best. Thank you Jack. Excellent!

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David Picariello's avatar

Jack you always said Joie was the Kid....and Joie you're always watching out for us..your forever loving husband.Dave P

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Chris Bodor's avatar

So good. Write on!

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