Donal Mahoney writes

A School Bus Is Coming

On weekday mornings

on a quiet corner 

three moms with small   

sons and daughters

wait for a school bus 

they hope is coming

The children laugh 

play a game of tag

three moms are silent

three feet apart

One reads a book

another smokes

the other checks

her cell phone

The bus pulls up

the kids pile on

and rush to windows

to wave good-bye

the moms all wave 

as if in sync

The bus takes off  

makes its turn

three moms

walk home 

three feet apart

down the block

without a word

three moms

with children gone 

are free at last 

white, black and brown 

Monday Blues -- Lucie Boucher   

Donal Mahoney writes

An Oscar for Your Thoughts

It’s almost time for the Academy Awards.  

Theaters are showing their best movies

and someone I know wants to go.

I used to pay 15 cents to see Roy Rogers 

in black and white cowboy up on Trigger. 

Today with popcorn, candy and a drink  

it costs 20 bucks almost, just for me, 

to see violence in brilliant color. 

Six teens laugh a row ahead of me.

 

Donal Mahoney writes

I Feel Like James Brown

This morning I woke up early 

feelin' good, feelin' the way

I felt 50 years ago, no aches,

no pains, can’t wait to shower, 

hop on the El, go back to work, 

get the magazine out on time

then dance all night in a bar

to the music of James Brown.

I feel good like James today.

Wonder what my problem is.

Fifty years ago I felt good every day 

but never wanted to go to work.

I must be sick so I called the doctor

and described my symptoms.

I told him I felt like James Brown. 

Anything he could do to help?

He said take two aspirin and

call him when the music stops 

and I'm my old self again. 

James Brown, "The Godfather of Soul" -- Boris Normand