Stephen Jarrell Williams writes at night, enthused, and waiting for the Coming Good Dawn. He has been published in I am not a silent poet, Mad Swirl, and others.
Ricardo feels short-changed whenever he’s in business with his boss, Martinez, who does ‘’business’’ at the LaGuardia Airport, with all the five major staffers, a part of his drug-cartel network. Having worked for his boss for over a decade, Ricardo sees the need to pay him back in his coin. Despite his faithfulness through the years, Martinez is fond of derogating his efforts and using the proceeds—that are due Ricardo—to his chains of girlfriends. Ricardo’s complaints hold no waters as Martinez prioritizes his lovers over intricate business deals he has with Ricardo.
However, Ricardo seeks on how his boss would, someday, have a taste of his poison—a reward for the wrongs he did to him. He figures out a plan. He discusses with his Doctor to create a ‘’image’’ of himself and contracts a willing-to-die for -the -money street thug, Roberto, to do his bidding—the would-be Ricardo’s impostor—delivering fake dollars, instead of the actual consignment as instructed by his boss. Roberto, or better known as ‘’Ricardo’’, is aware of the whole plot.
‘’Ricardo’’ is well-paid and is fully prepared for the task ahead. Ricardo, knowing the ropes of the cartel, explores the loophole and finds an escape route never to be seen again. Ricardo leaves the cartel with the hugest fortune, untraced!
The success of the plan is to Ricardo’s advantage but leaves ‘’Ricardo’’ to his fate…
(EXT) LaGuardia Airport, LaGuardia
(Ext)The LaGuardia Office
‘’Ricardo’’ is received by a team of five persons—the La Guardia Boys—-Mario, Rodriguez, Carlos, Santana and Franco. Martinez, dressed in an all-white MAFIA suit, stands afar off, with his dark shades on, staring at the bag Roberto is holding. Roberto is being escorted to the point where Martinez is standing.
Mario
(Excited)
It’s been a long time coming!
Good for the LaGuardia Boys!
(They are taking turns hugging the impostor Ricardo. He’s indifferent. But Martinez appears uncomfortable)
Carlos
More money, more pleasure…
Viva, LaGuardia Boys!
I’m goin’ to enjoy myself to the fullest!
Franco
(Shakes his head in disappointment)
Carlos, I thought you were reasonable.
All you know about is pleasure, nothing else!
Carlos
(A little upset)
This is the LaGuardia Office where businesses like what we, the LaGuardia boys do, are done nicely.
You know me too well, Franco.
Franco
You make me wanna laugh a little more
But the rule states: don’t mix business with pleasure
That’s what the LaGuardia Boys is all about!
Carlos
why interrupt me???
Franco
No comment.
But Learn to be wise, my man
Carlos
I see…
Franco
(sigh of relief)
Yea, no comment
(They are at about the same position where Martinez is standing. His frown-looking face staring at ‘’Ricardo’s’’ bag means he all out for the business.)
Martinez
(Stretches his hand)
Let me have it
(‘’Ricardo’’ gives away the bag in a care-free manner. Santana, Ricardo’s closest friend, knows something isn’t right with him. Carlos is suspecting, but not serious about it. The rest are indifferent. Martinez is grinning sadistically as he opens the bag for all to see. What is being seen is shocking all and sundry but ‘’Ricardo’’ is unperturbed.)
Martinez
(Paces back and forth)
Ricardo, what the hell is this?
‘’Ricardo’’
Boss, you know the deal as always
Martinez
What has come over you?
I suspected as much…
‘’Ricardo’’
You know, it’s all about Gold, Oil and Drugs!
Santana
You’ve gone nuts!
What’s come over you!
‘’Ricardo’’
You see, everything is so wrong with this shit of a cartel that what’s left isn’t just right!
Carlos
You must be outta your mind!
Are you kidding me???!!!
‘’Ricardo’’
My mind seems to be in oblivion.
But where can I find yours?
Carlos
Boss, he’s gone berserk!
Mario
You must be a fool, Ricardo
‘’Ricardo’’
I concur.
But what are you?
Mario
Thank your stars I’m pretty good today.
Else….
‘’Ricardo’’
You’d rain thunder and brimstone on me, I guess
Mario
Your guess is as good as mine.
Boss, Ricardo is crazy!!!
Martinez
(Angry)
I think Ricardo has some mental issues!
You’re right, Mario.
He has a serious issue.
(He looks at the stacked money in the bag and sees they are all fake! All are angered. Martinez lights up his Cuban Cigar, puffs heavily)
Franco
Ricardo, as I advance towards you right now, I feel like slapping the hell outta your face!
‘’Ricardo’’
You’re permitted, if our boss wills
Franco
Boss, Ricardo has gone insane!
Martinez
Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?
Franco
With all due respect, our empire is about being dragged to the mud
Martinez
Did you just hear yourself talk?
Franco
You heard me loud and clear!
Martinez
(Laughs sadistically)
Some fella grown some bananas
Franco
Boss, I’m tired of your bossy attitude
Carlos
Hey, what’s wrong with you, man?
Franco
So what?
Mario
Learn to act as an adult, not just one pick-from-the-gutter girl!
Franco
Who is this small fry ranting words with me?
Mario
(Disappointed)
Oh! I’m ranting, right?
Franco
Yes, you’re!
What are you gonna do?
Mario
You have no manners!
And you’re making these shitty statements?
Rodriguez
Franco, we’re faced with the mess Ricardo has brought on the LaGuardia boys
(Sighs)
Franco
What would have been our greatest fortune has been turned to counterfeits.
Rodriguez
Now, is your very approach the best way?
Franco
Rodriguez, use your brains, not your balls.
Learn to think.
Remember, if we lose this, we’re gone!
Martinez
I’m furious.
(Parts Franco on his back)
I really want to make this man, Franco, y’all call him, right?
(ALL ANSWEING): YEA
Martinez
I want to teach him a lesson.
Guys, Show Franco the consequences of going against Rule 3 of the LaGuardia boys Commandment
(ALL ANSWERING): Yes sir!
Santana, Rodriguez and Carlos are seen beating up Franco to a pulp. Martinez and ‘’Ricardo’’ watch the show for the next five minutes. The bag, initially held by Martinez, is resting on the floor.
Martinez
(Raises his right hand)
Stop
(Looks at Franco’s stained-in-blood face)
That’s what happens when you think youi’re fly
Franco
(Spits at Martinez)
You and your cartel are finished!
The LaGuardia boys is history!!
Martinez
Proving hard nut to crack, right?
Guys, whisk him away.
Let this be a lesson for each and every one of you.
TAKE THIS WASTE AWAY!!!
(His lifeless body is taken out of sight. It is between Martinez and ‘’Ricardo’’)
Martinez
Ricardo, do you know that your ineptitude has caused the life of Franco?
‘’Ricardo’’
I wouldn’t know.
It’s just that what you messaged me ended up on being what you wanted
Martinez
Why have you suddenly chosen to behave this way!
‘’Ricardo’’
Things change over time, you know.
Martinez
What has come over you today?
‘’Ricardo’’
Still tryin’ to figure out
Martinez
I WILL STRANGLE YOUR NECK TO DEATH…
Now, why ruin what the build-up of LaGuardia boys’ cartel?
‘’Ricardo’’
(Struggles to speak)
Please, let go off me….
Martinez
(Sober)
I’m all ears.
‘’Ricardo’’
(Pants)
Mistakes are inevitable.
Martinez
(Frustrated)
You must be outta mind!
’’Ricardo’’
But that doesn’t make you any better!
(‘’Ricardo’’ sees his cheeks being attacked by multiple slaps coming from Martinez. Santana, Rodriguez, Mario and Carlos, having deposited Franco’s corpse, joined the chorus to beat up ‘’Ricardo’’. After rounds of beating, Martinez decides to put an end to it. )
Martinez
(Screams, as he looks around helplessly)
What have just been done???!!!
We’ve lost everything!!!
The LaGuardia boys all gone!!!
(Paces back and forth. Then, maintains his stance)
Martinez
(Furious)
Guys, before we embark on anything else,
Take this helpless body out of sight!!!
(Martinez looks on as Franco’s helpless body is being taken away. He assumes his position after that)
After this is done, we’ll go back to NORMAL duties in this office.
We’ll stay away from cities we’re fond of visiting.
You know,San Marino, Jose and a host of other places!
We just have to be on the LOW for now.
No more touring for the LaGuardia boys!
Guys, Go back to work!
All go about their regular duties at the LaGuardia office for the rest of the day, howbeit saddened.
Later…
Martinez later discovered that he was dealing with an impostor and couldn’t trace the whereabouts of Ricardo. ‘’Ricardo’’ was freed, though stripped off everything he came to the airport with. The LaGuardia boys have all fled, since their boss was arrested. Martinez is in jail for murder and illegal drug businesses.
Let's Cure our Wounds
Ahmad Al-Khatat
Tears of pain don't hurt us anymore.
We collected heavy emotions and grief.
We learned how to talk about our feelings,
but not how to cure our wounds.
We constantly question the things we do.
And living has become a harder question than death.
True happiness wears mournful clothing.
True misery wears clouds and rain.
We sit and wait until we learn that destiny
had given us a melancholic mindset.
Our tongues are the harrowing tales of refugees,
hope lays down between the sadness of the grave
and in the letters of forgotten soldiers who never return.
Empty Like the Rain
Nothing but nicotine smoke
is running through my lungs,
my thoughts are turning into
clouds, with death in between.
My heart has become full
of sorrow and despair
I proceeded to inhale my last
breath, to explore six feet under.
I was raised with painful supports
You’re not good enough to work with us
You’re not smart enough to earn a degree
You’re not responsible enough to marry her
No one knows how I really feel
I feel the tears on my cheeks
I feel the blood above my cuts
As yet, I feel empty like the rain.
Believing in Yourself
Wake up and let the sunshine
over your misery darkness.
Wake up and let the rain heal
and wash away your deepest wounds.
Look at your healthy soul.
Listen to your heartbeat.
And give yourself a chance to
see what life has to offer.
Smile and don't let haters
tell you cannot dream.
No matter what anyone says,
remember to believe in yourself.
Do you know that your eyes shine as
the sun shines? every time you achieve
something, your will ambitions will increase
and uplift you.
My Bio
Ahmad Al-Khatat was born in Baghdad, Iraq. His work has appeared in print and online journals globally and has poems translated into several languages. He has been nominated for Best of the Net 2018. He is the author of The Bleeding Heart Poet, Love On The War’s Frontline, Gas Chamber, Wounds from Iraq, Roofs of Dreams, The Grey Revolution, and Noemi & Lips of Sweetness. He lives in Montreal, Canada.
Flower Girl (V2) If you get a chance, please listen to Mp3 audio, poem song, Flower Girl (V2)-special.
(Tears in Your Eyes)
By Michael Lee Johnson
Poems are hard to create
they live, then die, walk alone in tears,
resurrect in family mausoleums.
They walk with you alone in ghostly patterns,
memories they deliver feeling unexpectedly
through the open windows of strangers.
Silk roses lie in a potted bowl
memories seven days before Mother’s Day.
Soak those tears, patience is the poetry of love.
Plant your memories, your seeds, your passion,
once a year, maybe twice.
Jesus knows we all need more
then a vase filled with silk flowers,
poems on paper from a poet sacred,
the mystery, the love of a caretaker−
multicolored silk flowers in a basket
handed out by the flower girl.
July 4th, 2020Photo of events at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 17, 2013. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp was in attendance as President Barack Obama laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns in honor of all those who have fallen during military combat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.
July 4th, 2020, Itasca, Illinois (V4)
(AtHamilton Lakes)
By Michael Lee Johnson
Stone carved dreams for men
past and gone, freedom fighters
blow past wind and storms.
Patriotism scared, etched in the face of cave walls.
There are no cemeteries here for the old,
vacancies for the new.
Americans incubate chunks
of patriotism over the few centuries,
a calling into the wild, a yellow fork stabs me.
Today happiness is a holiday.
Rest in peace warriors, freedom fighters,
those who simply made a mistake.
I gaze out my window to Hamilton Lakes
half-drunk with sparkling wine,
seeing lightning strikes ends,
sparklers, buckets full of fire.
Light up the dark sky, firecrackers.
Filmmakers, old rock players, fume-filled skies,
butts of dragonflies.
Patriotism shakes, rocks, jerks
across my eye’s freedom locked
in chains, stone-carved dreams.
*This year, 2020, due to COVID-19 I watch fireworks off my condo balcony alone,
share darkness alone, share bangers in the open sky.
Fall Thunder (V2)
By Michael Lee Johnson
There is power in the thunder tonight, kettledrums.
There is thunder in this power,
the powder blends white lightening
flour sifters in masks toss it around.
Rain plunges October night; dancers
crisscross night sky in white gowns.
Tumble, turning, swirl the night away, around,
leaves tape-record over, over, then, pound,
pound repeat falling to the ground.
Halloween falls to the children’s
knees and imaginations.
Kettledrums.
Michael Lee Johnson lived 10 years in Canada during the Vietnam era and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Today he is a poet, freelance writer, amateur photographer, and small business owner in Itasca, DuPage County, Illinois. Mr. Johnson published in more than 1072 new publications, his poems have appeared in 39 countries, he edits, publishes 10 poetry sites. Michael Lee Johnson, has been nominated for 2 Pushcart Prize awards poetry 2015/1 Best of the Net 2016/2 Best of the Net 2017, 2 Best of the Net 2018. 210 poetry videos are now on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/poetrymanusa/videos. Editor-in-chief poetry anthology, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530456762; editor-in-chief poetry anthology, Dandelion in a Vase of Roses available here https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545352089. Editor-in-chief Warriors with Wings: The Best in Contemporary Poetry, http://www.amazon.com/dp/1722130717.
I am almost finished with a new biography of Michelangelo by distinguished art historian William E. Wallace… this book is, as the cover blurb suggests, “a good read”… a book that discusses this fascinating and complex artist by carefully considering his own words, the views of his contemporaries and the historical context of his life and times… Michelangelo was a prolific letter writer as well as a poet… especially in his later years… and this book looks carefully at his letters to give the reader a look behind the veil, so to speak of the artist’s public persona to give us a glimpse of the private man…
Michelangelo saw himself as an aristocrat, tracing his ancestry back to the Medieval Counts of Canossa… modern scholars are skeptical about this link but, of course, the modern student of art could care less if Michelangelo was of aristocratic lineage… but for the artist himself, his being of noble lineage was a massive part of his self image and to some extent, the reason he was able to so completely transcend the simple business arrangement, to for example decorate the ceiling of a chapel… Michelangelo’s view of himself as an aristocrat put him on a different footing than other renaissance artists in that he did not see himself as a hired hand doing a piece of work for a fee… even though that is what he ultimately was… in this sense, he was much more like a modern artist doing art for personal reasons and only being paid as a sort of courtesy… whereas the typical renaissance artist produced pictures to order for a client… Michelangelo agonized over art not to please a patron, but to please himself… his aristocratic self…
Michelangelo was by most accounts, a surly and difficult person to deal with… he was easily offended and thin skinned… he did not worry much about his personal hygiene, famously wearing his boots to sleep in for weeks at a time so that when he finally took them off, a layer of dried skin came off with them… he loved his work and spent long hours carving marble, painting and drawing… he was also a talented architect who was able to organized a building project… when he took over as architect of St. Peter’s, he was an old man, but still, he took over a building project rife with corrupt suppliers, do nothing workers, mismanagement and poor design… he redid the design, had the work crews disassemble much unnecessary building that had been added on to the original design and then redid the design… the design he inherited was poorly engineered, so he had to reengineer the building so that it would not collapse and then he redesigned the dome… he hired managers, stone carvers, mule drivers, wagoneers, blacksmiths, rope workers, etc… and saw to it that the work was carried out to his design efficiently and using the best materials obtainable… so not only was Michelangelo able to draw, paint and sculpt as no other had ever done, he was a genius for organizing and building…
Michelangelo’s family was large and almost totally dependent on him… he supported his siblings and his aging father and worked hard to see that his family was able to keep up the appearance of their aristocratic lineage… with nice houses etc… he set his brothers up in businesses and farms and his letters are full of his instructions to them about buying property and investing the money he sent them… from the letters, they seem like kind of an annoying bunch… but even as an old man, he was constantly writing back and forth with them…
the book makes much of Michelangelo’s friends… in fact, he had a number of close friends who did not see the surly and difficult artist but rather the guy who was a witty dinner guest… as he grew older, he wrote poetry which he often sent to his poet friends for proofing and correcting… and his poetry is surprisingly modern in that it is about himself and his struggles with art, and very confessional, as so much modern poetry is… he was sincerely religious, especially as he grew older… according to Wallace, Michelangelo was a pretty good poet and would have been more known except that the plan to publish a book of his verse fell apart when the friend who was helping with the project died…
anyway, a few years ago, I was in Rome… I visited the Sistine Chapel which I had not seen in about 40 years… it is an amazing experience to walk through the door into that space and see those amazing paintings on the ceiling 130 feet overhead… the figures so amazingly painted on that ceiling are so much more than the bible stories they illustrate… in fact, I find it more interesting to look at the paintings as figures and fabrics… I love the way the bodies are portrayed, the gigantic muscular men in all their writhing poses and the swirling of multicolored robes emerging from shadow… for me, seeing that art work is a life galvanizing event… I have studied and looked at pictures of this art all my life, but seeing the originals in all their size and glory is truly amazing…
I also have made the trek to San Pietro in Vincoli church, up the hill from the coliseum in Rome to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece carving in marble titled Moses… words fail me in describing this statue, but to me, it is a magnificent piece of art… and a story about it is that the Jewish community in Rome used to make pilgrimage to the Christian church to see this statue because it portrayed Moses… a major figure in the Hebrew religion…
I recently read a post from an artist of my acquaintance with a saying by somebody that a “provincial” artist is one who passively waits to be discovered… this post inspired a facebook discussion among the artist’s vast number artistic and intellectual “friends” about how to make sure one’s work is “discovered” and just what that means… it seems that the consensus was that being “discovered” meant obtaining an international reputation and that one had to hustle to do that by leaving Minnesota and going to New York, or someplace like it and getting your work in museums of modern art… having representation of an important gallery was the way to make this happen although, getting into the museums of modern art was agree to be tough, because as one person said, the museums are running out of storage space… but, if you do not get discovered or at least try by selling art, you are an amateur or even worse, a hobbyist and in any case, hopelessly provincial…
well, Michelangelo certainly had and has, an international reputation so, I guess we must qualify him as “discovered…” so, does that mean that I, as an artist who likes Michelangelo and considers myself to be a serious artist should try to be discovered? or what? I will be forever provincial, an amateur and a hobbyist… geeze… what a conundrum… oh well, fortunately, I have my small press audience and although I am not an aristocrat, I also am not Michelangelo…
Tony Beyer writes inTaranaki, New Zealand. Recent work has appeared online in Hamilton Stone Review, Mudlark, Offcourse and Otoliths. Print titles include Anchor Stone (2017) and Friday Prayers (2019), both from Cold Hub Press.
Michael Robinson (right) and fellow contributor Joan Beebe (left).
MEMORIES
I look back at the years behind me and wonder where have they gone. Beginning with grammar school and then high school, I was given many opportunities to explore many facets of the world around me.
Singing in choirs, acting in amateur theater, being a part of the Civil Air Patrol which is a civilian help to the Air Force (in uniforms). Horseback riding through the woods and streams in the Adirondack Mountains.
Eventually getting married and having two babies (daughters). Taking trips with the girls -- Disney World and also back to the Adirondack Mountains.
Celebrations at Christmas with Mass first. Birthday parties, New Year's Eve parties and so much more.
Sometimes all this seems like a dream of long ago -- but it was real. Looking back, I wonder - did I accomplish everything I should have and did I always do the right thing.
When you become a "Senior", you sometimes long for that time past. Now you have to take pills, you ache everywhere at times. But, you know, I wouldn't change it for anything. Each of us have a time of growing, loving and longing. I am grateful for that time and will always nourish and also be happy for those days long ago.
