I think I was wounded a while ago. Around that time you said goodbye. I remember it rained as if on cue. But you hanged me on every word. I guess I had it comin’. You see, I believed in you. And once a man opens his heart like that, the high noon train pulls into town. Someone must’ve telegraphed my vulnerability to near and far, and the resentful saddled up. I think I might get shot dead, right here on this street where we first kissed. Under that deceitful moon. Will you shed a tear for me? Will I even be missed? Was I ever noticed? Tell me it ain’t been for nothin’. Tell me I’ll leave a mark. I guess we should’ve had kids for that, but you were rarely allowed out after dark. How did I get cast as an outlaw? How come I’m always on the run? I remember being a sweet faced boy who only ever wanted to do right. I hope they don’t shoot me in the back. That’s a coward’s death. I want to stare them down. Way down to hell and back. Want ‘em to know what I’ve been livin’ with. Want ‘em to know I know who they are. Sorry, but time has hardened me. I told you I could change. But you wouldn’t commit, would you? I told you to jump and I’d catch you in my arms. But you didn’t trust me, did you? I guess you’d been wounded too. So here we are on Main Street of some dusty shithole backlot town. We both deserved more than this, ending up in a B grade cowboy movie. I could see you as Joan of Arc. And me as Mr. Chips. Ah, what a pair we’d have made. But Central Casting had no imagination and fucked us up. Y’know I’d have laid down my life for you, just so you could walk over me. How’s that for a loyalty not found in all those thieves who stalked your doorstep? I’m gonna have some words to say to God when I see him later today. Why did he torture me by sending an angel and then cutting off my arms? We were just two poor kids thrown together, and saw something of ourselves in each other’s eyes. Maybe I lost myself in you. That’s why you grew stronger at my expense. And if so, I don’t regret it. For I cared more about you than myself anyway. And as the clock strikes twelve, I’ve grown as wise as the servants, and as gentle as the doves. Having said that, there’s a train to meet, my love, so I’ll just leave it here and say farewell.
(C) Frank Howson 2020
Posted in 9/11 , Action Movies , Alamo , Amy Winehouse , Animals , Art , Arts , Australia , Australia Day , Battle , Beggars , Blue Eyes , Boats , Bobby Darin , Boston Red Soxx , Brian Wilson , Calvary , Cary Grant , Cats , Charles Dickens , Charlton Heston , Chelsea Hotel , Children , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Civil War , Clark Gable , Classics , Coffee , Cowboys , Creative , Crime , Critics , Damage , Dance , Dancing , Davy Crockett , Directing , Dogs , Dream , Dreamers , Easter , Errol Flynn , Fame , Family , Fathers , Fear , Fiction , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Business , Film Directing , Film Festivals , Film Frstivals , Folk Heroes , France , Frank Capra , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Gangsters , Germany , Glory , God , Greville Street , Hank Williams , Hemingway , Heroes , History , Hollywood , Homeless , Humanity , Humor , Husband , Infidel , Irish Ditty , It's A Wonderful Life , Jail , James Dean , James Stewart , Jerusalem , Jessica , Jesus , Jewish , Las Vegas , Life , Lincoln , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Melvyn Douglas , Merlot , Mothers , Movie Stars , Movies , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , Obervations , Old Men , Opinion , Orson Welles , Our Times , Playboy , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prisoner , Prose , Regret , Roy Orbison , School , School Years , Self Destruction , Sensual , Sherman Oaks , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Spirit of Christmas , St. KIlda , Stage , Street People , Sway , The Beach Boys , The Eagles , The Law , The Ring , The Sultan of Swat , Theater , Theatre , Tony Curtis , Twin Peaks , Ulysses Grant , Uncategorized , Valentino , Vegas , Verse , Victims of War , Villains , War , Wife , Writer , Writing
Tagged 9/11 , Abuse , Action , Action Movies , Actor , Actors & Actresses , American Civil War , Angels , anger , Animals , Art , Arts , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Behind The Scenes , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Boxing , Business , Cafe , Casino , Cats , Cheating , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Christianity , Christmas , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Coffee , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Elvis , failures , Fairness , Fame , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fighting , Film , Film Festival , Film Making , Forgiveness , France , Freedom of Speech , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , God , Grateful Dead , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Human , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Idols , Ireland , Irish , It's A Wonderful Life , Jealousy , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Loss , Love , Lovers , Magic , Make Believe , Making Movies , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Memories , Merlot , mistakes , Monogamy , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Music , Musical , Mystery , Nature , Nazis , New Orleans , New York , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , O , Observation , Observations , Old Men , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , P , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , ppp , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , regrets , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Religion and Spirituality , Reporting , Romance , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Sensual , Shopping , Sin City , Social Commentary , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Sun , Sydney , Taco Bell , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Beach Boys , The Eagles , The Game , The Ring , The Sporting Life , Theater , Theatre , Thought , Truth , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Vegas , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Aug · 05
I remember a place
Not far from here
In a small town
I held someone dear
In a strange time
My favourite year
Now I can’t think of it
Without shedding a tear
Some people change
Some people rust
Some people betray you
And piss on your trust
I’m running out of time
To do the things I must
I once drank a toast
To Hollywood or bust
I see children holding children
On this broken highway
I see men hurtin’ people
If they don’t get their way
I see women too scared
To go out after day
I was beaten to a pulp
When I tried to have my say
So sit down beside me
And remind me of things
Tell me all your hopes
That you pray tomorrow brings
How you dream of blue skies
And golden rings
Here I’ll wait out the storm
To hear how the bird sings…
May it tell me the news
That you’re happy and well
And that you rose
While your demons fell
And that you kept your pride
When you were told to sell
May that bird bring me the news
Be I in heaven or hell…
(C) Frank Howson 2020
Posted in 9/11 , Action Movies , Alamo , Animals , Art , Arts , Australia , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Bias , Blue Eyes , Cafe , Calvary , Casino , Cats , Children , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , City , Coffee , Cowboys , Creative , Crime , Critics , Damage , Dance , Dancing , Dogs , Dream , Dreamers , Easter , Fame , Family , Family Tree , Fathers , Fear , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Business , Film Directing , Film Festivals , Folk Heroes , France , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Germany , Glory , God , Heroes , History , Hollywood , Holocaust , Homeless , Humanity , Humor , Husband , Infidel , Interrogation , Ireland , Irish , Irish Ditty , Irving Berlin , It's A Wonderful Life , Jail , Jerusalem , Jessica , Jesus , Jewish , Life , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Marriage , Married , Media , Mothers , Movie Stars , Movies , Music Business , New York , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , Obervations , Old Men , Opinion , Our Times , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prisoner , Prose , Recordings , Records , Regret , Romance , School , School Years , Secret Agent Man , Self Destruction , Sensual , Seven Deadly Sins , Sexual , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Spirit of Christmas , St. KIlda , Stage , Stage Craft , Stars , Strangers , Street People , Stripped , The Blues , The Boxer , The Happy Prince , The Law , The Ring , The Sea , Theater , Theatre , Tinsel Town , Uncategorized , Valentino , Vegas , Verse , Victims of War , Villains , War , Weapons , Werewolves of London , What's Exactly The Matter With Me? , Wife , Wine , Writer , Writing , Yes Virginia , Youth , Zoo
Tagged 9/11 , Abe Saffron , Abuse , Acting , Action , Action Movies , Actor , Actors & Actresses , after all , Alamo , American Civil War , and people , Angels , anger , Animals , Art , Arts , Babe Ruth , Balcony , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Behind The Scenes , Bergman , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Boston Red Soxx , Boxing , Brian Wilson , Business , Cafe , Calvary , Casino , Cats , Charlie Rich , Charlton Heston , Cheating , Chelsea Hotel , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Chopper Read , Christianity , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Coffee , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Corona Virus , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Cyber Relationships , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dodger Stadium , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Electric Guitars , Elizabethan era , Elvis , Erotuca , failures , Fairness , Fame , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fight Game , Fighting , Film , Film Business , Film Festival , Film Making , Folk Heroes , Forgiveness , France , Frances Farmer , Francis Pharcellus Church , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , God , Gore Vidal , Grateful Dead , Hank Williams , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Hollywood Boulevard , Hollywood Nights , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Human , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Idols , In my time of dying They'll call for a holiday at the workhouse For there'll be no bills to be paid Mouths to be fed Or favours to be returned And the women that loved me may walk a little slower And , Inequality (mathematics) , Infidel , Ireland , Irish , Irish Ditty , It's A Wonderful Life , James Stewart , Jealousy , Jean Paul Sartre , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , John Ibrahim , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Juanita Nielsen , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Kings Cross , Kyle Sandilands , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Lebanese Australian , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Lincoln , Lindsey Van , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Loss , Love , Lovers , Magic , Make Believe , Making Movies , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Melbourne Observer , Memories , Merlot , Mischa , mistakes , Monogamy , Moral Dilemma , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Museum of Tolerance , Music , Musical , Mystery , Napoleon , Nature , Nazis , Nest , New Orleans , New York , News Coverage , Night , Night Club , Night Clubs , Nightclubs , Nile , O , Observation , Observations , Old Men , Opinion piece , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , P , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Peter Fonda , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , PinLeague , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , ppp , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Prisoner , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , regrets , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Religion and Spirituality , Reporting , Rod McKuen , Romance , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Roy Orbison , Russkies , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Self Destruction , Sensual , Sexual , Shek-O Beach , Sherlock Holmes , Sherman Oaks , Shopping , Sin City , Small Miracles , Social Comment , Social Commentary , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sporting Heroes , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Street People , Stripped , Sun , Sunset Boulevard , Sway , Sydney , Taco Bell , Tennessee Williams , Terri Garber , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Beach Boys , The Beat , The Eagles , The Game , The Happy Prince , The Kinks , The Married Woman , The Poor , The Ring , The Sporting Life , The Sultan of Swat , The Twin Towers , Theater , Theater Craft , Theatre , Thought , Tightrope , Tinsel Town , Tony Curtis , Tortilla , Truth , Twelfth Night , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Vegas , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Warren Zevon , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , Yes Virginia there is a santa claus , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Jul · 25
These were the shoes he wore. Notice the soles are thin. He’d walked many miles in these trying to get ahead.
This was his favourite jacket. He felt wealthy when he wore it. Even though it had holes in the pockets.
This is the shirt he called his lucky one. He always wore it to important meetings and although nothing ever came of them he felt this shirt would bring him luck. Someday.
These were his favourite pants – he’d been married in them. Twice.
This was the hat he wore everyday. It shielded his head from the rain and the wind and the sun. And if he pulled the brim down, from everyone.
This is the map he lost just before he lost his way.
These are the tears he cried when he had nowhere to go.
This is the heart you broke and you didn’t even know.
These are your letters he kept when he believed in you.
This is the photo of his mother who thought he was precious.
Where are the friends he helped instead of helping himself?
This is his favourite song that he played every night.
This is the movie he said changed his life.
These are the books he loved now all packed away.
Who saw him last?
(C) Frank Howson 2019
Posted in 9/11 , Action , Action Movies , Aged , Alamo , Animals , Art , Arts , Australia , Australia Day , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Berlin , Bias , Boats , Cafe , Calvary , Cats , Children , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Citizen Kane , City , Civil War , Classics , Coffee , Creative , Crime , Critics , Damage , Dance , Dancing , Directing , Dogs , Dream , Dreamers , Easter , Fame , Family , Family Tree , Fathers , Fear , Fiction , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Business , Film Directing , Film Festivals , Film Frstivals , Folk Heroes , France , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Glory , God , Hemingway , Heroes , History , Hollywood , Holocaust , Homeless , Houdini , Humanity , Husband , Infidel , Interrogation , Ireland , Irish , Jerusalem , Jessica , Jesus , Jewish , Las Vegas , Life , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Marilyn Monroe , Marriage , Married , Media , Merlot , Mothers , Movie Stars , Ned Kelly , New York , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , Obervations , Old Men , Opinion , P.F. Sloan , Paris , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prisoner , Prose , Records , Regret , Romance , School , Secret Agent Man , Sensual , Sherlock Holmes , Social Comment , Sons , St. KIlda , Stars , Strangers , Street People , Stripped , Sway , The Boxer , The Kinks , The Ring , The Sultan of Swat , Theater , Theatre , Tony Curtis , Trump , Twin Peaks , Ulysses Grant , Uncategorized , Valentine , Valentino , Vegas , Victims of War , Villains , Warren Zevon , Weapons , What's Exactly The Matter With Me? , Wife , Wine , Writer , Writing , Yes Virginia , Youth , Zoo
Tagged 9/11 , Abuse , Acting , Action , Action Movies , Actor , Actors & Actresses , American Civil War , Angels , anger , Animals , Art , Arts , Balcony , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Behind The Scenes , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Boxing , Brian Wilson , Business , Cafe , Casino , Cats , Cheating , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Christianity , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Coffee , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Electric Guitars , Elvis , failures , Fairness , Fame , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fighting , Film , Film Festival , Forgiveness , France , Freedom of Speech , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , God , Grateful Dead , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Human , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Idols , Ireland , Irish , It's A Wonderful Life , Jealousy , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Lincoln , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Loss , Love , Lovers , Magic , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Memories , Merlot , mistakes , Monogamy , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Music , Musical , Mystery , Napoleon , Nature , Nazis , Nest , New Orleans , New York , News Coverage , Night , Night Club , Night Clubs , Nightclubs , O , Observation , Observations , Old Men , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , P , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , ppp , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , regrets , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Religion and Spirituality , Reporting , Romance , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Roy Orbison , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Sensual , Sexual , Sherlock Holmes , Shopping , Sin City , Social Comment , Social Commentary , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Stripped , Sun , Sydney , Taco Bell , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Beach Boys , The Eagles , The Game , The Kinks , The Sporting Life , Theater , Theatre , Thought , Truth , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Vegas , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Warren Zevon , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Jul · 05
The heavy decrepit bodies of the great and not so, mingled with their offsprings, children too young to realise that this too would be their fate. Pathetic men way past their glory days paraded pretending that they still had it, while bored defeated women looked on knowing they didn’t.
It was another day at the enclosed perfectly temperatured salt baths. The warmth was comforting to the skin and the soul and made old bones and muscles feel rejuvenated. The inhabitants floated safe in this maternal womb away from the business deals that no longer mattered in a world that no longer cared and was on its last legs. Some old guys studied the racing form while younger middle-aged men preferred the stock market. Some gambled with their own money while others ventured with what they had married into, or had inherited. All in all there’d be few winners that day. There were no more lucky numbers to be had, or surprise gold and mineral funds in a world that had been looted, raped and gang banged so many times there was nothing left. Certainly not energy for outrage. Only resentment from natives who had been trampled under foot and squashed by the invaders who destroyed paradise without ever having taken the time to truly look around and realise the greatest wealth was above the ground. But like rats they burrowed lower and lower into darkness desperate for any shiny morsel of opportunity. Never thinking any further ahead than that.
We had destroyed the world without realising that such an abomination also destroyed ourselves. What we project outwards also implodes us. Given time.
I stood in the warm salt water as the floating bodies of the dead and the dying circled me.
(C) Frank Howson 2019
Sketch by Frank Howson.
Posted in Action , Action Movies , Aged , Alamo , Amy Winehouse , Animals , Arts , Australia , Australia Day , Battle , Bias , Blue Eyes , Bob Dylan , Boston Red Soxx , Cafe , Cary Grant , Casino , Cats , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Chopper Read , Cigarettes , Citizen Kane , Clark Gable , Clinton , Coffee , Cowboys , Crime , Critics , Damage , Directing , Dream , Dreamers , Electric , Elvis , Errol Flynn , F. Scott Fitzgerald , Family , Fear , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Directing , Folk Heroes , Francis Church , Frank Howson , Gangsters , Glory , God , Gratefiul Dead , Greville Street , Hank Williams , History , Hollywood , Hong Kong , Humanity , Infidel , Ireland , Irish , It's A Wonderful Life , Jail , Jerusalem , Jessica , John Lennon , Keith Richards , Lincoln , London , Lovers , Lynard Skynard , Marriage , Married , Media , Melvyn Douglas , Merlot , Movies , Music Business , Nazis , New Orleans , New York , Night Club , Obervations , Old Men , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Our Times , P.F. Sloan , Playboy , Poem , Poet , Political , Politics , Prose , Recordings , Records , Renee Geyer , Robin Williams , Rod McKuen , Romance , Satan , School , School Years , Sensual , Sexual , Sherman Oaks , Social Comment , St. KIlda , Stage Craft , Terri Garber , Terrorism , The Beach Boys , The Boxer , The Kinks , The Sea , The Yankees , Ther Beach Boys , Tinsel Town , Tony Curtis , Twin Peaks , Ulysses Grant , Uncategorized , Valentino , Verse , War , Warren Zevon , Werewolves , Werewolves of London , What's Exactly The Matter With Me? , Wine , Writer , Writing , Yes Virginia , Zoo
Tagged 9/11 , Abuse , Acting , Action , Action Movies , Actor , American Civil War , Angels , anger , Animals , Art , Arts , Babe Ruth , Balcony , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Behind The Scenes , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Boxing , Brian Wilson , Business , Cafe , Calvary , Casino , Cats , Cheating , Chelsea Hotel , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Christianity , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Coffee , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dodger Stadium , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Electric Guitars , Elvis , failures , Fairness , Fame , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fighting , Film , Film Festival , Film Making , Forgiveness , France , Freedom of Speech , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , God , Grateful Dead , Hank Williams , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Hollywood Boulevard , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Human , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Idols , Infidel , Ireland , Irish , It's A Wonderful Life , James Stewart , Jealousy , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Kings Cross , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Lincoln , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Loss , Love , Lovers , Magic , Make Believe , Making Movies , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Memories , Merlot , mistakes , Monogamy , Moral Dilemma , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Music , Musical , Mystery , Napoleon , Nature , Nazis , Nest , New Orleans , New York , News Coverage , Night , Night Club , Night Clubs , Nightclubs , Nile , O , Observation , Observations , Old Men , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Prisoner , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , regrets , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Religion and Spirituality , Reporting , Romance , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Roy Orbison , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Sensual , Sexual , Sherlock Holmes , Sherman Oaks , Shopping , Sin City , Social Comment , Social Commentary , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Stripped , Sun , Sydney , Taco Bell , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Beach Boys , The Beat , The Eagles , The Game , The Kinks , The Ring , The Sporting Life , Theater , Theatre , Thought , Tightrope , Tortilla , Truth , Twelfth Night , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Vegas , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Warren Zevon , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Mar · 25
From the mansions of sadness
To the bums on the street
From the highways of loneliness
To the halls of defeat
I’ve watched your ascendance
The road I never took
Girl, you’ve come a long way
On a smile and a look
From the poolside of stardom
To the kids on the run
From the mountains of compassion
To the things never done
I’ve watched your progression
With an assassin’s eye
I could have been there too
But my heart doesn’t lie
There are stars in cars on every corner of this town
You’re gonna need a lot of help
When you finally come down
You’re slept with the Caesars
And you’ve dined with the Czars
But none of them told you why
This prison has no bars
From the towers of power
To a broken man’s plea
From the face on the magazine
To the girl you used to be
I’m waiting for some answers
Beneath the falling stars
Wish I could’ve warned you
This prison has no bars
(C) Frank Howson 2019
Posted in Action Movies , Aged , Alamo , Amy Winehouse , Animals , Art , Arts , Australia , Australia Day , Babe Ruth , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Birthday , Blue Eyes , Boats , Boston Red Soxx , Brian Wilson , Calvary , Casino , Cats , Charles Dickens , Chelsea Hotel , Children , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Citizen Kane , City , Civil War , Classics , Clinton , Coffee , Cole Porter , Cowboys , Creative , Critics , Dance , Directing , Dogs , Dream , Dreamers , Electric , Eve of Destruction , F. Scott Fitzgerald , Fame , Family , Family Tree , Fathers , Fiction , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Business , Film Directing , Folk Heroes , France , Francis Church , Frank Capra , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Gangsters , Gary Cooper , Germany , Glory , God , Gore Vidal , Grace Kelly , Gratefiul Dead , Hank Williams , Hemingway , History , Hollywood , Holocaust , Homeless , Hong Kong , Hong Kong Lover , Humanity , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Interrogation , Ireland , Irish , Irving Berlin , Jack The Ripper , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , John Lennon , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Keith Richards , Las Vegas , Life , Lincoln , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Luna Park , Mardi Gra , Marilyn Monroe , Marriage , Married , Media , Merlot , Mothers , Movie Stars , Muhammad Ali , Ned Kelly , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , Obervations , Old Men , Opinion , Orson Welles , Our Times , P.F. Sloan , Paris , Pick-Up Artist , Playboy , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prisoner , Prose , Robin Williams , Rod McKuen , Romance , Roy Orbison , Satan , School , Self Destruction , Sensual , Seven Deadly Sins , Sexual , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Spirit of Christmas , St. KIlda , Stage , Stars , Strangers , Street People , Stripped , Sway , Terri Garber , Terrorism , The Beach Boys , The Boxer , The Eagles , The Kinks , The Law , The Sultan of Swat , The Yankees , Trump , Ulysses Grant , Uncategorized , Valentine , Valentino , Vegas , Verse , Victims of War , Villains , War , Warren Zevon , Werewolves , Westerns , What's Exactly The Matter With Me? , Wife , Writer , Writing , Yes Virginia , Youth , Zoo
Tagged 9/11 , Abuse , Acting , Action , Action Movies , Actor , Actors & Actresses , American Civil War , Angels , anger , Animals , Art , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Behind The Scenes , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Business , Cafe , Casino , Cats , Cheating , Chelsea Hotel , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Christianity , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Elvis , failures , Fairness , Fame , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fighting , Film , Film Festival , Film Making , Forgiveness , France , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , Grateful Dead , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Idols , Ireland , Irish , It's A Wonderful Life , Jealousy , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Loss , Love , Lovers , Magic , Make Believe , Making Movies , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Memories , Merlot , mistakes , Monogamy , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Music , Musical , Mystery , Nature , Nazis , Nest , New Orleans , New York , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , O , Observation , Observations , Old Men , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , regrets , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Religion and Spirituality , Reporting , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Sensual , Sexual , Sherlock Holmes , Shopping , Sin City , Social Comment , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Sun , Sydney , Taco Bell , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Beach Boys , The Eagles , The Game , The Kinks , The Ring , The Sporting Life , Theater , Theatre , Thought , Truth , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Warren Zevon , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Mar · 07
He came with love in his heart for every living thing. His innocence had been untouched and his light force shone so bright that crowds gathered to see him but, more importantly, to feel his warmth. By gazing upon him they were somehow changed. “Was this the Messiah?” they mumbled to each other in hushed tones lest they be deemed blasphemous by some. For some can find darkness in every hope, every wish, every prayer.
And when this man spoke it brought some to their knees, others to tears. It was as if the calmness in his voice could heal every hurt and fear that had weighed them down and they were now somehow lighter.
The taking away of such anguish even brought back sight to the blind. As if all they had needed was to believe in something and were being granted the ability to see the world anew. Men who had walked too many lonely dead end loveless roads and were now crippled, found that they could walk again. And after those first awkward unsure steps they inched closer and closer to him growing more confident and accepted with each one until they were in his arms, and the safety and strength of unconditional love made them sob for the joy of each precious moment. Time that they had, until now, misinterpreted and cursed for their burdens, and wasted, was now rediscovered and rejoiced over. All things were possible again.
In his face they saw no judgement, no impatience, no pity, only love. And his love became contagious among the people and they sang his praises.
He had not come to destroy the Romans, or hand out weapons, or preach hate. He was here to give meaning to our lives. What was the meaning of life? Love. For love opens the door to joy. And its light extinguishes all shadows.
But there were those, the shadow people, who were angered by us learning the meaning of existence and saw that this teaching could undermine their power over us. For they ruled by fear and threats, both of which were rendered insignificant when the masses walked proudly in the sun again unchained from their own mental limitations.
So they arrested this man, this dangerous man, beat him, whipped him, ridiculed him and his suffering, and sentenced him to an agonising death for the crime of telling us to love and forgive each other.
And in his final conscious moments he forgave those who had plotted his death, and the ignorant who had killed him. To this day it remains the greatest triumph of the human spirit.
Perhaps he was drawing evil into the light so that the world could recognise its face?
(C) Frank Howson 2019
Painting by Frank Howson (c) 2019
Posted in 9/11 , Action , Aged , Alamo , Animals , Art , Arts , Australia , Australia Day , Babe Ruth , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Beggars , Bias , Birthday , Blue Eyes , Boats , Bobby Darin , Boston Red Soxx , Brian Wilson , Cafe , Calvary , Cary Grant , Casino , Cats , Charles Dickens , Charlton Heston , Chelsea Hotel , Children , Chinatown , Chlldhood , Chopper Read , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Citizen Kane , City , Civil War , Clark Gable , Classics , Clinton , Coffee , Cole Porter , Cowboys , Creative , Crime , Critics , Damage , Dance , Dancing , Davy Crockett , Directing , Dogs , Dream , Dreamers , Easter , Electric , Elvis , Erotica , Errol Flynn , Eve of Destruction , Expensive Winos , F. Scott Fitzgerald , Fame , Family , Family Tree , Fathers , Fear , Fiction , Fight Game , Fighter , Film Business , Film Directing , Folk Heroes , France , Francis Church , Frank Capra , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Gangsters , Gary Cooper , Germany , Glory , God , Gore Vidal , Grace Kelly , Gratefiul Dead , Greville Street , Hank Williams , Hemingway , Heroes , History , Hollywood , Holocaust , Homeless , Hong Kong , Hong Kong Lover , Houdini , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Infidel , Interrogation , Ireland , Irish , Irish Ditty , Irving Berlin , It's A Wonderful Life , Jack The Ripper , Jail , James Dean , James Stewart , Jerusalem , Jessica , Jesus , Jewish , John Lennon , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Keith Richards , KGB , Las Vegas , Life , Lincoln , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Luna Park , Lynard Skynard , Mardi Gra , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Marriage , Married , Media , Melvyn Douglas , Merlot , Mothers , Movie Stars , Movies , Muhammad Ali , Music Business , Nazis , Ned Kelly , New Orleans , New York , Night , Night Club , Nightclubs , Obervations , Old Men , Opinion , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Our Times , P.F. Sloan , Paris , Pick-Up Artist , Playboy , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prisoner , Prose , Recordings , Records , Regret , Renee Geyer , Robin Williams , Rod McKuen , Romance , Roy Orbison , Satan , School , School Years , Secret Agent Man , Self Destruction , Sensual , Seven Deadly Sins , Sexual , Sherlock Holmes , Sherman Oaks , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Spirit of Christmas , St. KIlda , Stage , Stage Craft , Stars , Strangers , Street People , Stripped , Sway , Terrorism , The Beach Boys , The Blues , The Boxer , The Eagles , The Happy Prince , The Kinks , The Law , The Ring , The Sea , The Sultan of Swat , The Yankees , Theater , Theatre , Ther Beach Boys , Tinsel Town , Tony Curtis , Trump , Twin Peaks , Ulysses Grant , Uncategorized , Valentine , Valentino , Vegas , Verse , Victims of War , Villains , War , Warren Zevon , Weapons
Tagged 9/11 , Abuse , Acting , Action , Action Movies , Actor , Actors & Actresses , American Civil War , Angels , Animals , Art , Arts , Balcony , Baseball , Battle , Beach , Behind The Scenes , Betrayal , Bias , Birds , Blacklist , Bob Dylan , Bobby Darin , Book , Boxing , Brian Wilson , Business , Cafe , Casino , Cats , Cheating , Childhood , Children , Childrens , Christianity , Christmas , Cigarettes , Circus , Clowns , Cocaine , Coffee , Cole Porter , Concert , Congress , Creative , Creative Process , Crime , Critics , Dance , Dancing , Death , Directing , Director , Dogs , Doritos , Dreamers , Dreams , Drugs , Easter , Electric , Electric Guitars , Fairness , Families , Family , Family Tree , Fantasy , Fathers , Fiction , Fiction Writing , Fighting , Film , Film Festival , Film Making , Forgiveness , France , Freedom of Speech , French language , Games , Gandhi , Gangsters , Genocide , Germany , Giving , Glory , God , Grateful Dead , Happy , Health , Heaven , Hemingway , Heroes , Hobos , Hollywood , Holocaust , Home , Homeless , Homeward Bound , Hong Kong , Human , Humanity , Humor , Hunter Thompson , Husband , Idols , Ireland , Irish , Jealousy , Jerusalem , Jesus , Jewish , Johnny Cash , Johnny Depp , Journalists , Judge , Jury , Justice , Kids , Kings , Lamborghini , Las Vegas , Legal , Legend , Lessons , Letting Go , lierature , Life , Life and Times , Lincoln , Literature , London , Lonely , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Magic , Marilyn Monroe , Marlon Brando , Married , Media , Memories , Merlot , Monogamy , Morality , Mother , Movie Industry , Movie Stars , Movies , Music , Musical , Mystery , Nature , Nazis , Nest , New Orleans , New York , Night , Night Club , Night Clubs , Nightclubs , O , Observation , Observations , Orson Welles , Oscar Wilde , Outsiders , Painting , Paris , Perfect , Performance , Persecution , Personal Stories , Pets , Pick-Up Artist , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Pregnancy , Press , Prison , Production , Prohibition , Prose , Psychology , Public , Public Life , Recreation , Redemption , Regret , relationship , Relationships , Religion , Reporting , Romance , Romans , Roots , Roulette , Roy Orbison , Santa Claus , School , School Days , Secrets , Sensual , Sexual , Sherlock Holmes , Shopping , Sin City , Social Comment , Social Commentary , Social Sciences , Song , Sons , Sports , Stage , Stars , Stories , Story , Strangers , Sun , Sydney , Taco Bell , Terrorism , Thanks , The , The Eagles , The Game , The Kinks , The Ring , The Sporting Life , Theater , Theatre , Thought , Truth , Twin Peaks , United States , Valentine , Vegas , Video Games , Vietnam , Villain , Virginia , Wagner , War , Warren Zevon , Wife , William Shakespeare , Wine , Wonder , Writer , Writing , You , You are , Youth , Zoo
Feb · 11
what happens in vegas
stays in vegas
including our money
there’s a war raging outside
but I just got four aces
and the rolling stones are in town
we haven’t seen the sun in 10 days
these are nights without end
and steak dinners at Binions
at 3am
so fucked up and decadent
but hey, you only live once
and if you do it right
that’s all you need
there’s the corner eddie was shot
and here’s the last place lou was seen alive
over there tommy took one
and see that place….?
my friend knows all about vegas
he’s my tour guide of death
mccartney’s here this weekend
maybe we should stay?
maybe we should move here
he smiles
serious
I smile back and suppress my urge
to shoot myself
with his gun
the one with the silencer
(such a caring device)
why annoy others with the sound of someone’s messy death?
maybe it’s the constant rush
but I am so depressed
here I am surrounded by lights,
movement, people and shows
and yet I just want to cry
there is such desperation in the air
even worse than L.A.
neon lights
billboards of people i thought were dead
$12.99 steak dinners
any time day or night
only elvis was big enough
to put this place in perspective
we see some shows
george carlin
neil sedaka
little river band
america
george carlin spends his whole act
trying to convince the audience to go home
and commit suicide
the laughs are stilted and self-conscious
too many among us think his argument has merit
to take our mind off our death
we play the tables and get free drinks
while losing a fortune
but it’s only money
we’re having fun
after all
let’s get some hookers to our room says my friend
now there’s an idea
designed to make us feel even worse
about ourselves
hey, c’mon, let’s have some fun
we’re soon back on our way to lost angeles
(c) 2013 Frank Howson
Posted in Arts , Battle , Beggars , Casino , Creative , Directing , Dreamers , Fame , Fathers , Film Business , Film Directing , Frank Howson , Freedom of Speech , Glory , God , Heroes , Hollywood , Homeless , Humanity , Infidel , Las Vegas , Life , Los Angeles , Love , Lovers , Media , Movie Stars , Obervations , Opinion , Our Times , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Political , Politics , Press , Prose , Regret , Sensual , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Stage Craft , Stars , Street People , The Ring , Tinsel Town , Uncategorized , Vegas , War , Wife , Writing
Tagged Arts , Casino , Creative , Creative Process , Directing , Director , Fame , Fathers , Fiction Writing , Film Business , Frank Howson , God , Heaven , Hobos , Hollywood , Kings , Las Vegas , Life , Literature , Los Angeles , Love , Make Believe , Movies , Observation , Poem , Poet , Poetry , Politics , Press , Prose , Regret , Roulette , Sin City , Social Comment , Sons , Stage , Stars , Stories , Tightrope , Vegas , War , Writer , Writing
Sep · 30