Calling Your Name
Chasing the distance
making love to a memory
Living in the space
between heartache
— and dreams
**
The Devil’s Alleyway
I follow the river
whenever she calls
And answer mountain winds
that blow in the fall
I cross mighty deserts
through cactus and thorns
To brave city streets
— bereft and forlorn
**
Choice Undetermined
Life is about freedom
freedom is about options
Spread out before you
like lines on a map
Choice undetermined
awaiting direction
Venturing forward
— wandering back
**
The Present Surpasses
Never embrace
what history rejects
March to the clarion
as virtue begets
The present surpasses
what the devil demands
When free will bespoken
— the moment commands
(The New Room: May, 2026)
Poems By E.J. Hudak (10-12)
Interstate Packing & Rendering Co.
Mark is dead
he died in a
highspeed
head-on
CRASH
driving a piece
of high-powered
GM
tin
And when
they separated
flesh & blood
from metal & crud
there was nothing
left
of him
***
Two Olives
When I am left alone to ponder
to dream & waft
& my muse to wander
I can come up
with such rational reasons
& excuses for me
being
here
but rush me
with idle & mindless
cocktail chatter
& I might agree
quite pragmatically
that it was a careless error
on the part of a passionate Creator,
so why discuss the matter?
***
Selective Sacrifice
Sorry son
You’ve got to go
Times have changed
Didn’t you know
The beast is hungry
And he must be fed
And boys like you
Must spill the red
It’s your price to pay
To live in this land
Nothing personal, you understand
Here’s your papers, sign them all
You must respond
When Detroit calls
Take up the flag
Take up the gun
Sandstones waiting if you run
I’m sorry son
But you’ve got to go
Times have changed
Didn’t you know?
E.J. Hudak ca. 1969