Calling Your Name (+1)

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