The Gorko Gazette

Daily Humor

thegorkogazette

6.25.2025 6:27 AM

2 poems by J.R. Solonche

OLD

I know I am getting old.
Five pots for flowers
this year instead of eight.
Four types of flowers
in them instead of six.
Two whiskies at three
instead of three at five.
No women, no women,
no women instead of one.

BARREN ROAD

I have a friend who lives
on Barren Road. It’s a
shame he’s not a poet.
‘It’s a shame you’re not
a poet,’ I said. ‘Why’s
that?’ he said. ‘Because
you live on Barren Road,’
I said. ‘So that’s why it’s
a shame I’m not a poet?’
he said. ‘Yeah. Consider
the irony,’ I said. ‘I do.
I’ve been considering it
all the time since it really
was barren,’ he said. ‘I’m
surprised at you. This is
the first time you said it’s
a shame I’m not a poet.
Well, I think it’s a shame
you are. A damn shame.
What a waste of a mind,’
he said. I understand.
He’s a sociologist.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nominated for the National Book Award, the Eric Hoffer Book Award, and nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize, J.R. Solonche is the author of 40 books of poetry and coauthor of another. He lives in the Hudson Valley.

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