Joe Zimmerman is an accomplished poet who resides somewhere in the Biltmore Forest, without permission. He has many accolades and credentials (and resumes) and has graduated from many prestigious poetry colleges, including (but not limited to) Harvard, Oxford, and Cal Polytechnic State and San Luis Obispo Community College. In his spare time he enjoys bird watching (with binoculars), hiking (with a flask of whiskey), and reading Heart of Darkness (with a box of street wine).
Star Wars & Margaritas
As I set here drinking Margaritas
and watching Star Wars on Spike TV
(at two in the afternoon, on a Tuesday)
I think of you.
I think of times like these we could have had.
It is clear to me now, you have missed out
Not me, you.
Is it just me, or does Darth Vader
look increasingly like a parody of himself?
You see, I am older now, more mature
I am stronger.
How many Margaritas does it take
for a woodchuck to chuck – what?
Across the room, the cat sleeps
so quiet …unaware.
I extend my arm toward him
or her? (I never checked).
Summoning the force, I attempt to lift Bonkerz
But nothing happens, yet.
Trying harder, I can almost feel his (or her) heart now — beating
What was it that Yoda said?
Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
Perhaps another Margarita will help
with the do or do not part.
This time – this time, work it will.
I throw out my arm, five fingers extended
Brows furrowed, not trying, but also trying!
His (or her) head turns
Aha! He (she?) felt it – the force!
He (I'm pretty sure it's a he) stands and stretches
The force is with me!
To think, you could have had all of this
We could have watched Star Wars together
I would have made you a Margarita
Using my special recipe
(The one I found in Rachael Ray Magazine).
Too bad (for you) you never replied to my last letter
or any of my previous letters
Natalie Portman.
Vast Universe
Universe, so vast
If only the human brain
could wrap itself around
the concept of your size
Larger than all of North Carolina!
Universe so vast
it would take weeks by car
to reach your outer limits
at least in my Ford Focus
Perhaps less time in a Porsche
But alas Universe,
I do not have a Porsche!
Universe so ancient —
You were here before the Native Americans
and the Neanderthals!
Here before my father!
(I am told)
Oh great Big Bang —
Explosion more powerful
than one hundred sticks of dynamite!
Traveling outward from the center
faster than a cheetah!
Oh vast, old, huge universe —
You are much bigger than a whale!
You must contain hundreds of other planets
(or at least ninety)
Oh Voluminous Universe
If you took all of the prairie dogs in the world
and stood them on each other's shoulders
making an adorable prairie dog ladder
to the Heavens
you might not even reach the edge
of the universe – SO DISTANT!
Oh vast Universe
If only I could grasp
your vastness.
I have had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr.Zimmerman. Contrary to what people might think, he was very good at it…sitting for a long time without standing.he was modest but I think he had been trained or at the very least… had years of sitting experience.
We also chatted.