By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

THUNDERBIRD BLUES

The progressive run
through Yosemite’s gridlocked valley:
a modulation of the redwoods and granite
slide-slipping down Tioga Pass

The diving elevation
composed as haiku on paper bags–
a sure sign poets were at the wheel

Words hardly hammered out
when small-town America rattled windows
with a musical phrase
of sporting good stores
diminished motel signs
abandoned blue swimming pools
blowing air

Breaking in time
to dive between the last set of sheets
at the end of free ways
close moth-eaten curtains
and hum to the syncopated neon light
that once spelled “Thunderbird Motel”
before the intoxicated country woke up
with a hangover

Before the whole note of sun
reverberated off mountain
and road became a riff
smacking the face of another day

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Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).

Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)

• Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
• Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
• Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018