Monday, October 27, 2014

Gorge-ous Autumn Scenes


These are a few of the photos I took today along the Genesee Gorge Trail in Rochester, NY.  It was a lazy walk, shambling through the leaves and shadowed pathways.  Autumn colors are about at peak.












All photos © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Blueprint Of You



















metropolis 


I had designs on you.  skylines 
and cityscapes, imposing eyes
to measure each breath.  draw 
the line at street corners, I said.

crosswalks cannot be foretold: 
don't jaywalk.  paths have been
carved from every inch of emotion.
you are a blueprint unfathomed. 

comes time for the dedication. 
ribbon-cutting;  cornerstones; 
handprints in cement;  signs. 
you are a time capsule, empty.



Photo/Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

After The Palette Dries



















artist(s)


who are we after the palette dries,
colors blend, shapes form, un-form.

your life is defined by myriad patterns.
a sketch of recall you leave to imagination.

memory becomes narrative in abstract.
that was your art. it is my guide. I waver.

who are we after chapters end?
we are characters sketched on any

shape of paper or canvas. we are
ink drying like tears in blackest night.


Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker 
Painting by my Aunt Jean Garner, circa 1990.  Watercolor and ink on paper. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Magpie Tales 241: Peak Color




peak color


take your place beside 
forest fodder.  glory is a 
wind-song journey captured.

entities have season, purpose; 
resilience if not recourse.  
we count days.  we count.   

someone captures our image 
for posterity. we remember
as we forget.  don't be sad:  

color is progeny. you prevail.  


























Poem ©2014 Rick Burnett Baker 
Photo shared by Tess Kincaid. 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Letchworth Park, NY: An Afternoon Drive



It was a pleasant October day, today.  I took a drive to Letchworth State Park, NY.  It is Near Mt. Morris, NY less than an hour south of Rochester.  Here are a few select photos I took today.  Enjoy!










































Photos © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Tonight Your Voice











your voice


tonight is not my muse.
music -  be silent.
leaves -  rustle tomorrow.
wind -  gather yourself.
rain -  fall silent.
daylight -  surrender: 

we're captive to
seasonal toil, 
its violent beauty.
our voices recall
staccato banter,
bundled in autumn.

I'll listen another night, 
when darkness stills 
and I am restless, too.  


Photo/Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker 


Saturday, October 4, 2014

Love, The Fast Lane


speed dating



a strategic plan is antithesis 
               to first hellos. 

negotiate position.
               measure angles.  

edit emotions;  
               proof read.  

carry intellect to the 
               table. 

who will be first to 
               offer grace? 




















Photo/Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Old Friends and Crickets




old friends and crickets


old friends and crickets chirp 
of 'these days' and how quickly
dusk is falling. roses die
till they bud again: cycle,

recycle, soak revolving hours
in daylight and season. pack
away nonchalance. my neck
is chilled. I bundle up my collar.

evening measures distance
between memory and now.
do you notice the color of
the rose's fading hue?


Photo/Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

1/2 A Bubble Off




the art of body politic 



if you measured with a level it was half a bubble off,
leaning left, like so many youth and old atheists do;
paintings must be straight to be pleasing to the eye.  

my reasoned hands grasp both left and right sides of the
frame and eyeball the position.  everyone eyeballs 
positions, perceptions dependent on tilt and angle. 

gallery light definition casts shadows downward.  
enlightenment must be in each scene's history.  focal
points are framed for reasons:  prayers to be answered.





















Photo/Poem © 2014 Rick Burnett Baker