Painting:  Oil on wood/size unspecified, 2007, by Eddie Tang, Seattle, Washington.  

Blue Norther

mountaintop snow 

quickens the river

of a Blue Norther's

journey

colder than stilly

rigid frost. 

Poem © 2011 by R. Burnett Baker 

Plugging A Blog: (Can you DO that?)

Just a quick plug for another blog.  My other blog.  


I started Baker'sTake in April 2008.  It was to be poetry and opinion pieces.  The poetry just didn't seem to fit with my opinions, so I set up Efficient Agony in 2009.  After that, I didn't do much writing on Baker'sTake.  


Lately I've been trying to make time to write there a bit more often. If you venture over there's no telling what you'll think about the rants, raves and screeds I post.  One might think I'm a rabid conservative, or liberal socialist, or just plain nuts.  I'm none of the first two, but some of the third!  


Anyway, I have had Baker'sTake in my blog list for some time now. Have a visit if you like.  Maybe you'll agree, disagree, be fired-up, angered, or none of the above. Sometimes I'll be serious, sometimes not. But it further serves to help keep me off the streets! 


Thanks to all who have been a support and inspiration!  I truly appreciate your support, comments, and blogging friendships!  


Cheers, 
Rick 
December 30, 2010

Magpie Tales Photo Prompt 46: Wooden Soul

wooden soul




did I 
doff a 
leathered 
heart for
you


yet 
beside your 
wooden soul
even my 
hoary hands
now wrinkled 
through 
love 


are 
softer than
supple 
tears. 


Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo courtesy of Tess/Willow at Magpie Tales 

Merry Christmas

day of alms 

seek a posture of 

solitude: 

this day 

in all its revelry 

is a day of alms 

and quiet 

contemplation. 

Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo created by Pastor Stevan Sheets, Shippensburg, PA.

My Christmas Music Rant: Just Indulge Me, Please!!

Christmas.


It's nearly over.  But before anyone calls me a Scrooge, indulge me, please.  Just lighten up, 'cause this little rant comes from 30 years of retail and having to fight the wars of some of the worst of the worst of shoppers who, well, you know what they do...


But this isn't about that.  This is about Christmas music.  At work we listen to the same loop of songs played through infinity, it seems, from early November until after Christmas.  This year's selection had to have been selected from the worst of karaoke night.


And online today, there is an article by Paul Grein on a music blog called "Chart Watch" that talks about the "top-selling holiday song of all time," and how it "beats out seasonal classics from Bing Crosby and Burl Ives".


The song?  "All I Want For Christmas Is You."


The artist?  Mariah Carey.  Oh puleeze.....stab me with a Magic Marker.


First and foremost, I'd rather scratch all 10 fingernails on a black board than to listen to the warbling, yodeling, 30 octave screeching of Mariah Carey.  Ya know, just SING.  Stop with the vocal acrobatics, already!  And if  you can vocally reach octaves that don't exist, DON'T!


Fact of the matter is this:  According to the Guinness Book Of World Records, the number one selling Christmas song of all time is "White Christmas" by good 'ol Bing, with estimated worldwide sales in excess of 50,000,000 copies.


Mariah?  1,794,000 downloads, more copies than "any other holiday song in digital history," according to Mr Grein.


Ha!  I knew it!  Digital smidgital!  Downloads! Who cares?


So here's my not so humble opinion about what artists and/or Christmas songs should NOT be played ever again:


1.  Mariah Carey.  Nuf said.
2.  Any song by pre-pubescent Michael Jackson.  Just creepy.
3.  Bruce Springsteen.  I mean, who told that man he could sing in the first place?
4.  The song "Santa Baby".  By any artist.  Rated R.
5.  The song "All I Want For Christmas Is An Alien" by Fountains of Wayne.   Huh?
6.  No Christmas "music" from ANY rap artist, Beyonce, or TLC.  Period.
7.  American Idol contestants.   Get a job.  Go back to school.
8.  "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee.  Sounds like she has the hiccups.
9.  "Little Drummer Boy."  Second most annoying Christmas song ever.  RumpumpumEEEK!
10. "Carol Of The Bells."   Most annoying Christmas song ever.  Take it into war, play it full blast at the enemy 24/7, and they'll surrender!


Oh, I could go on, but enough!  Just give me Bing, Burl, Andy, Ella, Dean, Nat, and yes, even Alvin and the Chipmunks!


Merry Christmas to you and your families!  May you all find joy, happiness, and love this coming year!


Rick Baker
Rochester, NY
December 22, 2010
   

Winter Solstice: Let There Be Light

abide with me




the long morning
begins: 
each day 
begs 
patience,


the 
season extolls
"abide with me,
my light 
will prevail." 


Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo © 2008 by R. Burnett Baker 

On Growing Older

harbors of time




on fear we are 
fused as one
to twig beauty 
as centuries brittle 
our bones


through fading eyes 
clarity is ferried on 
memories cached in 
harbors of time 


and into sunset 
we shield our faces
as temptress light 
teases horizons 


just beyond our 
grasp. 




Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo © 2008 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo taken by R.Baker along the Hudson River just north of the George Washington Bridge, 2008.