Live Encounters Poetry & Writing Volume Two November-December 2024
The Dervish Knows, poems by Joe Kidd.
The Dervish Knows
if we do this right, they will never notice
slowly, silently, one step at a time
we shall fill the room with smoke,
fragrant and dark
the amphibians, the insects, will be ready to begin
the burden of knowledge, the power of the wand
undeniable and undetectable
in the spinning world
the sparrow knows when to nest
the sorcerer knows when to appear
the dervish knows when to dance
mother, mother, are you out there now
show me your hand, the one with the ring
this darkness is a pillow upon which I rest my head
and open the door that leads to you
the dreamer knows when to sleep
moonflower knows when to bloom
the dervish knows when to dance
the wind rises up out from the east
the flag of freedom has met its match
how does the cobra find its mate
beautiful fangs, and venom sweet
“get out of my way, you torturous sun”
let the night fall to its knees
at my tired and blistered feet
the stars know when to remove their clothes
the wood knows when to become a pipe
the dervish knows when to dance
Ode To The Desert
Like Adam before you, you rise from the dust
free and unrestrained by the burden of history
the floor of the planet where the footprints are cast
to the future we step together in time with the stars
that light the night sky in a land abandoned
where innocence, tolerance, and mercy may flourish
a population of immigrants, and refugees
home of the homeless, a dark paradise
Let the rain fall to soften the path
of the courageous who meditate
upon a peaceful future
Let your crops grow tall and green in their splendor
May your cattle grow fat in the warmth of the sun
A land of future Kings and living Queens
equatorial Eden once forgotten
your constitution is justice and a generous hand
now resurrected, a nation without peer
your capital city, the heart of man
© Joe Kidd
Joe Kidd is a working, poet/songwriter/artist. In 2020, published The Invisible Waterhole, a collection of spiritual and sensual verse. Awarded by the Michigan Governor’s Office and the United States House of Representatives. Joe was Beat Poet Laureate State of Michigan 2022-2024, and Official Poet of the Government of Birland North Africa. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from International Union Peace Federation. With Sheila Burke he has toured Europe, North America, & Caribbean Islands. He has been featured in international anthologies, magazines, websites, festivals, and other personal appearances. Joe is a member of National & International Beat Poet Foundation, 100 Thousand Poets For Change, Society of Classical Poets, Michigan Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Masterful creativity, reaching the innermost part of intellect and emotions
Stunning, poignant, provocative, excellent!