THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!" (The wondrous poetpic is by Jack McCabe, who I hope forgives me for scribbling all over it with Photoshop)

RUTA MAYA

Always THE OTHER leads us to THE WAY

The door was closed to SOMA,so no poetry tonight

(here is where history bends according to the teller

like O Henry having Sunday afternoon soirees

@6th/Trinity-later to be our beloved CHICAGO HOUSE

Was it Laura Moliter or John Hawk who went next door

to this bicycle riding tattoo wearing casual space

where they allowed us to read BEFORE bands come on @9pm?

(thus the tradition of 6-9pm/convenience becoming ritual)

Albert Huffstickler liked to read there-his Christmas reading

often had his paintings and drawings on display-Madonnas and

the women he wrote about in his storied poems.He is history ,now-

with a pocket park dedicated ,and a FACEBOOK page.And that Ruta faded

when rents rose taller than skyscrapers.In time to 3601 South Congress,

watching the wild woods become cut down for more shoddy apartments.

Adventures here included the Poetry Festival,many bands ,and a gypsy community

whose residues drifted to Irie Bean,then Strange Brew when that Ruta closed.

There was a trailer -a Ruta maya trailer-in Bouldin Creek Food Court

This lasted a year or more.We performed on an open air stage

in wind,cold,rain and freeze.It was an adventure-especially when

Lawrence of the old WORLDBEAT CAFE shared African food with the poets.

Trailers are still there-but not Ruta Maya.Only the airport has a Cafe.
the coffee (Fair Trade,Made in the Shade)-is sold worldwide.

This is living history.Tribes find homes where they will.

Hermit crab poets remember the need for free spaces.

This is why we gather-to share stories of ONCE UPON A ..