THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

  

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, 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 Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and 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 within 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?"

PADDLE BOAT STEAMERS

SOUTHERN IMAGES OF THE MISSISSIPPI &MARK TWAIN

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn-always featuring paddle -boat steamers,

as that romantic imagery defeats time and actual history. Replicas now ply trade as restaurants and tourist traps.

If you see life as a river, leading down to the Great Gulf, and love as a port of call(a la Leonard Cohen)

Then you must ask-are you slave or master? Cargo or engine? Captain or crew?

Time is slow on a river, but the currents run deep. You can sound out your love

by the lines in a tide. Disembark at a new port of call, or ride to the very end of your life.

You may never fully leave the river. More than metaphor of depth and motion,

recall the rhythm of the slap of paddles in the waters. Remember your fishing from the side.

Recall the ride.