May Days

16 comments

  1. Back after 11 years says:

    Overheard outside the Sharks playoff game against Detroit

    “I didn’t know Caltrain came down this far.”
    “I don’t dare hope they win, because I will jinx it.”
    “They are worse than rooting for the Cubs.”
    “This building has aged well.”
    “How come the Warriors don’t play here?”
    “Where was the Cow Palace?”

    May 3rd, 2011 at 6:58 PM

  2. Ellen Rosen says:

    An Ode to SJPD

    So they broke into my house through the window
    And you came quickly, and showed me how
    They walked across the room looking for cash
    And finding none, they left in a flash
    Leaving only the open drawers and messed up table
    And you were soft and respectful and immensely able
    Even though I realize now I wasted your time
    With a burglary that wasn’t, but you said it was fine
    It was your job and mine to report such things
    And you called me ma’am in a little voice that sings
    I like having a female cop come take care of me
    With your short hair and manners and bravery!

    May 3rd, 2011 at 7:02 PM

  3. Susie Murillo says:

    The Garden Cuttings in the street on Hanchett

    Your palm tree looks healthy, if a little root bound.
    Why are you throwing it away?

    May 3rd, 2011 at 7:04 PM

  4. Route 23 says:

    Dawn on Curtner Ave

    My boots scuff the gravel bike path behind Tamien station.

    The freeway sighs
    Litter flies

    Minutes before the Sunday sun comes up over Communications Hill.

    May 9th, 2011 at 11:56 PM

  5. Berryessa Dad says:

    Oh Dutch Hammond

    Did you ever think your middle class Spoke City
    Would turn out to be so profligate?

    May 9th, 2011 at 11:57 PM

  6. Ellen Rosen says:

    While we sat on your new patio, looking at the mountains and trying to figure out the different types of trees, you went inside for another beer. I looked around at your new plants and roof and was pleased you kep the aluminum windows and sliding glass doors. I dreamed of Slip ‘n’ Slide.

    May 9th, 2011 at 11:59 PM

  7. Back After 11 years says:

    Three Memories of San Jose (1999)

    I.
    Smoky Night.
    The Cambrian Park Carousel wasn’t working.
    I parked in front of your Mom’s garage and then should couldn’t get out later.
    I wonder: has she forgiven me yet?

    II.
    Shannon
    I fell asleep before your prom night was over. Sorry.

    III.
    A Toyota Camry
    We figured out how to get the passenger seat to go back so we could fall asleep in each other’s arms.

    May 10th, 2011 at 12:05 AM

  8. Drew Clark says:

    it is sad
    really
    to see
    a city
    die

    hand in hand
    i walk with my
    lover every night
    before bed
    through the flouride
    yellow lit streets of
    san jose

    silicon
    valley
    rustbelt

    despondent storefronts
    now homes for the desperate
    hobo curled in the shadow of
    a seedy strip mall
    all her possessions piled
    in a nest to warm her chest

    all you people in your
    gentrified delusions

    Willow Glen
    The Rose Garden

    can’t you see that

    YOUR CITY IS DYING

    but it’s okay
    because if you turn
    the other way
    all that decay
    is masked by
    potpourri memories

    so here is a call to action
    leave your lawns to seed
    and your cars at home
    take a walk
    support local culture
    lets resuscitate san jose

    May 13th, 2011 at 3:30 PM

  9. Route 23 says:

    There’s a fine line between old and funky
    And old and scuzzy
    And old and unfair.
    Let us not turn poverty and injustice into quaintness.

    May 13th, 2011 at 5:39 PM

  10. Pickled Violets says:

    You can tell spring has arrived
    by the tumbleweeds of pollen
    rolling through gutters
    piling up against
    bus stops,
    Smothering windshields,
    making a mad dash across the street
    a twisting, fluffy chain.
    Like schoolchildren holding hands.

    New color is added
    to the flotsam in the street.
    A buttercup hue
    To the flaming Cheetos bag
    still failing to decompose
    despite the best efforts
    of April’s showers.

    Nature tries hard
    to fertilize our concrete earth.
    We complain of allergies.

    May 13th, 2011 at 5:40 PM

  11. Back after 11 years says:

    Not on Google Maps

    They say that all the blank spaces on the maps of San Jose have been filled. I disagree: the triangle median across the street from The Place on South First Street. Those redwoods and palms and dying grass go unmarked.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:12 PM

  12. Susie Murillo says:

    What were they thinking?

    The blank freeway wall where St. John’s runs into 87: this is what happen when you design a city from a map’s bird’s-eye view, instead of from a walking homo sapien’s perspective.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:13 PM

  13. Roger the Baron says:

    San Salvador and 3d, 11:00 am

    The guy is riding a pink cruiser. He’s wearing an old black leather jacket. A blonde mohawk. Smoking, while he waits for the signal to change.

    I have lost my ability to comprehend irony.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:15 PM

  14. Back After 11 years says:

    The sound of wings at night

    Do you remember? Outside the old Victorian–I think it’s at E. St. John and 17th. Stone griffons guarding the wrought iron gate. I remember you wondered if they would fly when we weren’t looking. And we laughed and weeks later, when we heard the bird sounds through Sharon’s open window before dawn, you said that was their mating call.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:17 PM

  15. Ellen Rosen says:

    The real watchers of the skies

    The huge satellite dishes, two of them, on top of the collapsing bungalow.
    They point south, like they’re straining to catch the beep beep beep of some radio call from a distant star, sent light years previously.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:18 PM

  16. Rosegarden Dad says:

    After the rain, the gutters by the abandoned service yard are filled with black water. The abandoned one-quart Corona bottle in the parking strip reflects dimly; slight ripples amid the grass cuttings, weeds and fosters’ freeze cup.

    May 16th, 2011 at 8:20 PM