11.16.22 “Manzano” (Poetry, 2012)

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Shortly after I moved here to Albuquerque to ‘start over’ after a string of long term failed relationships (and a dead end career) in Dallas, TX, where I lived on and off for 35 years, I settled in to a room in a local church that was $300 per month, all bills paid. My roommates were a gangly group of folks: from drug addicts to the nearly homeless, to relatives of political figures who had fallen on hard times, to compulsive thieves, to model airplane hobbyists, and more. It was a really interesting time! Not only was I extremely poor at the time and looking for work, I had $20 in my wallet. I wrote this poem one day while crusing the outskirts of town in my neighbor Dan’s old truck, and wondering, wishing, praying.. that one day things would improve. They did, eventually, but it was then that I learned to enjoy the ride there. 😉 Alternatively, I kind of turned this one into a song, which I have the melody to in my head, but seeing as I’m not a songwriter, it never fully saw light, except for this poem form.)

“Mantano” appeared in the poetry book, “Gold Avenue,” for Feb 2012. Enjoy!

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“Manzano” by Brian Bolding

Feb 27, 2012 929 am Monday

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WE’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY

BUT FOR A MINUTE, I DON’T MIND IT

THE MANZANO MOUNTAINS LOOK SO OVERBEARING

BUT LETS GRAB SOME GAS IF WE CAN FIND IT

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THE MULTI-LAYERED HAZE OF PURPLISH CLOUDS

OVERHEAD MAKES ME WISH I WERE STRANDED HERE

SO THE FAST PACE OF LIFE COULD JUST STOP

MONTANO ROAD, TWO LOST SOULS, AND A SIX PACK OF CHEAP BEER

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EVERYONE LIVES THEIR LIVES HERE

AT A SNAIL’S PACE (OR SLOWER)

THEY CALL IT ALBUQUERQUE TIME

I THINK THEY’RE BURNT BY SOLAR

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COME WITH ME COME AWAY WITH ME

LET’S GO TO THE CASINOS AND SPEND OUR LAST FIVE

THIS TOWN USED TO BIG WHEN ROUTE 66 WAS HERE

NOW IM HERE, IT SEEMS MORE ALIVE

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SEEMS MORE ALIVE, SEEMS MORE ALIVE

WHEN IN DOUBT, GET IN THE CAR AND JUST DRIVE

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WE’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY AGAIN

BUT FOR A MINUTE, I DON’T MIND IT

IF YOU EVER LOST YOURSELF BEFORE

I HOPE YOU GET OUT THERE AND FIND IT

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COME WITH ME COME AWAY WITH ME

LET’S GO TO THE TOP OF THE SANDIAS & EXPLORE

NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD, NOT A CARE

THIS VISTA IS BETTER THAN ANY ICY COLD SHORE

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WE’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY AGAIN

BUT FOR A MINUTE, I DON’T MIND IT, DEAR

THE DAZZLING SUN EXPLODES THROUGH THE CLOUDS

THE CLOUDS ARE JUST AMAZING HERE.

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I THINK I’LL STAY HERE AWHILE.

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2.27.12 MON 929 AM BB.