poetry.htm

"As far as I am concerned, the greatest inspiration to me is to be an inspiration to another."
On June 6, 2000, I performed a show at Border's Books in Las Vegas, NV, a show who's audience among many others, including a mysterious and attentive gentleman who turned out to be a celebrated poet from Mexico - Antonio Rico. After the performance, his interpreter spoke to me of his appreciation, with which he honored me in a poem composed during, and specifically inspired by, my performance. On June 8, 2000, at a performance at Jitters in Green Valley, NV, I was again honored by his presence where Senior Rico himself delivered a reading of this poem , entitled "GUITAR", first in his native language, and then in English by his interpreter. the lovely Ms. Pamela Rene Huston. I was then graciously presented with an English printed copy of the poem, who's text follows.

Consequently, I did an internet search on Antonio Rico in search of more info on this esteemed artist, but came up with only Spanish websites. If you speak/read Spanish and care to translate for me, I would be grateful.

Here is the poem composed by Antonio Rico - as far as I know, it is the only published version of this work.

GUITAR
By Antonio Rico ©2000

I ignore the name of this amigo.
I only know that he sings and plays
with the rigor of his body and soul.
His fingers and his voice
are very dexterous and rejoice
over the body of this submissive woman.
That woman who is always denying me.
This woman goes against my will,
and she divorces me before
she has even come to know me.
The more I see her
and listen to her,
the more I love her.
My regret is that
she is always on the arms of other men.
Today I listen to her again
and my hope to conquer her is reborn.
I saw her again in this manís arms,
the man who knows how to make love to her.
Cheap woman, but marvelous!
Are you following me,
or am I following you?
If it is not true that you love me,
do not search for me,
or make me jealous with this man
who is now rejoicing over your body,
and cries out for you.
After all,
I know that you love me too

Here is yet another poem, penned for me at a performance. Such an honor!
A Comfortable Guitar
A Poem by Wayne Allen Jones
After hearing Joel Cage at Club Passim 2/26/98

I've always wanted to be good enough
to have a comfortable guitar, an old friend,
like Cage's Gibson - one faithful enough
for the gigs and all the practice sessions
in studios and sound-proof basement rooms -
one solid enough to take the years
of tortoise shell picks raking the body
above the strings so incessantly they
wear the wood belly thin and make a new hole
neck-side of the f-holes it came with -
a tan scar where black lacquer failed to hold -
but all the while holding on to that rich sound
that any good player comes to depend on.

The bridge would be simple and straight -
strong enough to keep the strings in line
and the harmonics clean, the waist curved
enough to fit my knee, the neck slick enough
to rip rapid changes, tuning screws tight enough
to hold out through a night of blues,
frets smooth enough for any bend,
a back thin enough to synch the strum
with my heart beat.

A good old guitar would have all this -
and more - without asking. Where is there
another friend so solid, true, and well-worn
it makes the music that moves souls,
that carries hearts into themselves so far
they turn inside out and join one another,
following the bass line of the world,
reaching out for heaven by reaching
deep inside for the common touch?

Copyright (c) 1998 by Wayne Allen Jones
Wayne.Jones@worldnet.att.net
REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

"Masked Moves"
written by Dr. Joseph Kelberman
after a show at The Broadway Beanery, Lynbrook, NY

9/18/04

On the board of squares
Jeweled knights hide

Waiting to combat their fears
When it is others who must decide

Moving in strange zigzag ways
Life extracts its own meaning

While it is we who are played as
A comedic or tragic aside!

[Dedicated to Joel Cage, musical performer]