Yellow Mama E zine

In My Country

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by Jack Garrett

 

         In my country nothing grows

         The sands consume everything

         leaving nothing—nothing breathes

         Nothing moves except the spray

         of old sand in dry winds

 

         Nothing moves—years go by

         Hot sun bleaches nomad bones

         stark white reflections of death

         Nothing grows

         A scarab rolls across the scenery

         on a dried-up dung ball

         a few flies follow

         nibbling at this tiny morsel,

         breaking it down to nothing

 

         No clouds—no trees—no time

         only wind and sand

         When the wind blows hard

         the sand is thrown everywhere

         You can't escape it

         It's like walking through clouds

         of ground gravel—

         It pricks your skin like tiny pins

         It gets in your underwear

         It gives you an itch

         It makes you wish

         you weren't here

        for you know all the time

        as the sun still shines

        someday your bones will be

        lying in a heap and no one

        will see it

        no one will weep at your grave.

 

© Jack Garrett

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     Jack Garrett was an artist, actor, writer, and musician extraordinaire. He played keyboards and guitar for several rock bands well known in the downtown NYC area during the 1970s and ‘80s and opened for the Ramones as well as for U2 with his band the Nitecaps during U2’s 1980s European tour. He leaves a treasure trove of art, music, and writing. Mr. Garrett had been put on warning at more than one job for doodling at his desk.

He passed on September 28, 2011.

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     Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.