man….. what a life

man….. what a life
I’ve got  ~  me the artist
poet/writer
photographer
independent publisher

after a cancellation
with my world class
humanitarian friend
I’m sittin’
all by my lonesome
in a hotel
the ‘Ye Olde Carlton Arms’
as a matter of fact
recommended by
this great photographer
I’m collaborating with
who lives in Stuyvesant Town

on this rainy day in NYC
with nowhere to go
I type away  ~  on
my worn-out
as comfortable as
an old pair of shoes
creative partner
of many years
a little black Z61t
Lenovo ThinkPad……

….serendipitously
in search of inspiration
I look out the window
to the east……
while I enthusiastically listen
to my new MP3 download
music by The Cynz  ~
I vigorously shake
my head up and down
to the lyrics of the track
this is my evolution’
as I fondly
with a smile
remember
just yesterday
that band’s singer
front woman
was doing the same
as she performed
the song at The Delancey
where beforehand
her and I sat in the dark
fervently talking ‘bout
the struggle
of present day artists
who have to
promote
themselves

I think back to
the cancellation
with my world class
humanitarian friend
where the discussion
was going to be
boys livin’ in the streets
used as sex toys
by people
who can afford
a house and a hotel
have a family
with wife and kids

really ~  really
makes me think  ~
appreciate

man….. what a life
I’ve got  ~

Image & Words by   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

Inspired by three great woman I’m deeply honored to know!
Carlton Arms Hotel (‘Ye Olde Carlton Arms’)

please Madam….. I’m lonely

Madam….  I beg your pardon
did I not pay
money
for you to
accompany me
tonight
then to grant
me some pleasure
here….. at   ~
Ye Olde Carlton Arms
is this not
the same hotel stairway
where we earlier agreed
on our business arrangement
I’ll be gentle
and kind
you can stay
the night
sleep in……
take a hot bath
I will fetch you
brunch
later in the morning
please Madam…..  I’m lonely

Image & Words by  ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

For my favorite photographer and mentor….
Regina A Walker featured at The Hamilton Gallery ~ Online.com
who suggested I stay at the Carlton Arms Hotel, NYC.

my Smartphone

there… all alone
in the Big Apple I was
on the 3rd floor
corner room
of the Carlton Arms Hotel
with a window view
that looks up 3rd Ave   ~
from 25th street
rainy outside
overcast sky
I think of writing
on this day of no plans
I ponder
do I turn on
my laptop
or do I stay in bed
and use my Smartphone
to create a poem   ~
you see…. nowadays
I use my Smartphone
more and more
to type my words
they get stored
on it too
even at
poetry readings
I read from my Smartphone
i.e., a reading in Baltimore
put on by my peace activist/
poet friend David Eberhardt

which included my poet friend
Constantine Pantazonis
instead of a sheet of paper
the whole process seems
so much more spontaneous
easy and convenient
I only use
my computer
to write prose
on my blog/web site
’cause the keypad
on the phone
still sucks for all that  ~
I’ve started a whole series
of photos with poetic words
called Images with Words
posted at my blog
advertised
on my Facebook page
……later this year
to be an eBook
only using
my Droid Bionic
who’d have thunk
within the mural
painted walls
of such a storied
NYC hotel
would sit not Gellhorn….
with her fingers tapping out
on a typewriter
a war story for a magazine
but   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~
as he uses
this high-tech gadget
to create words
to illustrate through image
his story/poem

Image & Words by  ~Keith Alan Hamilton~
Carlton Arms Hotel – NYC

perfect

while on the road called life
we may come upon
the embodiment of perfection
whether or not
we choose to experience
its very presence
before us…. or
appreciate
its everlasting beauty
by breathing in…..
its essence
is up to us

well  ~  I do see you before me
and I fully inhale your beauty

all
I
can
say
is

perfect

Image & Words by  ~Keith Alan Hamilton~

dancing with the angels ~ dedicated to James Lee Hargreaves

when I look up in the heavens
sometimes…. you are dancing
with your friends
as if you are showing me
how to cut loose
how to chill
how to have some fun
no doubt ~ livin’ ain’t easy
it can get you all wrapped up
in the everyday bullshit
where life passes by
without notice or appreciation

so look up into the sky
look across
the deep blue sea
along the horizon
notice that pebble
on the ground
as the little boy
gives it a kick
feel the wind
as it blows the flag on the pole
and you may see….. like me
the clouds dancing
with their friends the angels

Image & Words by ~Keith Alan Hamilton~
Dedicated to James Lee Hargreaves

more able

how distinctive
your presence
this flowering radiance
which illuminates
all around you
with a willingness
to live vibrantly
without hesitation
worry…. doubt
guilt or fear

your splendor
makes me feel free
of my shackles
uninhibited   ~
more able
to bloom fully
become  ~  who I am

Image & Words by ~Keith Alan Hamilton ~

really now

the beauty in me is really there
if you care to see it

but really now
if I’m the one  ~
do you really
have to look that hard for it….
not really
you’ll just smile suddenly
without really knowing why

~really~  I kid you not….

’cause I’ve added
a little flavor into your life
a certain kind of zest….
that’s really  ~  really yummy

whatever….

the beauty in me is really there
if you care to see it

Image & Words by   ~Keith Alan Hamilton ~

as this pair

even though
I must admit
I’m very sad
I gotta …
let her go
set her free
if that’s
what it takes
the way
its gotta be
‘cause
when it comes
to her
I ain’t that tough
she makes me
fuckin’ crazy

please
please
save me Lord
I love her so
as this pair
we’re magnificent
~  apart
we’re less
than spectacular

Image & Words by   ~Keith Alan Hamilton~