James Berkowitz
Poetry

ONE LANGUAGE CALLED HARMONY

One language called harmony
transcended the borders of native speaking tongues
and carried a melodious tune around the globe
One heart pulsed harmony
carrying a beat in life long rhythm
transcending the drum of the soul
One language called harmony
Harmony called a language of one
A language of one
A language of the heart
The heart of a language called one

James Berkowitz © 2010

A SAINT IN THE CITY

Unnoticed, he travels the sidewalks
and alleyways sharing left over food
and pocket change to those in despair
standing on corners, living out of shopping
carts, and shuffling to keep warm.

No recognition, accolades, or media
worthy story attention is given
but the action takes place.

He dries the tears and wipes the dirt
from faces with restaurant napkins;
consoling the unfortunate without
therapist prices.

This unknown person carries on
with charitable work sacred to those
who receive.

The dire streets are his place of
worship for those forgotten.

No titles or distinction are necessary,
and a mere thank you is suffice.

Many will never know of his
whereabouts but he exists.

He is the evolution of endless time,
the Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed
and all thoughts of greatness
beyond the human eye and brain.

He is the saint in the city,
cloaked in a robe of heart and compassion.

A saint in the city,
amongst you and me and me and you
and everyone we know.

A saint in the city,
walking in love and light.

James Berkowitz © 2010

THE SUMMER ECHOES ON AND ON

Beach wave in my heart
The tide rises then splits apart
Faces fade in the memory sand
Time slips between my fingers and hands

I heard a song from the distant past
Upon the shore when the water splashed
The sea wall clapped with great applause
A nearby lighthouse signaled then paused

The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on

Teenage lust ran through my veins
Hopeful love with an open embrace
Walking miles along endless shore
Mind full of music with songs that endure

Poetic cries of children at play
Paragon Park screams without delay
Developers took them all away
And left a hole in my heart today

The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on

In lotus pose with mind at ease
Breathing time through life’s journey
Conjuring thoughts, emotions, and stories
From a season reigned in ultimate glory

Look to the sky look to the ground
Into the ocean to depths profound
Hanging moments as fruit from a vine
The base of life at the cord of a spine

The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on and on
The summer echoes on
JAMES BERKOWITZ © 2010


I SAW A STATUE OF TRUTH IN YOUR EYES

I saw a statue of truth in your eyes.

The kennel cage that was set between us, were our last moments together.
It took nine months of leaving you food and water to gain your trust.
Your knife scarred body and travel worn paws decided to be friends.

Revealing a canine smile you joyfully howled to the sounds of my harmonica playing.
We shared a bed during the winter months as your thin black lab coat found warmth within the blanket against my feet.

We ran through the woods and long grass.

Natural instincts told you to pick up sticks, chase rabbits, and all things that allured and stimulated the senses.

As I matured and spent time in school, college, and other places you still embraced me with a loyal heart when we would see each other.

I watched your beard turn gray. And with age you would still crawl onto my lap for love and attention, a precious gift of four-legged life aging with grace and beauty.

Then the cataracts came and blurred your vision and judgment. The car that hit you never stopped. I heard your painful cries and picked you up off the blood stained street holding you to my beating chest and aching heart then drove you to the vet.

I saw a statue of truth in your eyes and knew it was time to say goodbye.

James Berkowitz © 2010







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  • NEW YORK CITY STREETS
  • STRAIGHT AHEAD WITH HASSAN
Poems

NEW YORK CITY STREETS MUSIC LOOP CREDIT: THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT IN RECORDING  A POEM WITH MUSIC LOOPS MADE USING GARAGE BAND ON A MAC BOOK. ALL LOOPS USED ARE PART OF THE APPLICATION.

PUBLISHED POEMS:

Creations Magazine June/July 2010

THIS MORNING I WOKE UP AND SPLASHED MY FACE WITH GOD


This morning I woke up and splashed my face with God.
Birds chirped joyously as beads of love descended from my cheeks.
Lost amidst a razor stubble forest, I was swept away
and cleaned by the soft beautiful sunlight that entered a nearby window;
revealing the shapes and curves of a face
which have traveled a great distance along the many roads of life.

An elongated mirror continued to answer my reflection
with comforting words; “I am here.”
My pupils were reaching full aperture
then sharply opened to their fullest extent.
I stood motionless,
watching my slowly moving lips form into an eternal smile.


Raintiger.com - September 2007

NEW YORK CITY STREETS

New York City streets
Alive
Burning
Kissing the senses
Singing through pavement
Every corner unfolding
A theatrical stage
People in motion
Life in the raw
Heart beating pulse
Center of the universe
Heated core
Human aggression cylinders
Steeped in creativity
Artistic fire
Blazing media banners
Ringing cell phones
Ipod stuffed ears
Distracted window shoppers
Vertically gazing heads
Architectural magnificence
Walk faster
Jump sidewalk lanes
Maniacal saxophone sounds
Camera shutters snapping
Mind racing
Sensory overload
Go Go Go!!!

When do we stop?
Where do we stop?
How do we stop?
Why should we stop?

Mother Earth keeps turning

Downtown LA Life Magazine-May 1, 2006

IN HONOR OF WOMAN

In honor of woman
On trial in America 2006
For her choice to be
As life deems fit

The scaffolding of her physique
evolved through her history of development
is now being walked upon
by the evangelical plank of her government.

I cry silent tears for the thirty three years
that you've been granted the right to choose.

For now, the cloud of amnesia
that pervades this great country
will rain the religious belief of one sect.

Please know, that my unconditional love for you
whether you've embraced or rejected me reigns superior.

For I love you woman;
I've danced with your many shapes, forms, colors, and sizes.
Our electric footsteps will forever continue
to move light across the dance halls of the Mother Earth;
with gentle turns of sweet honey divine
that honor your right to birth.

Feel the inner strength of your goddess energy
and let your voices be heard;

For you are woman
I love
In honor of the world

Come, let us celebrate your creation
with great honor and respect.
For without you, dear woman,
the male decision makers would not exist.

Their lapse of memory for the womb they've travelled
has been convoluted with indoctrination.

Forgive them..........
For their eyes have been closed to other paths.
They have forgotten how to love you
because they've forgotten how to love themselves.

I love you woman
I love you very much
I honor you woman
With infinite love and great trust


The Pacific Grove Press - September 2003

LOVERS POINT, PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA

Cypress trees branch into a silhouette weave.
Sparkling bay lights twinkle in the dark night.
Lovers Point, where the lamp posts halo
a welcome sign of love
and the wind sails gently
caressing the nighttime air above;
with an ocean spray mist,

That if we,

Listen closely and shut our eyes
the shutters to the world will open
and surge with deep sighs,
giving precious life that captures us for a moment.

Interconnecting from all directions
with dancing spirits spinning round;
joining together as one in love
where joy jumps in leaps and bounds.

Newsbridge Magazine - April 2003

A LOVE SUPREME

Plucking the fruits of the moment
from the glorious giving tree of life,
we fall rapidly into a golden mirror of love;
shattering into fragments of tender hearts
that form a beautiful island within
the great universe known as:

A Love Supreme

Vision Magazine - September 2003

DANCE WITH ME SWEET MOONLIGHT

Dance with me sweet moonlight
Let's sway until the dawn

I've been yearning for this moment
On the sandy dance floor by the shore

Let's embrace on the waves
Slowly waltzing to the stars

Watching the world from above
In whispering steps to and far...

Indo-American Times October 4, 2002


LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

Let the celebration begin!
A love soaking rain wash
throughout all the world cities, towns, and villages;
drenching humility, kindness, and compassion
that flows gently amongst all sentient beings.

This the dream party I attended
during REM last night
and it continues into the dawn.
Gentle showers of thoughts and emotions
are still falling from the heavenly skies;
embracing all life forms with a tenderly touch.

A clearing path of afternoon sunlight
bathes our heads in warm rays of love,
as we stand holding hands
honoring and breathing into life's existence of earth.

We're just guests here,
Let us celebrate the dance of life
as soul partners on a transforming dance floor.
Dancing to the beat of the moment
and a glorious setting sun;
that plays an eternal song,
called
"One Big Day."

Pasadena Weekly - October 4, 2001


WHAT WOULD WE DO?

What would we do?
If the spinning globe in which we live
Could grow arms,
And wrap us in a blanket of love;
Where all phases of evolution
Come to a spiritual feast
And gather in the fruits of the soul.
Cherishing a blessed moment
In a white angelic light;
That bathes us in a cleansing lotion
Awakening the spirit of life.
What would we do?
Come closer,
Embrace me,
For I am you and you are me and we are one.
I'll share with you what we would do;
We would celebrate the journey of the soul....
Namaste

Los Angeles Independent - January 29, 1997

MILLIE'S PLACE

Located in Silver Lake on the
east side of Sunset Boulevard
there is a unique cafe that has
allured my heart.

Vibrant energy emanating warmth
It's Millie's of course, serving
great food and radiating hearth.

The decor is nostalgic,
established Nineteen Twenty Six
where one-seat stools share the
long running counter affixed.

Music playing, it's the creme de la creme.
The best of talent from decades now and then.

Sunny smiles of the staff,
a joy to behold
cutting through the Hollywood
facade and rigmarole.

The food is fresh
a palatable treat
a succulent endeavor for all
to encounter and see.

Hospitality and passion
flowing from the grill to your plate
even after the check arrives,
you're welcome at this mystical
eating place.

FROM "THE ANGELS ARE WATCHING"

GOD'S PRESENCE PREVAILS

Your a summertime dream as I lie in the sand.

Immersed in my mind are sweet thoughts of sugar cube delight
that neither fine wine nor decadent chocolate can bring when I kiss your lips.

Only the sweetness of God's presence prevails.

My tribal heartbeat and primal urge are heightened from a nearby
drum circle where all shapes of human form are singing, playing,
and dancing on the Great Mother Earth.

Only the music of God's presence prevails.

Greetings from seagulls, sand pipers, and rolling seaweed to my feet
call forth the gift of life ever present and in the moment.

Only the visual poetry of God's presence prevails.

Wide-eyed and illustrious, I peered into the deep blue curtain of sky
when a blast of rocketing clouds in a calligraphy swirl scrolled the words:

I
LOVE
YOU

THE INNER SUN

The inner sun
rises from deep
within the soul
bringing all that
comes with the dawn.
It shines brightly
through the eyes
while glowing around
the body during its
peak. At sunset it
evokes a light beam
of energy that pierces
through the dusk at
an exponential power
and shimmers with ultimate
passion amidst the stars.

MASS OF REFUGEES

Right now, in a country miles away
but at our front door remains
the mass of refugees
distraught, astray, afraid;
within a chaos caused by a greedy few
rupturing lives while many are slew.

Causing the sun to dim
to the point of an eclipse;
during the interim while the power leaders slip
and fall into their graves of universal sin.

WINDS OF TRUTH

Winds of truth
Come with the light of God's hand
Remove crime and poverty
From our ill ridden land

Spread a blanket of love
For our hearts are in need
Remove anger and hate
With a harmonious seed

FROM "CANTEEN TRUMPETS AT NOON"

NEW YORK MOVIE

Waiting for the time,
waiting for the moment;

board the Manhattan train
with only one token.

Life's reality, time and space;
all of its characters, all in one place.

In the underground, travelling north bound;
Can I sell you a yo-yo? Can I rap you a sound?

Can I take a quarter? I'm hungry, I'm homeless;
Or is it for my last drink? Is this showbiz?

Every stop is another scene and a world stage.
New characters enter but it's the same display.

The humanity film reel is always in rewind;
we're technically fast forward, only blind.

CIRCLE OF LOVE
*Eulogy to my mother*

A picture of you, a smiling face;
your dancing shadow leaves a trace.

Your father's torch will keep you warm;
through the cold and the harm.

In this circle of love
where the flowers grow.

In this circle of love
where the heart shows.

There's a poem of love that's only real;
where the flowers blossom and the wounds heal.

I love you.