Well, everyone…if I were writing a novel, and I’m not saying I’m not, I might think of everything that’s gone before as Part I. (Of course, I’m doing all of this more or less in real time, so I’d also reserve the right to rearrange, pitch, augment, and edit the shit out of everything that’s gone before, too.)

In which case, please consider this poem a sort of epigram that precedes Part II. Which will start next week.

Thanks again for reading. You are all wonderful.

My skin just tingled when you mentioned an epigram that precedes Part II. It's the same excitement I get when I'm reading a really good book. Just, please, don't stop.

...I want to hear
what cracked your windshield and what
the radio played when you were lonesome

and how you got here...

Me too.

Nicely sums up what goes on here: pullin' up a booth and sharin' tales of the road.

Does it mean anything that I drove a cargo van in high school? I bought it from my dad for 400.00.

I totally dig this, Frank.

Very cool.

I was a huge fan of yours after reading the 24 chapters...and you just elevated it another notch. I didn't think it was possible but you found a way.

Nice, I can't wait.....well done!

Frank,
Thanks for letting life shape you into the man you are. Your writing is one beautiful part of the blessing your friends have from knowing you.

I'm glad you've allowed some of us to come along for this season of the ride.

Rated and appreciated as always.

Love this line Frank, " heart pumps love like high-test gasoline."

You're a special kind of awesome. That is all.

Frank, march on.

I'm so excited for what's coming next....

And the poem? *Oh, the poem!*


Sorry, sometimes I just copy other people's comments.

You are my man, Mr. Indiana. Cannot wait for part two.

aaaaaaaand you've done it again. not that the whole damn poem isn't great 'cuz it is actually, but this sentence -- "your heart pumps love like high-test gasoline all the stronger for laboring so long" -- is platinum. i wanna hang it on my christmas tree.

i have dibs on one of the first editions. go write that down, K?

I like this one very much. Depth and connection well woven.

Frank, I know I haven't commented much, but I've read your stuff. I'm just floored at your ability to translate the distance between two people into something metaphysical. And then have the ability to translate that onto a page, a screen. Amazingly beautiful gifts.

Frank, anything you write is OK with me, as long as you write!
R~~

Thanks again for reading, everyone.

Cat: Now I'm blushing.
Karin: Not stopping. Thanks.
CK: Oh, there are stories to come.
WAH: Thank you. More comin' up.
MM: Thanks. I love that music.
Pilgrim: It does feel that way, doesn't it?
Miss Adams: Sweet. I've driven lots of them, never owned one.
Spotted: Thank you thank you.
Mary: I aim to please. Thank you so much.
LL2: Thank so much!
Dennis: You're welcome. And thank you. Your support humbles me.
Scarlett: I like the words "high-test."
Owl: Aw, shucks.
char: Left, right.
Duane: You do enough work. Copying comments is okay by me.
femme: You are really too kind. I appreciate your reading so much.
scupper: I will always take a compliment from a fine poet.
Barking: Don't kid yourself. I'm a mess.
Barry: So kind of you. Thanks for being here.
scanner: And you.

Nicely done, even though it has Jayhawks in it (I'm a Mizzou fan).

rated

"but I suspect some settling has occurred

in transit; but your goods are intact." My favorite lines from your excellent poem.

This is so moving, Frank. Beautiful, highly effective line breaks. I love "That scar / " and "And I know you /". And the wonderfully creative use of the verbs "wheel" and "tire" in the last stanza to continue the vehicle metaphor--OH!

My highest praise: I wish I'd written that.

Frank,
The ink that drips from your mind is gold. I love how you tap into the human condition with the finesse of someone who's really lived. Thanks for this.

Thanks again for reading, all.
Con: Mizzou? Aren't they from Philly? Or am I thinking of Marah?
Dear: Thanks so much. I don't usually reveal such things, but it's my favorite, too.
TGD: Thank you. You're right: that's an awesome compliment.
Noah: Thank you. You're welcome. And, yes: I am old.
General Brady: What sort of olives do you fancy?

Frank, I've just spent a couple of hours reading all your past posts. Ready for part two! You are a really wonderful writer.

I think I'm in hate with you.

Oh. Frank.

This is just...exceptional. I wish I could pull up with you in a booth, Frank, and hear more. Part II is in the works you say?

Hi, all. You are all very kind.

General: I'm a kalamata man myself. The funny thing is, I used to dislike olives until I met my beautiful wife.
Lea: Wow. Thanks for reading it all.
O'Really?: Thank you?
surly: I know. What can you say?
dbd: Part II is indeed in the works. Thank you so much for being here.

A poem full of Americana. The roads, the vehicles—even Elvis! But the heart here is wise. This is not so typically American. I wish it were.

You sexy quotient is rising exponentially (to what exactly, I'm not sure).

Equating your passages with music rocks.

this poem is good, rich stuff. I love the word play. I love how you edit. you know how to write and you have heart. that's all it takes.

are you going to become famous and rich and run away? yes I hope for you. no I hope for me.

Can't wait. Frank, your writing is addictive. Damn, I have pounds of student prose to wade through -- but a juicy carrot is ahead, a promise of more in Part II.

That was stunning.

"I found no shortcuts,

just forty-odd years of potholes and streets

snarled in stop-and-go, and I arrived"

I know those potholes...and I have a cracked windshield too...wonderful poem - filled with familiarity, life and love...thanks for the view.

Thanks a brazillion for reading, everyone.
Joy: Nice of you to say. Thanks for being here.
Skel: My sexy quotient has nowhere to go but up.
Monkey: Are you suggesting that you'd like for me to just go away? ;)
Pandora: I will do my best to not disappoint. Thanks.
Lisa: Thanks so much!
Leonde: You are quite welcome. Thanks for reading.

My God, what images your words evoke. What emotions they pull from my heart.
Rated.

Trying very hard to catch up with your previous posts, I paused to savour this poem. Others have said what I would have, and better. But know that I, too, have found something that nourished my heart here.

I was up until 4am last night reading Book I -- until Salon went down for nightly maintenance on part 18 and I was screaming at the computer... "no, no, don't do this to me now!"
Thank g-d there's more...
and the poem. You have us "write" where you want us. I want second dibs on the book when it comes out.

oh, Frank.

the bad news is, now we think we own you.

I guess that could be the good news as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Life has meaning only if one barters it day by day for something other than itself. "

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I'm new here and have happily stumbled upon your pages.
Clearly I have some work to do to catch up, but I think I'm going to enjoy the process.

"... I want to hear

what cracked your windshield and what

the radio played when you were lonesome


and how you got here; I found no shortcuts,

just forty-odd years of potholes and streets

snarled in stop-and-go, ..."

wonderful.

~karla

Wow, just wow. Thank you Kathy Riordan for pointing me here. Fabulous.