PRELUDE TO LAUGHTER

I wrote this poem in 1978 at age 28, while working a full time job, attending college full time, and juggling a busy social life. Driving through Los Angeles became the one place where my mind could drift — from concrete and buildings to dreams of green mountains and ocean spray. These images helped me return to that moment exactly as it felt.

PRELUDE TO LAUGHTER

A meandering dream through concrete

Written 1978

I look out my window

Out to concrete

I drive out of the parking lot

At ebbtide

I drive down the street

And who do I meet

A tall, tall building

Made from concrete and glass

I drive further and what do I see

A freeway as I pass on by

Around the corner is the Blvd

The discos are crazy

The sky looks hazy

I drive on away

I see a tree at least I see green

Tis only a light

So, on I speed

Down the freeway

In my shiny auto

My gas tank reads empty

Alas a station

But wait a minute

Not green,

Not green…

I turn on my key

My footsteps on the accelerator

I look at the tall, tall building

Dreaming of green mountains

Soft summer breeze

Cool, misty ocean spray

And on I speed down the freeway

It’s just another day in the concrete

of a city way

On a Sunday