Two Poems

Poetry by Jeffrey Zable

A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM

I was in my longitude trying to figure out my latitude

when a ragged looking sailor appeared and said,

“I’m from a drowned ship that was hit by a hurricane…

Do you know if there’s a market nearby?

I haven’t eaten in 32 days. And as far as I know

I’m the only one left.”

Looking into his sad, withered face, I responded,

“Man, I feel terrible for you!”

Reaching into my backpack I pulled out a protein bar,

and as soon as I handed it to him, he wolfed it down,

wrapper and all.

Thanking me, he then stumbled off down the street.

Tired and confused myself, I lay down against a palm tree

and subsequently fell asleep.

And when I awakened— virtually in a panic—

I wondered if I’d ever find my way back home,

and if anyone I knew would still be alive.

ON THE RIGHT DRUG

I’m sure I could feel love for all humanity.

I’d be able to feel a genuine connection

with those on the far right as well as the far left.

And none of my opinionated friends—

who think they have the answers to everything—

would irritate me and make me ask myself

why I still stay friends.

Yes, if I could only find the right drug

I’d never feel depressed, anxious, and forlorn—

which I am a good deal of time.

It would no longer bother me that there’s war,

famine, disease, and suffering throughout the world.

The right drug would give me peace of mind…

along with a sense that it’s all been worth it.

BIO: Jeffrey Zable is a teacher, conga drummer/percussionist who plays for dance classes and rumbas around the San Francisco Bay Area, and a writer of poetry, flash-fiction, and non-fiction. He's published five chapbooks and his writing has appeared in hundreds of literary magazines and anthologies, more recently in Rundelania, Misfit, Streetcake, Piker Press, The Argyle, Dark Winter, The Ravens Perch, Beach Chair, and many others. His selected poetry, "When I'm Dead and Feeling Blue" is now available from Amazon or directly from Androgyne Books.