O. FOLEY

Poet Celebrant

ofoley — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:07:49 +0000

The poet celebrant writes and reads poetry for change of life events, funerals, memorials and events of honor. The funeral celebrant can help in a memorable end of life tribute whether the family is secular, religious or wish to express themselves of own choosing. The service may be at the funeral home, crematorium, cemetery or location of their choice. A celebrant service honors death and celebration of life.

the poet
crafts the elegy
for the grieving widow

The Hobo

ofoley — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:20:21 +0000

The hobo is a migratory worker or homeless vagabond. The term originated in the United States during the last decade of the 19th century. Unlike tramps and bums who do not work, hobos are workers who wander. After the American Civil War many soldiers returned home hopping freight trains. It was estimated in 1910 there were 700,000 hobos and the population of hobos increased during the Great Depression era of the 1930s. With no work and prospects at home, many decided to travel via freight trains and try their luck elsewhere.
The hobo was often mistreated by man’s best friend.

                    the little bitch
                    nine pounds
                    barks at the hobo

Leaves

ofoley — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 01:11:30 +0000

falling leaves
fly skyward
little kites

lovers in the hammock
hidden by the leaves
movements and sounds

Death Poems

ofoley — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:03:09 +0000

Although the consciousness of death is in most cultures very much part of life, this is nowhere more true than in Japan, where the approach of death has given rise to a centuries-old tradition of writing “jisei” or the death poem. Such a poem is often written in the very last moments of the poet’s life. Many such poems are written in the haiku format of three lines. The one below is the one I have drafted.

today is the day
for one last view
of you my love

All the Widows Weep

ofoley — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:57:47 +0000

happy face
tall slender body
reach for navels

two pear shapes
walk their poodles
at sunrise

the wrinkled face
body shape of the crescent moon
steps on a grapefruit

broken bodies
wait in the club house
for the casino carriage

at the end of day
the bugler plays taps
all the widows weep

the healing sun

ofoley — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:22:18 +0000

his old body
shape of the crescent moon
waits for the sun

Valentine

ofoley — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:57:25 +0000

When I was a monk valentine was a bishop. Love was cerebral and made for the celibate. I leaped the wall and love came from the heart and was physical. Everything changed about love.

love is spiritual
love is physical
love is love

Everything

ofoley — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:48:42 +0000

Everything since Homer has improved, except poetry.
(Giacomo Leopardi 1798-1837) renowed Italian poet.

Everything since Jesus has improved, except preaching.
(Paul Foley) modern American poet.

The Migrant

ofoley — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:35:43 +0000

the migrant worker
deposits his daily stool
in the green fields

in the cabbage patch
his bent back
burns in a hot sun

the madonna
dark and beautiful
nurses the child

Priest Woman

ofoley — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:27:01 +0000

the pretty lady
breaks the host on easter sunday
face of the new priesthood