stranger

saw you today

on the street

same as yesterday

don't know who you are

probably never will

your face seems

to have etched itself

in my memory

funny that

I might go on seeing you

in my mind long after

you have packed and moved

to another state

another country

and never know

who you are

or what your story is

or why you stand out

in my mind

Troubadour

every man is

a vagabond and a poet

some speak with words

others with fists

or cement and bricks.

each is an artist

in his own way

and each is

misunderstood

the art and the man

misinterpreted

especially by

the people they love

Bio: Joseph Farley edited the Axe Factory Review for 24 years. His books and chapbooks include For The Birds, Suckers, The True Color of You and Longing For The Mother Tongue.