Bob Gaulke

 The Ideas

The idea that 

you were 

fully aware 

of how your

every move 

motion 

smile 

and conversation 

stirred me 

left me weak 

left me questioning 

my need to be free 

is truly 

frightening 

 The internet says, “In sociology, habitus refers to the deeply ingrained habits, skills, dispositions, and tastes that individuals acquire through their background and social experiences. It is the "feel for the game" that guides how we perceive, react to,…

tell me stories 

stories about yourself 

I don’t care 

make them up 

I’m a character 

in someone else’s 

book I don’t care 

we die in the end 

but in the pages 

we can be happy 

illustrated and endings 

are open-ended…

what happens 

if you stop 

being busy 

I think about pain

the pain has a shape 

it’s the shape of the world 

all fears and violence 

flashing 

and I feel sad for others 

in their 

ignorant bliss 

and sad for…

we don’t get out of this alive 

we don’t avoid the blame 

all we can do is get comfortable 

as we go up in flames 

we have to participate 

can’t stay in our caves

won’t be immortalized 

like that guy…

sometimes there 

are no prompts 

you’ve lost your 

battery memory 

you have to rely on 

the invisible reality 

above your thumbs 

it’s always hiding 

only mostly 

from you 

If I died today 

I’d be satisfied with my tiny life 

feeling that I tried things 

my own way 

there’d be some bills to pay 

few things to give away 

and the hope your anger 

wouldn’t stay 

knowing we worked…

F$ck everything else 

when it comes down 

to it 

there are a few who really care 

one or two who make it 

worth it 

spaced like atoms in the air 

and the ship sinks 

with them and us 

and we…

fifty-fifty you’re wrong 

technology might come 

with a new solution 

dissolving this dualism 

you’ve helped 

prop up 

you were built to fight 

you chose a side 

after all how can you 

have hate without love 

what if we just 

changed…

 Cargo Cult 

we’re devastated 

on our backs 

bracing for 

the next attack 

still drinks 

in the fridge 

cheese 

under the lid  

packages sometimes 

arrive unopened 

another Mideast 

massacre unfolding

currency’s currently 

underwater 

delivery trucks still running 

our desperate orders 

in…