Poetry Corner with Ivy and Friends: Poet of the day Chris Young

GETTING TO KNOW THE POET

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Chris. 

I am 56 years old. I grew up in Springfield, Illinois. I went to California with my parents when I was 8 years old. I have crave travel since I crossed my first state line. I joined job corps in my teens and ended up living in The bitterroot mountains of Montana. I still have a bottle of volcanic ash from Mt St. Helen's blew.  I spent seven years in the Navy where I did two overseas deployments. One in the Arabian Sea where we escorted Kuwaiti oil tankers through the straights of Hormuz. 

I also spent 6 months in the South Pacific. I happened to be in the Philippines when the Marcos regime fell. The sunshine revolution is what it was called. Partly because it was such a positive thing considering how badly things could have gone. President Aquinos famous yellow dress was the other reason. I was in a horrible accident in 1989 that brought my Navy career to a screeching halt. 

After that I went to college and found out I love to write. I wrote short stories for years. I got married in college but it was a short painful thing that ended with me leaving to go on the road. I became a truck driver for 20 years. I can say I have been in every state in the country and a good bit of Canada. I also met my current wife while on the road. We met the old fashioned way, a newspaper personal ad. 

I started working for the State of Illinois a few years ago. That is a much abridged story of my life. 


What inspires you to write poetry? 

I get my inspiration for poetry from experiences of course. But my favorites come from an overheard word or phrase. Sometimes I just see some common thing like a pool of antifreeze or a cup and think what can I do with this?. 


When people read your poetry, what is it that you would like or hope they understand about you through your words?

What I want people to take from what I write is that sense of isolation, that loneliness that seems to be a beacon to me. I know I am not alone in this. I want to connect with people. Through light or darkness. I am a tactile person in a world that hates to be touched. 

POETRY BY CHRIS YOUNG 

The Safety Poem by Chris Young

written on 03/29/18

Let's all be safe, here in our cells. 

All of us happy in our own private hells. 

We don't need any locks, there's nothing to pick.

No one will leave, nor enter our niche. 

We all share the same cellblock, though we never meet. 

We tap on the bars with out little tin cup. 

Were we to meet would it fuck this thing up. 

If I slid open the cell door and walked down this block. 

If I stood at the door and looked at you there, would you be able to speak or sit there and stare? 

If I opened yours wide and extended a hand. Would you join me out here or would I be banned?

Maybe, just maybe I am really alone. 

500 friends that only live in my phone. 

Ghosts of old friends I never have met. 

Yet, if I lost you how deep the regret. 

It's safer in here than it is on the floor. 

Still I am praying to see our face at my door. 

Pull it on open please do come in. 

You sit over there, I will give a grin. 

No longer apart not just in our head. 

Here face to face we can text now instead. 

One More Word by Chris Young 

written on 03/19/18

One more word before you go, and one more after that. 

I will talk until my tongue falls if you stay for more word. 

I will talk until the dark grows light, till the dawn breaks noon. 

I only one more last word like the billion last before. 

I will talk, and talk into infinity if it keeps you from walking out the door. 

I will follow you to your taxi, I will call you on the plane. 

I will be there ahead of you at the airport gate, and the baggage carousel. 

I will tip the skycap generously so I can carry your bag. 

Back to our home, the place you left, I will talk until you see. 

I will talk until you hate me more and want to disappear. 

I will talk to myself after that, how I know it's not the end. 

I will talk until I hate my own voice than I will write, the end. 

Waterfront by Chris Young

written 03/06/18

The smell of dead fish and diesel is its cologne. 

A permanent fog rolls through darkness, camouflage for ill intentioned denizens

"Hey honey want to have a good time, we can slip into the alley. You me and your soul, see which will see the light of day?"

The flick of a swithblade knife, the cocking of a gun. 

Take all your cash, your credit cards and phone. 

You thing you have been wronged.

Should be glad he felt like talking. 

"Hey brother, yeah over here. Got some black tar, wanna have a happy new year?" 

Maybe some coke or a little bit of weed. Something to pick you up, meth or a little speed?"

This ain't the suburbs, or some quiet little town, this is the waterfront baby, lets wipe away that frown. Don't bitch or whine when they zip that plastic bag and throw you in the hearse. 

You rolled your dice and took your changes here upon the docks. You should have stayed inside our house, you should have locked your locks. You may not live to fight another day, your song remain unsung. This ain't Disney world your walking through, this is the waterfront. 

THE POETS FAVORITE POEM

Poet Chris Young was asked to share one of his favorite poems and he chose to share The World Is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth.  Here is why

What is it about, The World Is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth, that makes it your favorite poem?

It evokes nostalgia and longing. Even when I was young. 

To read The World Is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth click here.

THANK YOU

I would like to Thank Poet Chris Young for taking the time to share with us some of your poetry. It's been a great pleasure getting to know you and your story. Thank you for your service to our country.  We hope to see more of  your poetry around the way. May your journey continue to bring you the words and inspiration to share with all of us. Happy writing! 

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