Ideas blow in rapidly
like cold fronts
on chilly autumn afternoons

Without the capability
to write
I seek means
to salvage dreams

Must be a way to get
them down before I forget;
maybe keep a tape recorder
by the bed

or rush to the computer
where the whole voluble world
awaits?

Which do I foster
and which surrender
to the subconscious?

10% make it to the hard drive—
the syntax casualties are enormous

–Jude Lally,
I’m Fine but Thanks for Asking
(Accents Publishing)

Jude Lally writes and recites poetry as an outlet for his creative needs and as a means of enlightening, inspiring, engaging and entertaining listeners. Fortunately, Jude’s main source of inspiration in his writing is easily accessible; unfortunately, so many places in the world are not: in 1998 Jude was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia. Jude received a BA in Business Administration in May of 2006. Jude is a member of the poetry group Poezia, occasionally attends The Poet’s Supper and the Artcroft writer’s group outside of Carlisle, KY, and is a regular presenter at the Holler Poets series events.

Rushing to the bathroom
.  my only focus: RELIEF.
Without taking aim
.  I pelt an empty, upside-down beer can
.  .  with my clear, fierce stream.
The tin rattles back the sound of rainfall
.  and clogs the hole in the bowl
.  causing the toilet to overflow.

Later I go in
.  and see the blockage gone.
I can’t help but wonder
.  how much the bar staff
.  makes here?

Jude Lally writes and recites poetry as an outlet for his creative needs and as a means of enlightening, inspiring, engaging and entertaining listeners. Fortunately, Jude’s main source of inspiration in his writing is easily accessible; unfortunately, so many places in the world are not: in 1998 Jude was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia. Jude received a BA in Business Administration in May of 2006. Jude is a member of the poetry group Poezia, occasionally attends The Poet’s Supper and the Artcroft writer’s group outside of Carlisle, KY, and is a regular presenter at the Holler Poets series events.

Jude Lally writes and recites poetry as an outlet for his creative needs and as a means of enlightening, inspiring, engaging and entertaining listeners. Fortunately, Jude’s main source of inspiration in his writing is easily accessible; unfortunately, so many places in the world are not: in 1998 Jude was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia. Jude received a BA in Business Administration in May of 2006. Jude is a member of the poetry group Poezia, occasionally attends The Poet’s Supper and the Artcroft writer’s group outside of Carlisle, KY, and is a regular presenter at the Holler Poets series events.

Every now and then do something no one sees coming
so the mundane secedes and becomes pleasurable again
Throw regard to not-so-distant relatives for a while
Take the week off and pay a visit to that vibrant little college town

And it’s easy
the whole damn thing is easy

Easy like getting jacked. Easy like being kidnapped. Easy like lucky #7
Easy as heaven. Easy as hell. Easy as waking up in jail

A road trip on a whim, I don’t mind dropping by
The last thing on my mind is the timing
One cannot choose when teenage years get left behind

Easy leaving. Easy as the Interstate. Easy as one state away. Easy
getaway
Easy on the wallet. Easy peasy. Easy breezy. Easy as pie!
Easy as Ham on Rye. Easy read. Easy as taking the lead. Easy as a
guilty plea

Easy like crashing a charity bake
Easy like licking icing from a cake
Easy like singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A writer’s gathering coincides with the visit
so I’m in for the ROYAL TREATMENT
We take care of ourselves
That is, they take care of me
inevitably, almost instinctively
like two recovering parentalholics
nourish me back to infancy

Easy driving. Easy finding. Easy dining. Easy laying. Easy staying
Easy bathing. Easy Hampton Inn. Easy as the alphabet, Easy as an
almanac Continue reading →

As another morning approaches
there’s an impulse: Go back to bed!
it isn’t time to give up on sleep just yet

but a chill on exposed toes
and pressure on my hip bone
has to be tended to.

I squirm, roll and take hold
of my tangled quilt, cover cold feet—
all while keeping my eyelids tight
to avoid letting light penetrate
my weary soul. In an instant I am
walking on a beach at sunrise,

naked in the sea breeze, surrounded
by nonchalant onlookers. I awake
and infer from my clock
two hours have passed.

–Jude Lally,
I’m Fine but Thanks for Asking
Accents Publishing

More from Jude Lally & I’m Fine but Thanks for Asking:

• “Doorman”
• Writing Challenge: “Tolerance & Greed” by Jude Lally
• Jude’s Lexington Poetry Month submissions
• “Relapse”
• “Dried-Up Inside” 

Jude Lally writes and recites poetry as an outlet for his creative needs and as a means of enlightening, inspiring, engaging and entertaining listeners. Fortunately, Jude’s main source of inspiration in his writing is easily accessible; unfortunately, so many places in the world are not: in 1998 Jude was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia. Jude received a BA in Business Administration in May of 2006. Jude is a member of the poetry group Poezia, occasionally attends The Poet’s Supper and the Artcroft writer’s group outside of Carlisle, KY, and is a regular presenter at the Holler Poets series events.