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.

Approaching swiftly
from down the street, reveling
Winter air nipping
each breath expanding, escaping
Hands covered
joystick still shivering

Coming steadily
from street to sidewalk
into parking lot
onto walkway
Invading space gradually
almost stealthily
marking my territory

Smokers take notice
nudge and elbow
stand uptight upright
so I can get by, inside
let greenbacks blow
watch our team’s demise
Tonight’s enemy
dressed yellow

Outside double doorway
my patience testing
Waiting to inch in
How many more times
do I need to say it?
Excusing necessary, feeling eluding
Quickly announcing
not only walking
drinking and driving
patting, poking
unrightfully grab-assing
attention gathering
Step aside enabling
apology accepted
Magazine stands encroaching
approaching frustration

Toes aware
coming through, beware
except for one
Too late!
Too much hesitate
not enough dictate
BUMP! SMASH!
Up and over
DANCE! RELOCATE!
Implicate, shrug and simmer
No hope for surrender
realize, empathize, notice, appreciate
Remember next time
exact moment without indicate

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.

Under hovering showers of joy
This assistance presence is felt
Adorn time forgot names brushed gingerly
Compelled to feel awkwardly, somberly

Everyone always has something else going on
Flares and smoke signals ought to be available upon request

Photo booths and airplane bathrooms are unlikely candidates
Standing ovations
Some movie theaters with stadium seating cause strain in necks
Haunted footing on inclines of mirrored houses for freak shows

Underneath there is no camouflage
On the inside there is still hemorrhaging
From far away this sturdy paper plate may look soiled
Probably all the exterior labels need re-laminating
But catch me on a good day and you’ll find all smiles.

–Jude Lally,
The View from Down Here
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.

Proving nothing but spite
Awaken break of daylight
To the sound of children screaming
Realizing – it’s beyond dawn – I’m dreaming
Time spends on a dime
Apparently, it’s recess time
And here, lying all exposed
Cacophony coming in through the window

Decided that getting used to this was enough
Ruling the world is tough facing rough stuff
What it takes is guts
Get a hold of yourself and stop pulling stunts
Start paying the rent by the 3rd of each month
Get over to the park
Get a tan
Get sane
Do whatever you got to do

Imagine waking with an agenda
With an early start time
With a real morning
Rushing for the door
Many odious to-do’s
Boohoo

Dealing for the future while fighting
Searching for the old man within
Must be treasure at the end of the rainbow
Fed up waiting for my time to shine
Starving and unfulfilled frame of reference
Diagnosed ten years gone sour preference

Now I travel with fate unknown
Caught between the drapes of life
Now is the time to write

–Jude Lally,
The View from Down Here (2010)
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.