Kendall Merriam was
born and raised in Rockland, Maine. He has a history degree from Gordon College
in Wenham, MA and graduate studies in military and maritime history at the
University of Maine at Orono and Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Conn. He also
received grants to study historical research at Colonial Williamsburg and the
National Archives in Washington, D.C. Merriam has been widely published,
including in Katyn W Literaturze(Katyn
in Literature), a Polish anthology of literary works about the WWII Katyn
Forest Massacre by 120 international authors, including Czeslaw Milosz. Merriam
has written more than twenty books and plays. Most of Merriam’s work has a
definite muse – family, friends, and strangers – with
life’s larger themes of work, love, loss and death. On April 29, 2010, Merriam
was appointed Rockland, Maine’s Inaugural Poet Laureate, an honor from his
hometown Merriam cherishes.
CAT MOON
(For Phyllis)
The wild cat lies on her back
allowing Phyllis
to rub her belly
“Girl Cat” was brought up
in a farmer’s barn
who allowed boys to shoot
at her with BB guns
she and her companion
“President Taft”
were forced outdoors next door
by five dogs who gave them
no respite or rest
we started protecting them
with cardboard boxes
and old towels
then came an insulated dog house
paid for with two six packs
and fifty dollars
still they were cold
so last winter
Phyllis shanghaied them
into the house the day before
my seventy-first
we kept them in until June
when the vet said Taft
needed to lose weight
now they come in at night
relax in warm, safe places
Taft rests on the footstool in my study
and Girl Cat suffers Phyllis
like a mother
Kendall Merriam, Home 11-15-2013 11:46 PM
Listening to the cats breathing with no sound
CHRISTMAS MOON
For Morning Star Wolf and Paul
It lights up the living room
and my typewriter upstairs
it’s so cold there
the ink is frozen on the ribbon
so I stick to the copper kitchen
where it is warm
we welcome you again
traveling distances
to bring whiskey cake
we respond with coastal haddock
and buttermilk biscuits
are you staying up
to watch this shining sign
for the last celebration
of the year
before we drift into silence
subdued winter hunger
the world is a funny place
humans are odd
animals follow paths
that have endured
many, many centuries
Phyllis tells me a lemming shortage
bring snow owls outside
out our big, white house
dining on local mice
leftover crostini and raisins
we place on the offering stone
I wonder how life will be
as we age in our bones
will we have the courage
to face chill and snow
when we know some places
offer pacifying warmth
we don’t worry now
for tomorrow we will dine together
tell stories of Scotch dogs
and lost children
enjoy the food that is brought
Kendall Merriam, Home, December 10, 2011 10:47 PM
Listening to house sounds in the kitchen
MUSCLE SHOALS MOON
For Musicians Everywhere
From every race, color, fortune
We survive with music
It inhabits our sleep
Creates dreams
That help us love
Thrill to orchestras
In far Paraguay
To Vince here in Rockland
I must admit that I like
Both Jimmy H. and Vladimir H.
Playing patriotic songs
Unequaled by any others
It is a way for blacks and whites
To bring health to the human heart
The dances to all music
Bring touches of love
For every person on earth
If only we put away all guns
And celebrate with instruments
That do no harm
Give us all joy
Original themes from songbirds
And advances through the range
Of the human voice
Accompanied by hollow logs
Or plastic tubs, then horns
Recorders, strings of harps, pianos
If we all pay attention to music
We can exchange happiness across the world
Kendall Merriam, Home, 11/17/13 9:57
PM
Listening to Chuck Berry “Sweet Little Sixteen”
After seeing the film “Muscle Shoals”
THE ENCHANTED
For Paul and Morning Star
A lovely winter’s day
Warm for jackets and bright sun
Waiting for your tales of the woods
Where you go without hesitation
Crossing streams and through thickets
Realizing that you both are part of an old life
Not many know anymore
Paul, you know how to handle wood
Without harming it
You have done this for parts of centuries
Knowing that wood likes to be built with
And to be handled safely
Money is one reward
But all the houses your work has built
Are glad you came along
You are the voice of Maine
Identified by all who listen to accents
Now dying out due to the grimness of television
And now Morning Star
Able to make thirty pound dresses
Not because you are heavy
But because you understand the ceremonial value
And the real values of buckskin
Well beaded and beautiful
Your crafts of Native America
From Louisiana long pine needles
To Indiana turkey feathers
To Maine ash
You are a one-woman factory
Creating what might be lost
In a few years
So you both can teach
In the University of Real Life
What professors cannot do
I know that being a writer
I urge many to write poems or stories
But you two have lifelong work experiences
That would benefit many
If they could tear themselves away from electricity
And all its meanings
The fruitcake you give
Every Christmas time
Makes our mouths water with anticipation
So Phyllis offers up haddock and shrimp chowder
And I biscuits that I think you
Will like moderately
It is too bad we only see you once or twice
Our years in Paradise
Where we can have friends, creative friends
Whom both Phyllis and I love and admire
You help make life worth living!
Kendall Merriam,
Home. December 19, 2010 2:03 PM
Listening to Tchaikovsky Symphony No.1 “Winter Dreams”
And Symphony No. 2 “Little Russian”.
THE WHITE DEER
For
Rebecca
A rare animal
Almost never seen in the forests
Of our beloved Maine
Brings comfort that such a creature exists
Sometimes walking pathways in
Brunswick, far Mexico
Always blessing with a ready smile
If there is no danger about
Do you know your enthusiasms, exclamations
Bring gladness to the hearts
Of those who see you
In brief glimpses, treasured for long lifetimes
How you care for your father, Clare
Not out of duty
But with the love
Of your tiny tribe
Your caravan brings joy
When it transports loveliness
To anyone who understands your glory
Of compassion
Your love of music
And simple cuisine
I just wonder
If your summer island life satisfies
Your winter migration north
Reversing that of most beings
But you might want to absorb cold and snow
Keeping your coat bright white
Unusual for woodlands
Throughout the familiar territory
I don’t think I believe in Angels
But you come pretty close to what we know
Or at least suspect
So deer it is a privilege to know you
And come under your influence
And know something is good
About this wracked earth
Kendall Merriam, Home, 11/27/13 11:49 PM
While eating coffee flavored Mexican Chocolate.
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