A Message From a Humble Poet

Hey all, just an FYI...

When you buy from indie publishers, like Red Dashboard, Jeff Bezos doesn't get 60% of the profits from MY art and RD's hard work. Put the money in the pockets of the artists. Not the corporations, which are run by men who FAIL at the creative process.

http://cms.reddashboard.com/ryan-torres/.

And, while we are on the subject, I know that many of you have reached out and asked where your books were after you ordered them. "Blessed are the Snakes" was finalized on Friday (9/21), so most of you bought it during it's "pre-sale" stage (which I elaborated upon in a previous social media post). It will get to you this week. Thanks again for your patience.

Lasty, regardless of where you purchased the book, thanks for taking the time to read, review, and critique. Your support makes my art better and gives me another reason to keep doing it. I mean...I wrote three books in a year and a half. And I loved every minute of it. You're all a big part of that.

Cheers.

New Book News

Hey everyone,

My latest book has just been released by Red Dashboard LLC. It's called Blessed are the Snakes. You can find at the link below. As always, thank you for all the love and support.

http://cms.reddashboard.com/ryan-torres/

Interview with Vox Poetica

If you get a moment, check it out:


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voxpoetica/2018/08/19/vox-poeticas-15-minutes-of-poetry-with-poet-ryan-j-torres#.W3nhqpKaaEs.facebook

To the Gorgeous Woman in Traffic

Dear gorgeous lady,
in your brand new convertible.
With your blonde hair and makeup
and expensive purse.

You had a little dog
on the seat next to you.
It had a pink ribbon
on its collar.

Dear gorgeous lady,
the world can not touch you.
Not even in traffic.

Dear gorgeous lady,
I wanted to thank you
for taking the time
to pick your nose
at the red light.

Right index finger
two knuckles deep
in your nostril.

Searching to buy another coach bag
with the gold contained within?

I wanted to thank you
for the reassurance
that none of us
are above
being
human.

Stream of Consciousness #37

I woke up this morning with a name stuck in my head.

"Bernard Malamud."

How do I know that name?

Oh, yes... He wrote "The Natural."

The movie stars Robert Redford.

I confuse him with Paul Newman sometimes.
Newman's makes salsa and salad dressing.
Some of the profits go to charity.

The last time I donated to charity
was last month.
It was a clothes donation.

7 bags of clothes.

7 is supposed to be a lucky number.

They left a note on the door that read "Thank you."
The note fluttered in the breeze
as the wind picked up.

As I pulled the tape from the screen door,
I began to wonder where all the hummingbirds go
when there's a thunderstorm.

It's raining right now,
but all I want to do is sit on the grass
and eat clementines.

What do you want?

The Wolf Dream

Last night, there were canines
in my strangest of darkened dreams.
Walking unnaturally upright in radiant moonlight
And emitting such unearthly screams.

So there in the darkness through a sliver of blinds,
I peer through the window in the hall.
To meet gaze after gaze of yellowed eyes
and hearing their beckoning call.

So, like a man possessed, I went down the stair.
The door's glass fogged by their breath.
I removed the lock and opened the door,
to welcome the strangest of guests.

Then, in the morning,
to the bathroom I crept,

splashing water on my face and neck.
To meet a reflection I knew quite well,
'cept for the yellowed eyes staring right back.

~RJT

Unarmed and Educated

I felt nervous driving to school to teach. 

And it wasn't the first time.
I don't want to think of this place as an institution
where our lives are on the line.

I'm tired of the thoughts and prayers,
so here's exactly how I feel,
I don't want to go to work today
and become a human shield.

You see, we strive to enlighten minds
on a very meager salary.
We shouldn't have to be subject to gunfire
while you defend you right to carry.

So, in the aftermath
everyone wants to become a preacher
Then some idiot suggests that we should go and arm the teachers.

You don't even supply me with pencils, books, and paper.
But you want me strapped with weapons like I'm fuckin' Schwarzenegger?

So, sorry for the language, but I don't find it unruly.
Because I'm trying to plan my lessons and this isn't an action movie.

So take it from one man who has to sit on this front line,
and do what you did in school...

Listen to your teachers this time.

---- RJT