The Rodeo



I feel like an imposter in my down-under hat

with kangaroos on it; I'm a downright hippy.

Would rather see a rattler sunning itself

in the outback than skinned for boots.

The cowboys have it figured, how to:

separate one bull from twenty,

rope a calf in five,

be a barnacle on the back of a bucking bronco.



The rodeo Bozo pops in and out

of an aluminum beer barrel

as inflamed bulls toss riders, snort

and stamp dirt.  Those bulls

put on a show but in the end

they're roped and funneled back

into the holding pen, seething,

quelled. Tough meat.























Death Gets Around



Death is more devastating to the living

than to the dead. It treads in its

deadly way, the smart click of its heels

on the floor that gleams with wax.

It drifts lazy as nimbus without need

of a parachute.  It waits behind gauze

curtains that lift in the breeze.  It

wears a knowing smile.




































Snake in a Pear Tree



How strange to suck the sweet juice

of pears in their brief season,

as the snake mistakes these trees

for apple, attracted to the red blush.

Gnarled branches scratch its belly

as it winds along, making for limbs

mottled by sun, and blending in

with the hissing leaves.





The Drunk



No one loved sugar more

than the drunk who each morning

took his post at John's coffee stand.

Who knows where the drunk slept,

his full head of Einstein

hair the envy of all the balding strangers.

Every day John granted the drunk a bit

of mercy - a donut or a cinnamon bun

and a cup of sweet coffee.  

And the rumpled drunk would thank John

with a sweep of his hand and a swagger

like Richard Burton, homage of a free man

to indentured servants en route

to their towers, clutching lattes

and forcing their eyes down.

Patty Mooney, COO of Crystal Pyramid
Productions, is an international award-winning
producer, Avid editor, sound technician, writer
and photographer. She and her partner, Mark
Schulze, co-produced several award-winning
home-video titles, including "Massage For
Relaxation," "John Howard's Lessons in Cycling"
and "Full Cycle: A World Odyssey." In 2004, Patty
produced, shot and edited two documentaries:
"My Choice" and "Peace Out San Diego." In
2005, Patty won the "Women Who Mean
Business Award" and two Communicator Awards
of Distinction for her editing prowess.
Patty has recently produced broadcast
segments for Discovery, Access Hollywood and
the Travel Channel. She has edited pieces for
MasterCard, Berlex, Plough-Schering,
Astrazeneca, Jane Magazine, Glaxo-Smith-Kline,
Denny's, Atlas Van Lines, Mail Boxes Etc.,
NetTalon and San Diego's Hard Rock Hotel.

Since 1975, Patty has written articles for the Los
Angeles Times, San Diego Reader, Post
Magazine, Create Magazine, Westways, Beauty
Digest, Yoga Journal, AV Multimedia Producers
Magazine, San Diego Metro Magazine and many
others.

Patty Mooney