Poem For Ray Bradbury
By Mario Grillo/Grilloink@yahoo.com

Twas a summer day years ago
All it took was a happenstance look
As I rustled under some golden crisp leaves
I uncovered a paperback book

Its cover was yellowed and brittle
But its title I could still understand
Laying on the floor of my summer camp boathouse
Was Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man

As two buddies manned the oars
Would destiny one day be blamed?
That this street urchin from Brooklyn
Would never again be the same!

What happened upon that lake
Was that my mind was forever altered
Through robots, time travel and sea serpents
I witnessed my destiny exalted

There upon those pages
Was everything of interest to me
Through a grizzled old man’s tattoos
My eyes could finally see

I spent hours upon that lake
Devouring every page that I could
I would become a writer one day
There was no doubt about it, I would

I’ve told this story for years
Every word absolutely true
But only one person need hear it

And that person, of course, is you.

quote:

That this street urchin from Brooklyn
Would never again be the same!

Hi Mario,
This is from a street urchin from Jersey. I truly enjoyed your poem and just like you I had an epiphany after reading his poetic words at thirteen. It truly was an awakening!
Also, by any chance would you be Mario Grillo the son of Machito the great Cuban Jazz orchestra leader?

Alas, I am not. I am Mario Grillo, Son of Frank Grillo, the great Italian alcoholic and Golden Gloves Winner of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

quote:

Originally posted by Mario grillo:
Alas, I am not. I am Mario Grillo, Son of Frank Grillo, the great Italian alcoholic and Golden Gloves Winner of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Mario, this made me laugh out loud - thanks for posting!