Lorelie and I are delighted to 
introduce you to Mike Cohen, a poet, story teller, and novelist. This NESTER post includes his poem “ARISE.” We would also like to thank Jenene Wilson, Lorelie’s cousin, for introducing us to Mike Cohen.
Mike’s poems, short stories and novel excerpts have appeared in several literary magazines. In addition to writing award winning short stories selected for publication, his stories have been anthologized and reviewed. Mike also authored a coming of age, legal thriller, RIVERTOWN HEROES, set in the Northwest.
A UW graduate, Mike practiced law for over fifty years and lives in the Northwest with his family. While practicing law, Mike has continued to write, and told me he plans to write for “as long as he lives”.
Do make time to read “Arise”! Perhaps, it will inspire you to write your “song”.
Lorelie & Tim
ARISE
2021 Mike Cohen
Published in Off The Coast Magazine, (Summer Edition 2022)
“Most people go to their grave with their music inside them.”
George Bernard Shaw
Arise! the moon commands,
It is the New Year.
Trees! Agitate your leaves!
The fellow is not paying attention,
He thinks he has forever to discover who he can be.
The Moon is wise to me,
Knows I’ve longed to shed my ways,
But the pocketbook says otherwise;
This is your time to buy some status quo,
And the whisper from the Insta hot water tap has my ear:
Isn’t it rich, the warm good life?
Just as it is?
Wake up! warns the moon.
It is the New Year.
Wash your feet in freezing water;
While you shake with the cold,
Notice that the Spruce boughs run with sap,
And huckleberry branches blush with berries.
Their colors announce they are about to scatter seeds.
You can only watch,
But they are becoming.
You! The Moon orders,
Drop to your knees.
Dig your fingers like roots into the ground.
Grasp that magic stone,
Its music flowing into your knuckles.
Never mind that your nails are broken,
And that your beard grows white;
You might unearth one song that you can sing.
Can you hear me? She says with love.
It is the New Year.
Moon photograph credit: Toni Olson
Mike, comments from a fellow barrister. I was licensed and practiced in Washington from from 1964-2018. Single, words can be so important and thought provoking. The word that stood out to me in “Arise” was “blush,” and I have been tossing it around in my mind. How little thought I have given to my annual seeing of numerous kinds of plants presenting their specialized gift that none other can duplicate- huckleberries, black berries, raspberries, strawberries, apples of all kinds, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapples, coconuts,ad infinitum. Then, personally think about the implications and feelings that go with BLUSHING- self pride, embarrassment, recognition of achievement, ill at ease getting attention, and on and on. Perhaps it is that complex even for a huckleberry. Your word choice was a mind grabber!
Roger