Ode to Jessica
(Written in 1992)I met a strange girl  in the Monterey coffee shop in 1992. I befriended her. She had a gentle smile and always gave me a kind hello. She was the happy Poet with young and shining heart. She was a natural beauty. Always wearing Summer dresses and you could see and sense her wild spirit. She was like the Pacific. Still free and not locked up in bad dreams.

She demanded payment for my triple espresso she bought me with the want of a poem about her.
I told her. I would write her a poem “ode to Jessica.” She smiled and watched my face and hands begin to create.

Usually I need some emotion or reasons to write a poem.  I looked at Jessica. I loved her fire-red hair and ocean blue eyes. I remembered her hatred of brown cars and the need to visit Chico.

Ode to Jessica
I don’t know where Chico is, but it is okay.
If she wants to go there. We can drive on Sunday to Chico and visit.
I believe her boyfriend should transfer to Stanford. Distance love will fail and fade away.
When I becomes famous for writing “Ode to Jessica.” I will remember her name and face.

Anyway enough about Chico and my want to be the new Hemingway.
Need to described you true and real.

You are like the  ocean, dancing freely on the Pacific coastline.
So beautiful for my eyes to see. Your beauty makes the sea less powerful and strong.
I like when the sun light hits your red hair. Create visions of muse or dangerous siren?
Maybe both?

Nothing compared to you sweet Jessica. The sun feel blessed to warm your face and tanned legs.
The moon and stars meditate on your song and tender voice.
I make wishes daily to fall into your laughing eyes.

I believe the poem is good so far. I bet I could sell this to reader digest or maybe post in
my new poetry book? Well, here is more words for dear Jessica.

From a distance. I watched your hair flowing in the Summer breeze. I made a wish to put my
face into your flowery smelling hair.  Smell the sweet odor of spring flowers and for us to dance
by the sea and laugh at life.

I know you could make my life complete. Your gentle smile and kind words made me wish I was
young again. Old men can wish and wishes can turn on you.

This poem is for you dear Jessica. “Ode to Jessica.”
You are so young and beautiful. I wished to lose 12 years so I could ask for a date.
Old dad once told me. Half your age is okay. The young woman killed him off and taught me.
Young woman can be dangerous.

The poem must find an ending. I will give you this superb poem about how beautiful and wonderful you are.
I hope you liked the poem “Ode to Jessica”? It took me 20 minutes to write and I hope it was worth the triple espresso bought and paid for.

Coyote/John Castellenas