Max Reif Poems

The Petition
The political guy accosted me
at the entrance to the BART.
'Are you a registered California voter? '
...

I stood atop the stairs
that overlook the parking area,
watched a stooped, white-haired lady
inch along with her walker,
...

We had a dentist speak
at the anti-war rally
that we organized
in the summer of 1968,
...

On my morning walk
through a suburban neighborhood,
I have to use the bathroom—bad!
...

No 'field office' like Burger King in the off-hours.
They even turn off the muzak to save money.

But I glance around at the other clientele:
...

He was never able to risk rejection.
His hand would freeze
dialing a girl’s phone number.
Traffic of nerves jammed all intersections.
...

light a match
hold it out
wherever you are
...

With a string of woven words
You invite me to follow you—
Where are you leading me?
...

The country of my body
has narrow boundaries.
Here in this small place,
Fate has alotted my task:
...

When lost love drives a poet’s pen,
Who could ever condescend?

Lost love drives us
...