The next Poetry U event is August 25th

Please join us for Poetry U: The Art Of Words on August 25th in Montclair, NJ. I have a terrific lineup of poets for this event.

Showing at Gallery-U in Montclair, NJ

I have a piece showing at the Gallery U exhibit BASIC SPACE this coming Thursday, July 28, 2011. Here you'll find work from various artists with very different and intriguing styles. Please join us for great art, good wine, good food and good conversation!

Robert Langdon on The Chris O>Matic Show

Thanks to everyone for tuning in to see me on the Chris O>Matic Show. I had a blast! If you didn't get a chance to see it live, you can check it out by clicking here. I come in at 42:00. On this episode you'll see a 1950s film about table manners, classic commercials, a film about how music inspires art...and a ton more fun stuff, including dancing!

Robert Langdon on the internet and in Montclair

On Monday, July 18 from 7-8 PM EST, I will be the special guest on the internet program "The Chris O>Matic Show." Chris has a fun show where he broadcasts old educational films, cool videos, classic commercials....it's all very nostalgic. It's like watching a Saturday morning or after-school kids program aimed at adults. A few of his friends and characters (Skippy the puppet, Tobor the robot, etc) will be joining us to talk about my photography and other creative endeavors. Since this show is virtual, you can participate from wherever you are! You can log in and chat live with us or give a call and ask a question. The show will be archived after airing, so if you can't watch it live, check it out when you can. You can access "The Chris O>Matic Show" by clicking here.

Also this week is the next installment of the poetry series I run at Gallery U in Montclair called Poetry U. The next reading will be on Thursday, July 21 from 7-9 in Montclair. NJ. I have a fantastic line-up of 7 poets planned for this show. I'll also be making my east coast debut of my short story/monologue called "Long Distance to NJ." It's a one-way phone conversation and a lot of fun. If you're in the area, please join us.

Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C. 1962

inspired by a Diane Arbus photograph and the impending Iraq War


Before they slapped stars and stripes
on your chest and thrust a gun into your arms.
Before they prepped you on when to pull the pin
and showed you sites you could never forget.
Before they expected you to kill for the freedom
you felt your duty to protect.

When the hallow grenade gripped
in your hands brought death only in war games
and the enemy resuscitates
by being called home for lunch.

Years later, hungry for those scabbed
knee days, they come calling
for your blood's blood and march
him off to wade in the desert.
For this fatherland that abandoned their mistakes
in your scarred and empty palms.
This fatherland that welcomed you back
with crossed arms and turned heads.

poem and photo copyright Robert P. Langdon

Single Again

Before you remarried.

Before he was Dad and just Archie.

When you were widowed.

I was six -- chicken legs

and summer barefoot -- watching

through the knotted fence.

The neighbor boys -- half naked

and burnt -- battled like sperm

for a spot in the pool.

Water sparked like a scalpel

and the splashing drowned out

AM pop pouring through the radio.

I didn't scream when the nail

pierced my foot. Not until I felt

the warm and saw the blood.

A candy ribbon of crimson

drip to a gush and

spread at my foot.

Cousin Cathy carried me home --

a limp Orphan Andy yelping for mother.

They took me to the hospital and waited.

You were at the races

winning laughs and kisses

from your future husband.

And waited because they couldn't find

you. Then patched me up with string

and strawberry ice cream.

The next day -- chicken legs

and summer bandage -- I watched

you from the porch.

A Jackie O in oversized

sunglasses scrubbing blood -- thick

as menstruation -- from the sidewalk.

A matron on hands and knees.

Sweat dribbling from your forehead.

When you were single again.

poem and photo copyright Robert P. Langdon

Check out my other website of photographs

Check out my other website of photographs updated on a regular basis.

http://robertplangdon.blogspot.com/