The Book of Wrinkles I

The Book of Wrinkles I is a collection of Texas poems and short stories written by John “Coz” Cosgrove. A self-described “Hill Country So ‘n So,” Coz is an old codger with crud on his boots, a love of God and family and nature, a humorous contempt for modern civilization, and a bent for pissing off “the authorities.” Whatever he’s ranting about or extolling, he can’t help it because there is so much spirituality pouring out of him. Coz is both tender and crusty. He’s Texas Hill Country Soul.

HILL COUNTRY SUNRISE
It’s dawn, that imperceptible change
In light
When birds begin to sing as
Daybreak captures the night
And all creatures nocturnal retire
As the sun rises in a blazing ball of fire
All creation sings and begins to stir
Sunbeams reach out to Mother Earth
And caress her
Moonbeams and darkness roll away
They surrender night to light
And it’s a new Hill Country day
Each biological clock continues
To tick with all its might
Another day on earth to live
Another day of life and light to give
Received by us from the
Great architect of the universe
Each Hill Country sunrise is a new birth
A new life to answer the call
To live life for all it’s worth
To take each day with love, that’s all
To give thanks for nights and days
Sunrises and sunsets and my
Hill Country ways
Swallows soar in sunrise celebration
A new day awaits the Hill Country
In anticipation
Because to live and love life is to fly

FALL FELL
Now I have been wounded, forgivin'
Burnin', sinnin', livin', believin', sayin'
It's just as well, a Cajun spell
Could be, might be, a life in hell
Fine as hell, hold me, then kiss me
On my lips, in the Texas Hill Country
Rock 'n roll me, cookin' understood
Only you and me, burnin' mesquite wood
Bloodshot, shotgunned, 20-guage
Eyes of age, a turn of life's page
Rock of age, water flow so swiftly
Baptize me, bless all Hill Country
I think I'm gonna die, gonna pray
For livin' that way, I'm gonna pay
Thought I heard everything never lasting
Fasting, smoking, drinking, taking, thinking
Everlasting timeless poetry, oh Hill Country
All about time, things we do, you and me
For all eternity, forever young, growin'
Grabbin' hold, growin' old, reapin', sowin'
Waitin', will be born again, havin' fun
Sufferin' one, chasing that summer sun
Until it's said and done, beginning of fall
God bless it all, hear winter's call
It says hello to me, light the cedar bog
High on the hog, and onward, thru the fog
Fire burnin', heart yearnin', I've seen it all
Lookin' for you, writin' words, headin' for fall