George Karos- Two Poems

Circular Definition

I will live in a circular definition
until I learn to calmly abide
in time's appealing predictability
helping me to abate hate and maledictions
espoused by populist angers
irrefutably forged in public alliance
forever present or abbreviated-
so never to be noticed
in my spherical progression.



Crass Simulation

Focus off me (why am I writing) (who is I?)
and floodgates have opened or closed
Turning me into either wolf or pelican
rising against crass superficiality-
lying low in pompous routines
initiated by spells
or absorbed by lurking momentum
dismantling my memory
refined by distant observances
and flower arrangements now dried
by the cruel fate of older paths
leading to newer tombstones,
the naivety of adults,
or the efforts of everything elderly.




George K. Karos was raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he attended public schools until the completion of seventh grade. He then attended and graduated from Saint James School located in Washington County, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University in 1991, and his Master of Arts from American University in 1999. For over two decades, George has studied, performed, and worked with numerous arts projects, musical collaborations, and arts-related organizations facilitating various art-mediums and expression as an artist, a magazine columnist and poetry editor, lead singer for rock bands, performance artist, and folk singer. As a solo artist/acoustic guitarist and songwriter, he has toured and performed in musical venues throughout America with an emphasis on the regions of his Mid-Atlantic roots. Over the last 20 years, he has had three books of poetry published by Red Dragon Press and also performed solo performance art works in improvisational settings in regional art spaces with nationally known artists and music groups. He currently lives in Central Florida and works as a communications director of an international boarding school where he continues to write, record, tour, and perform his acoustic music infused with poetry.