Neil Meili

Zen Cowboy Poet & Freelance Philosopher

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A Neil a Day Poems

Cousin Wayne

Audio Recordings, Family, Remembering / tagged Alcohol, Death, Innocence, Regret / June 4, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

When Wayne was thirteen
he had the finest blondest hair
the finest features and the finest mind
of all the cousins round

A city boy and cooler about everything than all of us
until we took him hunting

When his first shot hit the rabbit
he ran and cried and held it til it died

At eighteen he quit school with A grades
a month before graduation to get a jump on a job
met a girl and bragged of achievement on first date

Over achievement it turned out to be
quick marriage, quick, two children, three

Army for security, liquor for the pain
it was twenty years before I saw him again

He was in a downstairs bar
sitting there as coarse and thick as adobe brick

I wanted to roll it all back
reach in for the lost fineness and yank it all inside out

And hold him like the rabbit when he cried
still innocent when it died

Copper Left Her Laugh

Audio Recordings, Relationships, Remembering / tagged Joy, Loss, Memory / June 3, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

It is on her answering machine
It is in the hearts of a thousand friends
As she laughs at death or with it

A Debbie Moment

Audio Recordings, Personal Growth, Relationships / tagged Death, Fear, Freedom, Struggle, Trust / June 2, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

I was noticing again the other day
watching a movie, strangely enough
called "Remains of the Day"
that even though you had died
you haven't gone away

In the movie
a bird gets trapped in the house
and tries to fly
through the high ceiling glass

Remember the time in Austin
when the sparrow was trying in panic to escape this way

And you spoke to it in your stardust voice
and it landed in trust in your hands

I remember the windows you flew against
and your trust so light in my hands

And it's a comfort to see you and the sparrow
both flying free

Judy

Audio Recordings, Poems about Poetry, Relationships / tagged Death, Grief, Jealousy, Regret, Suicide / June 1, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Judy was a beauty
tall and blonde and shy
early this month she decided to die

The soft wise eyes, the curling lashes
all now ashes

We have been friends for twenty years
hugs and coffee when in town, cards when far away

And always the latest poetry

She said it was important, and it touched her
in places nothing and no one else could reach

Three years ago
I put my neck in a green-eyed noose

I sent no cards, I did not call

I do not know if I could have saved her
though touch and poetry have been known to

I only know I hate what I did and didn't do
I only know that she drowned out there alone
I only know it was a long time since I had thrown her a line

1 Reply

The Other Well

Audio Recordings, Relationships / tagged Capacity, Communication, Generosity / May 31, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

for Kim Heinrich

No need to ask
the depth of their well

What they say
is not how you'll tell

1 Reply

The Well

Audio Recordings, Relationships / tagged Capacity, Generosity, Giving, Need / May 30, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

There is no need to tell
the depth of your well

Just let each drink
according to their thirst

Timmy’s Down the Well

Audio Recordings / tagged Charity, Compassion, Generosity, Need / May 29, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Timmy's down the well
or in the words of Lassie
Woof woof woof arf arf woof
Timmy's down the well

Lay down your tools
set aside your quarrels
everyone come running
Timmy's down the well

There's nothing like
a big-bellied Biafra baby
to open hearts and wallets

Nothing like a crooked grin
to get us on the Smile Train

It's happening again in Haiti
the smallest with the least
are calling for our largest best

Sometimes it takes a child
to raise a village

Smile Train The world’s largest cleft-focused organization has a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care.

1 Reply

GOD / DOG / MIRROR

Audio Recordings / tagged Afterlife, Companionship, Connection, Death, pets / May 28, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

For Kenny Wirges

God is Dog in a mirrror
Dog is God in a mirror

Kenny had always
a dog at his side

Now he lives in that space
between mirrors
with one on either side

For Victor

Audio Recordings, Relationships / tagged Aging, Dogs, Learning, Love, pets, Wisdom / May 27, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

The only trick an old dog can learn
is how to be an old dog

The minimum of turns one has to take
before lying down for that nap

That a bark is as good as a chace
for keeping squirrels off the deck

And that after all these years
of standing up for your standing friends
you've likely earned their kneeling by you now

Dog Whistlers

Audio Recordings, Haiku / tagged Country Music, Dogs, Humor / May 26, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Of course dogs whistle
mostly old country tunes
sad we can't hear them

1 Reply

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Sandi Hebley on What the Hell VillanelleJune 10, 2026
Had to go look up “villanelle.” 😏
Sandi Hebley on The AlbumsJune 6, 2026
💕 I love our old albums!
Sandi Hebley on JudyJune 1, 2026
😢 Hugs!
Kimberly Heinrich on The Other WellMay 31, 2026
Neil: THANK YOU for this!! Love it!! You are the best!!!💕💕
Sandi Hebley on Timmy’s Down the WellMay 29, 2026
🤗 Love this!

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