The Otis Series

Poetry by

David Donald Schein II

figmentofimagination Productions
The Story: This anthology is a collection of prosetry and poetry written from the summer of 1998 through the summer of 2000. I was in Baltimore, Maryland, where my mom lives, and I went to a local diner in Towson with some friends of mine after a meeting. While I was there, I started to think of one of my former girlfriends that used to frequent the diner. I got “up in my head” about what I would do if I saw her there that night- because the last time I had seen her had been... at the diner. Roughly four hours and ten cups of coffee later, as I sat in my bed longing for sleep- and suffering as it eluded me- I continued thinking about "Roxy" and the events of that evening and of the previous summer.

The insanity of my sleepless thoughts left me with only two options: go totally mad or write. As enticing as the former was, I chose the latter. I wrote 'Otis and Roxy', pts 1, 2, and 3 that night. And I didn't stop there. I have continued to write about the people, things, and events in my life and in my past from an omniscient perspective, that I might find some peace and serenity by exposing my thoughts and feelings to myself.

I am not sure why I chose the name "Otis" for the protagonist. It seemed like a good name. I am not going to try to hide behind Otis. I am not all of Otis, and Otis is not all of me, but he is my window into myself. He is like my alter ego. I can look at the events and thoughts of his life and see the similarities to my life. I then compare that to my own life and realize where I may have gone wrong and what I am doing right. I have given names to all of the involved parties; both to protect and respect them, and to further assist in my self-detachment, again to see myself from the outside.

The Reading: Prosetry is, as the name implies, a crossbreed of poetry and prose. To assist you in the reading, remember: you will know what is poetry and what is prosetry. The prosetry is along the lines of the 'beatnik' movement, that is, shifty rhythm and meter without any set rhyme scheme. This is also often called “open form” or “naked” poetry. Ignore the labels; the words are making love to the paper. Treat them as such.

On my website: http://www.geocities.com/granmadave, I have posted copies of my work for free viewing. If you wish to purchase a hard copy of The Otis Series and \ or Other Issues, they are available at cost. I am in the process of generating audio compact discs with my work read aloud by me.

The Thanks: I need to start by thanking the one who was with me through pretty much everything that occurred since junior year of high school. Every emotional situation I experienced, she was there for. She helped me through so much of this stuff that I don't even know how to begin to thank her, but here goes: "Missy, Thank you. (!!!!!)" I don't think that really does it, but I'm sure she understands. "Missy, I love you. Thank you so much for everything." Second, I need to thank Lee. He is a mysterious, beautiful spirit, and I love him as a brother for the support he has given me over the several years we have known each other. He has helped me through many hard times and rainy days. He was there for me on all of the frightening and frustrating nights when I simply needed his presence on. He was my crutch during the Karen months. He and I seem to speak to each other better through music than words, and sometimes staying quiet is the best advice. “Lee, thank you. Thank you for Sarah when I needed her, and thank you for silence when I needed that, too. I love you, my friend, and remember: we’ll always have 610, a radio, and a Blazer.”

I did not write a few of the enclosed poems, as the table of content has shown. "Myra and Otis" was a message left on my machine by A. Myers, so I have given her credit in the TOC. Melissa Elsner wrote “Veronica’s Thoughts”.

I have thrown together a quick list of people (In no predetermined order) that I wish to thank: Missy Elsner, Lee Cole, Katrina Hakkinen, Anne Hammontree, B V & D, Raphael White, Sharyn Blum, Emily “E!” Wiesman, Shawn “The Gay Guy”: Good luck on “The Couch”, Sean Abbott, Stephen “God-Waiter” of the Silver Diner, the staff/regulars of The Towson Diner, John Cates, Lifeway, Kevin and Andrew Soliz, Crystal Lee, The Recher Theatre, The Baltimore Opera Company, The Paper Moon Diner, Club 307, Oliver “OJ” Janney, Erin “Meg Ryan” Foard, Sarah, Wade, OCT, Goucher College, Ildiko Preszly, “Mama” Jen, “Mommy” Jamie, “Ma” Phay, Charles “Chipunk” O’Toole, Dennis “The Mick-Wop-Lock” Restauro, Mike Weller, Mike Cave, Lora, Mary Ellen Schroder, The Noser Family, The Jones Family, Joe Schein, Bradley Schein, Gil Rice, Brigita Miller et al., Alex Myers et al., Alex Green, Ali Koen, Rachel Waldman, John and Nathan Dexter-Thornton, CJ Stephens: Hang tight, my friend, Cathy Clay and The Producers of Waltrip High, Christopher Redding, Claire Yeoman, Jim and Jess Rogers, Greg Pipitone, my Mom, Dad, and Ken, David and Amanda Gonzalez, 'Scruffy' Dave Richardson, Scot Guillory, Noel Ligon, Jenna Lewis, Rachel Velez, Spencer et al., Aaron B., Matt H., Luke K., Bruce T., Abbey Moore, Marlo Delara, Mike S., Patty Elsner, Bob Turner, Mitchell Cohen, Shannon Darrow, Tyler Davis, Wade and Shane Tyree et al., Oprah Winfrey, Paul Hewson and Dave Evans, Thom Yorke, and I know I forgot a few names in there, but I love you all, even those I couldn't think of at this moment.

To every one ~~else~~ even slightly mentioned in this anthology: "I love you all. You have all helped me become a better man. Live long and die well." Thank you all for looking into my life and reading my work and the work of my friends. ~~I love you all.~~ I hope that my work might help you in similar situations. In addition to all those listed and not listed, I would like to thank Stephen Berg, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ani DiFranco, and my sister, Anna, for being the unknowing models and mentors from which much of my style is based. Most of all, I thank my higher power for making this all possible: the experiences, the people, the poetic inspiration... life in general... everything.

EKAM SAT VIPRAH BAHUDHA VADANTI: THERE IS BUT ONE TRUTH, ONLY MEN DESCRIBE IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS

-TAKEN FROM THE RIG VEDA

-David Donald Schein II

8 August 2000

Baltimore, MD, USA

Dedication

The Otis Series is dedicated to "Veronica" and "Marcus" for the love they have shown me through the years. I have never before or since met better friends than they are. I want to thank them for showing me so much love and support, even when I was too blinded by my ignorance and arrogance to see it. I will always love them and no distance can ever truly separate us. I will always hold them close to my heart.