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Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax: Remembering a Homeless Street Hero 10 Years After His Death
A true street hero, Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax, was stabbed and left for dead on a sidewalk in Jamaica Queens, New York after defending a woman (a stranger to him) from an attacker. Over 20 people walked by without helping him while he lay dying. He died April 18, 2010. Hugo was an immigrant to the USA from Guatemala. Let us keep his memory alive. So far as I can find via research, no one has ever been arrested or charged with his murder. If you have any information that could lead to justice for him, please contact the appropriate authorities.
I wrote this song, The Patron Saint of Jamaica Queens, in 2010 as a tribute to Hugo’s memory. He was a homeless man who gave everything he had to give, his very life, defending a stranger. The world is forever better because of his life and willingness to help others.
News clips and audio in the video used under the Fair Use Act.
Please share this video. I would love for his family to end up seeing it. The song itself is available for digital download at: https://music.apple.com/us/album/half-life/615843809
www.lukeaustindaugherty.com
Words and music by: Luke Austin Daugherty -Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved Luke Austin Daugherty
Lyrics:
“The Patron Saint of Jamaica Queens”
V1. I didn’t wake up this morning and think that I would die tonight-I just thought I might find a soft place to fall- ’cause after all, we all need a place, but I have…
Ch. I have nowhere to lay my head- I have no place to go- I have nowhere to lay my head- I have no place to go…
V2. It’s cold and dark in Jamaica Queens, so I huddle ‘neath the lights of the street- I saw her in danger and frozen in fright- thought I’d be her angel tonight, ’cause I…
Chorus
V3. Sometimes a knife to the heart is not just a metaphor- some things are fair in New York that are not in love and war- and standing there they just watched me here- like I’m Jesus with no cross and no beard…
Chorus
Bridge: Am I a 3-D doormat underneath this city’s feet- a super hero with only the power to bleed- the man in white with no white coat or hat- losing the battle to the man in black
V4. So this will be my widow’s mite- I don’t have two coins, so I’ll just give my life and- Saint Peter meet me at the gates- I called for Michael to defend, but he was running late and I…
Chorus
Hotter Than the Hinges of Hell (A Poem Typecast)

An original poem by Luke Austin Daugherty, Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved.

An original poem by Luke Austin Daugherty, Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved.
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
“Ornaments” -A Poem About Choices

“Ornaments” page 1 of 2 -An original poem typecast by Luke Austin Daugherty. Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved on words and photograph. This poem was typed on a Royal Mercury

“Ornaments” page 2 of 2 -An original poem typecast by Luke Austin Daugherty. Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved on words and photograph. This poem was typed on a Royal Mercury
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
Don’t You Know, Viggo? In America, 3rd Party Votes are Black Magic (A Satire Poem)
Mr. Mortensen, I read that you’re endorsing Jill Stein
You may have friends, but now you’re no friend of mine
I’m the de facto American 2-Party System
And if you’re a REAL patriot, then you’ll only vote within them
I mean, there are a hundred arguments for why voting 3rd party is dumb
Just for whiny-baby ethics voters, sucking on their thumbs
But, aren’t you from upstate New York? Hell, that’s like being half-Canadian
And you’re voting like your Canadian half, not the half that’s ‘Murican
You must think that you’re smart, Viggo… reading Camus— speaking Italian and French
But in this Country’s political dialogue, your intellect doesn’t gain you an inch
Don’t you realize that your Stein vote is only a throw-away
And the right time for a protest vote DEFINITELY isn’t on Election Day
I read your published letter that endorses Jill Stein
But, “Speaking truth to power,” won’t earn your candidate Big Bank dimes
Viggo, don’t you understand the facts
And how a citizen in the voting booth should act
Trump supporters assert that 3rd Party votin’
Is basically just an indirect vote for old “pay-to-play” Clinton
And Hillary lovers say voting 3rd party only gives a bump
To their sworn enemy— the “racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, pussy-grabbing” Trump
So, basically, if you cast a vote for Stein or Johnson
You’re paradoxically, at the same time, casting a vote for both Trump and Clinton
Though you only vote for one, you’re somehow also voting for the other two
Making your vote, according to the pundits, only work against you
Mr. Mortensen, you better own up to the sad truth, though it’s tragic
Don’t you know, Viggo? In America, 3rd Party votes are black magic
My fellow Americans, tomorrow is the big day. Vote your conscience after considering all of your options in due diligence. Also, if you choose not to vote for some ethical position, that is fine too. This election has done so much to divide us. Never have I witnessed a more fractured USA in my lifetime. Let’s do our best to be kind to one another, even when our political opinions differ.
To Mr. Mortensen, thank you for taking an unpopular stand for your chosen candidate and presenting your reasons in a well-written, and dare I say, truly patriotic fashion.
To read the mentioned endorsement letter, click this link:
Viggo’s Jill Stein endorsement letter
If you are not familiar with Viggo Mortensen, check out the following link as well:
As always, thank you to anyone who reads and/or shares my blog. -Luke
“When Miss Celebrity Murdered Her Fame Monster” – Redacted Prose by Luke Austin Daugherty

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“When Miss Celebrity Murdered Her Fame Monster.” … My first offering of redacted prose working with “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” by Stieg Larsson. Pick up my new, full-length poetry book at lowshelfangels.com
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
Soda Bread and Beer for Breakfast at Noon (a poem)

“Soda Bread and Beer for Breakfast at Noon” -an original poem by Luke Austin Daugherty, copyright 2016 on words and picture- All Right Reserved
Thanks to the Rumjacks for providing some background music in my headphones while writing this poem! (particularly the song below)
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
The Sunday Sermon- “Go All the Way” by Charles Bukowski
This is a classic poem by Charles Bukowski. It is written from his subjective vantage point on life. Yet, I think that any person can glean at least one principle or bit of encouragement from this poem. Though for some, the message can be much more moving and transformative. Ether way, enjoy!
For more information on Charles Bukowski and his writing, Check out the link and documentary below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ3Aq-xt9y0
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
