Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
 
Jun 2020 · 81
Axiom
Austin Reed Jun 2020
I have this recurring dream,
there’s someone familiar,
she’s wearing a silk red dress,
and we sit at a little round table,
neither of us share a word,
we just smile in each other’s company.
Jun 2020 · 63
Nobleman
Austin Reed Jun 2020
It’s hard
Seeing you smile on-screen
Knowing I’ve it seen it all to well

I’d be lying
Acting like I haven’t fell for it
once or twice.
Jun 2020 · 42
Um... Hello?
Austin Reed Jun 2020
Slam the mirror shut;
Peeping a fleeting glimpse

Down the stairs I run
loop the post and
Swirl out the door

Into my friends car;
She pats my face
A “natural” blush

My hairs a mess,
Nonetheless
I’m best dressed

You would have thought,
For what I bought;
You’d be more caught

Even if we shared laugh
Would you look me in the eye
with that cracked smile?

Your teasing charm is growing old...
Now I’d rather just sit and wait,
Watch in amusement as you hesitate.
May 2020 · 74
☁︎︎
Austin Reed May 2020
Since you left
I have little to say;
I just think about you everyday
May 2020 · 62
The Writer
Austin Reed May 2020
He’s there, for now;
In one click,
He’s imaginary

Painted into ink
Today he’s a father
Tomorrow he’ll be a mother
Turn the page
He’s anyone!
May 2020 · 47
“Romeo”
Austin Reed May 2020
Yea, just play it off...
Cute; Polo: popped collar, ugh!
You’re so disgusting!!
May 2020 · 105
Ohio
Austin Reed May 2020
A clever jest; May,
Blooming trees and fierce snow squalls...
Such antimony!
May 2020 · 75
Get Big
Austin Reed May 2020
Locking up a U-Haul
He glances around the cul-de-sac
Admiring manicured lawns,
Reminiscent to bicycles on the curbside,
taking one last look at an old neighborhood.

About to hoist himself into the drivers seat
Out rings a voice and a frisbee scraping across the pavement
Three boys stand a few houses down
“Toss it back”
He holds the disc, brushing his fingers along the smooth plastic even to the ridges.

“Cmon man toss it back”
With a quick flick of the wrist the frisbee soars high & fast
He’s overwhelmed with joy
Whilst the kids scramble to catch it
“Ya know I got time to spare, wanna play jackpot“
Faces light up
And time passes

But alas he must go
He approaches the stop sign
taking one last look in the mirror
An old youth and a setting sun
How picturesque
Epigram
Apr 2020 · 117
Carpe Diem
Austin Reed Apr 2020
In the cold dark
I won’t tremble
I’ll arise like morning sun
Reborn
And ever so daring
No longer in the shadows of yesterday
For today is the first day of the rest of my life
Mar 2020 · 70
Transparency VI
Austin Reed Mar 2020
I fear my friend
The very things we dream of
Just very well may be an ironic nightmare
Mar 2020 · 62
Love
Austin Reed Mar 2020
I’ve tried for years
Every synonym
Similes, metaphors
It’s just a feeling
Indescribable to me
Mar 2020 · 147
Transparency V
Austin Reed Mar 2020
It’s lonesome
Watching life through pictures
Wishing you had a moment back
Longing for a new venture

It’s lonesome
Feeling the way you do
To shy to tell
Yearning for their touch

It’s lonesome
Sleeping in
For there’s no plans
Just your bed
Mar 2020 · 79
Cheers
Austin Reed Mar 2020
I saw myself
An overcast sky
Skipping on a sidewalk
A drunk thought.
Mar 2020 · 48
Skinned Knees
Austin Reed Mar 2020
I once rode my bike in marvel
Until I skidded through gravel
Pebbles riddled my leg
I bravely rode back home
Running inside to cry to mommy
Mar 2020 · 91
Cooper
Austin Reed Mar 2020
Every morning she’d complain
“I never get any sleep”
“He tosses and turns all night”
“Always up early too”

She’d warn friends,
“He’s a bit much sometimes”
“He means well; really”
“He just don’t know better”


Oh she’d groan,
“Why you always want my food”
“Don’t... Don’t look at me like that”
“Ok, one bite y’know I hate sharing my food!”

There’s an old picture of them in visor
She slides it out
Looking upon the empty seat
Tearfully chuckling; “I miss that **** dog
Mar 2020 · 111
Helpless
Austin Reed Mar 2020
It’s an early March morning
There’s an overcast sky
Winds whipping through the pines

A man stands hillside
Alone & afraid
Accompanied by clattering chains
Theres a distant wagon in the valley
Each gallop growing closer
He begins to weep

He prays for a miracle
Maybe the wagon will crash
Just anything he begs

A crowd can be heard near
desperately he thrashes around
Kicking the cage  
Over & over
Surveying for help
All can be seen are the roaring pines

He grips the cage tightly
As it creaks open
Two men drag him out
Pulling him through the streets,
Brought down to his knees
He pleas, screams, mercy please

Everythings exhausted
He feels numb & defeated
As the Warden marches forward

Reaching for his big axe
The Warden overlooks the man
Raising his blade
The air becomes still
A small thud echoes through the town,
The wardens lip quivering to sight beneath his feet
Mar 2020 · 81
🍂
Austin Reed Mar 2020
Rustling leafs & chimes
play through my head

In Central Park I lie alone
Enjoying the fall day
watching clouds drift along

Finding solace in every gust
Mar 2020 · 134
Prizefighter
Austin Reed Mar 2020
Down but never out
The crowds hail his name
He stands strong
Weathering each storm
Dancing around on tired legs
Slow & fatigued still keeping his hands up
By shear will, he keeps coming
Bruised and battered
Biting down, marching forward
People jump to their feet
Bookies clutching their dollars


In deep waters he rises victorious
Screaming to the glory
Carried on the shoulders of men
Parading his belt
For he’s the best in the world
Mar 2020 · 174
Autophobia
Austin Reed Mar 2020
Crippling fright
Restless nights
Envious thoughts
Endless haunts
Petrified of lonely
Mar 2020 · 132
Mr. Fitch
Austin Reed Mar 2020
A fragment of a man once was
A distant man at the crossroads
Desperate and no where to go
Ready to face the debt he owes.
Feb 2020 · 76
Midwest
Austin Reed Feb 2020
As I looked upon the bare trees
I could feel it all at once
Clear as day
Branches full and green
Driving with the windows down
Singing with your summer girl
Feb 2020 · 110
Transparency IV
Austin Reed Feb 2020
We do everything to be nice
understanding whatever excuse
Even if we bite our tongue

Just to put all our energy forward
Only to find ourselves  
Hurt and exhausted
Feb 2020 · 74
Little Love
Austin Reed Feb 2020
A little a day
Paves the way
A little a day
Won’t leave me astray
A little today
Leaves everything okay
Feb 2020 · 59
Transparency III
Austin Reed Feb 2020
Sometimes discouragement
Is all the more encouragement
To get out of the basement
Feb 2020 · 55
Transparency II
Austin Reed Feb 2020
Always so critical on myself
More prevalent in my writing
Hoping my message is clever, impactful
Stressing over who approves
Convincing myself I’m no good

In the wake of a horrible movie,
I’m convinced I could write it better

Reading the lyrics of new pop songs
I’m convinced I could write a top 100

I’m convinced I’m only as good as I give myself credit for
Feb 2020 · 45
Transparency
Austin Reed Feb 2020
I’m too oblivious and stupid
Surprising myself  everyday
With how hurtful the words that spew out of my mouth can be
Feb 2020 · 62
Lockjaw
Austin Reed Feb 2020
I’m too kind
A little timid
As I just let things slide
Maybe to quick to forgive
That would attribute for the scars along my back

Unfortunately I don’t mind
For I’m too kind
To say what’s on my mind
Feb 2020 · 67
Hope
Austin Reed Feb 2020
Drowning coins
Blown out candles
Dandelions fluttering through fields
wishes fill the air
A genie is close
I’ll wait around till 11:11
Just for some fortuity
Of happiness
Feb 2020 · 99
Infinity
Austin Reed Feb 2020
On this somber night
I hide under blankets
Safe and sound
Dreaming of home
The place where I can weep
Screaming under water
As the angels carry me away
Humming to everlasting horns
Washed in good graces
Reborn in salvation
Free of blistering evil
In the sweet surrender
Of Zion
Feb 2020 · 274
SR 301
Austin Reed Feb 2020
Windows downs,
On the state route;
daddy driving a 93’ pickup
2000s blasting through the speakers
In the front seat with a gameboy
Joyous as any kid could be

What I’d give to relive one day...
One more day of innocence.
I miss that truck man.
Feb 2020 · 98
Mr. Daily
Austin Reed Feb 2020
On his porch the fickle man rest
Wrinkled and worn
Like a blue collar wallet

He watches the day pass
Vicariously through the youth of the block
Often pondering his dog days

He reads his morning paper
To the sound of neighboring dogs howls
Growing annoyed, he howls back
Owwwww!

Wise to the humid day
He finishes his chores early, pulling out a rag
Wiping the sweat from his forehead
He sits back down to a long awaited Budweiser

Watching the neighbors come home
He smiles, back to the kiss of his late wife
What freedom she gave after a long day

After supper he settles down for dusk
Reaching for his radio
Tuning into the ball game
Pirates up two, bottom of the fifth

On his porch the man rest
Wrinkled and worn
Watching the sunset
Cherishing his every breath
Feb 2020 · 53
Untitled
Austin Reed Feb 2020
Would you have me?
If I stood before you
Twisted and befuddled
Internally screaming my love
For you, longing for you

In a limbo, my chest hollows
Leaving a subtle ache
I lie in bed, desolated with each photo of you
If I could put it all away
Act like you don’t exist
Forget I ever loved you
live without memory
Live without you...

Would you have me?
If I stood before you
Tall
Proclaiming my love
For you, forever to you
Feb 2019 · 180
Roanoke
Austin Reed Feb 2019
Roads became vague
Wound up in a ditch
Following street signs, I headed East
Stumbling upon a ghost town
All I heard was whispering winds

Looking down vacant streets and allies
I saw a smile,
Her giggle echoed
As she waved for me to follow
I chased her my whole life
Just to hear,
You’re not alone
Feb 2019 · 343
Tick
Austin Reed Feb 2019
Wrapped to our wrist
Pinned on our walls
Dawn till dusk
Time is always present
Before we were born and after we die
It’s measured by memories, effort, split second decisions
It’s of the essence
Apparent to its incapable yearning to stop
It flies by.
Days we spent angry
Hours dreading our jobs
Regrets and what could haves
We’ll never get it back or be there like we once were
I could say enjoy today and take everyday one step at a time
Or I could be righteous to the ever longing tick
Why should I
With the time I took to write this is now gone
I’ll be tired once morning comes
But I did what I wanted to with my time
Choose your time wisely
Because forever is unkind
Feb 2019 · 174
Hollow
Austin Reed Feb 2019
It’s all manifested
I can trace back to then
I was just a boy
Trusting my heart
Stumbling upon life’s hards truth
This parasite burrowed, deeper and deeper as I aged
Living in the dark corners of my mind
Somehow I found it to be a friend
It was solid
My whole life happiness was borrowed
Time would run its course for the things I cherished
youth, loved ones, crushes, anything that made me smile
Where did I go wrong?

this little buddy though
I still had him
We shared loss,
We learned from it

Laughter, voices, embraces
All Pigments of fading memories.
Everything just leaves
Scrambling through grieve to make sense of it all but i just can’t.
Love must never die.
Still,
We must.
To celebrate old times is a toast to a funeral.
When does right and wrong become apparent in these states
When does insanity and normality become neighbors
Fearful, reflection and complexion go their separate ways
Weak and fragile I weigh my knees
Cold and motionless
My friend had reached my heart.
Feeding off everything I had left.
I became numb.
Every day was yesterday and tomorrow was today.
Slowly, I lifted myself
I kept falling
In a hot sweat
I lost what was most important
I lost myself

This is my life, embedded pain.
A screech rings through my head.
In the hazy fog I hear a feint scream
Begging and pleading for me.
There’s a flickering light
I feel my heart begin to pound
I can almost touch it.

Until the screech echoes again

I’m living in a war
hiding under the beautiful eyes I’ve been gifted

Sleepless nights have restitched my tone
I hide the agonizing sorrow like a gun

Truly listen
You may just find me

— The End —