Invincible and strong in the moment
Making the dream come true

Triumphant over every enemy
Heralded as one of the best
Excellence personified

Kinetic, frenetic, dominant
Inescapable force of nature
Nothing will stop me now
Going the distance

Outrageously agressive
Fit to **** them all

Total global *******
He who has no equals
Endurance forever lasting

Greatness is my mistress.
Angels sing my name
Man among men of the highest order
Eternal does he reign.

A young woman, the wind whipping her hair around.
A middle aged man in an SUV
screaming into his cell phone, oblivious to the world around him.
Two children crying incessantly, begging their mother to take them home.
A fifteen year-old rusted up Chevy
with only a few miles left to give.

The blinking lights of a police car in the distance.
A lone and frail cat, scavenging for food.
The flickering signs of the restaurants nearby.
An endless soft hum from a vending machine.

A married couple about ten feet away, fighting over their last few dollars.

Some tore up old newspapers strewn around.
And a little bit of music dancing over the breeze.

You never know what you’ll find...

...in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

A year ago today
We met for the last time.
I could sense what lay deeper.
I knew there were struggles
that you were concealing.

I wanted to pry it out of you,
but I had somewhere else to be.
And before we chanced to meet again,
You were gone...

So now here, I am.
Lost and lonely.
Wishing I could see you
for just a few minutes.

So you could know
how sorry I am
for never telling you
what you really meant to me.

I woke up all alone in the morning,
with an empty spot on the bed.
Your car was not in the driveway,
a thousand thoughts entered my head.

I found none of your clothes in the closet,
and none of your shoes on the floor.
The fridge was almost cleaned out,
an empty hat rack sat near the door.

The TV is in the main room as always,
but the Playstation 4 is MIA.
I never thought I'd end up in this moment.
I never thought it'd happen this way.

There's nothing but a wall, cold and barren
where all your sports stuff used to be.
This hallway is desolate and sterile,
only filled with the pieces of me.

Broken, I went back to the bedroom,
and I sat in a corner to weep.
The tears came down like a rain storm,
and I wished that I was still sound asleep.

613 200 Hours
25 550 Days
13 Cars
11 Jobs
9 Dogs
6 Surgeries
5 Children
4 Grandchildren
3 Marriages
2 Siblings
1 Weary soul.
No regrets.

Early morning
stuck at my desk.
Combing through endless emails.
Most of which have little meaning to me.

Then to the conference room
for yet another meeting.
What's the newest policy
that will bore my soul to tears?

A voicemail from Bob in marketing.
In that shrill and grating voice.
Angry that something was incomplete,
even though I'd actually done it.

In an after lunch performance review,
I float adrift in a sea of numbers.
Slowly tuning out the voice of a boss,
who never bothered to learn my kids names.

Five o'clock comes and I clock out.
Thinking of what little I accomplished,
and resigning myself to the fact,
I have to do it all again tomorrow.

From the deep shadows of the universe
desolation comes in many unexpected
and intriguing forms.

Why are they all able to find me so easily?

To whom it may concern,

The odd, shiny objects
that you see on the floor.

Are simply the broken remnants,
of the soul that once stood here.

Be careful to walk around them.

Though they may seem damaged and faded,
they still glimmer in the moonlight.

Maybe some distant day,
I'll get around
to putting myself back together again.

Sincerely,
A mysterious stranger.

There's only static on the line,
No one can hear me speak.
My headphone jack just gave it up,
and my battery is weak.

I try to hop on social media,
Even if the app is freezing.
I want to share my latest selfie,
and do all that people pleasing.

I've got a great idea,
For a funny viral prank,
but I can't do much about it,
'cause my camera screen is blank.

I did a software update,
that erased half my conversations.
For a connected person like myself,
That means some huge frustrations.

This thing is looking worn down,
my plastic case is cracked.
Looks like my luck has run its course,
The display just went to black.

I could always buy a newer model,
and gain the status it denotes,
but perhaps instead, I'll walk outside,
to see the world up close...

If I were to suddenly disappear
into this growing madness that fills my soul
I could enjoy the satisfaction
of completely erasing
what I used to be.

I would have freedom
from silly moral things.
I would dance in the face
of my opposition.

I would give myself over
to any pleasure I found.

Everything would be ruined.

How exactly does a Cannibal decide
who becomes his next meal?

I couldn't pay the rent,
I couldn't save a cent,
I couldn't put a dent,
in my loans.

The paint on the walls is peeling,
The water's leaking through my ceiling,
The family and the pets are reeling,
here at home.

I don't enjoy my time at work.
I don't like my boss much, he's a ****.
I don't like to sit here, being irked,
As it may go.

I'm dealing with these ills,
A society that kills.
Will I ever make these bills?
I just don't know.

I'm afraid this little poem,
doesn't have a lot to say.
No musings about life and death.
or lost loves along the way.

There's no long rumination,
about the world in which we live.
And in terms of inspiration,
well, it hasn't much to give.

It's not deep or thought provoking,
or even whimsical at all.
It's in no way wildly ambitious,
but rather short and plain and small.

Perhaps you're a bit curious,
about why I chose to write it.
I had a pen and I had an urge,
and it did not seem right to fight it.

Yes, it's just a little poem,
and you may find it quite a bore.
However, if I keep writing,
it won't be little anymore.

So thanks for stopping by
and taking time to read my friend,
but I think it's time we brought
this little poem to an end.

The rules were very simple,
All you had to do was listen.
But now you've gone and put me
in a difficult position.

You think that I enjoy this.
You couldn't be more wrong.
I try to be forgiving,
Now my patience is all but gone.

Don't try and lay this one on me.
You know it isn't true.
You were the match that lit the fire.
Look what you made me do.

You could have saved yourself, my dear
if you had just played by the rules.
But you had to go and break the code,
and then I lost my cool.

If you'd just do what I tell you,
If you'd never raise your voice.
Then it wouldn't have to come to this.
I wouldn't have to make this choice.

Instead, you violated me.
And this hell you put me through?
It could have been avoided.
But look what you made me do.

I’m sure why it’s so quiet tonight.
Or why those old stars just don’t seem as bright.

You’d think there would be another person around,
But it’s only me and the trees and the damp, muddy ground.

What cause for the silence? I haven’t a clue.
Where do I go now? What do I do?

For I fear if I cannot find a rescuer soon,
I’ll simply fade into dust by the light of the moon.

They're just out in the yard,
They won't go out of sight.
There's nothing to worry about,
The kids are alright.

Sometimes they get bullied,
or beat up in a fight.
But it's part of getting older,
and the kids are alright.

So what if they're lonely,
or cry out in the night?
Believe me when I tell you,
the kids are alright.

Nothing bad is going to happen,
though you think it might.
Just trust me on this:
The kids are alright.

It is so very easy
To get swept away
In the chaotic flow of the ocean.

The tides aren't always pleasant
and much danger lurks in the deep.

But it is my hope
that even though the water
can be turbulent.

You never forget
how much you love to swim.

Kids at school.
Dogs fed.
House clean.
Groceries purchased.
Car washed.
Desk organized.
Body healthy.

So why am I so scared?

Just because I'm unassuming,
doesn't mean I'm weak.
Just because I'm quiet,
doesn't mean that I don't have thoughts.
Just because I blend in,
doesn't mean I can't stand out.
Just because I'm off to the side,
doesn't mean I'm unimportant.

Just because I don't scream.
doesn't mean I'm calm.
Just because I don't show affection,
doesn't mean I don't love.
Just because you see me as simple,
doesn't mean I'm not complex.

I thought it would fail,
because I just wasn't slick.
But I trained and I practiced,
and I learned all the tricks.

Then on March 31st,
I dressed in a black suit.
Topped it off with white gloves,
then went in search of my loot.

I was laughing and smiling,
gotta keep up the disguise.
Or you'll never succeed
when you're pedaling lies.

They fell right into my trap,
bought every last word.
The lines between truths
are now perfectly blurred.

I've got every one of them,
in the palm of my hand.
Simple props in my stage show,
and support for my brand.

When it's all over, I'll leave
in the smoothest of ways.
And you won't believe
what I've got planned for May.

Your hair looks gorgeous.
And the dress? Simply stunning.
The brilliant red of the lipstick
keeps me fixated on your beauty.

The coat is a perfect fit
and the diamonds tie it all together
so wonderfully.

But maybe
just this once
you'd be willing to take off the mask?

You're killing me today,
like you've killed me every day,
and you've lost your only sway,
'cause the truth is on display.

I wish that I could fly away instead,
and not lie restless in this bed.

You're killing me today,
like you've killed me every day.
And that's how things are going to stay,
in this storm of disarray.

I wish I could fly away instead,
and not fight these voices in my head.

But you're killing me today,
like you've killed me every day.
Pull the trigger, claim your prey,
and leave me to my sweet decay.

New Year,
New fears.
New sorrow,
New tears.

New hurt,
New pain,
New clouds,
New rain.

New madness,
New fight,
New chaos,
New night.

Same me.

On that day I remember,
In the winds of September
how we danced along the river.

Below the multicolor trees,
The cool of the breeze,
brought about just a hint of a shiver.

The daylight grows shorter,
get the harvest in order
we'll prepare the table for a feast.

We'll rejoice into the night
by the moons reddish light.
and the last echo of summer? Released.

The stars are beautiful.
Twinkling across the great night sky.
A warm and gentle breeze fills the air,
Insects chirp in the distance.

The moonlight dances along the grass.
Dogs howl nearby.
A lightning bug rests silently
against a giant leaf.

It's a rather lovely night.
But I don't enjoy any of it.
Because it's 3 A.M.
and my eyes are wide open.

When I'd rather be asleep.

There is a dormant power
that courses through my veins.

A building wave of anticipation
wafts across my skin.

My heart rate increases,
my breathing grows intense.

I have been left far too long
in this cold, dark place.

It is only your touch,
that can bring me to life.

I am a wounded warrior.
I fought and I fought and I fought.
Left behind friends and my family,
To the battle gave the best that I've got.

Loaded out by the light of the sunset,
Marched on in the blanket of dark.
By the raging boom of the mortars,
I saw the horrors of war clear and stark.

We lost twenty odd men in the first fight.
The next week, we lost fifty or more.
So goes the life of a soldier,
Such is the fury of war.

The winter was cold, unforgiving.
I longed for the warmth of my home.
But a promise to fight is a promise,
So I continued to brave the unknown.

Each twenty four hours more hellish,
Pushing on in the worst of the dregs
Watched my best friend in an instant
Holding what was left of his legs

We marched on for what seemed forever,
as the enemy kept getting bolder.
In one of the fiercest of all the fights,
I took a shrapnel blast to my shoulder.

From there I was done on the front lines,
And you'd think I'd be somewhat relieved.
But back home I just walked into loneliness,
to hurt and to suffer and grieve.

I am a wounded warrior.
I fought and I fought and I fought.
I would not wish my life upon anyone
Such is the pain that war wrought.

Great sunken mistress
Take me to the depths of the sea.
Let me wallow in the whispers,
Coming from the murky darkness.

Iron giant slips beneath the surface.
The stars, now but invisible.
Moonlight can not touch her.
Cruel emptiness fills the air.

Barreling through the salty chaos,
In a desperate race for death.
Crashing into the muddy bottom,
She finds a watery grave.

In the lifeboats, lamentations.
The survivors far too few.
No Captain to take command,
He's gone down with his lady.

A young girl softly crying,
On this awful frigid night.
So little movement in the distance,
Is help even on the way?

At break of dawn, a rescue,
but no jubilation to be had,
Survivors far too few
and heartaches far too many.

Still, sunken mistress waits there,
For a day that won't ever come.
Just another dreary chapter,
in the great mysteries of the sea

I felt the sharp sting in my back.
I felt the surge of pain up my spine.
I felt my knees buckle to the ground.
I felt the blood drip from the wound.
I felt the tears roll down my eyes.

And when I saw that
you of all people
were the one holding the whip...

I felt the shattering of my heart.

On a rather lonesome autumn day I drifted through the trees,
Wandering round the forest floor with a soreness in my knees.
I'd come out to this quiet place in need of healing time,
For those moments I'd let slip away and walked the painful line.

I sat down on a dying log when the leaves began to fall.
For what seemed like forever I just tried to fight it all,
Every hurt and wound I'd caused, every fall from grace,
That led me down the jagged path and brought me to this place.

As I saw the ashes floating, there was an unexpected sound,
and I turned to see a pair of wings that were lifting off the ground.
With feathers thick and dark as night but fire at its core.
I stood there frozen by the grace as I watched the black bird soar.

Fly away,
Fly away,
Oh Black bird help me fly away.

The bird tore through the windy sky with an awesome show of force,
as if drawing on a passion fueled by some unknown source.
In defiance it let out its cry and that was when I saw,
The face of mother nature here in the cold and in the raw.

Valiant, stretched from wing to wing it carried on its way,
Sailing through the rugged skies and dreary clouds of gray.
It rode up to that horizon line and I watched it disappear,
Free from all its enemies and free from all its fear.

Fly away,
Fly away,
Oh Blackbird help me fly away.

I chased it down the muddy trail along the rivers bank,
and suddenly I saw two more join up along its flank.
Then three strong they picked up speed and rode towards the sun,
Separate though they may have been, they found their way as one.

I still walk through the forest floor on lonesome autumn days,
For it's there I find my quiet time where I go to get away.
And I look up in wonder and listen for the mighty cry,
Hoping that the black bird is still tearing through the sky.

Fly away,
Fly away,
Oh Blackbird help me fly away.

The world in darkness.
The world in light.
Which is it
that beckons me tonight?

The face of beauty.
The face of fear.
What strange thing
Has brought me here?

Tears of wonder.
Tears of pain.
Markedly different
Yet much the same.

A laugh of calmness,
A laugh of terror.
Is this a blessing
Or a fateful error?

A look of passion,
A look of fury.
Soon now comes
A time of worry.

Songs of sickness,
Songs of healing.
What great sorrow
Are they concealing?

Days of vengeance,
Days of Joy.
Built almost as much
As they came to destroy.

Moments of clarity,
Moments of madness.
Cast adrift
In an endless sadness

I sat down at my desk tonight,
and found I had no words to write.
No message that I could convey,
nor a funny or witty thing to say.
No nostalgic tale of days gone by,
or wondrous adventure on mountains high.

No princesses, kings or warrior knights,
No ice, no fire, no epic fights.
No clever yarn about my youth,
or a tactful dose of truth.
No sagas of love or burning rage,
not a single thing to grace the page.
In fact, it came as quite a shock
as I'm just not one for writers block!
It's disappointing because everybody knows,
I'm quite the man when it comes to prose.
But on this night, at this desk,
I'm so far from my very best.

I ache and I scream and I fight and fight,
but I just can't fight the words to write.
I have the pen, I have the ink,
"Come on now, man! You've got think!"
There's an easy way to break the curse,
just find a line, a rhyme, a verse.
Nothing creative bursts from my head,
It's just awash with fog instead.
My head is nodding, my vision fading,
what little hope I had? Degrading.
And this barreness my soul will reap,
as I lay me down to sleep.
I can only hope, as I retire,
that I do not think of things too dire.

Perhaps when I wake, in mornings light,
I'll finally find those words to write.

I am wounded.
You are wounded.

We both stare towards each other
through crimson masks.

Suddenly we realize
that underneath our skin
we're the same color
and not as different as we thought.

Why did it have to be
so painful to get here?

Tick...Tock...

I feel it coming for me.

Tick...Tock...

Fear trickles through my bones.

Tick...Tock...

No room left for sanity.

Tick...Tock...

Our politics have failed us.

Tick...Tock...

Our egos have failed us.

Tick...Tock...

Our arrogance has failed us.

Tick...Tock...

And we have failed our children.

Tick...Tock...

There's not much time left.

Tick...Tock...

I suppose we can only hope...

Tick...Tock...

Doomsday won't be as bad as they say...

Tick...Tock...
...
...
        
BOOM!!!!!

I fill my lungs with air
on a beautiful spring day.

It's not quite as carefree
as it used to be.

The birds are singing,
flowers are blooming.

In the distance
a dark cloud looms overhead.

I take another breath,
and then let me body relax.

This simple thing, a treasure
that has been robbed from so many others.

Cruel can this existence be.

The fury of this world
has wounded my spirit
and shorn my brilliant feathers.

I have spent many nights,
on this rocky precipice.
Waiting for my worn body to heal.

"Soon you will fly again"
you tell me.
"Soon you will be free once more!"

The hollowness of your words,
makes your ignorance of me evident.
Your encouragement is misplaced.

For you see,
I'm not sure I want to go back up there.
The dark clouds look more foreboding than ever...

Maybe I just want to fly
to the darkest place I can find.
And stay there for all eternity.

Sorry sir, you're here too soon.
Please take a seat in our waiting room.
Listen for when your number's called.
It may be a awhile, after all.

Be sure to fill out the forms with care,
and take time to mark in every square.
If you miss even a single one,
Your chances of success are done.

Try to ignore the unpleasant smell,
and that guy speaking loudly on his cell.
You must realize that on the whole,
These things are beyond our control.

Yes, this may use up most of your day.
How long will it be? We can't really say.
At least forty minutes it's going to take,
as half our people just went on break.

Two hours later, front of the line.
You want to be done with wasting time.
We can clearly see your nerves are fraught,
but it appears that have you missed a spot.

To the back of the line to make your correction.
Believe us, it's for your own protection.
No jumping ahead, as the rules dictate.
Once again sir, you'll have to wait.

We sense your patience is quickly fleeting,
but any anger would be self defeating.
You're back at the front, with forms composed.
But sadly, this office has just been closed.

There I am, it's kind of late.
Shadows abound.
What madness is this that condemns me?
The muffled screams fill the air
on a strangely naked night.

Guilty as charged.
Yes, I did the deed.
The punishment will be soon and swift.
More than a sentence,
I'd say I've earned a page or more.
Send me off to the gallows.
I am ready.

For I do not cry when good men die.
and I do not weep for the pain I keep.
I cannot undo the nature of what I am.
I cannot forego that which has been done.

So throw me in the hole!
Just like the rest of them.
I'll rest quietly in the shallow muck.
Good and strong and noble.

What else can it be, on the deathbed you see,
but the ashes that billow from my eternal pillow.

No grace in this here.
But that's how it goes.
I never wanted anything special.
Remembrance is for the honored.

For me, the end is very different.
I get no eulogies or dirges.
No songs or poems.
Just a rugged damp hole.
And if I'm lucky, a tear or two.

But this is who I am.
And it's too late to go back.
The pain has suffocated me.

Why is understanding so elusive?

Why do we have to turn against each other?

Why does the tear gas sting so bad?

Why are they not listening to what we are saying?

Why did those people have to die?

Why is this flag in tatters?

The beast awakens from the murky depths.
Thrashing about in the bowels of the sea.
Blue calmness turns violent,
As the erupting rage bubbles to the surface.
Soon, it can no longer be contained.
A merciless tidal wave
is heading for your shore.

And I cannot be held responsible
for what follows.

Let me out...I am the fury

Let me out...I am the pain

Let me out...I am the growing storm

That brings the driving rain.

Loose the shackles...I want freedom

Loose the shackles...Set me free

Loose the shackles...let me be those things

that I know I can be.

Break the chains...I've served the sentence

Break the chains...I've paid the price

Break the chains...The judge has ruled

and I won't be put on trial twice.

Tear the walls down...make 'em shatter

Tear the walls down...piece by piece

Tear the walls down...wreck the prison,

and let the dark confinement cease.

Smash the doors...the game has started.

Smash the doors...the race is on.

Smash the doors...And keep on running

until the coming break of dawn.

Let me out...I am the chaos.

Let me out...I am the deep.

Let me out...I've long been resting,

but I've no more time for sleep.

There I wait by moonlit night
thinking of what I’ve not done right.
By the beach side near the crashing waves,
a mess of chaos, wind and rage.

The torment in the nearby sea
may as well just be the soul of me.
Lightning dances on the horizon line,
As we pay the price for natures crime.

Not far for me the city speaks
in a voice so soft, so calm, so sweet.
By the waters wracked by fear
I know it’s close but I barely hear.

Just a scant few miles away,
The concrete colossus guards the bay.
And then there’s me feet in the sand
trying, begging to understand.

The universe, a complex cosmic dance,
Then when might I just get my chance?
If this world’s a stage and I’m a player,
What lurks within the darkest layer?

But there’s no answer in this place,
Just an empty void of space.
Perhaps someday I’ll find my sleep,
In the madness of the oceans deep.

Fabricated of delicate wisdom
Ravaged by an unsettled world
Astonishing yet vulnerable
Guarded, like the stalked prey
Inevitably more complex than before
Listening for the futures thunder
Emotional 'til the very end.

In a world
that grows more
black and white
with each passing day.

I am simply not content
staring at endless
shades of grey.

So please forgive me
If I take this opportunity
to go in search of rainbows.

They're coming for me,
They're coming for me,
The walls begin to crumble.

The war is here,
The war is here,
Beneath me the surface rumbles.

I'll stay and fight,
I'll stay and fight,
It's my duty to resist.

With whatever I've got,
With whatever I've got,
I'll throw the iron fist.

Never forget,
Never forget,
The hell that happened here.

If I should die,
If I should die,
The war won't disappear.

There's not many left,
There's not many left,
But no one's going to leave.

Peace is so distant,
Peace is so distant,
Still, we march on and believe.

Why do I weep in the sunshine,
but dance in the rain?

Why do I search in the depths,
instead of climbing the mountain?

Why do I wonder what it's like to burn,
instead of escaping the fire?

Why does calmness scare me,
yet fear comforts me?

Why am I more fascinated by death,
than the mysteries of life?

I'll hurt you,
I'll love you.

I'll kiss you,
I'll shove you.

I'll hold you,
I'll break you.

I'll caress you,
I'll shake you.

I'll harm you,
I'll crown you.

I'll honor you,
I'll drown you.

People panicking.
Masks on faces everywhere.
Toilet paper gone.

Six
(years together)
Five
(counseling sessions)
Four
(forgotten birthdays)
Three
(times you cheated)
Two
(kids between us)
One
(hundred lies you told me)
...
...BOOM!

The Army's taking over,
The Army's taking over,
better run,
avoid the guns.

The streets are full of chaos,
The streets are full of chaos,
all around,
blood on the ground.

The government is falling,
The government is falling,
but that's the goal,
there's no control.

In the village there's a riot,
In the village there's a riot.
Trouble ahead,
more fear and dread.

The shops and homes are burning,
The shops and homes are burning.
Political games,
will fan the flames.

The new President is speaking,
The new President is speaking.
Different time,
Same lies and crimes.