Resting blindly with smoke staining his teeth,
a white flag stuffed in his jeans' back pocket.
a tongue tied, trapped by the words underneath.
He holds tightly to a rusted locket.

Placing it nestled closely to his chest.
He smiles for life. It's truly his best.
He smiles for love. He shall hold it yet.
He smiles for light. He will not forget.

That rag doll looked up and smiled,
freshly unwrapped
with button eyes shining;
mother looked down on her and said:
"The noise is nothing, rest your head and sleep now child."

As night fell  toy soldiers  stumbled in with glee,
they tossed the poor doll  to the side,
torn by her threads.
A doll can't flee.

The sun grew high,
her tattered dress snared,
and the poor doll bumped her  head.
She cried and whaled to the stars, but none of them cared.

knotted, and worn,
her yarn hair grew wild
The doll sought nothing more than bread,
but spoiled fruit was all the tin men held.

Used up, the ragdoll fell into the fire.
her buttons dust, and mother dead
lost in a sea of the liars.

Reality rings a rust-filled bell,
chiming for a mass unspent.
A dress and suit tied at the waist.
A bond never escaping the pits of hell.

A hermit dies alone, pining for what never was.
A widow dies alone, pining for what was lost.
I miss you, I do, and always shall.
This is life, this is the past, this is the future.
So now, I bid you farewell.

If you are reading this, come say hello.
ask about the weather, ask about the day.
A smile, a wave, static-filled ramblings.
A chat over coffee, a smoke for the road.
Just tip your hat, shake my hand, have a seat.
Or don't, and I'll write this, bitter and alone.

Which one of you will remember her name?
Will your minds recall by the fireside?
Will you press her softly against your lips?

Leave your secrets buried in the soil.
Let your glowing embers forever burn
Learn the lesson conjured by the old men.

Truthfully, nobody will get it right.
Yet tell yourself, "still now we have to try."

We bid farewell to you.

I would very much prefer it
if
the color of your eyes were
not
etched so vividly into
mine.

So she says that I am
enchanting.
Maybe I'm just a fool
surrounding
you, wasting precious air.
This is called
Bipolarity dear.

I don't want to go
to heaven.
I just want to see
the sunset
reflect in your eyes
one last time.

Look at the sun rise over the bay.
Watch the blinking hatchling emerge from its egg.
A brother and sister dance in their school play.
Laugh at a toddler wobbly take his first steps.
Think of the puppy as he yips for a kiss.
That moment you felt opening your first Christmas gift.

Give it some time, let this bliss soak through
and then you'll understand how I feel about you.

Believe in the sanctity of people.
Let the ***** hold tightly to your hand.
Do not forget the sins scarred in your skin.
But do not let them guide you from the light.
Wear them proudly, march down your beaten trail.
Allow yourself to shed that opossum's grin.
To weep is to feel. To feel is to love.
Love makes us human.
Love makes us kind.

They told me
that love hurt.

I sit here with your hand in mine
as you doze peacefully
and once again I understand
What it means to be in love

You made a deal.
I made a promise.
Together or apart
that smoke scented taste
ensnares and enchants
my heart and my soul.

Our love grows stronger, we are not star-crossed.
I hold on tightly, I hold on dearly.
My grip is ultimate, this I promise.  
Flesh and bone, night and day, still I stand firm.

I cannot, will not give up on my wife.
I cannot, will not give up on our life.
Though simple I may be, this fact I know.
I love you yesterday and tomorrow.
Our lights may fade, the stars may grow dim,
in spite of it, our outlook is not grim.

My memory's memory will whisper your name
as our spirits take hand, drifting through stardust.
Civilizations will rise and fall, and so too shall man,
but your name will be uttered, echoed across the land.

I will sketch your eyes amongst the clouds,
Purple mountains unveil your silhouette
For a world without you is but mud on my feet.
Your beauty transcends time and my heartstrings take hold.

We find ourselves in the inky black of the night sky,
a vacuum of nothingness as far as the eye can see.
But still my imprint turns and it catches your gaze,
and whispers my love, as we journey on.

Bitter though the pain may bite.
The devil's chord shan't strike true.
As long as there's me and you.

Find your peace at rock bottom.
Embrace the moments so blue.
One day you'll know what to do.

Stand up, walk away, and sing
While you bid your love adieu.
Then, you shall be happy too.

Let's make a deal
that the smoke scented
taste of your tongue
will never leave mine.

Blah blah blah speak to me in your city
when the shot strikes down and you feel ******.

** dee ** can we sing a little praise
for the girl with the pretty poppin braids?

So **** my blood and call me Jesus Christ
or **** my **** up I'm feeling enticed.

Take a shot, pour a shot, self-enticed joy.
Or sit inside your room you sad poor boy.

I lust for love, to call your soul my own,
yet I laugh alone in my dreary home.

Sorry that you suffered in this abyss
when all we needed was a little kiss.

Bathe away your aches in the morning dew.
Breathe the fresh sunrise air and start anew.
Mark down the idly passed moments and stir.
Blink your eyes, reduce the pain to a blur.

Those moments foreign, damp within your mind.
The grace of the wicked night may remind.
But always, always the rose sprouts anew.
Always, always, your heart knows what to do.

Stand your ground, throw revolution to the wind.
From pit to peak we stand our hands entwined.
Black and blue feathers falling from the sky.
Our mothers and sons crying, "This is mine."
Wearing our crowns, thorns cast idly behind.
Blast the streets, show your intent, stomp your feet.

The world is filled with monsters, men, martyrs,
and everything in-between.
Each occupies a space on the chess board
knowing not what it means.

Each piece holds happily ever after.
Each piece holds a love-filled soul with a grin.
Each piece holds skeletons in their rafters.
Each piece holds an unforgivable sin.

We spend our life idly introspecting.
We cast our net in search of love's warm hand.
We burn bridges, and march on towards Spring.
We search far and wide for peace within the sand.

Thank you little Marcy, my perfect M&M,
for showing these bones the sun yet again.
My velvet angel, you’ve let me touch the sky.
My little girl, you’ve made diamonds trickle down my eye.
What a wonder, what a magical world,
where you draw a breath, my darling little girl.

Mercy John peep into the collard green.
Dance until your bones' souls shiver and ache.
Murmer to mother with your possum's grin.
Allow the summer scents to bless your praise.

Upon the eve of my demise I was so enchanted
that I could not quite surmise what my mind spied.
Moments later I grew surprised as I realized it was you
My darling, my dear, my sweet. I know you, though you may deny
the old sorrow by which we cried. Upon this play you've cast,
upon my life our souls intertwined.  and eventually your breath too.

A poem of love, or so I am told, is the greatest cure for this willow.
A moment of sorrow, or so I am told, is the medicine I do seek.
A lifetime of regret, I require to ****, as I weep into this pillow.
A hand of warmth, is all I asked, as my spirit begins to grow meek.

At the age of nineteen I fell in love
with a girl that I thought was just like me.
But she was better, not bitter or broke.
And so my mind whispered that she was of
a lesser kind, a twisted evil folk.
And there was nothing but red in this sea;
I sought her soul, and she sadly obliged.
And I told myself it was her not I-
Her that fell in love,her who wept for me.
But I knew I lied,told a toxic joke.
With a dun sigh, she'd wilt and die.
To bloom again, another day and time.
I pray she lost my name and toxic love.
But still I'm sorry, my dear friend Jodie

I hope they sift my name through the ashes
and remember it as gentle and kind.
I hope to God they crack a wrinkled grin.
For then I too can peacefully decay.

Oh how a rotted home aches.
Floorboards agonize,
their faces betray
a life's frozen mirth.

A shattered window,
caked in cobweb
calls to her daughter in the wind.

Footprints erased by dust.
Photographs wilted and grey.
Oh how a rotted home aches.

I wish I knew
what I know now
on that spring day
in that room of mirrors

When a breath escaped
my wind-filled pipes
and the break of ice
sealed up my fate

Perhaps if then I knew
what perhaps now I know
I would break those mirror
and fight that fate
or have a cup of tea

But because this trap
was still quite unknown
I found myself ensnared
and year after year
a cozy cell awaits

This is the end
and I bid no tale but
warning

Escape this fate
or you will find yourself
mourning

Chapped lips bleed, dripping down her marble skin.
Staining the square as she takes one last drag.

Across the way a young man's lost within,
wandering the catacomb of her gaze.

Moonlight bathes her spirit, purging its sin.
Though it's useless, for she rests in its shade.

The wall's eyes trace what remains of his grin,
knowing in this moment, they dare not blink.

His tongue grows cold and his skin paper thin,
while his lead-filled eyelids chain him to dirt.

Chapped lips bleed, dripping down her marble skin,
staining the square as she takes one last drag.

I'd offer my soul for one more moment.
One more heart warmed of nothing at all.
One more evening drive until the sunrise.
One more piece of peace in each other's arms.
One more memory made for tomorrow's hope.
I'd offer my soul for one more moment.

Do not fear the silence of solitude.
Embrace it as a father his lost son.
Allow it to consume you in its chill.
For better or worse it shall shape your soul.

Thank your stars for each moment spent alone.
Learn to love your mind, and call it your home.
If not it shall destroy you.
You shall be nothing but sin.

A large headed being sat and he did stare,
looking over my shoulder, looking at your lair.
In the void he sat, and on its rim you perched
looking upon that old monolith, larger than the earth.

He looked and said:
"Allow now that perchance your spirit
will not allow you to end my life.
Look downward upon my spiral
and scream out whatever your strife."

With a rage-filled yelp you leaped onto his stone head
crying you struck again and again until
as the soot settled the creature was dead,
and you found the peace within.

And it imprinted in your skin,
the facts that ceased to be.
Across the bed, it went wild-
a balloon with one too many pins.

It crawled through our clothes,
quite bitter was this snake,
you called this thing love,
but we knew it was fake.

Another bite, another tug
a shout and a moan,
screaming air into your lungs;
It was all over, no more...

but remember this, and I will too
the moments may fade,
and your name grow dim,
but our debts aren't forgiven
and I still live in sin.

I ponder the thought of an empty moon.
Candlelight snuffed, thoughtlessly they consume
the thoughts of the mind, endless periled doom.
Do not fear, for we too shall join you soon.

Happily take the bullets in my hand.
Red wine poured out, trickling along the path.
Eyes wide in fear, survey the aftermath.
My knees buckle and I sink in the sand.

The slice of silver pierces my rib cage,
and the moonskin peels back, sighting my rage.

Bonds form and tessellate among the weary ash.
A drip pan drifting onto a solemn scurry
as she wipes away the tears in forlorn flurry.
It looked upon her mantle with nostalgia and
she looked into its heart before prodding the beast.

It died before it lived in equal harmony.
No point in seeking ill will of the lepers.
But there might some semblance of resentfulness.
A bitter bile resting in lips who confess.  
Or maybe it’s an illusion of a locks and key.

Scarlet pierces through the knit wool sweater.
A harsh contrast against the untouched snow.
The gun comes down, her eyes are cold, yet her
ragged breath betrays fears she will not show.

Blinking, the aether coming into view.
One foot in the grave, I think of my wife.
A blood bubble bursts as if on a cue,
and all I think, "what a wonderful life."

A steady ebb and flow providing unrelenting release.
A single moment snarled by callous disbelief.
A lock of curled honey hair scattered in the ash.
A taste of a once dripping wound dried in sand.

These are the lines for which you fall.

No, these are the bricks within the wall.

This is a descent into paltry madness.

But only half is gone this we must confess.

Two pieces of him, you, and I.
Some grotesque being, a monster
stitched together by cobwebs and lye
But hush do not worry for we found her.

So a third is removed a piece cut out,
you know of his truths, desires, and loves,
but you did not know them, him, or me?
If you did it might be easier to confess
that perhaps we should turn the lock,
it's time to throw away the key.

How do you find the crystal in the coal?
How do you love a child freshly scorned?
How do you shake the demons from your brain?
How do you stop the rot from the mundane?

With love, hands in hands, and a peace of mind.
With trust, implicit in your eyes and mine.
With words, spoken soft dispelling the flames.
With time, patience, eyes opened in the rain.

A bad man stared me in the eye with a punctured gaze.
Oh god whatever shall I do?
Oh god whatever shall I say?
Mother wished me a happy birthday.
Father wished me good luck in my journey.
Brother sisters please just utter my name.
My wife, my beautiful wife, will we ever be the same?

I don't want to take that bullet.
I don't want to fry my brain.
I don't want to sing the chorus.
I don't want to be so lame.

I collect suicide attempts
like stamps in a scrapbook.
I taste asphalt and burning
tar.

Chained to a bed
the door swings closed
again. again. again.

I scream for more weight.
I scream to end it all.
Why do I do this?

I don't feel afraid anymore.
I can taste the soft grey.
Brother Billy, let me come
home.

Mother, Father, Sisters,
hold my sin in your heart.

Though a mother goose may lay a dun egg,
All you do, and all you are is the sun.
Rise now, continue your art, I do beg.
A trophy of grandeur, you are the one.

Touch another heart, you have seen this love.
Reach under the grove and pick the fresh grapes.
Ascending further, your grace unyielding
can even outlast the graceful young dove.
You are the angel, art you are wielding

Yes, the others may look to the south sea,
Onto which they dream only of the north.
Unto you, true artist, your beauty's free.

Although it may seem I write this in fear,
Reviewing each statement, meter by line.
Earth has once said, you reach beyond your years.

At the close of this poem we do reach.
Man amongst man swallowed by your beauty,
and the ends of these rhymes holds much cruelty.
Zealots reach up, and begin their sweet preach.
I realize now that it is far too late.
Not I, nor he, nor she can end this pain.
Go to your love, embrace him, run to fate.

A devil sits on my shoulder and asks,
"Son, why is it that you think you're alive?"
while grinning and brandishing that gold knife.
He flips it, backwards and forth, left and right.
Just waiting for that glint to catch my eye.
"C'mon boy, take it, let's dig for rubies."
My breath hastens, I find myself shaking.
"Go on boy, that's it, let the panic in."
He's drooling now, and he may be *****.
With a quiver I slowly take the blade.
He licks his lips, and looks on with dark bliss.
With the blade a pen I make my way up,
A practiced butcher, I steady my hands.
"I'm proud of you my boy," he softly coos.
and with a sigh I plunge, birthing new scars.
I know not the number, much like the stars.
As my blood cascades down, a tickling stream,
his tongue unravels, he takes a deep drink.
"Yes my son, you weak little *******..."

his thirst content he draws his breath and screams,

"LOOK IN THE ******* MIRROR YOU PILE OF ****
NO ONE COULD EVER LOVE A THING LIKE YOU."

And I tug and tear and my earth shatters,
I rip at my flesh exposing the bone.
I cry for my mother, my father, my wife.
Unanswered my voice echoes off the void.
I look down at the blade and chuck it away,
The blood pools around me, I pray that I drown,
were I lucky, today would be the day.
But alas here I stand, donning my paper crown.

The devil is gone, away with the wind,
all that is left are me and my sins.

Why Lord for all my quirks am I mundane?
Just a blank canvas with piercing static.
A makeshift fool with a penchant for life.
Blood curdled by mud pooled down at my feet.
I long for the days of charcoal and pain.

With lights dimmed twilight I scream at my Lord
begging for knowledge, a glimmer or sign
that it will be okay, and you are mine.
not for a blink, but for the rest of time.
For now I shall pray until you are bored.

Let's dance to the boogie in the room.
Hearts pound, energy abound, the hips sway.
Cyclical time baby caught in the flume.
Fall into me sweetheart, your soul's astray.

Arm spread eagles escape into the sound.
Could we maybe find peace in this madness?
Further gone, blue, red, green, and white abound.
EVERYBODY! This love we must address.

One more hit, swig, swag, tab, maybe a dab
and we're off on the moon again singin.
Lay all your innocent out on the slab
cuz darlin o girl their love'll be ringin.

Tonight, I took some time to stare at the moon.
A chalk-like beacon showing the way.
Invading my shadows, invading my brain.
A foolish man, I took a smoke.
Yes, I let the parchment numb my lips.
Igniting my windpipe and returning a kiss.
I drove in circles, neverending,
Second by second crawling by.
Another drag and I'm returned to this plane
With a cough I continue to move again.
But still, there remains one thing that did not change.
Tonight, I took some time to stare at the moon.

Please, let's just go back to being kids
before whatever it was that this thing is.

The moments where you shivered in the night
And I held you softly within my arms.

Turn back the clocks, and re-enter the light.
You and I: friends, lovers, strangers, soulmates.

The title is meaningless, we are built to last.
So take my hand, and leap into the past.

A phantom edges to the precipice.
Every forgotten word upon his lips.
A singular scar graces his spirit.
A shade of grey painted across his brow.
The winter wind chills to his bitter bones.
The fog descends upon his stubbled chin.
He takes a breath, and a solemn swan-dive,
until he greets his dearest friend, the ground.
Softly tasting the view from halfway down.

The party's lights are dim.
Smoke hovers in the air.
I want to hold your hand.
I wish you were still here.

Cutting through the summer haze,
The love we hold again.