In the darkness
A silent voice etches
Temptation into a subconscious mind

In the thoughtlessness
Festers unspoken truths and
Stolen innocence

On the surface
A fragile
Production of wellness

In the void
Derelict fragments
Of Will were sustained

Until the day
A friend was lost
And you lost your way

The front door is sealed.
I hear the bell ringing, but
I'm unable to clutch the ****...
Fire burns hot on the other side.*

The smoke billows under the door - suffocating
as it seeps into my every pore.
I must escape from this loveless trap,
before what is left untapped is scrap.

I tremble at the thought of love,
recede when met with compassion.
Like a dock to which sadness flocks,
every heartbeat is like a fading clock's.

I have always Thought that
                  When I am to Die
I want to begin a Joke
                  Right there on the Fly
Before I Finish
                         Then I'll Recline
Smiling wide
          To the Folks in Line
                                     A Glorious Punchline
                                         Never Proclaimed
Forever Mine
                        Immortalized
                        By the Curiosity
Of their Minds

I wish to see you again,
Rid of this cognitive muzzle.
Sharing animated stories,
Over an evenings puzzle.

The smile that once graced us,
Has gone limp -- vacant.
Impeded thoughts make
Your emotions latent.

I mutter when I discuss our family's dread;
Shudder when I think of your brooding bed.
You are loved and it need not be said,
This love will persist long after you are...

I've heard talk of speech that warms the cold,
-- it cures the soul -- when hope's foretold.
I've seen those who preach
but cannot behold...
Leave depression unchecked
as if it would be too bold
to say something..
Meanwhile, the other is suppressing
the urge to ask.
Why do we retract?
We're often afraid that they might push back,
and they may....
But one day, if they look back,
they wont be able to say
that noone cared.
They won't be able to turn off the light
saying "noone will despair".
It may save their life.
*Is it not human to care?

the simple things
are what comfort us when
the greater things
weigh us down

the little things
are what define us to others
when we are alone
in another town

the harder things
are what force us to grow,
to adapt,
and rearrange.

such is life
where the little things
can induce
the greatest change.

My hands caress the back of her neck
-- her curves leave little to be desired.
There are six keys to her heart
and I know just how to turn each of them
the right way.
I stroke her gently,
causing her to cry out with pleasure.

Beauty incarnate,
she shines like a rising sun
-- the centerpiece of the party
-- always there for me,
with her flawless melody.

Suspended sparkles grace morning air
-- Great peaks surround.
Berries petrified by Winter's touch
-- Frozen curiosities abound.

The great shadow of the peak
Is both Overlord and Savior.
She has offered wealth to man
Who've failed to moderate her.

there                                                            ­        you are,
wandering  alone                                            ­      in life,
a make-shift rucksack                             unburden by    
-- leaded stone
dreams                                                     ­           
filled with                                                             ­ radiant
forgotten poems
and of                                                               ­           love
-barren shelves
of forgotten
tomes                                                           ­, once shared.

The storm settled,
Gentle winds clear the streets of
Fragmented ~~           
                   ~~ Cocktail      ~~       Memories
             ~~                       ~~
There were one too many,
For one too many,
                                First Dances &
High Stakes.

Lingering emotions
                                        Faint Recollections
Snapshots of Regretless Mistakes.

~~~~~~~~~~
Unblemished sand of a far away land

Unearthing bubbles of weary clams

Sky grows tired as Flame burns low

The simple serenity of the afterglow
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We --- were --- together.
Fate wedged a sickle in between.
I lean on it still, neck exposed,
Ready to forfeit everything.
With uncertainty I am devout.
Because of our closeness
I am unable to retract from the blade,
So ready to inflict grievances.

I feel the intent of the hungering edge,
Wondering which of us holds the handle.
I am just another fool
With little to offer another, given
The greater half of my being
Belongs to you.
My heart, a possession on your shelf
Gathering dust.

Do apples taste like ash,

Down yonder, around the bend?
Have the Fruit
                          Fallen  
                          Rot­ten
When the story nears its end?

What sorrow does the future hold?
What wonders will it span?
Am I Bound
                       to Bear
                       the Bond
                       of Gold

Or be alone again*?

Caught in a vortex of
Undeniable thoughts.

Red on my shoulder
Reading Salem's Lot.

Contemplating the Flame and
The tick of the clock.

No need to worry
If I don't get caught.

Would you rather  love someone
Or have them love you?
Would you rather  be someone
Or be someones fool?
Would you rather  be the hero
Or steal the jewel?
Would you rather  help the weak
Or crush the cruel?

In this fickle world,
You'll be made to choose,
So would you rather  love someone                           
Or have them  love you?**


                                                        ­                           * tko - 2016

Bonding beneath a Bloodmoon
Stuttering starlight of June
Waves that trace a salted line
Ever-changing sand with time

A loon calls from afar
As the wind responds in kind
Whispering wonders of the stars
Projecting our peace of mind

Bodies shrouded in darkness
If not for the afterglows
Speaking words in silence
Ruby kisses on the nose

Two silhouettes on the horizon
A glorious, glistening red
With nimble waves to guide them
They'll continue to forge ahead

The strangest stories have no sense of direction,
No  respect  of  Truth,
No  pinnacle  insurrection.
Al­as, the tensity causes the button to pop.
Eyes  lowered,
As the other foot drops.
Once seemingly meaningless grains
Suddenly aggregate into disabling pains.
Perspectives contest to be absolute
But  not  one  is;
They're unavoidably destitute.
Decisions are very seldom sound
Since every interpretation
Has flaws to be found.
Emotionalities  arise,
Rationality  divides
And
A choice invites a new inception;
One that defines a  point of inflection.

I don't mind if I waste my time,
Long's I waste my time with you.
The grass is always green, my love,
And the skies are looking blue.

I know you've got the flu, my dear,
But it'll have to do.
So long's I can spend my time,
Wasting time with you.

                                                       ( Insert Dreamy Interlude Here )

There are no gains in rushin',
So girl just keep on blushin'.
I said keep those cheeks a flushin'
So I can brand your smile in mind.

Will I have you for all time?
I guess we'll have to see.
I think we'll make out all right;
We'll define our destiny.*

I know you've got the flu, my love,
But it'll have to do.
'Cause all I want's to spend my time,
Wasting time with you.


                                                        ­                                                *2013 - TKO

I always thought:             "if He exists,
                he must be the Lord of Lists.

                                             Who-did-whats?
Who-did-this?
                                             Who gets punishment?
Who's earned bliss?"

I always thought:                "if He exists,
                there ought be an ironic twist.

To watch His children who defied
and forsook His shore at
the turn of the tide."*


                                                       ­                                                 *2016 - TKO

Breaths fall short.
Thoughts crumble in defeat,
But the sensation of creation
Still aches to feel complete.
A chest has no treasure
Unless you have the key;
Tidings creatively delivered
By a verse of fantasy.
Inspiration billows within.
Without the words to convey,
My masterful poésie is still
Waiting for its wave.

Your features are flawless,
Sculpted from perfection into
Something more remarkable.
      Your skin is like that of a goddess,
      Outlining a sedulous smile
      That says your up to no good.
The wit you displayed on a turn of a dime
Certainly helped us pass our time together.
You spoke with sophistication.
Your goals lofty, but achievable.

               I wonder if I could withstand
               Never having the upper hand?
               Reaching has never been my style,
               Though, surely it would be worthwhile
               If it ushered in the beginning
               To an end, worth spending
               Time to attend to.

Remember the day when we
Spent all our time to be
Wholly lost in the breeze?

The warmth like a heater
The grass smelled sweeter
Weaving our way through the trees

We ducked and dived
Never felt so alive
Until roots formed 'round our feet

The world got meeker  
The hills got steeper
****** in a ditch of deceit

I breath to breath you
Do I need to need to?
I should take my chances and run

I'll lose my mind
Trying one more time
To fight a battle that cannot be won

There lays a man in intensive care
Without a care in the world

He said:

He sits aside
As the world grows old
For he has accomplished everything he's wished
And rests assured in a state of bliss

Achieving this if oft missed by the masses
Who peer through panes with clouded glasses
So protect a future of achieved potential
Only live and love with your time
Someday you may be lucky to share
This sublime perspective of mine

He smiled gently and quitely sighs
As we both left the room with tears in our eyes

When love is lost
But doesn’t go away
Wandering thoughts
Sting every day
When all that remains
Are hallow holes
Stubborn stains
I promise that
I will embrace the pain
As your memory
Has seduced my heart
Preserving it
For a day when we
May hold hands
And walk through the trees
Once more

I am left yearning.
Making the right choice has left a hole burning through my chest. I was only trying to do my best… but I had forgotten that you are my best.

Keep my heart—it is making me sink
Keep my heart—it is making me think

about what I could have been thinking – giving up the only thing I yearn to keep? Alas... life is a pill hard to swallow without you handing me the glass — but there is no turning back.

Stay -- your hands
                         My dear
                         My friend
Stay -- your hands
                   My friend...*

I know times have been better --
                    The crops have been wetter
Our hearts have been lighter and
Our bonds have been tighter

    But I want you to know --
    That some flowers it’s
    In the dessert they grow
*So stay -- your hands
       My friend.

Not looking forward to looking back.
Not looking forward
-- Start to retract.

                                                       ­       thoughts are cyclic

The creeping sedative
Numbing every sanctum.
The Gray comes like a stroke
With unstoppable momentum.

                                                      ­  behavior becomes translucent

Leaking feelings do not return
Leaving only those without yearning.
Better yet, desire goes out completely
Leaving a shell - shattered – empty.

                                                         ­      emotional apathy

The pieces don’t fit together any more.
The more you try, the more disfigured they become
-- And so the ink begins to run
On a page, which never sees the sun.

                                                           ­                     social withdrawal

Four walls with no doors, no windows.
Secluded amongst others who are sane.
Accompanied by a consciousness so malicious,
Every effort is made in vain.

                                                  di­ssolution

Black and White meet.
The Gray is an admission…
An admission of defeat.
An admission of defeat.