I see just a hint of inspiration hanging there
Tantalizing me beyond despair
a vision in the fog
could be a prince, could be a frog
Have I the curiosity to care?

For I'm not sure a poets life's for me
Full of pain, angst and constant agony
Paint my heart upon my sleeve
for the tales that I weave
and publish for the whole world here to see

Could it be though that I suffer for my craft
or has my poetry become my own life raft
am I burned because I write
whether morning noon or night
or am I doomed to be consumed in its backdraft.

Like trying to catch a butterfly out of reach
or counting grains of sand upon the beach
chasing feathers on the breeze
counting colour on autumn trees
the gift of poetry is mine to teach

To find the proper words can take some time
even longer if your poem is to rhyme
Select your rhythm and your style
set your tempo all the while
waiting for the warning bells to chime

You see originality is what you seek
but we're bombarded with so much noise from week to week
The lyrics of a song
can make our masterpiece go wrong
and bring us crashing down from our lofty peak.

But with luck the end result will never show
just how to hard you had to work to make it flow
Touch my spirit, touch my soul
bring me to tears and leave me cold
Show me things only a poet ought to know

You've told me in the past
my eye's show the truth in me
I wonder if you saw them now
just what it is you'd see

Would you see the pain I'm feeling
the disappointment and regret
of losing something never held
yet impossible to forget

Would you see right through the veil of tears
thats building up inside
tears I vowed again I'd never shed
tears I want so much to hide

Or would you see what the world sees
mr happy go lucky me
the guy with time for everyone
in a mask they cannot see

You go to school and study hard for what?
For a job that saps what little life you've got?
You work all day you work all night
And yet you have not a single right
You go to school and study hard for what?

The first one in and the last to leave so what?
You think you're the best employee that they've got?
The more you give, the more they take
You work for free, the more they make
The first one in and the last to leave so what?

So you've been here now for 30 years, know what?
We can get two kids for half the price is what.
As employee you've been top notch
so we'd like to give you this shittly little watch
Are you glad now that you stayed in school, guess not.

How can something that brings so much joy
turn around and cause such pain
It takes you out to bask in sunshine
yet leaves you naked in the rain

It fills your stomach with dainty butterflies
and ***** you in with its **** pout
then the moment you let your guard down
it pulls your guts right out

It leaves a gaping cavity
and an ache inside your chest
makes you feel your very worst
after feeling your very best

Where once you were king of the world
now you only want to hide
building walls that would make Hadrian proud
you lock yourself inside

But alas we are too stupid
our optimism too sublime
because we tell ouselves in a year or two
"it'll work out different this time"

Only it doesn't.

Is it really worth the anguish
is it really worth the pain
is it really worth the effort
just to end up here again?

Is it something that I do
Is it something that I say
Is it something else I could have done
That keeps me ending up this way

The only thing I truly want
is a love I've never known
but it seems it is my lot in life
to end up here alone

If your tomorrow never came,
could you get by on yesterday?
Did you feel you did enough,
say everything you had to say?

To know one day we won't wake up
or see the fullness of our cup

no more to feel the shining sun
the ride is over, the race is run

on that day and not before
will we be given our final score.

it's not a pass or fail test
it's about knowing you did your best

And so i ask each one of you
just how well do you think you'd do?

A ****? Healthy greens?
Tasty drink with Burdock root?
The Dandelion

Natures scented gift
How many of us take time
Shame on you mankind

Natures ebb and flow.
Mankinds arrogance destroys.
The balance is gone.

Winter went, Spring sprung
Summers never long enough
Autumn comes too soon

Genocide at sea
In the name of profits
Killed by mankinds greed

Heavy humid air.
An explosion overhead.
Brings forth cool weather.

Full belly, warm day.
Perfect mix for siesta.
I'll just close my eyes...

Lazy afternoon.
Everyone is sound asleep.
Music softly plays.
Gentle breeze explores the house,
while birds sing among the trees.

Natures orchestra
Crickets and frogs harmonize
Alas just one note
But still music to my ears
For I know that I am home

Summer at the dunes
Local island paradise
Room for everyone
Join the party stay all night
With the crowd or on your own

The clearest blue sky
Not perfect, but pretty close
Scarred with wisps of cloud
Yachts languish in the doldrums
As time itself takes time out

Strawberries and cream
Wimbledon when rain stops play
Same old hand in hand

This constant aching feeling
that lives inside of me
a sense of something missing
where contentment used to be

It's funny how I never
really noticed it before
but its started the same day
you got the cab from my front door

The time we spent together
was so fleeting yet intense
Be it weeks or days or months or years
It makes no difference

I just wanted you to be aware
of my pain since you went away
So you can understand the reason
why I'm counting every day

It's like your eyes can see right through me
in every photograph of you
One look is all it takes
and then I don't know what to do

I've convinced myself you know for sure
all the thing's I've tried to hide
And by never saying anything
I know what you would decide

So I'll save myself the trouble
and you the angst of saying no
let's just pretend this never happened
and now I'll turn and go

Sometimes I think I have it tough
that nothing goes my way
and I'm blinded to the real ****
that others have come their way

But its not until you sit and think
and listen to your friends
that you realise things aint so bad
at least you have **** that ends

For them it truly is a case
of not raining til it pours
like life's intent on rubbing salt
into all their open sores

so in future I'll be thankful
that my **** it aint so bad
and try to be better friend
to those who've never had

Unchained melody
will always remind me of that dance

Joan Armatrading's Heaven
will always take me to that glance.

And Lady Antebellum
will always make me think of you

There's even memories associated
with a Wham track or two

Good memories and bad
I've songs for laughter, love and tears

Such is the soundtrack to my life
at least the first forty years.

The memory of you,
still haunts me every day.
Mental images of you and I,
that just won't go away.

Sometimes they are a comfort,
and others not so much.
The scent of you still lingers,
as does the feeling of your touch.

I struggle to find memories,
of things I used to do,
that do not contain such ghosts,
that are not of me and you.

Since you left it has been difficult,
to move forward on my own,
but instead of just diminishing,
these memories have grown.

I need someone to come and save me
because then and only then
will the ghost of you be exorcised
freeing me to start again

Is this love?
Is that the source of all this pain
Outside the sun is shining
but inside it feels like rain.

Is this love?
The rising pulse and creeping smile
When my phone rings and I know its you
and we've not spoken for a while

Is this love?
Is that the source of all my doubt
The constant longing to be with you
while being forced to be without

Is this love?
Falling asleep while on the phone
but waking up with a smile
knowing somehow I'm not alone

Is this love?
Feeling that feeling so alive
That one comes when were together
and when apart does not survive

Perhaps it is
Perhaps all of this is love
In which case the answer's not yes or no
but all of the above

I think I'll have a dinner party
and I'll invite myself
to see what it is that others see
maybe that will help

I mean I look into the mirror
and I see me looking back
and sometimes in my head
myself and I we have a chat

But thats really not the same
there really is no doubt
that what I see in my reflection
is not what you see from without

So I thought that we could sit down
over dinner me and I
And get to know me better
as if through someone elses eye

Well the invitations been extended
and I provisionally accept
but you'll have to read the sequel
to see what happens next....

I hate not missing you
does it mean that you don't care
when I check missed calls upon my phone
and your number isn't there

Of course I wish we'd spoken
and missing calls is hardly good
but at least I'd know you tried to reach me
like I thought you said you would

With every text that I receive
I check and hope that its from you
but its always from someone else
and again I've not missed you

Perhaps its not an oversight
perhaps you're just not missing me
so when you're back in a couple of days
I guess that's the time we'll see

But until then every vibe and beep
will have me hoping for you name
because I really hate not missing you
and I miss you just the same.

Would you dance with me
if I were brave enough to ask
From what you've seen and what you've heard
am I worthy of the task

Would you take my hand
and let the other take your waist
Would you let me pull you close to me
or take off in frightful haste

Would you look at me
and stare deep into my eyes
Would the music start to move you
or would fear paralyze

And would we move about the floor
with symmetry and grace
Or would I just be standing here
alone within this place

I haven't danced in many moons
I'm not even any good
but if I had to dance again
you're the one with whom I would

So tell me would you dance with me
and please don't play it cool
It takes more than you know to ask
but hurts more to be a fool

The truth is we don't think about whats going on in the life of others we think about ourselves.

Its all about us.

How we feel. What we want. What we don't have. What we miss. What we regret. How unfair everything is to us. We all do it. Because life is unfair. Because sometimes life does **** and we don't want it to and we don't deserve it and it just isn't fair.

Thats all.

It's not that we don't care about others, its not that I don't care about you but the first thing I see each day is me. The first feelings I have each day are mine. It's me that feels my pain. And it you that feels yours. But I don't know what your pain is. But I don't know how you feel. And so I focus on myself and only now see the irony that not knowing how you feel or knowing your pain is part of what I feel, is behind my pain.

Until we stop. Until someone makes us stop and draws our attention away from ourselves.

The way you did. The way you have.

And I feel like an ***.

And I feel selfish.

And I wish that I hadn't been thinking of me all along and I wish that I hadn't been preoccupied with what I want and what I need and what I don,t have and I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I couldn't see.

I'm sorry I didn't know.

Can you forgive me? Can we go back? Not back to how things were but just back far enough to before I was an *** and before I was selfish and lets talk. Lets talk at that point right there. I had so much other stuff I wanted to say that I never got chance to say because I said the wrong thing. And before I could take it back and before I could explain and before I could do anything you were gone. And since then its all been different. Since then it's ******. Since then I've tortured myself for what I said and you know what? It's gone right back to being about me and I feel like I've learned nothing.

But I can see it now.

Is that better, does it make it less selfish, or me less of an ***?

Tell me how you feel.  Lets start with that and see.

Take my hand my dear friend
and walk with me a while
Lets stroll along the eastern shore
and maybe come across a smile

But while we walk lets talk about
whats going on with you
and see if there's another way
or something I can do

I know at times it gets too much
when everythings on you
and you manage to convince yourself
others know just what do

But rest assured you're not alone
this crisis hits us all
when we feel like a fishing boat
adrift amidst the squall

There are people who do care bout you
I know because I'm one
So dont ever feel you're all alone
trust me, it aint fun

We're no more than a call away
any time of day or night
just don't call us during idol
cause then you just might have a fight

Although the gag was kinda lame
it did provoke a smile
lets hope at least it helps to keep
the tears back a while

Next time you're down I hope you'll call
we can come back to the beach
and walk together hand in hand
just talking, side by each

Is it best to fight the fight and lose
or walk away intact
Is there victory in battles lost
just because you chose to act

Is it possible to lose something
that you know you cannot win
'Cause when it comes to you and me
that's just the place I'm in

There's so many things I want to say
but I'm sure you don't want to hear
And that alone is all it takes
to have me paralyzed in fear

Your smile's enough to light my day
when everything else is dark
You came in and blew my world away
with a tiny little spark

All of this I'd say to you
if I thought there were a chance
That we would take each others hand
and so begin to dance

But I don't know if there is music
I hear no singer and no band
And I'm scared to death of standing there
alone with my outstretched hand

Maybe you'll happen cross this page
and read what I had to say
And on that day I guess we'll let
the chips fall where they may.

There's seems to be something brewing
an argument of sorts
as to which is best coffee or tea
so I'd like to share my thoughts

Now without doubt there are times
when coffee is a must
but it becomes a small addiction
something after which you lust

But when I'm trying to unwind
and I know it may be just me
at times like that, coffee's all wrong
and it has to be just tea.

There are so many words inside me
that I feel I need to say
But circumstance and other stuff
is always in the way

Every time we get the chance to talk
one of us has to go
So the words keep building up inside
I wish it wasn't so

So I took a chance, I wrote it down
and sent it in the mail
In the hope at least you'll read my words
even if to no avail

At least I'll know I said my piece
that alone will do me good
But will the words upon the paper
reach you in ways I never could

What a gift you are to me.
My sweet and steaming cup of tea.
It is with you I start each day.
There really is no better way.

Waking up alone
Sleeping feels like such a waste
Better just to rest
Than dream of us together
And wake up disappointed

No matter how hot
No matter how much sun shines
Night time brings a chill
Lying there alone in bed
Without you to keep me warm

My head is confused
By the actions of my heart
Indecisiveness
Nothing is certain anymore
Chase two balloons and lose both

Driving home from work
Leaving boredom far behind
My home lies empty
Boredom waits ahead of me
Only scenery changes

You ever feel lost?
Like you don't know which ways up?
Forget about half empty,
you can't even find your cup!

Where you had such clarity,
now everything's a haze,
and far from feeling human,
you're a rat trapped in a maze.

Where once you had such certainty,
now everything you doubt.
You had the world in your hand,
and now there's no way out.

What happens to us in our lives,
that causes things to crack?
But perhaps a better question is,
"How do we get it back"?

Would you miss me
if I was no longer here
would you notice I was missing
would you even shed a tear

Would you think back
to all the things you never said
would you find time to write that letter
would you wish it had been read

Would you follow me
or try to find out where I'd gone
would you wish you'd made the effort
would you admit you got it wrong

Would you wish now
that you'd decided not to wait
Would you read this in the future
and curse you were too late?

I want to start a new life
is that too much to ask?
One that takes me far away
from mistakes of the past

I want to start a new life
somewhere far away from here
A place where I'll sleep soundly
not lay awake in fear

I want to start a new life
can't be that hard to do
Perhaps we should run away
together me and you

Do you want to start a new life
maybe one with me
Where we're free to be together
and together we'll be free

It's funny how your poetry
has the power to make me blush
it's like our little secret
and it gives me quite a rush

You think anyone has figured out
that poem is 'bout me?
I'd like for everyone to know
just how lucky life can be

I wonder if this poem
(I'm curious I'll confess)
will start a little treasure hunt
for my hidden poetess.

Overpaid ego's
Unlike those in sixty six
Those boys had some heart

Sundays are for poetry
it's just the way it is
The fact that I should mow the lawn
doesn't get me in a tiz

And sure I could shingle the shed
but it ain't fell down yet
and besides so what if it rains
things'll just get a little wet.

And I could be stripping paint
hanging wallpaper and doors
but quite frankly I dont want to
There's a reason they're called chores

No I'd much rather be sat here
with my laptop on my knee
sharing the thoughts within my head
for everyone to see.

Because Sundays are for poetry
that's just the way it is
perhaps I should go write that down
into a poem such as this

You know sometimes you know,
and others you just think,
and then there's times you've no idea,
and those times truly stink.

But what if what you knew was wrong?
Then you wouldn't know what to think.
Why that would drive you crazy man,
leave you teetering on the brink!

I think I've come up with a plan,
to rid me of this fear.
It's to live in blissful ignorance,
with no freakin idea.

The first cut is not the deepest,
it is merely the first.
Without doubt in my experience,
the last cut was the worst.

How do you know
which path is best to take
if you don't want to end up walking
just for walkings sake

It used to be you stumbled on
without a path even in sight
lack of purpose and direction
kept you awake at night

Now suddenly, not one but three
routes forward you can see
one paved and clearly visible
on this one should you be?

Or perhaps one of the other paths
like the one shrouded in mist
the allure of its mystery
is not easy to resist

And then there is the well worn path
thats fallen to neglect
yet still lined with scents so heavenly
and blooms with petals so perfect

Perhaps what makes the choice so hard
is not knowing what awaits
do these paths lead to utopia
or walled in chained up gates.

They say that life is short,
and while this may be true,
is it not also correct to say,
its the longest thing you'll ever do.

We lay back together in the grass
spotting pictures in the clouds
sharing hopes and dreams
and things seldom said out loud

We talk of how things used to be
'tween the present and the past
and slowly build a deeper bond
that for the rest of time will last

Our words come very easily
nothings forced, no awkward pause
and we talk about most everything
from god to santa claus

As the clouds depart the clearing sky
and we turn onto our sides
we look into each others eyes
and the truth we cannot hide

We came to this place not strangers
but as friends who'd never met
not knowing what this day would be
one to remember, one to forget?

I lay back once more and close my eyes
and start to reminisce
but my story's interrupted
by the softness of your kiss

My eyes begin to open
did you just... I'm not too sure
and I see it deep within your eyes
you kiss me just once more

And it turns out that this moment
is something we both dreamt about
both unknowing and uncertain
of how things might just turn out

So here we are in silence now
free from fears constricting ties
saying all thats left to say
with what lives behind our eyes.