I need to take it back
to my youth in those
parched and humid
summer days

With my summer job
money or begging mom
for some spare change...
we all did it

Hit the local
convenience store
and line up for the
slushy machine

Obviously my choice
of concoction was the
cherry and banana
frozen slushy

What follows is the
most grand of errors
any kids can make
and you pay for the sin

Being stupid hot outside
you cool yourself with
a quick deep **** from
the wide body straw

Oh snap... you've done it
BRAAAAAIN FREEEEEZE!
the pain is all too real and
nothing can stop head rush

Like your corotted artery
was cut off and frozen
thus rushing migraine
symptoms to your brain

Your eyes closed and you
might even stomp your foot
or clutch your head,
keeping it from popping off

Is there anything
more divine than
something made by
human hands
Throughout generations
of honed skills
handed down
to family member
or apprentice
crafted to be passed on
only to become
possibly antiqued
The subtle care and
time involved with
impeccable technique...
no substitute for the
HAND CRAFTED.

Up early into the morning
sunlight just about to break
through into the new day

We'd "KICK THE WILLIE"
until complete exhaustion
without a care in the world

No subject was off limits
from religion, to politics,
favorite songs and old times

Food was always key and
who's mother was the best
cook in the land

The most ridiculous jokes
told and don't get me started
on sports... oh my goodness

The best of times to be sure
with good friends who
understand what's real.

You stand alone
as a beacon to
every ship that
crosses your path

Structurally sound
with a powerful
beam atop your
shoulders

Life saver, house
and part monument
your historical
presence is solidified.

Once I was terrified
                                  of the dark
no sleep was to be had
                                       frightening thoughts
would enter my mind
                                      coupled with the creeks
and eerie sounds
                             of an older house
even saying my prayers
                                          wasn't enough to
override my weak & youthful mind
                                                               eureka
a game changer was introduced in
                                                             my life
which enabled me to rest in peace
                                                            eyes closed
and dream of things good and kind
                                                           a compact
size NIGHT LIGHT was just enough
                                                            to balance
my sleep rhythm and lend more
                                                     consistency to
my childhood days.

Once I was terrified
                                  of the dark
no sleep was to be had
                                       frightening thoughts
would enter my mind
                                      coupled with the creeks
and eerie sounds
                             of an older house
even saying my prayers
                                          wasn't enough to
override my weak & youthful mind
                                                               eureka
a game changer was introduced in
                                                             my life
which enabled me to rest in peace
                                                            eyes closed
and dream of things good and kind
                                                           a compact
size NIGHT LIGHT was just enough
                                                            to balance
my sleep rhythm and lend more
                                                     consistency to
my childhood days.

True to the fact
that life is far
too short
and my
to do list
is beyond
the common
bucket
My needs
require
a large
wood barrel
to fulfill
the many tasks.

My little yellow
floating friend
that wobbles
and never sinks
U have been
deeply immersed
in bubbles and
never complained
U were always
present in my
birthday suit
and U
never judged
Always a stoic
fan at my
tub concert
U quietly
requested a
second encore.

Many of us tend to
play the game of
martyr and feel
sorry for ourselves

Nothing ever
goes our way
along with the
conspiracy theories

The world is
constantly
battling against
them for no reason

If there was a
COMPLAINT FORM
to fill out, all trees
would be in fear

There will always
be someone with much
worse circumstances
than our issues

... remember that.

Grey and shinny
with an
atomic number of
47
your mass is slightly
greater than
107
and you fashion yourself
as a heavy metal
of distinct value

Argentum in Latin
loved by ladies
and men alike
we design you to
drape from our
necks & wrists
embellished with
precious gems
and stones to
enhance your beauty.

I watched you confidently
    glide across the room and
         you had to know that every
eye
  was up on your every curve

Your hair even flowed behind you
     like some runway model during a
          show with a fan blowing in your
stunning face
  you are unknowingly serving notice

The graceful hip sway and
   dominant stride was enhanced by your
      muscular calf in the 5 inch MK's
scarlet red
  you TEASE ME with a subtle glance

I swear the dress was designed around
   your frame to drive men totally insane
      I can't help but to secretly view all of
you
   peeking over top of my dark sunglasses

You stopped and momentarily posed
   wondering if I would respond in kind
      I froze like the proverbial deer
weakened
   by your beauty, I miss my opportunity.

STOP
trying to
get over
and get
REAL
with
yourself

STOP
seeking
a way
OUT
and pick
yourself
UP

Remain
POSITIVE
when all
else fails
looking  ABOVE
for
STRENGTH.

You rode your
LITTLE RED CORVETTE
into PAISLEY PARK
wearing a
RASPBERRY BERET
and
UNDER THE CHERRY MOON
and you sang of
CONTROVERSY
and we continue to
ADORE you
even when you took us to
ALPHABET STREET
we thought you to be
DELERIOUS, but
you were a
PARTYMAN
that made the
HOUSEQUAKE
in 1999
Always and forever
EXTRAORDINARY
considered one of
THE BEAUTIFUL ONES
with a theme of
DMSR
in this POP LIFE
so just for you and
on the count of
7...
LETS GO CRAZY
in the
PURPLE RAIN.

Crafted by genius
and a well placed
single musical note
You personified
what is clearly best
and undisputed
Pound for pound
the greatest who
ever arranged
a track, played an
instrument and
sang with style
Gone far to soon
this PAISLEY MAN
of slight stature
lived life on his
purple terms
An entertainer bar none
never to be duplicated
You will be dearly missed,
but assured to be
remembered by your
bold creative legacy.

ONCE UPON A RHYME
lived a man who wrote
with his heart
never fearing the worst
of any poem he'd start
This man would compose
day and night
to feed his inner beast
and if a well turned phrase
was a meal
a completed great poem
was the feast
ONCE UPON A RHYME
the man wrote in love
he sought to capture
all life in true essence
seeking praise from above.

Rolling over to
crack my eye lids
to the morning sunrise
a faint
HAZE
compromises my view
temporarily
My hands proceed
to gently rubs
clearing away
the film that clouds
what the Lord has made
I am grateful
to be alive, to be awake
and able to function
in a clear mental capacity
Time to be purposeful
and productive.

My
SANCTUARY
is a place of peace
a church
without walls
a quiet
place of serenity
an open field
of rolling hills
with a single
post card-like
tree for shade
a slow moving
shallow brook
with scattered
stones and the
reflections of the
sun sparkling off
the waters surface
a mountain top
far away from the
city with millions
of celestial stars
peering down
upon me in the
late evening sky.

Is the wool still being
pulled over our eyes
Can we still afford to
swallow the conspiracy
pill of life?
Over the years a continual
status quo of ultimate B.S.
has been force fed to us
and we take it and take it
with little to no reservation
I'm no rebel, but yet my eyes
are open to the facts, the clear
cut dysfunction of things
Contrary to what is written,
what is televised, what is tweeted
or messaged... we need to wake
the hell up before its to late
People are you not tired and
fed up and seeking more?
Do you
NOT
crave justice?
Do you
NOT
require the truth?
Are you
NOT
tired of being
BAMBOOZLED?

We laugh and feel up lifted
and really busting a gut
can sustain us all day, as
the reoccurring joke sits
with us and regurgitates
itself at any and all times
We smile and chuckle like
crazy people to ourselves
That one SUPER FOLLEY
that brings jovial tears and
takes our breath away
You know... the one that
you can't wait to reveal to
others and yet find a way
to mess up the punch line
Enjoy life everyday and
laugh it up till the tears fall.

Pre owned is used
and it goes without notice
Misspoke is a rush to judgment
of your mouth
Sexually dysfunctional  has always
been perverted and
Sanitation engineers used to be
trash men and that was real
The mentally and height challenged
were ******* & midgets, but I
really agree with the new terms
African American was black
and Caucasian was white
Rap became Hip Hop and the
music still plays on
Convicts became inmates
and it never ends
We change the game to suit
our needs and not offend
WORD PLAY in a convenient
way to foster political correctness
it's all B.S. or is there an alternate
term for that as well?

The undisputed birth of civilization
and cradle of life, flowing with
precious jewels and the land milk
& honey... you are a queen

Undiscovered species yet to be
determined and mighty rivers
that spring live, you are a regal
king with worthy subjects

AFRICA is tribal, it is civil and raw
It is modern, ancient and sometimes
unforgiving at it's heart
She is the mother land to all.

Having the presence of mind
to stand up and speak to issues
for what you know and believe
takes BACKBONE

In the heat of the flames
when persecuted and ridiculed
because you stray from the norm
takes BACKBONE

Loving the one you care
deeply for when all around you
take the low road of discontent
takes BACKBONE

Living your life and accepting
your faith without reservation
and pre conceived condition
take BACKBONE.

Like an insomniacs
blood shot weary eyes
on a true ******
I get NO SLEEP
Try as I may, no single
remedy known to man
can alleviate my condition
Virtually zombie like
I stumble about in a
semi-sleep walking
stupor that pushes me
to my limits
Counting sheep is not
a viable option and yet
sleep medicines have
no effect on my soul
I challenge myself to
a mental game of chess
testing my resolve and
surrender my brain
function to peaceful slumber.

Seated together on the
hard linoleum floor of
the kitchen we played
for what seemed hours
With a small rubber ball
and ten metal JAX
I honed my skills on those
rainy days when we were
not allowed outside to play
From the classic onesy
until achieving all ten
for victory, the game
was always simple & fun.
Perfecting the bounce
was always key and
cat liked dexterity
made someone a dangerous
player to defeat.

Swimming about in menial tank
I wonder if you are content
Blue and green grave with a
few fake green plants and
small diver to keep you company
The attempt to provide a tranquil
environment appears fleeting
Even the bubbling treasure chest
seen cliché at best
I watch you for a bit and feed you
the same flakes day in and out
Do you resent me for that
redundant meal?
To my dismay, I find you floating
upside down one morning
and give you a less than proper
burial via flushing without
saying any words for memorial.

Possessing no real
nutritional value
of substance
we are still in deep
like with you
You little golden
spongy log of cream
filled cake named
TWINKY
we still like you
s  e  c  r  e  t  l  y
You may reside
at the bottom of
the grocery cart
well hidden from
judgmental eyes
A nostalgic cheat
of sorts which
comforts our souls
Some have deep fried
you, covered you
chocolate and flavored
you and yet the nothing
compares to stuffing
making you a two bite
treat revealing the filled
center of goodness
Once in a decade I may
revisit you as a reminder
and still you never change
Still need that cold milk
to take you down.

In my tiny world
nothing compares
to your aroma
when freshly baked
out of the oven
the scent of
GINGERBREAD
assimilates itself
into every corner
& crack of the house
That spicy hint of
ginger and nutmeg
combine to arouse
my scenes of days
gone by of giant
GINGERBREAD men
and large glasses of milk
by the fireplace
In any form as a loaf
or snap you are king,
but warn with whipped
cream... nothing else
needs to be said.

Back in the day you engulfed my walls
from top to bottom covering up blemishes,
but mostly because I chose you
From sports figures to pin up models
I taped you, repaired you and loved
you like a best friend for comfort
From Garfield to Road Runner
you amused me and my friends with
your wit and cunning humor
You later turned into landscapes and
cityscapes mixed in with some
fine art reproductions,  mounted to
give the appearance real art work
Able to grace my walls with originals
and first editions now, I thank you
POSTER for showing me the path
to true art appreciation.

Your presence is all around me
beginning as a fine mist to a
modest building crescendo
of fine molecules descending
upon my face as I tilt my head
slightly towards the heavens
The cool wet essence you embody
slowly saturates my t-shirt from
top to bottom, but I have no cares
For once I relish in mother natures
shower and drink it all in as I lift
my arms to catch every drop and
when no one is looking, I extend
my tongue and refresh myself.

As a young child
you would wake me
from a dead sleep
and shake me to my core

Covering my head
under the blanket
to keep me safe
never seemed to work

Oh yes... on occasion
I would scurry into the
bedroom of mom & dad
seeking loving protection

The ROLLING THUNDER
booms with a nasty clash
and followed by lightning
that can traumatize any kid

You light up the room
like it was day break
and I shook with fear
until you faded in the distance

Older, wiser and grown
you don't own me now
however you can still catch
me off guard when you roll.

Positive (+)
fresh air and long stem roses
young kittens and new love
breaking bread with family
and the first day of a new job
hot fresh bread and chocolate
the beach and peperoni pizza
birth of a child and weddings.

Negative (-)
evil people and burnt toast
gun tragedy and moldy fruit
cheating lovers and bad movies
broken bones and divorce
missed flights and TSA lines
losing championship games
and cracked cell phone screens.

412 you know who you are
surrounded by 878, 724 and 814
sharing the lime light, although
you have remained strong
and true for many years
A driving force for a city
of champions that is well
respected and loved by all.

Blessed with the opportunity
to help others is a gift from above
seeking no gratitude for deeds
of love creates a positive reflection
When provided with means of plenty
be just and PAY IT FORWARD
Joy will be concentrated with focus
upon your heart  It's always good
to be special.

Wet, cool and ***** with a slight odor
of Earthy colors
We stomp you, play in you
and some even use as a  beauty mask
The myth of the healing properties
of MUD is real, but don't take my word
for it... discover for  yourself.

Down by the lake
we pilgrimage to
stroll by water in
the noon day
when the sun is
highest in the sky
I spy the glimmering
dance of reflecting
rays on the surface
I cover my eyes as
it can be blinding
I do my best hound
impression and look
for the flattest rocks
by the lakes edge
Drawing back my
left hand while keeping
low to the ground
I attempt to glide that
flat rock across the
surface of the water
and achieve a many skips
along the surface
4, 5, 6... I can't stop
I'm a master ROCK
SKIPPER and love my
craft, keep playing along.

Sliced like a sharp blade
gliding through a melon
without a visible trace
I struggle to find you
even though, I know U
exist because I feel U
Sometimes U expose
yourself with a trickle
of blood seeping from
your edge, however U
often hide yourself well
until treated with the
old school mercurochrome
The burn is evident now
if it was not before
Strategically placed on
my knuckle U nasty
PAPER CUT are annoying
Seemingly cut down to
the bone I source my
band aid to keep U clean
heal well and heal quick.

We all have one
and admitting it
is half the battle

You can be honest
about it or we can
front like a criminal

Good or bad
the motives we have
often define us

Being slick to
the game of life
is a choice to play

Have a positive
M.O. and be real
and true for yourself.

It doesn't take
God given talent
to HUSTLE
hard work is
no substitute
for taking the
easy way out
The payoff is
well worth
the effort.

Sweetest one without concept
your BABBY FACE moves me
essentially to tears.

Not just of your beauty,
but inside

As you proclaim this I claim you
to seek your BABY FACE
all the days of my life

Like a newborn, your beauty
is pure and unspoiled.

I see in your greatness
looking on up high

I notice your shapes
your pillow appearance

Faces in the crowd and
a beauty that is boundless

I've flown through you
and walked amongst you

Set against an azure blue
background, you pop

You fluffy and pillow-like
fragile water vapor mass

Silver lined and transparent
I see you for who you are.

Who is... they and why do
they get to make the rules?

THEY SAID this and
THEY SAID that

Well I would like to say
something profound
and longstanding...

Not right now,
I'm just saying.

On a lonely diet buster of days
I watched you conspire to break
my will and **** if you didn't
I tried to override you with my
strength of character and you
put me to shame on purpose
So many of your friends have
tried and failed in the past, but
you take the cake and fed it to me
OK... I give up this once for you
just 1 CHOCOLATE CHEAT DAY
Do I cheat with cake, candy bar,
chocolate milk, donut or pie
I want and need you to help me
process my feelings about my
dependency for you.  My love
for you is limitless and strong
Just once this time and I'll be good
I can control the urge... I can.

Leaving me with a
duck-faced-pucker
that only a mother
could truly love
Bitter to your core
and odd in shape
yet you often shine
as a center piece
Contrary to be sure
you are capable of
meaningful change
I've slipped your
wedge into my beer
I've added you to
my cakes and pies
and touched with
sweetener, water
and plenty of ice
you concoct a
simple beverage
that stands the test
of time and tradition.

You have rendered us lazy in
the eyes of all who know you
Our legs have become useless
with the couch potato effect
sinking into our conscience
Alas we recall the times of old
when pushing buttons was
far to difficult, now the simple
capability to speak into the
REMOTE which can control
all commands from A to Z
Yes... I use you as if there
were no other alternative
and the crown jewel of
the REMOTE'S mystique
to turn off the television
without delay...
dead triple A batteries.

Having been led to the table of no return
we remain seated and partake of the
entire meal without a word being uttered
Suffice to say... we become ceremonial mutes
as we follow the crowd in a deafening silence
to protect the impending and rogue untruth
Whatever it may consist of, we remain complicit
in the lie of the day much to our surprise
the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM shows no
mercy and yet some foe needs to raise up
to keep it real thus expose the beast and
center the universe once again.

I pull back and backhand
you like an old school
**** checking his ***
I don't condone that
behavior, I'm making
a point... literally

Next comes that vicious
overhead smash in the
name of love as I
desire to keep you
in a confined box

Forehand after Forehand
to complete the point, set
and ultimately match
You may judge me with
your rules, but you
will not break me as
I am the winner.

Good night
sleep tight and
don't let the
bed bugs bite...
their freaking
r      e      a      l
SWEET DREAMS.

I peeped you in
my peripheral
and you totally
invaded my
personal space
Crawling across
my wall I see you
you scurrying
as we mysteriously
locked eyes
Trying to escape
my clutches
is futile as I
reach out and
SMASH you with
more force than
necessary
I reflect with a
miniscule hint
of guilt, but that
creepy bug
had it coming
didn't it?

CHALLENGE
what you think to be true
whenever you are told no

CHALLENGE
the status quo
the way it was done in the past

CHALLENGE
yourself to be better
your children to be better than you

CHALLENGE
political leaders to be real
me.

You were kneaded
covered and risen
with loving hands
I caught hint of you
and my anticipation
heightened without delay
The time it took to
prepare you seems
great for something
so diminutive
I spied at you from
across the room
rolled into tiny
spheres of three
Your top was lightly
braised with
clarified butter
and slowly baked
What follows is
an aroma that
encapsulates the
entire house with
the most glorious
scent of less than
complex ingredients
Words tend not to
do this aroma
justice so I will
not try
We all know it
and can't resist
you fresh out of
the over
cracked open
to reveal the
steam of life
Tenderly buttered
as to not collapse
your fragile frame
I take you into
my mouth and
exhale with a
euphoric sigh.