The Icarus that I was
fell in love with the sun.
I flew high and fast and didn't waver for even a fraction of a second.

I thought that I had to work like that, tire myself like that to prove my love for the sun.
So I came closer to see if the sun really did love me back.


But I got burnt.

I fell.

I broke my wings so I took them off.

I can't say it changed me for the better, but it hadn't left me the same as well.

Now I roam around with my name but not with my self.
I looked up and saw that the sun hasn't changed.

   'Shouldn't you be affected by this?'
I asked
    'Why aren't you affected by this?! BY ME?!'
I yelled.

I was mad.

I was desperate.

I was in love and I was hurt.


But I was also wrong.

I shouldn't have wished for the sun to feel the way that I did. To fall the way that I did.

I lied down and took a minute to feel everything.

Without my wings, lying down felt different.
I could feel the ground with my shoulder blades and my back felt the way the grass shifted away from me.

I looked up and saw the sun going down.

Because the sun isn't always going to be there.

And in its place were the moon and the stars.

And just like that
I saw that I didn't love the sun because of who it is.
I loved the sun because the sun was also a star.

And who would be stupid enough to not love a star?

You are not the wind in the trees
Nor the sweet summer breeze
You are not the stars that light the night
Or the sun shining bright

You're the reason I take notice of it all

You are not kisses in the rain
Make-out time on lovers lane
You're not dancing in the streets
Or dancing in the sheets

You're the reason I desire to

You're not the reason my heart beats
You're the reason for the speed
You're not the reason I survive
You're why I'm glad to be alive

Just as you are....I love you

Grey and dreary, stairs going up. Lifts going down.
Long platforms,
Rails, leading to where? Leaving the town.

Coffee to order, sandwiches to eat.
Trains announced "what did he say"?
What time, what platform. Where do we meet?

People getting on, Looking for seats.
Familes getting off,
Aisles, blocked with suitcases and feet.

Following the canal, boats and ducks.
Watching the roads,
Speeding cars and trucks.

Seeing the planes land,
Then taking off, wondering where?
Probably back to their motherland.

Eventually we arrive.
To outstretched arms,
Bringing the love, that makes us alive.

You stuck a knife in my heart
as you walked away, one final time
and you twisted the blade,
when you never looked back

You're just a bird
So fragile and frail
Afraid to fly
Afraid to fail

You're just a bird
Still safe in your nest
With feathers just forming,
Strong heart in your chest

And one day you'll fly
And spread your own wings
Into the clear sky
And over the seas
But you're just a bird
Who'll soon forget me
But always remember
When we shared a tree

You're just a bird
Who sings as he sways
His own little tune
Even as his heart breaks

You're just a bird
So un-self aware
Still learning to love
To consciously care

And one day you'll fly
And spread your own wings
Into the clear sky
And over the seas
But you're just a bird
Who'll soon forget me
But always remember
When we shared a tree

Oh the places God will have you go
And oh the heart that God will help you grow

But

You're just a bird
And wherever you roam
Think of me fondly,
And the tree,
That we
Called

Home.


|b.g.|

I love the rain
When it rains I feel like my tears
Hide away
It hides my sadness and my pain
But I look down all I see is red blood
The color drips from my wrists
Dripping adding to the flood
A drop at a time
Can't believe this blood is mine
But I always tell myself and
Everybody else I'm fine

We identify ourselves by the masks we wear
Pick the right one
And avoid despair.

Sun streaming
Brightly beaming
Into my lounge.

Golden dawning
Lovely morning
I’m still alive!

My heart sings
My soul has wings
Happy day.

Streams of photons light may be
Scientists tell us factually
Still beautiful to see.

Meerkats gather in early sun
Gazing in awe at the powerful one
Knowing the day has just begun.

Time to walk down to the pub
Ready for some lovely grub
And still the sun is shining.

Paul Butters