The people heard
but they wouldn't listen
their eyes were open
but couldn't see
the killing fields
this war at home
was never something
that should ever be
our children gone
forever lost
the right to bear
it has cost
when a crazy man
can still get a gun
and in his mind
it's for his fun
death will follow
excuses spun
the NRA
again has won

An eye for an eye
leaves everyone blind
vengeance is always
best left behind

To repay evil with evil
cannot balance a scale
it's just amplified evil
doling out one more fail

Things are only made worse
when you follow that course
why do men still believe
they're immune to this curse

Will man ever learn
or let his soul burn
while anger within him
continues to churn

It's time to wake up
repay evil with kind
your reward is within
as it brings peace of mind

Breaking the circle
preserving our sight
it may not be easy
but well worth the fight

Salt trails upon cheeks
speak of sorrow
and also joy

joy and sorrow
they are yin and yang
the two sides of the emotional coin

so odd
two totally opposite emotions
yet they release in the same manner

my salt tested twice in three days
that which was lost to us
returned

how is it a pet can mean so much

I stood within a cloud
the heavy mist swirling about me
so alone
so quiet
so peaceful
the silence finally broken
a train whistle off in the distance
the nearest tracks 10 miles away
the quiet returns
I am encompassed once more by the mist
I become part of the cloud
I’ve never felt so tranquil
how I wish this peace could spread over the entire earth.

Death and dismemberment
that's what they bring
while songs sung of heroes
are the tunes that we sing

Soldier on soldier
a body count is the score
but it's the folks who build weapons
who are winning the wars

It's all about money
satisfying their greed
the rich filling their storehouse
while they haven't the need

Today's wars they're for profit
of money, of land
and the worlds children keep dying
as we strike up the band

When will we stop
will it ever end
war, ****** for hire
was not meant as a friend

love
meant for the heart
denied
for lack of trust

The killing fields
right here at home
are somehow different
from those that we've known
no longer war
on foreign fields
but there's a body count
this new war yields
students and teachers
professors and preachers
murders committed
by horrible creatures
are there no answers
to the question why
these monsters keep killing
causing mothers to cry
life is not ours to take
nor a game that we play
when will this madness end
will there come such a day
a day of beautiful peace
love shared man to man
the tools of killing laid down
would be a wonderful plan
but I know it's a dream
one that can never come true
and that thought and the stress
leaves me ever so blue

Rude and rotten
that's what they are
with their bigoted messages
the worst kind by far

Seldom respectful
to the people they meet
destroying their mood
but not on the street

It's here on the internet
and not face to face
where they act as the tough guy
feeling perfectly safe

Anonymity that's cool
avatars they're great
and what they give to the bullies
is a place to practice their hate

words so in-edible
you just can't keep them down
they move your insides
you regurgitate
you've had your fill
but the children must play

their game
proving they are better than you
their onslaught of disrespect continues

they don't know when to stop

they have no idea what they cause

in truth, they don't even care

they don't seem to realize
they are responsible
for the pain they bring
the spirits they crush
and the hearts they break

their way is the only way
the game must be won
even if the cost
includes their humanity

the frozen places
are always the loneliest

Without acknowledgment
The warrior has no foe
His war remains within
The only casualty
His spirit

stuck in his box
with no way out
frustration with life
he began to shout

where is my freedom
the walls he'd scrape
again raising his voice
he would beg escape

let me out he cried
give me new things to learn
variety is calling
and inside I do burn

the box holds me prisoner
with no way to move on
I long for that place
where knowledge will spawn

someone please help
come show me the way
I know I'll learn quickly
if you'll but teach me to play

it's joy that I seek
not the four walls of this box
help me open my mind
bring the keys to the locks

They live in boxes
no doors to pass through
no windows to accept the light
the world has to offer
their meals never change
and no longer have flavor

Was it ever true
was it ever alright
there was more than a twig snapped
to give birth to this fight

two lives now uprooted
the end too soon was found
love hadn't been rooted
firm and deep in the ground

the anger had grown
they were both far too proud
neither could back away
their voices now loud

the violence was verbal
this had not come to blows
but the hurt went much deeper
as insults found some new lows

had love ever existed
or had lust been their bond
and with the newness worn off
they'd both found they'd been conned

those three words “I love you”
they lied through their teeth
all they had done was to hide
lust that had lain deep beneath

Outside my window

Life

So changed from what it once was
people so different from what they were
today it seems as if
we have no time for others
we act as if we are threatened
by those who pass by
even by our neighbors
ever on our guard
the only respect we show
seems to be
because of our fear

Outside my window
life in its ridiculousness
I watch as they walk by
afraid to make eye contact
unable to greet each other

No, it's not just those two across the street
they've been feuding for years
it appears to be almost everyone

There was a time when women
would nod and give a slight curtsy
and men
would tip their hats in greeting
it was a time
that people showed respect for each other
in the form of politeness

Today's respect is shown by their
avoidance of acknowledgment
due to fear of possible confrontation

There are so many angry people in the world today
the shame is that they don't have to be angry if they don't want to be
they hold on  to their anger as if it is their life's blood
like those two across the street
only their feud seems to be with life itself

Will they ever see
will they ever understand
they hurt themselves in their denial of joy

I knew a man
who could not see beyond his nose
his path through life
was covered with stones

I knew a man
who refused to open his mind
he could not understand
why he could not understand

I knew a man
who would not let his heart be touched
he died alone
never knowing the joy that was his

What I would
I have not done
my life cheated
by my cowardice

Afraid to step out on a limb
afraid to follow my dream
unwilling to step outside
that safety net
of being responsible

Dreams are only achieved
by the passionate

Egos
large enough
to steel the spirit
of entire societies

their self servitude
offering no help
to the people

their cold hearts
have no place
for love of others

their only need
to feel superior
as they tear down
all that is about them
through the misuse of
the position they were given
in order to become

as a child
king of the hill

whose lie
gave them the idea
they were above all others

do they not see the destruction
they leave in the wake of their walk
through life

Knocking men down
from his great altitude
an insane egotist  
with a bad attitude

his knowledge was great
why wouldn't they listen
with all of his schooling
his opinion should glisten

the arrogant *******
went ahead, said his peace
with the ultimate end
a soul for to fleece

to **** a spirit
break a heart
sow discouragement
right from the start

to his dismay
what he didn't expect
was he never received
other peoples respect

eating at him
he'd continued his fight
hoping his words
would push others to flight

showing great disrespect
as his means to his ends
he found himself alone
without any friends

Sheep
they follow
never seeing the world
for themselves
they all become alike
they have no individual traits

told where they can go
they are limited as to what world
has to offer
hounded by the dogs
who move them toward a pen
they say for there own protection
yet it is for the shepherd
truly an issue of control

the wolves will always be there
the pen is no protection

those who have not learned
to stand on their own will fall

those who become as the big horn
will experience life

There once was a voice
he had never before been heard from
well, except for when pen
would make his recitation
to his good friend paper

The day came
voice discovered he had vocal cords
his first words, tentative in their birth proved
insecurity had been the reason
for his silence

He spoke slowly at first
worried that he would stumble
afraid he would begin to stutter
his fear of acceptance or lack thereof
kept him close to the edge of giving up

Deep within a new and fresh feeling come upon him
it was as if out of nowhere
there was a strength building
a new determination
giving up was backing up away from the edge

Voice became strong
no longer insecure

Voice realized his purpose
and vowed to fulfill it

Voice began shouting his messages
from the roof tops
from the tops of mountains
and across the seas

Voice would never be silenced again
his message will continue to be heard

I write this to you Christianity

What matters more
that we pray for
or feed the hungry
the flow of manna from heaven
today is nowhere to be seen
other than where it is with the help
from the hand of man

Was it not to be shared with all of gods chosen
by your word, your savior came to save all
his father fed them in the wilderness
he fed them on the mount
yet many die today of starvation
why must even one go hungry

This world has a glut of food
all it needs is to be shared
distributed to those in need
yet so much is thrown away

I guess it's less expensive letting it go to waste
when the bottom line is your desired taste

I have to wonder
those who feel that need to pray
and then do nothing to help
do they not see
that they are the answer
for what they pray for
their hearts would not have been touched
if they weren't

Or is it just more of the same lip service

Even if we were just to sit down
and share half of our sandwich
we would be helping them
renewing their faith
restoring their spirit
helping to ease their pangs of hunger

prayers without works
my friend, they're dead
as your heart is unchanged
where is your head
do you not understand
you've been called to good works
to help and feed others
should be looked on as perks
never a burden
rewards then received
as smiles grace a face
with their hunger relieved

Abuse
has stems rooted in self loathing
yet the abuser claims love
as their guiding force of the lost control

“I beat you because I love you”
Nothing can be further from the truth
there is no love within them

“I'm yelling so that you will hear me”
But the listening is shut down
through fear

“I'm sorry, I was drunk”
Yet their drunkenness
repeats itself over and over

I'll not give drunkenness excuse
for it is that loss of self control
found in those who despise themselves
having no respect for themselves
who know not how to cope with life

Bodies and spirits
broken by
violence
in the forms
of actions and words
that take their toll
on the abused
and seldom heal

When will man
learn to love himself
enough
to love others

He spent time in the garden
moved too close to the rose
was pricked by it's thorn
the love he had given
was returned with pain

There is this stream
it carries the music of life through the forest
calming the soul and spirit
of any and all who spend time
listening to its song

As I sit by waters edge
my toes being kissed by its gentle current
I find an unexpected blessing
one that has always been there for me.
All that was needed
was for me to come and accept it

To get here I  left a world
ravaged by a rushed
and impatient society.
Its greed and lack of kindness
has taken its sad toll of far too many

That world would have owned me as well
had I not come to this place
far away from the mean streets
away from the get ahead at any cost attitude it has
free of the stress it imparts

It is a place of true comfort
more tranquil than one could ever imagine

The stream flows through me
its music feeds my spirit
its song fills my heart

The thoughts of that other place
now washed from my mind
it seems as though I have grown new ears
I have learned to listen in a whole new way
my eyes opened now to beauty
wherever they land
my heart, opened wider than ever
being filled with great joy

I have never known such peace

I think I'll stay awhile

I tried patience

Always waiting
Mostly for peace to arrive

Believing in their goodness
Every man
Inside and outside of our circle
Need our respect
Giving it is the least we can do

Can we come together
Each of us
Not just in words
Something much more is needed
Our actions are the important part
Reviving the spirits of others
Even when we feel at the bottom
Determines our destiny

To wear a mask
an avatar
we're insecure
and it's quite bizarre
that we lie to folks
both near and far
in hopes they'll see
our rising star
while scared of that question
of who we are

Void of spirit
her remnants
wandered without purpose
the scars on her cheeks
were carved by tears
from empty eyes
that told of the absence of her soul

A single rail
a closed mind
no switches
ignoring that there are other paths to travel
there is but one destination for the train
leaving a single direction to see life
the rest of the world is lost
there is no growth
some think it to be quite a ride
there is nothing that is unexpected
others see it as a train wreck
for them the lack of variety brings stagnation

The arrogant *******
went ahead, said his peace
his ultimate end
was a soul to fleece

killing a spirit
breaking a heart
sowing discouragement
right from the start

knocking men down
from his great altitude
he was an egotist  
with a bad attitude

but to his dismay
what he didn't expect
that he never received
other peoples respect

his knowledge was great
why wouldn't they listen
with all of his schooling
he believed his opinion to glisten

eating at him
he'd continued his fight
hoping his words
would push others to flight

then with great disrespect
as his means to his ends
he found himself all alone
without any friends

I had met an intellectual
he said I was wrong
but he never really wondered
the reason I had for my song

He went about finding my faults
it seems that's what intellectuals do
and I suppose the reason
is to prove they're so much better than you

Well he was so insecure
with all the crap that he knew
he began to nit-pic
and the list of course grew

I said go ahead speak your peace
point out all of my gaffes
make a fool of yourself
while my friends and I laugh

He then moved away
his tail was tucked under
but I'm sure he'll be back
to point out my blunders

So thankful I am
for all the help that they give
for with a good hearty laugh
is the best way one should live

Love
how useless
you find it
it leaves

Now you tell me
it was infatuation
you played with my heart
left it in pieces

How many others were there
no-one else need ever be cautious of you
never again
as I was your last

Try to emulate others
no, not on your life
the conflict that builds
brings nothing but strife

Why would I wish to be someone else
is there something wrong with being myself
why go to the trouble of being another
would that not be lying to the world around me

Integrity step aside
no place here for you
the truth is now hidden
under my shoe

The mirror then tells a new story
one of a person I barely recognize
I have to question just who he is
and whether I can trust him for the truth

Is it not truth that builds trust
while lies break it down
those who once smiled as friends
step back now with frowns

The ruination of self
that's what comes with the copy
again I say, be a snowflake
don't be afraid to be different

How sad
knowing so many words
yet when they're put together
the man with no heart
has no understanding of them

I've noticed from time to time
people who pride themselves
on their great level of education
who have never learned to read for understanding
they prefer to nit-pic their way through life
finding fault in just about everything
that surrounds them
no matter what it is
if the structure
is other than what they think it ought to be
life itself
as we know it
must be reset
returned to start
and the rest of us will begin to receive
a reeducation

anyway

he misses out on so much of life
the dance of his spirit
to the song in his heart

without heart
there is no song
no dance
and no joy

life passes him by

how can the learned
carry so much ignorance
how can they not see
their own failings

these folks must needs
cast the beam out of their own eyes
before …...........

well you know the rest of the story

I was asked the question
“who do I read”
well, there's nobody special
that's not what I need

am I here to seek pointers
no, not at all
the way that I write
it's not been my call

I simply write down
the words that I'm given
then share them with others
you know, the folks who be livin'

so correct if you must
that's if it makes you feel better
punctuation and spelling
right down to the letter

but I won't be changin'
anytime soon
so I hope you don't mind
I'll keep singin' my tune

many today
have begun to squirm
acting as
the lowly worm
as their secrets
begin to unfold
as finally at last
the truth is told
into the ground
hiding their faces
no longer visiting
their common places
ashamed of themselves
for what they have done
by pretending their actions
affect only one
their selfishness
has finally caught up
and what they are left with
is an empty cup

should I change me
to become thee
hell no I say
why can't you see
no two are the same
in life, this game
and if you want that to be
your understanding is lame
we must remain snowflakes
different each one
without that variety
we eliminate fun

so don't worry about style
let me be who I am
I'm not looking for change
only to become one more sham

becoming another
putting me on the shelf
all it would take
is to lie to myself
but that's not what I want
that's one thing I won't do
I must live with myself
before I please you

I once was rude
but then I learned
I got nowhere
with bridges burned

retracing steps
could not be done
the points I made
had reached no one

my intent was right
to help another
but I'd forgotten
each man my brother

to show respect
with all my words
not slay a spirit
as if with swords

to rebuild a bridge
to regain a trust
one thing I've learned
respect is a must

The weak fall
their spirits quenched
words as swords impale their hearts
they roast over smoldering coals
left behind by the unkind

Devoured by their discouragement
they are chewed up and spit out
by a world that simply
just doesn't care

My search for Philadelphia
has found it's populous
has moved away
the city of brotherly love
has fallen

There's a problem that painters
and poets both have
living life full of feelings
requiring they have a strong salve

for their critics abound
claiming that they know all
providing discouragement
and causing a spirit to fall

these painters and poets
they bring us their art
there's no one way to see it
though an open mind is a start

we must learn to observe
finding what's there for us
instead of going off half cocked
and causing a fuss

a critique is opinion
we're all entitled to one
but to critique to be mean
ruins everyone's fun

If I could just have my say
and live my whole life my way
you'd find me filling out my day
with a greater amount of fun and play

But society says that I must work
I look at them, begin to smirk
then realize if I want the perk
I must work or go berserk

I tell the mirror
I don't want to go
my anger builds
begins to show

I make the deal
for this one day
I'm so depressed
I cannot play

I've given up
I accept my fate
I'll go to work
but I'll be late

It has been said
truth should be shouted
from the tops of the mountains

Truth defined
a fact
or belief
accepted as true

What kind of definition is that
using truth to define truth
to me it is saying
truth is as we see it

So whose truth should that be
my truth
your truth
what truth should be shouted from the mountains

Truth that brings about battles
between neighbors
destroying civility

Truth that sends countries to war
leaving death and dismemberment
in its wake

Cannot our truth be told
civilly
respectfully
without words
that become infused with intolerance
of others and their beliefs

It's been a long time
the words are still the same

Can't we all just get along!

Or at least try

One speaks only religion
the other constantly cries fake
the argument rages on
c'mon, give us a break

Try and learn to respect
each others belief
giving the rest of us
a little relief

We're tired of hearing
“have you found a new church”
leave me alone
if I want one I'll search

We're also tired of
“God doesn't exist”
the truth of the matter
these statements both leave folks ******

Yes this argument goes on
much too long, to excess
I'm tellin' ya folks
it's causing way too much stress

Chill out for awhile
let each other live
by the beliefs that they have
is that too much to give

One zealot over shares his faith
another argues the lack of belief
what I can't seem to understand
is why they won't take a break
and give the world a little relief

When light reaches not
the spirit of man
he cannot see to survive.

Without that spark
to break his depression
he feels he's barely alive.

But what is the light
where is the hope
how can one manage
how can one cope?

Where is his help
to stand for today
as folks without hearts
merely pass by his way.

Care not that he's troubled
on the verge of collapse
he sees the end of his world
to hold on he can't clasp.

If he is to have hope
and be able to fight
his way could be opened
If we could just be his light

Alone in this crowded room
really not a bad thing today
the music in my ears
so lovely, so melodious
it begs me to remain secluded
right here, with it being my hold on sanity
away from a world that holds so little of the same

Not a care

Not a worry

How wonderful it can be
yes, to leave reality behind
even if it's just for moment or two
deep within a stress free groove

Yeah, I said groove

No, the groove still exists
and really
we need to spend more time there

How peaceful life can seem
the escape, it's so fulfilling, so satisfying

True happiness
a real inner joy can be found here so easily

Ain't music great!
I want to shout

“TRY IT SOMETIME”

It's good medicine for the soul
and truly lifts your spirit

You might even end up suggesting it to another as well

Find your groove and pass on the peace my friend
hopefully it can catch on

“I love you”

“Are you sure it's not lust”

“Well aren't they the same”

“Oh no, love's based on trust.”

“Love is forever
while lust fades away
are you in for the long haul
or just for today”

          “If all you are wanting
is to snuggle for now,
you may as well leave
so don't have a cow”

“If it's true that you love me
please tell me again
but don't use those words
to get a ****** friend”

The internet
is such a great tool
except for the fact
there are too many fools
they have no respect
for man nor beast
and the funny thing is
they deserve it the least
so how do you handle them
what do you say
just ignore all their ignorance
don't be suckered into their play
show respect for yourself
don't let your skin be so thin
most of all, don't lower yourself
to the gutter they're in

This morning, eyes closed sitting in my favorite chair
it seems as I was truly alone for a brief moment
total quiet, total  comfort

I thought why has bringing a foot stool close crossed my mind
it could in no way increase the peace I was feeling

Then I went blank
not a thought in my mind

For this instant
I seemed to disappear completely

I was existing to simply be part of the whole

I was the universe

I now question whether I had reached a true moment of zen

In an instant I knew that I must share this moment
and in that thought
the moment ceased to exist
I was back in the world of the limited

That emptiness was filled with a peace I have never experienced before

I hope to take this trip again soon

Infants
born with hearts for all
the children
use them to play ball

Bigoted parents
begin the fall
as they teach their kids
to ***** a wall

The hate they teach
then brings a squall
the size of which
is never small

The storm then rages
for mans great shortfall
the result of which
forms his worst pitfall

We once had hearts
as I recall
that's right, together
we once played ball

But now it seems
as we've grown tall
the lessons of bigots
have brought our downfall

Crayons that are broken
still color just fine
injecting their beauty
within the drawn lines
of the book they were given
on the day of their birth
proof beyond measure
that the autistic have worth
yes they may seem quite different
but a problem it's not
so please all we ask
is you give them a shot