Remembering war
visiting the past
why
all that comes is heartache
the loss of the lives
on both sides
the cost of war
ever at the door
leaving behind
broken families
wives without husbands
children without fathers
for what
political differences
religion
the cost is too high
the freedom of a people
should not be impinged upon
Edwin Star
“war, good God
what is it good for
absolutely nuthin'”
a simple lesson
that we have not yet learned
remembering war
has not made it vanish
war still goes on
our young men continue to die
I hate these wars
I love these young men
they will live again in our hearts
it is they who deserve to be remembered.

I close my eyes
it only takes a moment
the pain subsides
my eye strain can be comforted

I close my eyes
the pain ever there
will there ever be comfort
for the hungry children

I sat in the shallow cavern behind the falls
gazing out at the fine mist
it was rising above the pool below
I watched as the sun sent forth its rays of light
as they passed through this mist before me
I felt as if I was receiving a gift
sent by the morning star
its brilliance
excited the millions of prisms
contained within the tiny water droplets
causing colors to burst forth
displaying the most glorious rainbow
more spectacular than I had ever witnessed before
all those wonderful colors
coming together
to make the whole of this vision in the mist
it was then that I realized
today this rainbow
that I was given the privilege of viewing
was not the promise spoken of
instead, it was a message
that all men
of all colors and races
of all faiths
believers or not
gay and straight alike
whether they're rich or poor
must at one point
all come together
if we are ever to be whole
for within us
it is the same river of life
being pumped through our bodies
by our hearts

Painful lack of words
writing becomes much too hard
where have our poems gone.

Words written in haste
now make very little sense
without any flow.

They are no longer
as a body without breath
alive for others.

Emptiness resides
in a heart without feeling
our words have no life.

Those words without life
failing to bless a hearer
become of no use.

Why do we ignore
inspiration from nature
our muse is asleep.

Once it awakens
words return to the living
joy comes to our hearts.

When love comes along and touches a heart
It's stay there is permanent and will not depart
But if it appears and then leaves on the morrow
Infatuation has come with all of it's sorrow

How can none
be less than one
when there's an extra n
added to it

It seems to me
that four letters are greater than three
when you add one
don't you always have more

And while speaking of more
three has more letters than four
right now
I think I'm confused

I guess I ask about none
just for a little bit of fun
and this rhyming
the vehicle I've used

Whether Martin, Malcolm
Jack or Bobby
there will never be but one.

These men were few
their dreams were great
their jobs did not get done.

Taken too soon
by bullets all
killed for their beliefs.

Equality would have to wait
will it ever come?

Will another arise
to carry the torch?

Will someone continue
to beat equalities drum?

If by chance it does one day
and all are viewed as equal,
brotherhood could finally come
we might start living peaceful.

As we look forward to that day
there's something we all can do,
treat each other equally
spend some time in another's shoes.

What can you do
when your kids are grown
they're hurtin' inside
and out there on their own

You still want to protect
make everything right
you see they're still your kids
even when out of sight

How do you hold them
remove all that pain
give them the comfort
they need once again

About all you can do
is be there and listen
count yourself lucky
you're the ear that they've chosen

You're always that parent
that wants the best for their kid
they've come to you for advice
in hopes their problem you'll rid

Give to them your strength
free them from their fear
then later in private
go ahead, shed a tear

You've become a great lighthouse
it's true you're their beacon
they feel safe in your love
from a bond never broken

The dawn of conception
of the ideas born to man
came as flickering lights
to minds that were aware
open to accepting change
awake to their surroundings
and realizing a need
thus came the knowledge of man

War kills
not just bodies
but souls
while in its wake
leaving hearts emptied
with holes

The spirit of men
ruined by trauma
it's clear
they look to tomorrow
and tremble
from fear

For what it will bring
these men
never know
often like Jekyll
and Hyde
which one will now show

War
is pure hell
for all that it touches
and there's no hiding it
with a million
airbrushes

his mind appeared limited
he had never seen the big picture
what did it matter anyway
was there anyone who really cared
things never change
life's flow a drone
a constant low frequency hum
no variance what-so-ever
no music
no song
each day
though the sun shone bright
grayer than the previous
he could no longer muster the care
needed for the moment

A
Poisonous
Attitude
That
Hinders
You

Fire with fire
an eye for an eye
the whole world burns
more men become blind

The earth became charred
man had lost his way
that choice of blindness
brought his last day

Fire with fire
an eye for an eye
while children are dying
governments don't seem to mind

It's from collateral damage
it's the price that you pay
it's part of war in today's world
at least that's what they say

Fire with fire
an eye for an eye
putting an end to this madness
is simply just being kind

Respecting our neighbors
this is the greatest gateway
if man could only learn
to put love on display

He once had a dog
It took too much of his time
Yet it still loved him

Fire with fire
an eye for an eye
the whole world burns
more men become blind

The earth became charred
man had lost his way
that choice of blindness
brought his last day

Who sees the evil in war
We do whispered the dead soldiers
Who sees the evil in war
We do spoke the dismembered men and women
Who sees the evil in war
We do came the response of the children of collateral damage
Who sees the evil in war
It is I was heard from the widowed wife
Who sees the evil in war
We do cried the parents as their child would never come home again
Who sees the evil in war
Will daddy ever be able to ever play with me
Who sees the evil in war
It seems all do except for the corporate world of the war machine

The gruesome photos from war
they want brought to the floor
dead pictures of men
what the hell happened and when

The blood and the gore
they always seem to want more
it appears that man's taste
has really gone waste

Does man not see what's in store
this will poison his core
will he ever really learn
or wait until spirits burn

Birds on the feeder
Sprinkle the seed to the ground
Others are well fed

Our youth
they talk of suicide
this seems to me
a place they hide

To give their heart
a way to drain
and relieve it
from a terrible pain

The help they need
resides within
and will not be found
upon their skin

For in this life
folks will oft let you down
leaving you feel
as you're about to drown

Their acceptance is great
but your own must come first
to love who you are
is a most worthy thirst

The bear hibernates
The trees rest from feeding leaves
Winter is for rest

Beneath the tree
a great love was born
the time
the place
they were unknowns
they were inevitable
the moment came

That day I awoke
followed the path
found deep within
there was no understanding
of why
or where
only need
to follow my heart

As I walked into the morning haze
I could feel a warmth
building within
each turn I made
that warmth told me to continue

At first I thought
this warmth
was the sun burning away the haze

What I was feeling
was desire
the desire for a belonging

A belonging
to something greater

My path led me to a meadow
lush green grass
dotted with all the colors
flowers were capable of producing

In the middle
there stood a single great tree
one that beckoned me to join it
as I sat in it's shade
I watched

There were deer
entering that same shade

A raccoon and a squirrel
left their nests to great me

The birds perched on my shoulders
in acceptance

A gorgeous red fox
laid down at my side

Mother Earth
had drawn me home

The tree takes it's time
for to reach maturity
then blesses with shade

Men imitate trees
once they reach maturity
they bless with wisdom

A tree with deep roots
withstands the winds at their worst
to bend and not break

A mans deep beliefs
hold fast throughout his days and
cannot be broken

The tree and the man
bless the world and together
can be seen as one

They all stood watching
there in the shadows of the great forest

The lion and impala
looked at each other
concern in their eyes
the hawk and rabbit
viewed each other
their eyes had that same look
the mouse and the elephant
the wolf and the lamb
the mongoose and cobra
even the spider and the fly

All the creatures of the forest
the air and the sea
those of the great Serengeti
all of them

Watching

Waiting

Gathered together to see
what man might do next
to further destroy their homes

It was quite a creation
yes somehow it was made
but through man's valiant efforts
we watch it wither and fade

The way things are moving
it's truly a shame
yet we must have our comforts
it seems this is to blame

It's a selfish old lifestyle
where we've gotta have it all
it matters not how it's made
or where the chips fall

This environment we have
yes it's taken its licks
though mans careless progress
and one day we'll hit the bricks

We need to clean up our act
make some changes for good
or sadly admit
this could be our final neighborhood

It was a peaceful setting
one that had its own way
of taking people back
to a place and time
where they had experienced
peace of mind and spirit

Their minds eye awake
with eyes closed they returned
to the earlier and quieter
days and times
times free of stress
free of the rat race that fills today's world

For this moment
alone with their remembrance
their lives were once again changed
in their solitude
they were able to once again
find their hearts

Let me be plain
yesterday's pain
which we often disdain
is not suffered in vain

we have this impression
our pain from this session
which seems never to lessen
is an un-needed lesson

now this ain't no blow
but when emotions do flow
they will help you to grow
in more ways than you know

I know it's no thrill
when your heart hits the grill
it's a most bitter pill
but you still gotta chill

Lend me you ear
I want to be clear
I don't want to appear
at all cavalier
or in any way insincere
that it's important you hear
from me, yes your peer
that this brand new year
many will be crippled with fear
stop it don't jeer
the problem's right here
yes it's really that near
and could be in your sphere
there's no need to sneer
and don't shed a tear
it's not really that drear
not at all that severe
you can be filled up with cheer
if you'd look to the rear
gather up all your gear
and head to the pier
and then persevere
to a whole new career
didn't mean to interfere
so, I'll disappear

The music
soft, relaxing
I drift off
a dream world opens

I find myself on a train

the observation car
all mine
me, my music
and the rhythmic sound of the tracks

a journey of all seasons

tulips of spring in Holland
the tranquil lakes in mid summer
the colors of fall in New England
the snow capped mountains of the Alps

all seem to be at peace

the lion and the lamb
the fox and the chicken
the killer whale and baby seal
all men of the earth

I have but one hope

that this music continues

He sought peace at the beach
the surf was thunderous
though the sea was calm

He looked to the rain forest
the morning mist was light
yet sounded as if he stood under a tin roof during a downpour

The mountain top proved no better
he could feel no breeze
but stayed disturbed by the howling of a winter wind

Wandering the Earth
the peace he searched for
could not be found
giving up his quest
he sat upon a rock
strangely he felt tranquil

Thoughts of days gone by
came rushing in that morning
filling my mind with wonderful memories
as I wandered the bluffs alone

The grasses were heavy laden with dew
I found myself sitting upon the grass to watch
the sun was about to open this new day

I now understood what was meant
“this is the first day of the rest of your life”

I was not about to miss this sunrise
as I had missed so many
for so long a time

It was a prison of my own making
that had kept me away

As I sat and watched
a faint orange began to emerge
far across the sea
from beyond my imaginings

That prison I mentioned
had no walls
yet it seemed as there were many

It didn't matter the direction I turned
they always appeared only at arms length

The days seemed to meld into one another
as if they had no beginnings
nor endings

There was no laughter
nor were their tears

The days
no
years
just were

My eyes
turned back to the colorful sky
they filled with tears

My heart felt
joy

I began to laugh

I felt
alive
for the first time
in so many years

Why had I stayed within that shell of sorrow
how was it that a loss
could hold me for what seemed
forever

That wonderful orange

This orange sky that I see before me

Is the same orange

As the sarong she wore that morning

The truth is there
it's on their face
the lies they tell
a total disgrace

The powerful
they couldn't care less
they've got theirs
they'll survive this mess

For the little guy
there's no help to be found
his shirt is gone
and he's losing more ground

It seems to me
no-one's counted the cost
we've gotta wake up
before it's all lost

There's a place in life that we belong
some don't ever find it
they just plod on through
day after day
their lives stagnant as a dead pool
no drain for their depression
no fresh inlet for joy to enter
how they wish for an escape
a chance to run away
from the doldrums of life
but what is it that they would run to
to dart blindly into the unknown
that would surely be folly
without direction
they would have no place to turn to
how does one move on
when there is no place to go

The dawn breaks
the rays of the sun
edge past your blinds
casting light upon your eyes
now is the time to rise
engage your mind
greet the new session
that brings a new lesson
for there is much to be learned
from this gift you've received
called today

Stinkin' thinkin'
goin' on
wishin' stress
would soon be gone

Every day
filled with strife
makes for man
an awful life

Gotta change things
find relief
make an exit
from the grief

Movin' on
to better things
where at last
the heart will sing

I been challenged to a rap
but it just ain't gonna hap
that's a form that I don't tap
makin' me feel like I'm a sap

This I tell you so you's knowin'
that I don't think I'll be goin'
to that place of an *** mowin'
while my life season now is snowin'

That's right I'm getting' kinda old
to be writin' **** so bold
so even if my rhymin's gold
yeah I think this hand I'll fold

You can take that to da bank
frank

Where have they gone
we were such great friends
they've up now and left me
is this how it ends

It seems life depended
on us as a group
but they no longer want me
I'm left out of the loop

They were all of my world
now I feel all alone
is life trying to tell me
I can stand on my own

I guess life can be cruel
when a lesson needs learnin'
as sometimes it takes
the backs of friends turnin'

Painful lack of words
writing becomes much too hard
where have our poems gone.

Words written in haste
now make very little sense
without any flow.

They are no longer
as a body without breath
alive for others.

Emptiness resides
in a heart without feeling
our words have no life.

Those words without life
failing to bless a hearer
become of no use.

Why do we ignore
inspiration from nature
our muse is asleep.

Once it awakens
words return to the living
joy comes to our hearts.

Consider the potato chip
new flavors all the time
fire roasted sweet corn
who-da thought

Oh how we search
for that new flavor of life

We search high and low
for something fresh

To tickle the taste buds
of our imagination

To set us on a path
we've not traveled before

To open our minds
toward a greater understanding of who we are

To enrich our lives
bringing greater joy to our hearts

I've tried that fire roasted sweet corn chip

You know something
it really was quite satisfying

Entering the forest
not really knowing why
I took chance to step upon a worn path

Though shaded beneath the canopy
the way was plain to see

Here and there rays of light
fought their way through the leaves
preventing the theft of my sight
removing the darkness
left behind from the night

The sun seldom dawns on the forest floor you know

The path I was following
was reminiscent of a slalom course
winding its way
through trees which were ever increasing
in their height and girth
taking me ever deeper
into the very heart of the forest

Before me appeared an opening
there was a great abundance of sunlight

As I drew closer
there at the center
I could see what must have been
the mother of all trees

The picture I saw
appeared strange to me
upon its branches
it looked as if there were the leaves
of the oak
of the elm
of the maple
of the birch and beach trees alike
all upon the same tree

My curiosity peaked
it was mixed with
the fear of the unknown

There at the base
of this trees great massive trunk
was the answer to why
I felt the need to enter this great wooded area

I had only heard of the Green Man before
never really believing that he existed

Then to my amazement
he spoke to me

“As the life of all trees are nourished
by the flow of the same life giving sap,
all human life is nourished
through the same blood”

“As all trees are one with creation,
all men are one with the trees”

“All the minute portions of creation
are part of the one whole,
we are all one”

In the dark I sat alone
the silence I had searched for was broken
it was as if I was hearing
the beat of a broken heart

With it came the sound the empty stomachs of children
the wailing of mothers and fathers  
over those who had already passed
the weeping of an entire people
as the lack of humanity
allowed them to go without

I could swear that it was with my ears
yet I knew better
somewhere deep within
there had come an awakening
to the rhythm of life
a life that I could not begin to comprehend

I had to question if this was real
or a greater presence before me
from another plane
one that we cannot see with our eyes
hear with our ears
nor feel with our mortal being

How had this come while I was so alone
why was that time of silence invaded
these sounds I hear
should never be present

I had once been told
that a man's heart
had a limited number of beats
and then he would die

Whose death am I witnessing
as I listen to what is supposed to be my quiet time

That place of peace
will I ever be allowed to visit it again

To sit in total silence
my world becomes filled with peace
it's as if no others exist at all

I am alone in that emptiness of sound
where no one and nothing can touch me

I become for a short while
he who molds the entire universe
into a single harmonic entity

There is no hate

There are no wars

No sickness nor hunger

One may believe
this to be running away  
from reality

But in truth
it is more a journey within
which returns my sanity