Serving the ******
our boys off to wars
returning disabled
from far distant shores

That's when they come home
fatigued to the bone
no sign of support
and they feel all alone

Now as if a young whelp
and begging for help
there's no answer delivered
to this loud screeching yelp

Where is our country
who've sent our children to die
then abandon the veterans
can someone please tell me why

They close their minds
to that which they do not choose to understand
cover their eyes
to that which they do not want to see
shut their ears
to that which they do not wish to hear
they refuse to accept
there are other cultures holding different beliefs
they deny that there are other schools of thought
with other closed minded people who also believe
their own ways are the only way to live

peace will not be found
until all eyes are open
all ears are willing
and the minds of men are opened
to the fact that they are not alone

Bigotry, hatred
the road to discord
bringing terrible deeds
with the ugliest words

People are people
we all share this earth
we all have a purpose
we all have a worth

We never know when
we'll have need for another
some day we must wake up
and see that all men are brothers

Red, yellow,
black, white and brown
no matter their race
should not be put down

Gay, straight,
believers or not
whether they're male or female
not confined to a spot

We've no right to treat people
who are different from us
with our ways and words
that throw them under the bus

It says “all men are equal”
but that's not how folks are treated
and it's this lack of respect
that's caused peace to be defeated

Wake up my friends
and seal a new fate
learn to love one another
before it's too late

If you're afraid
you'd not know how to start
it's really quite easy
just open your heart

His eyes ached
his vision now blurred
it was like when steam
created by scalding hot water
coats a mirror

Life was a drag
was this how it was to end
would he simply fade away
as the sunlight at dusk
slide below the surface
as the sun itself sets

There was a time
that he was well
felt strong
and had a feeling of purpose
he had a dream

Those days were gone
his dream was beyond reach
it vanished in a haze

The warm air
escaping the dryer vents
it was all he had to keep him warm
it smelled of softener sheets
his eyes ached

Helping the homeless
how do you choose
so many have said
just look at their shoes

But what if their shoes
were just given to them
what's on their feet ain't a home
bedroom, kitchen or den

Just follow your heart
when you know it to be right
you won't have second thoughts
there will be no inner fight

Too lift someones spirit
a little kindness deploy
your reward will be swift
your heart filled up with joy

The dense smoke hides the sun.
Now enveloped in this darkness
I am alone, yet
there is no peace.
Wars ravish the lands,
innocents continue to die.
Is the flexing of muscle
and the want for riches
really worth the lives of children?

Abstract poetry
requires a man to think
lazy minds grow strong

Seary-El, a planet far away
home to three classes
of course there was
as always seems to be
a master race of beings

Below them there were the trids
a slave race
a people that were mistreated
kicked by the masters
in order to exact their labor

The third class
the sabbits
a masochistic people
also had residence
upon this planet

As this third class watched
the trids were being abused
kicked over and over
experiencing the pains of
their servitude

Sabbits
masochistic as they were
became jealous of the trids
they approached the master race
they requested to be kicked as the trids were

The masters listened
considered the request
then spoke to the sabbits saying
“Really sabbits,
kicks are for trids”

I wished to be free
Within me a war was raging
My feeling was that I had no control
over who I was
I was powerless to break free
from the chain my past had become
Had I been living a lie
for too long of a time
Was I even the same person
as when I was young
I never really did like
the direction and activities
of those who I had called my friends
Why was being like them
the direction I had chosen
for the way I wanted to see myself
Why was their acceptance
so ****** important
I have enslaved myself
to an image
Why had I not given the truth a chance
to set me free

This armed America
the one they told us
would be a polite society
when all carry weapons

our cities
they've become killing fields
we as a people
have become the worst of all animals

officers taking lives
claiming they fear for their own
snipers now returning the favor
as they fear the police

it seems as the road towards that polite society
has become paved with the dead
merely bricks mortered in place
with their blood

will we see be fewer combatants
as the body count rises
or are the re-enforcements
on their way

Within the confines of the eyelids
the entire cast of life is present
the show that has gone on for these 66 years
that's the show I have the privilege to watch

Privilege might seem a strange word to be used
there were
just as in any other life
the bad times
these were the times I learned the hard way
these were the lessons that had to be remembered
they're the ones that have brought me safely to where I am

You wonder about the good times
those memories are being played on the screen as well
they're the times that gave me a break from learning
everyone needs a break from time to time from the hard lessons

A person will never build the strength without the hard times
to survive in the real world you gotta understand real
and real doesn't come from playing and pretending

Ultimately, it takes all of ones life to make a person who they are
the bad times will always come along with the good
it's the balance of them that makes the difference

The good times
the play
the pretending
can build a body
the outside of a person
and make us physically able

But it is those hard lessons
the bad times as many see them
that builds the inside
the heart and mind
the intestinal fortitude if you wish
that teaches a person how to survive

Children will often play with fire
they are usually told of the danger
an easy lesson has been presented
but the danger never seems to be real
until they are burned by the flame

To learn the hard lessons of life is not often fun
but it is those lessons that protect us from future pain

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

The problem with whiskey
I think it's been said
is that it's after effects
go straight to the head
and if one is not careful
his spirit will shred
and when control is all lost
likely wind up as dead

A little is good
a lot oh so bad
I learned that the hard way
which made me quite mad
yes when push came to shove
those times they were sad
only myself there to blame
losing the control that I had

He went away to save the world
at least that is what he thought
his government claimed that it was needed
a great lie that he had bought

But he went and served
then injured came home
where his government bailed
leaving him on his own

His body was broken
his mind had failed
no longer protecting him
he and his madness were jailed

Could no longer find work
losing his family and home
living now on the streets
he'd sit sadly alone

The days would pass by
one after another
till the day that he died
one more lost veteran brother

Ne'er-do-well, why do you sit?
Do your feet not hold your weight,
are your hands incapable of work?
Have you given up entirely,
resigned yourself to a life in the gutter?
There is a warm belly in a days toil
and self worth when it is of your own making.

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

I've been told it will be OK
that we'll be safe once again
I sit and question when
my hope squashed daily

extremism
driven by misguided fundamentalists
resident evil shouting out loud
through a hail of bullets
and the explosive vests of suicide bombers
will the time ever arrive
freedom from the terrorists
seems only a dream

bigotry
sparked by the prejudice of the ignorant
leaving death and pain in its wake
another evil that lives next door
these bigots seem bent on attempting genocide
the eradication of anyone who is not exactly like them
is building a  master race their wish
I was taught that those days were behind us
told it could never happen again
especially in this US of A
yet that is the political stage that we find before us
it never seems to get any better

I ask again
when will we be safe again
will there come a time men will respect each other
allow others to practice their own religious beliefs
without the ridicule
will the day come when men will put hate aside
a day they will share kindness rather than abuse
I dream of that day
but the wait
so tired

Money, power
I gotta get some
if I ain't got the two
I just ain't the one

Week as a kitten
without any claws
what could I ever do
with two useless paws

Just give me the money
I'll buy me that power
I'll hit the ground running
and it won't take an hour

Don't get in my way
as I go on this run
I promise you now
you won't find it fun

I want what I want
I'll do whatever it takes
if it means burying you
it'll take less than two shakes

My lust is for power
you cannot deny me
how can you say that I'm evil
I'll have it, you'll see

The man used to care
his humanity meant all
but his lust for that power
had brought his great fall

There's more to life than power
success is not about money
those statements may seem strange
don't laugh, it ain't funny

Too much money and power
corrupt simple men
erasing their kindness
that they had back then

Often making them monsters
losing sight of who they were
and their pasts, they became
not much more than a blur

No love left in their heart
their humanity lost
not a show of any kindness
lust for power has a cost

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

An eye for an eye
leaves everyone blind
and yet we **** on
never looking behind
increasing the pain
of those who yet live
and those who seek closure
when there's none there to give
there are days that I wonder
how long we have left
our time now has been stolen
and we're all victims of theft

The nights of my life
that morphed into days
tired body and mind
in so many ways

to rise from the bed
not rested at all
seemed to promise me daily
an additional fall

my spirit now broken
my energy gone
these sleepless nights
they've gone on too long

I don't want to work
it's become a struggle to live
the hungry faces keep coming
and I have no more to give

across this world children starving
and I don't understand why
with the government's riches
hungry kids have to die

Is it couldn't or wouldn't
you know they're two different things

Do you not have the time
or simply won't take it
you've called me your friend
why do I feel that you fake it
each time that I need you
you just never do make it

Couldn't, no wouldn't
that's an action that stings

You said that you'd be there
but never did go that mile
should I accept this abuse
the way it's been done with a smile
you know I hate being lied to
but it really seems that's your style

Oh to laugh
to have a day of joy
but the world will not allow it

When will I learn to leave the news behind
all trace of it

A better question

How can I leave it behind

There has been so much of the bad
my spirit has been beaten with

Each item ingrained within me

An attempt to shelter myself
leaves me with the memories

My task must be to go forward
without depressing over that which is behind

It was written
that nothing from without
that enters into a man
can defile him

Yet I cannot move past
the inhumanity of today's world

There is no escape
from what I have seen and heard

Will we ever together find joy
and laugh as an innocent child

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

This just needs to be said, and it seems that the job seems to have been handed to me.  You see, i believe that words and ideas are given to people in order for them to be shared.  So, here goes!

It seems that today there has been an influx of wannabe English teachers. The misuse of  quite a few words brings them out of the woodwork giving them the opportunity to show the rest of the world just how smart they are. Me personally, I could care less. I read for understanding rather than to pick apart another persons misuse of grammatical correctness. Yes, I like trying to use the proper forms of the words to/too/two, there/their/they're and you're/your/yore. Hang on though folks, it's not/knot the end of the world if the wrong form of the word bare/bear or wear/where gets used if you can still understand the point of what is being said. Punctuation is another sore point. If you can understand what is being said in that two hundred and fifteen word run-on sentence, just move on to the next statement. Capitalization, c'mon, if it's missing does it really change the meaning of the word at the beginning of a sentence?  Does it make dover, delaware a different city for the lack of capital letters?

It's time to grow up folks. This is the internet, not a job application for a teaching position.  If you can understand it, quit trying to prove yourselves superior in the belittlement of others.

The eyes hurt.
I so want to close them.
Yet I will suffer the pain
rather than miss the beauty before me.

Their words came as fire
scorching the spirits of men
Earth's peace now in flames

The world at war
politicians ******
more money
their rallying cries

Lives lost
unacceptable cost
how do we live
with the lies

Blood letting
heart fretting
a countries spirit
withers and dies

How can we end this
bring the world back to peace
will the end of mankind
be the only release

Could we actually be
on the pathway to hell
is the hatred that's sown
a product they sell
the people in power
with the lies that they tell
send off others to war
while they hide in a shell

The wars of religion
the wars of greed
the wars fought for power
they're not what we need

What we need is love
true brotherhood
a world of respect
it's these things that are good

Will there ever come a day
when those people in power
realize their folly
from their ivory tower

Am I not my own man
secure in my own beliefs
there are those who try and enter my life
having the sole purpose of changing me

why do people let others tell them
who they are supposed to be
how they're supposed to act
and who their friends can be

somebody once said
to impersonate is the sincerest form of flattery
but should I surrender who I am
for their need to feel noticed
to feed their ego

these people are like pictures of insecurity
they've not grown into their own individualism
they've become carbon copies
of others from their past
people they consider to be their heroes
rather than becoming their own person

they now wish to be the hero of another

no, I will walk my road
there may be many different paths through life
but for me the one I'm on
is the one I must travel
it will be the influence of this road that will mold me

I've grown to really like who I've become
I think I'll continue to be my own man

Congress acts so stupidly
with a lack of common sense
no longer working for the people
money grabbing for two more pence

Once they've been elected
treat voters as who cares
let them eat cake is what they speak
after all, they've been given theirs

It's hidden
what must it be
they don't want me to see
beneath those sheets of bigotry

Eyes that hold  flames of hatred
faces twisted in bitterness
hearts that thrive on darkness
why do they worry concerning their faces being seen
if what they do they believe to be right and pure
why are they not proud enough to be known

As a child
there were things my parents said
NO!
you cannot do that
so I did “that”
whatever it was that was forbidden
became the target of my curiosity
the most powerful motivators a young one could have
is to forbid something from them

As a child I hid those things
(just as my children did and and all will)
that I did not want my parents to know about
concerning whatever it was I was up to
that I knew they wouldn't approve of

They were forbidden
thus hidden

Today we hide
words of belligerence and of a demeaning nature
flags that inspire the hatred of the past
faces of the bigotry of the so called better than thou crowd
and the truth
of what they do to harm our world

Hidden to deny they exist

These things forbidden
grow in power
taunting us to be part of them
causing more hatred to grow
directed at individuals
who have never caused us any harm

To hide that which is evil
will only cause the evil to grow

I find myself alone
even the cats have slept in
there is a strange quiet that comforts the soul

Within my mind
there plays the soft music
the sounds of tranquility
dew dripping into the silent pool
doves gently cooing in the branches

I close my eyes
the moments pass
the music of remembrance continues

I have no need to seek peace
for it has found me

Though my shell
is of no further use in this world
my spirit soars

Chapter two
brings new life

I colored within the lines
my picture seemed so dull
my work held no adventure

My spirit is held in Limbo

My freedom of expression
my personal taste
frowned upon

Must I lie to myself

The rulemakers say
if I am to have their approval
I must continue to follow their rules

Do I not have a right to approve of myself

If I am to live within a prison
it will not be of their making
it will be the one I choose for myself

It's time to set my crayons free

His favorite toy
brought great joy for a season
but its day had now come
now no more than an object
the next stop would be the landfill
the day they met
he pledged his love as true
but this love was lust in disquise
and his favorite toy
she sits by the curb on trash day

Blind in the one
I see ok out the other
but the ears
they be ringin' all day
the knees ache when I rise
it's a pain I despise
an the back
needs support in some way
now the nose sometimes works
but can't identify much
the taste buds confused
whether food's sweet or sour
it seems I'm declining
with each passing hour
but it don't matter much
as you should be believin'
all that really matters is
that I'm still here breathin'

Some speak with words reminiscent of flowers
while others blunt with bare naked truth
the one tends to tickle the ears of the people
while the other is deemed quite uncouth

these words they offer when spoken so soft
lull the people to sleep
the speakers pretend to act like they're shepherds
treating the people like sheep

with the smell of their flowers that's hiding what's real
leading the listener to a false comfortable feel
carefully protecting what it is they conceal
what they really do offer is just a raw deal

wake up people
all they want is more power
if you don't read twixt the lines
there's a danger to flowers

Political correctness
is not for the masses
it's just always political
being used by the *****
to garner your vote
and get them elected
then they cast you aside
so sorry, rejected

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.

The sun rises
it also sets sets
each day passes
with growing threats

A world at war
no peace is found
the people suffer
hope is drowned

The sound of weapons
no sleep at night
rockets and missiles
increase the fright

But this violence is not found
on the battlefield alone
we have these senseless killings
right here at home

Will we see tomorrow
or be dead by dawn
and you ask why
so faces are drawn

This present day violence
should make us mad
but my lack of hope for mankind
is what makes me sad

Can man ever change
can he curb his hate
or have we gone too far
and it's now too late

How many more sun rises
will we see it set one more time
will there be more days to pass
or has man reached the end of his line

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

The birds and the brook
I hear them again
such a wonderful reminder
how nature's my friend

She comes to comfort
my inner being
blessing my soul
with all that I'm seeing

The bee sharing pollen
the worm aerating the earth
to help bring forth the plants
proving all have a worth

Both the rain and the sunlight
they nourish the land
providing for growth
a great helping ha

There's a balance that's needed
from the great to the small
and if man doesn't care
it will be his great fall

They rode to war
outnumbered yet unconcerned
right was on their side
so they believed

no enemy could stand before them
their creator would ensure victory
should they die
he would welcome them home

the combatants met
the battlefield was as a sponge
soaking up the blood
of both armies

the soldiers spirits left their bodies
rose to the heavenly home they were promised
and enemies met once again
only to find they fought in the name of the same creator

Out on a limb
no, not I
why share
my silent opinions
my inner beliefs
are never questioned
never fought over
to argue
only brings stress
stress brings illness
first to the spirit
then the body
peace
tranquility
they can be found
in the quiet places
of your mind
and heart

Why do men need
justification from others
to be secure in their beliefs

Why do they seek
the acceptance of another
before accepting themselves

Why do men
require the approval of others
to be who they are

Out on a limb
I have no need to be
people fall from there

Is there a man more blind
than he who has closed his mind
to refuse to consider that which is new
his growth is halted
his path in life
becomes one of stagnation
overgrown with an algae
that chokes away any freshness
that his spirit requires
to remain useful
even to himself
everything about him
begins to develop the smell
of rotting vegetation

Been riding the bus
ever since I first can remember.
So many drivers.
So many different fellow riders.
Each and every one
totally individual.
Sure, they may have had some things in common
but no two were exactly alike.
Everyone had something,
it may not have been much,
but there was something about them that
changed me,
molded me,
made me who I became.
Right now I'm still riding that same bus.
I'm still changing every day.
I've not seen any purpose
in ending my ride at this time.
Some day the bus will reach it's final destination.
My ride will end.
My hope is that I've made a difference along the way.

Mourning has arrived
the sun has yet to burn through the clouds of sorrow
fond memories of the departed have brought the occasional smile
as days move on
the memories will bring more smiles
his smile
his joyful demeanor
will live on in the hearts of those who knew him
the sun will find its way through that cloud that holds our hearts
bringing with it the joy of knowing him
renewing to our spirits
he will live on in our hearts forever
rest in peace Ura

A gate to a castle
once breached
cannot be easily closed

Trust
how fragile
broken so easily
the misplaced word
the slightest deed
ruin a good name
leave the flavor of disgust
often forever

How can a mans word be his bond
when words are taken so lightly
an oath should have true meaning
in his heart
yet deeds often show themselves
contrary to that which he swears
to live by

We are taught as children
to trust the clergy

The few have breached that trust

They told us to turn to the police
when we need help

The few have breached that trust

The teachers in our schools
there to guide and protect our children

The few have breached that trust

It is always the few
that give the whole
a bad name
with their violation of trust
expected from those
who swear to be there for us

What change must come
to make things right

The four had arrived in the same car
I watched as they entered the waiting area together
they were obviously family
they all took seats
but none together
scattered throughout the room
as if they were actually strangers
my interest was captured
ok, curiosity or even nosiness
call it what you will
discretely I watched
no-one spoke a word
no-one shared a glance
until one was called to enter the other room
another stood along with the one called
they entered through the door
still, no words
only the one glance and beckon
moments later they returned
without a word,
the two who were left in the waiting area stood
the four then left together
I am still not sure
as to whether they a were picture of disconnect
or totally connected

April fools
Trump and Cruz
it's you the public
they wish to use

Their greed for power
grows with each hour
and so many grown men
begin to cower

It's becoming quite clear
by those who draw near
these fools want to rule
through the use of fear

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