Life
is meant to be savored
get up
go live

Abstract poetry
requires a man to think
lazy minds grow strong

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

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

There is an unwarranted fear of the unknown
that resides deep within men
who are afraid to live in the moment

They cower at the thought
of what tomorrow may bring
they look not to a bright future
of a positive nature

Weak of mind and spirit
they have no control of their emotions
their worry becomes an interest paid
to an event that has not happened yet
and could possibly never happen at all

They waste their days
without peace of mind, heart and soul
every moment given away
waiting on the worst to present itself

The negative heart
delivers illness and death
to more than a mans spirit

Though the days ramble on
and the years move ahead
a mind that grows old
is the one thing that I dread

A mind should stay young
the negative severed
keeping a fresh attitude
that we can cherish forever

Growing old
and growing older
to me they're two different things
the one is as winter
while the other
still spring

We've entered the desert
the horse has a name
we rode it to war
the day terrorists came
killing so many innocents
and today it's the same
because of that day 9/11

The lives lost
the mounting cost
how many did fall
who answered the call
to fight in a war
that can't even a score
delivered that day 9/11

For in the desert
our children still dying
families at home
left behind crying
so many because
of government lying
concerning that day 9/11

And the war still goes on
the region out of control
how many more
will we need to console
have we even considered
what will be the toll
of the horse we call 9/11

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

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

Allegory taught as history
often leaves idiots
standing in its wake
reciting the stories
as if they're fact
when in truth they're actually fake

They're lessons to learn
that's really their purpose
teaching principles to help guide our lives
but to be preached as true
religion seeks to control you
it's for power the preacher now strives

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

Before him an angel
as if sent from heaven
to raise this mans spirit
as bread is from leaven

The man thought his needs
would never be met
yet right here before him
a new table was set

He ate of the bread
once again he felt whole
it was that angel who came
and returned him his soul

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

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

Who really wins
when you argue their folly
when it's your reaction
that gives them their jolly

It's your peace that is broken
personal harmony dies
shouting them down
is so seldom is wise

They seek to birth anger
with a message so sick
but living peaceful or angry
is your choice then to pick

But anger brings bitterness
and bitterness hate
that direction needs ending
before it's too late

A harmonious spirit
a peaceful heart
is an honorable movement
one we must start

The door was opened.
Yesterday stood before me,
baggage in hand.
Visions of my past came in droves
ripping away my peace .
Leaving me with new turmoil.

Difficult lessons of my life,
I'd learned from them.
Became a better man for them.
Now hounding me.
Why must I relive these moments?
They only weaken my spirit
and chase me back into a depressed state.
One that I had thought I had long gotten over.
They bring nothing but pain.

Yesterday shall not be allowed to move in.

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

People ranting
raving
poisonous anger and frustration
surfacing
on the very edge of violence

Bitterness
bringing it forth

Sorrow enters my heart
for their lack of peace

The longer these poisons
are allowed to reside within
to imprison us
the longer we suffer

Joy and happiness
remain locked away from us

Anger must be let go of
bitterness released
frustration can be quelled

Forgetting is not always necessary
but forgiveness a must
many don't realize
forgiveness benefits no one
more than themselves

Letting anger, frustration and bitterness go
frees the heart and soul
from our self made prisons
that deprives us
of the joy and love
that is intended for our lives

Forgiveness is a reprieve for the heart
a tonic for the very soul
it renews a mans spirit

It gives us a place to rest

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

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

The sound of the wooden flute
it's as if I'm listening to the song of the warbler
those that visit at sunset
bringing rest and relaxation to the weary

Their song resting on a bed
of an ever present drone
of the didjeridoo
comforts and quiets me

There, the stick
beating on a block of wood
I feel as if there are
droplets of dew
falling from leaves from a tree above me
into a pool of water at my feet

It's as if the water of life
my life
is returning home

As the shamisens strings come alive
I see a field of wildflowers
they wave gently in the breeze
that is brought forth from its music

Peace is mine

Happiness abounds

My spirit is renewed

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

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

Ashes to ashes
dust to dust
today's people are angry
and its for violence they lust
blood being spilled
on earths very crust
with a system that's deafened
and no longer just

Is it too late
to change how men think
I hate that we're standing
this close to the brink
I can't put the blame
on the whiskey they drink
when it's the attitudes they're taught
that really does stink

Filled up with hate
riddled with fear
for that which is different
approaching too near
and they don't see the problem
that's one thing that's clear
seen in their favorite activity
their refusal to hear

Ashes to ashes
dust to dust
badges now tarnished
as if covered with rust
weren't these the people
we were taught to trust
why must the good shake their heads
in utter disgust

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

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

An eye for an eye
a tooth for a tooth
violence birthing violence
an unfortunate truth

Attitudes today
put on a strong front
in the face of society
and its battlefront

We've created a world
of dissension and discord
and the a payment for this
we can't begin to afford

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

I awoke to a serene setting
before me a picture of peace
that, among all the creatures of earth

The lion no longer sought
the meat of the lamb

The hawk and rabbit helped each other
raise each others young

The killer whale was nursing
a baby seal

The camel and the mouse
no longer had a question
of who led who
as they together crossed the river
in agreement

As I watched I began to notice
I was the only one of my kind
there were no other men

Those who were normally
at odds with each other
were nowhere to be seen
yet I felt at peace

Was I now the culmination
of all cultures
of all races
of all people

To dream

To fly with the eagles
carrying baggage in hand
limits our heights
we must understand

With our wings always flapping
there's no way we can soar
when our minds tells your hearts
we must hang on to a some more

We're held back by that baggage
it keeps us close to the ground
with cluttered up lives
there's no real freedom found

Letting go of that baggage
will rewrite our life's story
and we can then soar with those eagles
when our hearts have no worry

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

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

Embassy deaths
Benghazi claimed four
but when W. had charge
there were fifty-six more

It was the fault of that woman
was the chant of the congress
when cutting her budget
was their version of progress

Investigations ensued
they called for her head
it proved it their own fault
and the scandal was dead

But they tried once again
to prove it her fault
wasting taxpayer money
drawn from the vault

It became too late to quit
giving it many more tries
misleading the public
with congressional lies

When will they quit about Clinton
and investigate Bush
I know it's just politics
another ambush

With each budget cut
the homeless have grown
more mental illness on the streets
it's an outcome we should have known

Then the next step
to prisons they're sent
for violations and crimes
never understanding the laws they have bent

Whose fault really is it
when this problem's ignored
the mentally disabled require care
rather than the state cutting the cord

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

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

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

It's morning
the night grew late
exhaustion
seemed was my fate

These open eyes
I so despise
I turn from the mirror
it tells no lies

They're oh so red
inside I'm dead
why did I ever
leave the bed

But it matters not
I must start the day
put on that face
that says I'm OK

Show the world
there is a way
in this game of life
I'm still in play

there's more to be done
I just can't give up
I know I'll feel great
after my second cup

my eyes as I watch its dance
my ears as I listen to its song
my heart as I celebrate my place in it
all blessed by natures beauty

The boss is a pusher
hollers
just get it done
while the leader
takes part
and makes the job fun

when pushed
just like cattle
workers stray everywhere
but being led
by a shepherd
the job gets done with great care

you see
being in charge
is more than just having your say
and the respect
you'll receive
is different as night and day

be a boss
be a leader
go ahead take your pick
but you should
be forewarned
the result could make you sick

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

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

The simple life
of burgers and fries
maybe not the best for your health
but they're a feast for the eyes

The very thought of 'em
just makes ya feel good
whether you're on the road
or at home in the hood

Yep burgers and fries
your waist might despise
but who the hell cares
when you're out with the guys

Go get you some Wendy's
or Micky-D's down the road
Sonic or Five-Guys
let some fat now get stowed

Once you start eatin' some burgers and fries
you're doin' it right
when you let out your belt
and your pants are too tight

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

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

Changes, always changes
bringing ends that are unseen
at times
make a life sheen
but then a flip side
later seen
an ugliness
that's turned mean

But the changes do come
no time for a breath
we must accept them and roll
or face a bleak death
for once left behind
it's joy we find missing
and have no reason at all
to continue life's dancing

If all you do is just sit there
your spirit will soon tear
so take them and roll
continue life's stroll
the joy you may find
just might bring peace of mind
they determine your fate
yes your changes await

What they declare
is that life is unfair
so let me clear the air
it's their lack of care
in the attitude they wear
as they're going nowhere
making life a nightmare

It's an awful affair
as they're not even aware
they've stepped into a snare
and they're wishing to share
their life of despair
naming you as their heir
to reside in their lair

So please if you dare
sit down, take a chair
and rather than glare
let me take you elsewhere
so that you might forebear
and not run off somewhere
because of this scare

Eat you some chocolate eclair

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

The promise of closure
there ain't no such thing
even when justice is served
it don't lessen the sting
when your child has been murdered
it isn't something
you ever get over
or quench the burning

The promise of closure
it's all one big lie
the loss is forever
you still question why
memories return
you again start to cry
shedding tears from within
of a never ending supply