BRITTLE PRIVACY

How does it feel
having your own demons
like friends you know
rather than a raving storm

Is it special - this bond
this behaviour - its thorn
all yours where noone
can come close

You cannot come anywhere
yet it is yours and only yours
this last piece of brittle privacy
when the world is banging on the door

Demanding to know
what is wrong with you
Why you can't be less unwanted
Wait! Was that you - speaking

Trapped whispering
so that
your very own demons
never will leave you

© CamTan Ringel, 7th January 2015

LOVE IS LIKE THE TIDE

If it comes flooding in
it will ebb out fast
If it comes with the tide
it will leave quietly

You will watch it like
watching water turn to steam
evaporate into the same cloud
as where it came from

You will stand gazing at
the illusion it makes
before a summer-blue sky
that is supposed to
make you happy
Instead it makes you cry

Your tears will add
to the pollution
of the fantasy that is love
You lose it with
the ebb that slowly ousts
Revealing the rubble and dreams
that others
have lost before

Now all you can do is wait for
the next downfall - the next rain
to raise the waters
once again

© CamTan Ringel, 22nd June 2015

THERE IS SOMETHING GRAND
ABOUT EVERY SOUL

The man in the gutter makes you aware
that either you have feeling or you're blind or you're cold

The folks on the hill who smile as they look passed you
tilting their heads - putting notes into rattling charity cases
makes you realise how false reality can be

Those in the mines or on the factory floor
make you understand why soap should be free
and not taxed as luxury

Prisoners and thieves at large make you see
a lot of things are simply just not right

Students of religion living in the belief that graduation
is the end of education
Proves that gods look down to have a laugh

The traveller The troubadour The wandering salesman
all those lonely ones - in a crowd
may not show much money but come baring gifts to inspire

See - there is something worhtwhile
for you and me
in every kind

THE SOUND OF THUNDER

Intriguing thunder
muffling the sobs of your fear
Striking somewhere
where you have never dared
to go

It is time
to leave your closet
You will not be alone
Your other self
the unselfish self
will stay all the way

Do not falter or fall
into the hands of striking
It is as far away
as the thoughts of your mind
are near

Nothing can hurt you
as you hurt yourself
Nothing can cut
like your personal knife

Turn it around
Seek the pleasure
in listening to the sound
of thunder

Admire the bolt of nature
Nothing outside
can make you
as fragile
as you can make you

© CamTan Ringel, 4th July 2015