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318 · Mar 2015
The Way
Who am I?

I am the way!

What more is there that I can say?

For your regrets, I did pay.

You never more should go astray.

Who am I?

I am the way!

All around you that is here;

the home you love is heaven's sphere.

I created night and day.

Who am I?

I am the way!

Everything! The grand beginning!

Lost and found is never ending!

Trials, fortune, come what may:

Who am I?

I am the way!
318 · Mar 2015
Kisses in the Mist
The story that follows is more than a tale;
It's evidence truly that love can not fail.
As man seeks a mate; a lover divine
he finds that their spirits forever entwine!

It's deep in the autumn in Everglade Park
when Thomas and Sarah embrace in the dark.
Said Thomas to Sarah, 'O, love of my life....'
-in knee-bended reverence-....'will you be my wife? '

Two weeks and a day after then they were wed.
When knelt on the altar together, they said:
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity! '

They went to the park in autumn for years,
and there they embraced with passionate tears.
'I love you, my beauty' To her he would say
close to her ear, in a sensual way.

Ten years and a day after they became one
Sarah would die, and leave Thomas alone....
broken and shattered inside by her death,
Thomas was cold as his wintery breath.

Alone in their house for weeks at a time
Thomas was quiet; no rhythm to rhyme.
Never expecting that death could divide
the joy in his heart, nor the solace inside.

Yet, in his despair, not a tear did he shed
for the love of his life: fallen and dead.
But, months would go by, and pressure embark
that Thomas must visit sweet Everglade Park.

He valiantly walks in the crisp autumn air
on the eve of a night that fate would prepare.
Almost at dusk he enters the park
where once he and Sarah had kissed in the dark.

He stands for a moment, and then starts to cry
and lets it all out; his tears can not lie:
held close to his heart, now outward they flow.
Yet, in this collapse, a presence would grow!

At first 'round his ankles, then up to his knees,
a crystal white mist comes in with the breeze.
Now the mist has him completely surrounded,
and what he beholds would leave him astounded....

What enters the park, through the entrance's gate:
A bright silhouette, with purity great.
As closer to Thomas the personage nears
he stares with amazement, and stops with his tears.

In front of him now, as he's never seen,
is the spirit of Sarah, most perfect and clean.
She smiles at him, and he smiles, too.
They stand and just stare for a second or two....

And then they get closer and kiss in the mist,
and she comforts Thomas with what he has missed....
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity.'

Each other they hold, for a minute or so
and then, in his arms she whispers, 'I go....
But, when you are cold, and in need of love
come here and cry in this Everglade grove.'

The mist and the spirit dissolve in the air....
Softly said Thomas to the cool autumn air...
'For better, for worse, or whatever may be,
I always will love you for eternity.'
317 · Mar 2015
Of These Things, I'm Sure
Of these things, I'm sure
for, these things are true:
That God art the Father
of me, and of you.

He lives in the heaven:
The kingdom of light,
and destiny hearkens
us into its sight!

A body and soul,
of this we are made.
Temporal: Eternal
they never shall fade!

To grow and have purpose
is why we were born,
and we must improve
while in this sojourn.

Success is for certain,
and victory: sure
in every encounter:
For, I shall endure!

My passions: fulfilled.
My present is well,
and so is my future
my story will tell!

Exalted I'll die,
and saved will I be
In the kingdom of God
as prepared for me!

With God I will live
eternally blessed.
From trials, and pain,
and fear will I rest.

Of these things, I'm sure.
For, These things are true,
not only for me,
but, also, for you!
317 · Mar 2015
The Beauty Within
A breeze in her hair,

as shes unaware,

reveals her complexion;

most modest and fair!

Her marvelous scent,

though she never mean,

could spark a desire

of noble intent!

Her innocent eyes,

while to her surprise,

invite a connection

where destiny lies!

It's seen from the start.

The signs all impart

that beauty's a fire

that burns in her heart!
314 · Mar 2015
I Hear Her Singing
I hear her singing in the day,

in tune to my desires...

She knows how to ignite the fires

that to my essence stay.

O, sweet the wond'rous song she sings!

How beautiful her carol rings!

O, sweet the song...it nurtures me

and opens up my heart to see!

O, that she knew the precious way

to which, my soul, she speaks!

She evermore, on mountain peaks,

would trump her song away!

O, what the world would beckoned hear;

A hymnal psalm to every ear!

Every man on earth would be

blessed to hear her melody!

As the trees and flowers sway

against an autumn breeze,

she has swayed my soul with ease;

A marvel to this day.

And though mortality oft stings;

Her tender, wond'rous carol brings

a meaning that is meant, to me,

the very point I choose to be!
312 · Mar 2015
The Time is Now
The time is now, against the tears,

to garner up the valor:

To stand against your deepest fears

within your darkest hour.

The time is now to fight the doubt

that resonates within:

The sweet escape, with no way out,

where tragedies begin.

The time is now to give away:

Abundances to share.

For, broken are the hearts today

of people in despair.

The time is now to fill your heart

for, what a tragedy:

to rise above, to do your part

and yet remain empty!
312 · Mar 2015
Destiny
I am He from the beginning,
long before worlds came to be,
Who sought to bring to pass redemption;
Who sought to bring men back to Me!

Come to me, my son: my daughter,
enter now into my space.
Sit, and partake of the knowledge
of life within the human race!

You shall enter through the veil.
Much shall you forget therein.
You will receive the flesh and bones
and, thereby, be akin to sin.

Brought to you will be my Gospel,
You will face the sacred choice:
The gentle Lamb, or the serpent?
My Lamb shall cause you to rejoice!

Be even as the Lamb, my child,
for, He shall be your guiding light.
He will be your source of strength
through thin of day, through thick of night.

Remember Me, remember Him,
and live your life with purity.
Hope all things, endure all things
with faith, and prayer, and charity.

Bring to pass much righteousness,
and suffer all temptations passed.
As Satan seeks to steal your virtue
through winds an hail, you shall last.

'Come follow Me' the Lamb has said
to every kindred, tongue, and nation.
Walk the path that he has laid:
The path that leads to exaltation!

For, so, this life is but a gift.
And, also, it shall be a test.
Do these things, and you shall enter
safely back into my rest!
308 · Mar 2015
The Hero Did Rise
Once in a time when struggles existed,
when trials were many, and evil persisted,
there came a great fight, in the dark of the night

and in destiny's eyes
the hero did rise!

Surrounded with hope, and cloaked with the Spirit
he stood in the darkness and, lo, did not fear it;
With demons beguiling, and Lucifer smiling,

against his demise
the hero did rise!

With loss in his heart, and blows to his soul
the vicious assault was beyond his control.
Yet, strong did he stand, upheld by God's hand

and despite their vain tries
the hero did rise!

The king of all demons, in undaunted measures,
lusted to seal him as unto his pleasures.
But he was resisting, and also persisting

in fighting the lies;
as the hero did rise!

Too strong for the devil, he overcame death
and screamed through the darkness with fiery breath:
'You can not defeat me! Nor hope to retreat me!

Your eminence dies! '
....The hero did rise!
303 · Mar 2015
What is This Place?
What is this place

without a trace

of life below the moon?

How many years

have I been here

Thinking it was noon?

There is no more

longing for

the life that was the sun.

as through the dark

I see a spark

of better things to come!
303 · Mar 2015
Beauty
Beauty is
unique admiration.

A sparkling star...
in a galaxy

amongst the common.

Perceived by
the wandering man
in the twilight...

Under the cloudy coat...

gazing at
the many dulls.

None reflecting
within him...

longing for his
compliment
to ignite him.

For he, too, holds
a sparkle

that shines within another.

The natural void that
must be filled.

In the vast pool

of dim twinklings

She holds the
beauty
within him,

beaming her
natural glory,

Through the years
of space
onto the land,

catching the spark
in the eyes

of

the wandering man.
298 · Mar 2015
I See Her Dancing
I see her dancing in the night:
A glory to behold!
Her beauty precious more than gold,
in my opinion's sight!

She shows me in tranquilities
what this soul seldom ever sees-
The spirit to attract my gaze,
and all my passions to amaze!

I see a daughter beaming bright
and, in her dancing, show-
in awe-some admonition's glow-
that she bears heaven's light!

A festival of harmonies!
A symphony of melodies!
She dances in her youthful days:
A virtuous presence she displays!

Let her vigor, pow'r, and might
so manifest in zeal...
Let, through her dance: so pure, so real,
inspire my cause to fight!

Let it confound the mysteries
of what mortality oft sees,
and open paths to better ways,
that Hosts above we may amaze!
Heartache may I leave behind...
Close a tattered, broken door...
Put it on my back, and sink-
as a cup of pain I drink-
onto the dusty, wooden floor.

Help me to forsake emotion
felt in times of sorrow's snares;
As I sit; behind me knowing
that a fest'ring bond is growing
between my past and present cares.

Lift my head, with tears from crying,
buried deep between my knees.
Help me feel, from this room's blunder
that admist emotional thunder
blows a soft and tender breeze.

Suddenly, I feel much calmer...
Not as much bound to my past...
For, what has happened now is done,
and all control of it is gone...
Why, then, should these emotions last?

Behind this wooden, tattered door
is not who I am inside.
So I stand, and step away,
turn around, and firmly say...
'My purpose, you will not deride! '
294 · Mar 2015
The Hand of Music
The hand of music...

Swift, sly

make the laugh,

force the cry,

reach into the deep.

Pass the poser,

for he is false.

The intelligent deceiver.

He

does not sing,
does not dance,
does not obey

The hand of music...

Dive into the depths.

Reality awaits.

She

holds

the tears,
the cheers,
the years...

A silent power

over him,

conducted by

the hand of music.

Awaken her by the touch...

Soft...

She will sing the love...

Singing it to him,

he will fall into her arms.

Hard...

She will dance the triumph...

A jubilant jive.

A wonderful waltz.

Teaching him grace.

Long...

She will cry the pain...

The real pain...

Passionately...

He will see her...

He will comfort her...

You control all...

You are powerful...

Teach him through her...

You are...

The hand of music.
286 · Mar 2015
What is Life?
What is life?
Life is not the act of living...

Life is the passion.
The rhythm.
The love.

Life is the manner in which you live
and who you share it with.

Life is beautiful.
Life is warm.

It makes your heart beat.

It beats with those beautiful souls around you.

Life outlives living.

Life lives forever

in the hearts of those who receive

your beauty.

Images live in the mind.

Life lives in the heart.
283 · Mar 2015
A Gospel Message
What more is life than empty space?
a void that we must fill
with works of good, unceasing faith
and Gospel-centered will!

What more is time than open chance?
Eternal life awaits
for those who sing, and do their dance
through straight and narrow gates!

What more is happiness than hope?
Ask in prayer; believe.
Put your trust in heavenly hosts
and through your faith, receive!
281 · Mar 2015
The Fallen Man's Epiphany
Agency belongs to you

displayed in what you say and do

with strength of heart, and mind, and nerve

choose today whom you will serve:

Father of lies: death in disguise,

or

King of the right: Lord of the light

Weakness, might: Black or white

Shades of grey nowhere in sight!

The choice is plain, distinct, and clear.

The time to mark the path is here!

Linger not on hopes and fears,

but let commitment garnish years!

With what power dare you seize

your duty's work, your very name?

Work with heart, work on your knees

or else you will remain the same.
275 · Dec 2017
The Heaven Here and Now
A silken comfort to my soul...
“O, heal me with your presence!
Underneath the luminescence -
Grandeur of His Omnipresence!
How delightful and how precious-

is

what, my dear, you mean to me!”

A sweet enchantment in the night...
“O, feel the souls impart!
A rushing pulses to my heart...
From you I ne'er desire part...
Could this be love in truth and start?

O,

what, my dear, you mean to me.....”

A joy of laughter singing soft...
The stillness and the wonder!
Our thoughts engage with hearts to ponder...
of what “man should not put asunder.”
under depths of stars I wonder...

if us

is what you mean to me...

A healers balm upon my skin -
The soothing touch to calm the seas...
“Your searching exploration sees
My heart's yearning.......My soul's pleas...
The heaven here and now decrees

these things

are what you mean to me!”
274 · Mar 2015
Blink
How much can the only heart take
when love and life combine,

When solitude and misery
are compliments entwined?

A needle here, a dagger there
will pierce the pumping soul,

But take a spear, by sight or ear,
and it could drive

the fatal blow.

Protect the precious, naked heart
from the manipulating mind:

the killer of the good in men
who stabs you from behind.

The mind can work to its dismay
not even half the present day.

The twisted traitor of a man
will do its deeds with blinks at hand,

and as you draw the veil of dark,
it wields the pains within your life,

the suffering, the loss, the strife
and throws them at you heart.

Surrender fewer counts today,
to send you heart the shears.

Rely, not on the black today,
but on the brightness of your years.

See the beauty in your life
the color, rhythm, song

and hold that sight without the fears
of puncturing the heart.

For I say trust, that when you must,

blink.

And as you yield, you raise a shield

which blocks the centered love

from the rusty needles, knives, and spears

which plummet from above.
272 · Dec 2021
The Reunion Pile
Stay near, but watch your step.
I am old in weeks, yet strong in numbers.
You and I aren't that different.
I have veins, and skin. I am rooted,
as a ship in the harbor, to where I
plan on staying. It's been hard lately...
Many friends have made the long trip
down. Sometimes, meeting death near home,
sometimes the gusts of fate carry friends,
like Franklin, far out of sight. I feel like
I'm near my end. I look down and smile,
on a calm autumn evening,
as I snap and fall free to the reunion pile below.
269 · Mar 2015
The Man on the Streets
The man on the streets
born and bred
with rain and grime
upon his head,

drinks from the water
of a nearby creek.

Water flows.
Stagnant week.

The cars of the many
pass him by.

Gush of mist,
squints the eye.

What chills can come
from metal doors
in which he's never
been before.

Another blue.
Another red.

As rain is falling
on his head

he wonders why
he has to drag
while toting pictures
in his bag

of times that put him
on the road
on which he hauls
a heavy load.

Walking on from
where he's been

he hopes to feel the sun,
but then

a car pulls up
beside of him.

He looks to see a girl.

A young one, probably seventeen

in a car of chrome
polished, clean.

With window down,
she says to him

'It looks like you could use a lift! '

The man on the streets

simply exclaims

'What blessings can come through the haze! '

He walks along
to climb aboard
a mighty vessel
of metal doors

that accelerate
into the night
on a four mile ride
of high beam light.
255 · Mar 2015
The Things That Matter Most
As God of all endows a Host;

The power of the Holy Ghost

will teach you truth and testify

of the things that matter most.

Search and seek: Watch and pray.

Let gratitude fulfill your day.

For, doing these shall make it so;

The things that matter most to know!

Endeavor with the human mind

eternal truth and worth to find.

In every effort, do your best.

Exalt your work above the rest!

Train your temper soft, and well.

Always hesitate to yell.

Be a kind and loving friend:

Be remembered in the end!

Stand for what you know is right:

Shine your never-failing light!

Never seek to harm or hate;

Rather, seek the narrow gate!

Live a chaste and virt'ous life.

Let your modesty be rife!

Endow the earth with virtues lost.

Restoring good has priceless cost!

Remember...Go, and testify

of the things that matter most!
252 · Mar 2015
O Believe, Yes Believe!
That was then
Here am I:
Never there again.

Once it was,
now no more:
Let my life begin!

Here am I,
presently,
focused on the now.

No more time
to regret
the where, the when, the how.

Pressing on,
Here am I
in time to achieve

as I walk,
as I run,
striving to believe!

O, believe!
Yes, believe!
It will come to you!

Through your faith,
you obtain
strength and power, too!

This is why
you believe:
Let this be the day

Miracles
and blessings
come to cross your way!
250 · Mar 2015
The Visit
O, birds of the trees
and mice of the hills

on the wings of the breeze
come the seldom felt chills.

Open your eyes.
Look to the skies.

The wind whistle cries

of the visit.

Lay down your strife
O, men of the land.

A beauty of life
is swiftly at hand.

Breathe in the air.
Breathe out your care.

In this, you prepare

for the visit.

O, come winds of might!
O, come clouds of gray!

Bring down the white:
brighten dismay!

Lay on the scene.
Make it serene.

Let silence be seen

in the visit.
242 · Mar 2015
The Lingering
Though through my life success I seethe

I often wonder...

Does man inspire? Or do they breathe

of breaths asunder?

The tests of mortal fears are fierce...

Let us then be kind,

and hasten not to knife and pierce

the soft heart or mind.

For deep behind my *****'ling eye:

The dark demons sing...

A song you never hear me cry

of The Lingering...

I speak not of a course of powers

meaningless in will.

I speak in bold, of forceful powers:

Powers that can ****.

Look around at our existence.

Many feel the sting

on mind and heart, through long persistence

of The Lingering...

The agony of gloom and woe

suffered in the dark-

and trepidation's overflow

leaves a grisly mark...

So, take a great and noble caring

to entreat the mind,

taking courage, always daring

to be warm and kind.

To have compassion in the strife:

What aid that can bring-

to one of us who go through life

in The Lingering!
240 · Mar 2015
The Earth's Closing Eye
I sit on the sands on the breath of the night

amidst the sea birds that are scattered in flight

and what to behold, to my eye's delight,

but a beauty of nature in the twilight.

While the scorn of the world has torn it apart,

the voice of the ocean speaks to my heart.

It moves me, it fills me, to softly impart

that natural peace is a soothing art.

Deep on the scene, where the earth meets the sky,

shines the gold iris of the earth's closing eye.

As, breathless, I gaze: The moment is nigh

that the light will be low, and my spirit be high!

Gone is the day now, behind the blue sea

but with me is marvel of what came to be!

This day has, forever, inspired in me

serenity, peace, and a soul that is free!
235 · Mar 2015
Never Before
Never before
have I touched a heart.
Never before
have I lit up a soul.
Never before
could I say that I tried...
Now I can say
that this is my goal.
Never before
have I danced with grace.
Never before
have I courted with love.
Never before
had I known who I am.
Now I can say
I know from above!
Never before
have I had more faith.
Never before
have I felt more at peace.
Never before
has destiny called me.
Now I can say
this lacking will cease!
215 · Mar 2015
Take My Hand
Take my hand, I'll show you the way.

For, busy is the common day

and often does the view become

one that can lead you astray.

Take my hand, O benevolent man

performing your deeds as any man can

and choosing the good, to overcome

the perils, the dark, and the evil one's plan.

Take my hand when the outlook is bright.

Lead the world with candle light

and show yourself, my daughter or son,

the glory within your inner might!

Take my hand, when all has been lost.

Take my hand, no matter the cost.

For, with your faith, my will is done

For many, the path of salvation is crossed

and this is because you've taken my hand:

For, you are a beacon throughout my land

for others to witness: and moon and a sun

as you show them the way to make their stand!
204 · Mar 2015
Fear
Fear is the shock.
The bolt that
crashes
down.

It is the lightning
that destroys
a man's
town.

Fear is a brick
constructed
in a
wall.

It is the height.
The thickness:
stories
tall.

Fear is the poison.
The venom.
Killing
you.

Hold it inside
and it will
turn you
blue.

Fear is the thief.
The silent
demon
takes

Pride. Joy. Ethic.
All the things
a man
makes.
Many unfortunate things can start

a running river to the heart.

Desperation; Passion; Yearning;

A rotting heart of malice burning;

Lost or stolen innocence,
  
Pestilence and bitterness.

A loss of almost anything                                      

can-to the heart- a river bring.

But! Joyful things can also start

a running river to the heart.

A lended ear when needed most;

The witness of the Holy Ghost;

Love in all it's raging power!

Solace in your final hour.

What's in your heart that makes you sing

can-to your heart-a river bring!
199 · Jan 2018
The Fruitful Mire
The Fog and fire...

fruitful mire.

The pit maligned.

Who and why?

Wait and cry....

When and where?

Everywhere....

But what a beauty, cause, and duty

to

define or be defined.

Thick in fog of pain....

An Abel of Cain.

Silent shrieking....

Darkened night....

Daunted fright....

Failure great?

Rise and wait?

To make misery, or parody

of

horrors of the conscience?

Ever searing flames....

Our purpose it claims,

scalding to the core....

Rips and tears....

Silent tears....

Scorching heat....

Claim defeat?

Surrender purpose, and concourses

of

able liberations?

The fog and fire....

Fruitful mire.

Rich in power.

Fall or fly?

Live or die?

Fear or dare?

Choice or snare?

The fog and fire ne’er desire

to

define or be defined!
Published poem # 80!!!
197 · Mar 2015
In The Hallows, By The Sea
In the hallows by the sea

ran a lonely boy

Stumbling and distantly

looking for the shore.

Snarl and bite, fearful flight

through the fog and rain.

No more is there sacred peace

upon the broken plain.

Dashing, slicing through the muck

not a chance to rest

puffing out fatigue and fear

from his pounding chest.

Suddenly, fatefully

the chase is now at end.

He runs into a clearer view

and body meets the sand.

Consciousness awakes the boy

not just taste is bland.

Shivering, soaking wet

atop the naked sand.

Raining ceased, fog decreased

out, he looked, to see

an ocean, lifeless as a corpse-

true and loyal be.

Down onto the sand he laid

his head of good intent.

He mumbled praise to start his days

of which his faith was meant.

Up he got, death be not,

limping down the shore

in a lighted wooded realm

none had seen before.
I no longer search for the darkness...

I was there once-

in the dark-

with everyone

terrified.

I couldn't see.

I couldn't see anything.

I used to sing a song

when I thought I was alone...

'Soon enough will come the light...
Soon enough will come to me
all the things I dream about...
As only in my dreams I see.

But, looking forward, while awake,
I hold this in, yet I want to shout...
'There has to be a path for me...
with darkness, doubt, and fear without! ''

I've felt alone for many seasons.

Nobody to talk to...

Hear...Feel...Even sense.

How painful: The darkness!

I only knew there was anyone near

because they used to sing with

me.

very softly...

'Soon enough will come the light...
Soon enough will come to me
all the things I dream about...
As only in my dreams I see.

And, looking forward, while awake,
I hold this in, yet want to shout...
'There has to be a path for me
with darkness, doubt, and fear without! ''

But, darkness is not all I've known.

In fact, it ended years ago...

One cold evening I was sitting on the ground-

Knees close to my chest-

my arms tightly wrapped around my legs...

When I heard footsteps walking towards me...

They eventually stopped, and it was apparent

that she was in front of me.

Who?

The girl who put her hand on my

shoulder...

in the darkness...

and softly whispered...

'Let me teach you a song.'

'Wonders! Wonders from on High!
Beams the brightest heav'nly cry!
Now, rejoice! Pain is gone!
For, your life has now begun!

Nevermore acquaint with grief.
Light requires, first, belief!
And belief with faith will shine,
making life a joy divine! '

Ever since that blessed day
I knew, for certain, every day
I would no longer seek the dark,
and ne'er forget that perfect spark!

Now I speak in rhyme, and sing
to those with open hearts to bring
to listen to a burning voice
and sing with me, and rejoice...

'Wonders! Wonders from on High!
Beams the brightest heav'nly cry!
Now rejoice! Pain is gone!
For, your life has now begun!

Nevermore acquaint with grief.
Light requires, first, belief.
And, belief with faith will shine
making life a joy divine! '
176 · Mar 2015
Home
I ask you simply, what is home?

A place where kindred people come?

A space where residents reside?

What makes a home a home inside?

I ask you now, is home a house?

Can people buy homes with their spouse?

In houses can a family be

together for eternity?

I say to you, it is not so!

A home is where a man will go

to seek his flames of strife to douse.

A home he seeks, and not a house.

Inside a home a man has love:

From here below, and from above.

At home, he'll be with family

for time and all eternity.
172 · Mar 2015
The Best is Yet To Come
The best is yet to come to pass;

Yet, each and every day

in looking back, I do recall

How far I've really come, in all:

A testimony to display

of what has yet to come my way...

A patient and a longing man:

That was my yesterday...

From the ashes burned, I rose.

And I manifest the prose:

'The past does not define a man;

But power in his spirit can! '

Let the inner fight be won

in every precious day.

Cleave not unto my tempest years,

and all associated fears...

But, rather seek to watch and pray

and turn my darkness into day!

Happiness and joy I'll sing

until my dying day...

And on into eternity

as I shall live eternally!

My Winter sleep awakes in Spring,

and truth and light with me I bring!
164 · Dec 2021
A Car Ride to Vegas
I can't believe this is happening...
What reason can come from this?
I cannot marry her...
My bride has betrayed me.
She has milked this secret for long enough...
It didn't slip out, it barged into the field:
A runaway horse, bucking and snorting.
How could she...
She was my life...My healer...
Now, bruised with heart bleeding,
I confront her by getting in my car
and leave the venue.
She doesn't need me. She has Dave.
She'll be fine.
133 · Dec 2021
The Land in the Middle
Home is in the middle.  
In my youth, I climbed the trees there,
I walked and played with my finest friends.

Weary with the weight of my kin,
the trees sway in the open breeze.
Almost as to sing me

home.

Recently, I took my love home.

In the clear of night,
on our backs - gazing into the
deeps of stars and nothings.

Looking at everything.

A tear runs down past my ear,
and I realize...

I was never home
until now.
I.       Standing on the peak of a tsunami wave,
         all I can think is
         that I'm dreaming.

II.      I was three-legged,
          like a stool,
          sitting atop my dream.

III.     I fell from the sky into
          an ocean vortex
          which, dreaming, was simple.

IV.     I saw my love, who died last year.
          She and I are together as I dream.

V.      My dream paints a ****** mess,
          and the heaven I do not know.
          I cannot say what is more beautiful...

VI.     Sitting in a log cabin by the frozen lake,
          a bird flew in and sat on my knee.
          I asked him his name. "Dream," he said.

VII.    In the wheat field,
           I stand with all of my family.
           All family is all I have ever
           dreamed of.

VIII.   She told him his accent
           was dreamy.
           I have heard her with his accent
           in my dream.

IX.      I woke up refreshed,
           and my dream fluttered away
           with the flock
           of my neighbors'.

X.        When I realize I'm in a dream
            I'm horrified with pleasure,
            and corrupted by fantasy.

XI.       I was sitting on the beach,
            and I thought my hero was
            walking my way.
            I got up and ran to her,
            but she was my childhood friend...

XII.      I don't feel fear.
            I must be asleep...

XIII.     I lay next to the woman I love,
             holding her hand, sleeping.
             I awaken from my nap
             as she phones me from Italy.
This is an imitation poem in the style of "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," by Wallace Stevens.
112 · Dec 2021
Next To Sorghum Cane
Next to sorghum cane
I dance with my love
              and look up.

The autumnal breeze
             Pushes her into my chest a little.
We giggle softly.
            Our eyes sway romantically in unison,
                                       and I remember
                                         what's happening above us.
                                                   I point up.
                                                   She looks
                                                   and I feel her heart flutter.
                                    The midnight sky
                                    is blanketed in comets
                                                        with fire tails
                                                   igniting the River of Heaven.
And, when she turns around for another embrace,
             for a second
                           she can't find me.
                           But, that's only because
                                        I'm in the dirt and leaves
                                        on one knee.
This poem is an imitation in the style of "In Cold Storm Light," by Lesie Marmon Silko.
90 · Dec 2021
Awkward Courage
In high school, I didn't
have much luck with girls;
but I always have been
brave. One day, a friend
suggested I ask this
jewish girl ​out - that is -
to be my girlfriend. She
was cute and athletic,
and I had courage. I
simply walked up to her,
and asked.
I don't remember thinking
much of it - I just walked up
and opened my mouth.
Something I don't
understand about girls
is how they sometimes
already know what's coming.
She gave me a reassuring
countenance, and I went back
to being alone.
I had a lot to learn
about wooing.

She said no.

I just wish I didn't
trip and fall down
right before
I asked her.
84 · Dec 2021
Tecumseh
Tecumseh's
obsolete
                who once
                pillaged and bent iron
                                                    railroad tracks
and scorched onetwothreefourfive citiesforfreedomsake
                                                                                              Jesus
must have been in that army
                                                and all i need to know is
why you didn't run to the sea
Mister Sherman
This poem is an imitation in the style of "Buffalo Bill's" by E.E. Cummings
I wait for my colleague at the cinema.
He and I just met at the office on Monday.
I brought up Guys and Dolls, and
he said he saw it on the big stage.

I knew I had a friend.

I think he's finishing his work
on the Miller account.
They tend to procrastinate
their governmantal dues.

It has been sixteen years
since my last trip to the cinema.

My father, Colonel Jim Stanley
of the United States Air Force,
died towards the end of
The Pirates of Penzance...

In the years since I got married,
and Molly has been good
for my healing.

Recently, though, we have
been strapped for cash.
Infants will do that.

Jim might pay, but that's if
he's nicer than I realize.
Just because a man likes a
good musical doesn't mean
he can cover the show.

He is a hard worker, though.
In what little I've seen,
he is fierce and deliberate
behind the desk.

Jim is going places
(while im strapped to the ground,)
but at least tonight he is coming to see
South Pacific with me.

Maybe the cinema will be kinder
to me than the last film.
The father died in a plane crash
and his son, Jim Jr., was devastated.
57 · Dec 2021
Life Through The Eye
Water-winds encircle me
(and I do not have control
over Hurricane Despair
as it rips apart my soul...)

Is this all I have left now?
(as I crumble to the floor
that I used to call "foundation")
Is The Son beyond the shore?

Looking up beyond this chaos
(to a sphere beyond the haze),
a vessel broken in the darkness
feels the lights of Heaven's gaze.

And a holy voice (descending
through Despair's eye to my soul)
speaks to me in veneration:
"Master your fate. Captain your soul!"
This poem is an imitation in the style of "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley
55 · Dec 2021
Homecoming Night
Cougars. Hawks.
Purple. Red.
Tonight is the last night we meet.

With two seconds left, I stand
on the freethrow line.

The game is in my hands.
Miss one, and we lose.

At seventeen, my blood furnace
churns relentlessly with fear.

The student body-
heavier than I ever imagined-
is on my shoulders,
like a torture harness.

I feel one mile under water, and
my head is about to implode from
the pressure.

The ball is in my hands now.
Looking at it, my fingers are quaking
and my wrist becomes stiff.
(Remember the routine...)

The first goes in,
and I hear the building explode.

My ears are ringing, as if a grenade
went off under the basket.

Okay...One more...

Time moves like a horse in quicksand,
if the quicksand were cement.

Here's the ball again...
The gym is silent.
(Bend the knees, snap the wrist...)

All I hear is the ball
as I spin it in my hands.
I bounce it, and shoot.

Miss...

All happiness drains from my body.
I feel the emotional sludge
seeping into my bloodstream.

I can barely walk...
My legs feel dead, or sick, or both.

This was my night to be a hero,
but that basketball stabbed me in the chest.

I collapse psychologically.

I just crushed the hopes of hundreds...

Tormented, I stare at the rim,
fifteen feet from a victory I will never win...

— The End —