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439 · Jun 2014
Old Eyes
Daniel Magner Jun 2014
My eyes must be
from some time long ago
when the world was a bigger place.
All they strive to see
are wide fields
rustling in the breeze,
rolling hills void of tall towers
or crowded city streets.
On the horizons they imagine
there are no silhouettes of planes,
no whistles of trains,
but then I blink
and they are forced to see
this modern world
closing in on
me
Daniel Magner 2014
438 · Jul 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner Jul 2015
I like 40's
you like 40's
we should drink 40's together
40's ounces of malt liquor
a couple sips and I be feeling better
once I got one down let's crack another
let's drink some 40's together
438 · Sep 2016
Friday Morning
Daniel Magner Sep 2016
Outside the bedroom window
a buzz saw screeches its grating song.
Leaf blowers roar out in an attempt
to accompany the shrill melody.
Minutes into the disharmonious duet
a rumbling bang joins in, trash cans
dancing out, filled with bottles
and pizza boxes.
I want to yell
Quiet! Let me be! Let me sleep!
but the world is awake,
singing its rattle and clang,
believing itself beautiful.
And maybe it is,
maybe it is,
but I am far too tired to listen.
Daniel Magner 2016
437 · Oct 2017
Another Day at Work
Daniel Magner Oct 2017
I work next to a lake,
which spreads out from the base
of a mountain.
Everyday the stony guards
reflect off it's surface,
the trees motionless in the breezeless
landscape.
I never hear the birds,
nor the occasional fish splash,
too occupied by my dash,
the clicks, keyboards, spread sheets,
plugging away at the base of a mountain,
filling the frame
above my desk
Daniel Magner 2017
437 · Jul 2013
Weighted
Daniel Magner Jul 2013
In the past week
the same question has
been posed to me,
"Are you okay? You seem off"
at least three times.
But I feel as if my actions
stayed steady,
maybe I've been like this
so long
others are starting to see
that my heart is
heavy.
Daniel Magner 2013

but I don't want them to...
436 · Feb 2013
Weightless
Daniel Magner Feb 2013
When the weight
on your chest is gone
what do you do?
Anything you
want
© Daniel Magner 2013
436 · Apr 2017
I'm made of pine
Daniel Magner Apr 2017
With each breath I exhale
a wish for you.
Every movement taken
is done so with an ache
to feel your hands on mine.
My body knows how much
I yearn for you,
instinctively relaxed by your scent,
clinging to your sweatshirt,

or aroused by the sound
of your silky words
being pulled playfully off your lips.
My hips twist in my sleep,
trying to find you under the covers,
to grind gently against you,
gain subtle reassurance that you
are resting, protected, nestled in,
that it's me you hold
to your heart within.
Daniel Magner 2017
435 · Aug 2015
Stay Busy
Daniel Magner Aug 2015
home from work
(I guess it's home now)
everything is still with my music up
I can't hear the sirens or engines
revving and roaring ever on and on
feels strange to not move
to not have something to do
but think and think
deeper and deeper
prying until I find
just how little
I am
Daniel Magner 2015
435 · Mar 2014
Bone Yard
Daniel Magner Mar 2014
the street was my mattress
the sky my sheets,
dreaming of a car roaring
and squishing me
but for all my honesty
still death I cheat
I want to leave.
please Reaper, please
ride your midnight stead
scythe over shoulder
dead flame and worn teeth
grab hold my shoulder
split the earth
pull me under
split the earth
let me sleep
Daniel Magner 2014
435 · May 2013
Odds
Daniel Magner May 2013
If 50 percent of people
can make a mistake
about something so
wonderous and beautiful
then I don't want
to be told the odds
for
me...
© Daniel Magner 2013
435 · May 2013
Famous
Daniel Magner May 2013
There's nothing that I'd like more
than seeing your face on the billboards,
knowing that you made it some how,
and found a way to get out.
'Cause to me you are always so much more
than what people give you credit for
© Daniel Magner 2013
start of a song
432 · Aug 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner Aug 2015
The living room is invaded
I've barricaded myself in the bathroom
yellow light my only savior
from the doom of interacting
432 · Aug 2013
Irish
Daniel Magner Aug 2013
Her name is like four-leafed clovers
because pure luck put her
climbing out of the apartment window
to tip toe through the rain
and remind me that it's never that hard
to
escape
Daniel Magner 2013
431 · Nov 2014
Plant Thoughts
Daniel Magner Nov 2014
I think plants live in slow mo
when we walk by
it's just a shimmer
like the last tendrils of a ghost
lazily dissipating in the night
Daniel Magner 2014
430 · Oct 2017
Panda Xpress
Daniel Magner Oct 2017
In this place
chopping so much your hand cramps,
so you have to hold it by the wok
for five minutes before it unclenches,
is something to by proud of.

In this place
college students scoop and cook
to pay for school,
or pay off school,
instead of applying what they learned,
which cost them more than money.

In this place
the line never sleeps,
you are Pavlov's dogs
trained to a bell.
And if you are unlucky enough
to be put in the kitchen,
you'll find it worse than Hell.
From a time when I did not like my job.

Daniel Magner 2017
430 · Dec 2012
Puke in Ten Words
Daniel Magner Dec 2012
Got a better perspective
as you puked on
the floor
© Daniel Magner 2012
inspired by a fellow writer!
428 · Jun 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner Jun 2015
some times I feel like a locomotive,
instead of a sunflower,
sorry Alan,
let down and frowning
in whatever sort of afterlife he's in,
if there is one or maybe everyone's death is a different dimension,
time splits off so each individual's
imagined postmortem exists,
in a sense there is a heaven but also no heaven, no punishment or reprimand,
if I don't want there to be,
maybe?
Not done writing this yet
Daniel Magner 2015
428 · Jan 2013
Eddie
Daniel Magner Jan 2013
I keep you alive
by saying your

name
© Daniel Magner 2013
Happy Belated Birthday old friend.
427 · Nov 2013
Weekly Plunge
Daniel Magner Nov 2013
Once a week
I get caught up
in thought
and lost
so lost
What is this all
for?
Why bother with
a sandwich shop
community college
and being poor?
the only thing I understand
is how to write
and
play chords
the rest of this
seems
so
.
.
.
meaningless
Daniel Magner 2013
427 · Mar 2013
Han Solo
Daniel Magner Mar 2013
Sometimes I want to share
in remembering a moment
but then I realize, I spend
most of my time
alone.
© Daniel Magner 2013
426 · Sep 2014
Harmony
Daniel Magner Sep 2014
I long to find
the one who I can say,
"I love the sound of you"
and hear them sing back,
"I love the sound of us"
426 · Jul 2013
Lakes
Daniel Magner Jul 2013
These beats
have stirred up
deep thoughts
long drained and dragged
like empty lakes
for goodness sake
I thought I laid you
all to rest...
Daniel Magner
424 · May 2013
Divide
Daniel Magner May 2013
It's kind of like selling my soul
all in one go, or slower, one strip
at
a
time.
But the big unknown leaves me
looking at an empty space
beside me every night,
alone.
© Daniel Magner 2013
423 · May 2013
Moke
Daniel Magner May 2013
That hideous
brownish
smoke.
Oh it makes me
choke to think
of it sinking
into your lungs
© Daniel Magner 2013
422 · May 2017
Blossom
Daniel Magner May 2017
Staring straight in the the center
of a rose,
aroma drawing me closer,
the petals spread,
catching the light,
delight brightening my face.
The sight, the scent, are not enough,
I lean in
to have a taste.
Daniel Magner 2017
422 · Oct 2017
Denim Vest
Daniel Magner Oct 2017
I want a denim vest,
ripped at the sleeves,
grim patches and buttons.
So I searched through the thrift shops.
Everything was too large, or too tight,
or cut in a style thatt was not quite right.
In the isles were old ladies
who probably bought the clothes
donated by dead friends.
In a corner, marked off for books,
stood Ginsberg, bespectacled and urging,
"You are not a locomotive!"

But I chugged on by,
all steam and whistles,
neck a bristle with eerie misease
that Ginsberg is dead,
like the old ladies' friends,
and I can only find denim
with sleeves.
Daniel Magner 2017
421 · Jul 2013
False Wings
Daniel Magner Jul 2013
Someone said,
"Maybe you're just an angel
that doesn't know it."
and for all my disbelief
I was still struck
at their accuracy.
Daniel Magner 2013
420 · Jan 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner Jan 2015
mumbled words induce a trance
a sullen glance at annoyance
then decide on smoky existence
420 · Dec 2014
Still Pages
Daniel Magner Dec 2014
Little frog shot glass
sits staring through me
brought her book
and plans to return it
with a little love from the past
alas, I'm a dreg
hedging in old organic emotions
with sharp edges
whiskey, cigarettes
panic over a manic thought
so instead I'll put the book
in a box
send it to her through the mail
keep my hands to myself
write a little note, place inside
where it may fall from the shelf
with pencil scrapes spelling out
"Sorry I was greedy
and you thought you needed me
but I'm like the dead bodies
in these pages, cover me up
close my eyes, drape a blanket
over me and leave me
faceless."
Daniel Magner 2014
418 · Mar 2015
Wander Woes
Daniel Magner Mar 2015
It hangs from my shoulders,
not torturous, but not forgiving,
my camping chair groans
under our combined weight
in the evening,
quite the opposite of merriment
it is never fleeting
a constant cloak
partially soaked with choked words,
a strikingly dissonant chord
accompanied by a melody
"It's high time to hit the road again
it's high time you leave."
Daniel Magner 2015
417 · Jul 2013
Scales
Daniel Magner Jul 2013
I do my damnedest
to keep my judgements
at bay.
But they rattle the bars
and yell at the guards
"You've been stood up
three times,
and all your romances
leave you the same-"

Even though I plug my ears
the last word, I still hear

"alone."
© Daniel Magner 2013
415 · May 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner May 2015
Bukowski gets me
ham on rye with a little bit
of wanting to be nothing
cheap wine in a trashed hotel
a permanent spell on my
self control
all this time I thought I loved me
but I'm sinking
everything I write is a repeat
**** my novel dreams
**** my poetic schemes
I think it's time to sleep
for about five years
so I can wake up with no fears
and disappear
like each season
413 · Mar 2013
Plain and Simple
Daniel Magner Mar 2013
lonely
© Daniel Magner 2013
412 · Aug 2014
Vegas Hounds
Daniel Magner Aug 2014
on the cusp of being Vegas bound
with a car full of old friends, howling like hounds
yet somehow it hangs heavy on my heart
as if this is the last time that things will feel
almost like the used to back in highschool
and ever after the sounds of our laughter
will fade further and further
as we drift apart
like leaves resting
on water
this is something that gives me much anxiety because I love them, they were there for all the bad and good, they have no need to speak words when I let it slip that, "I miss Ed" or "You guys are the reason I'm not dead" they can just look at me, nod, give a hug and I know they know what I'm feeling, that they care. I'm just worried about them turning into old photos that I talk to but that don't talk back, ya know? I'm worried about saying goodbye, instead of see you soon....

Daniel Magner 2014
If you read this on a phone turn it horizontal so that the lines look right, or don't, I just write the words, it's up to you to decide how you want to read it
410 · Aug 2016
Pulling Petals
Daniel Magner Aug 2016
She has big dreams
filled with London and New York,
acting, musicals, on stage, spot light,
and she's chasing them down,
a huntress in a red dress,
they don't have a chance.
She gets what she wants,
no one can resist her,
all the guys and girls are dying to kiss her.
She could have anyone by simply
beckoning with her finger.
When she steps in a room
it's all eyes on her, but her eyes on me.
Oh God can't she see
that the whole world's in love with all that she does?
Her touch is electricity
shocking me back from a life of complacency,
the voltage between us charging
both our batteries.
All the others who want her,
who might try and ****** her,
they don't really matter.
She can leave for three months,
be set on by handsome men and gorgeous women,
but they can't do what I can if she gives me the chance.
I can dance to her beat,
I keep up in the sheets,
I love her in the bedroom,
on stage, in the streets,
I love her, I love her,
and it's so hard to believe,
but she,
she,
she loves
me?
Daniel Magner 2016
410 · May 2013
Debunked
Daniel Magner May 2013
I'm broke
He glances sideways
As in, I don't work right*
nods, knows.
Somehow he has
hope.
© Daniel Magner 2013

For a (hopefully) friend for life
409 · Nov 2012
You didn't know
Daniel Magner Nov 2012
If you looked back now
you would see
all the times you
lost faith in me
Forgetting the flowers
wishes, warm dreams
spent wrapped in my arms
Only spotlighting the
things that went wrong

And when you left
it stung your heart
burned your head
but you told yourself
it's for the best

There is one thing you didn't know
That I would get better
I would get better
I would get better
but I wouldn't come back

Here I am better
here I am better
here I am better
but I'm not coming back
© Daniel Magner 2012
409 · May 2015
Untitled
Daniel Magner May 2015
I think I'd do pretty well
as a functioning drunk
I wouldn't have too much
wouldn't take it too far
wouldn't drive a car
I'm content with the bus
I like seeing all the faces
even though no one
looks up from their phone screen
I'm good at pretending
we all connect somehow
like we were all friends
in some other time and place
I'm more friendly
when I'm not sober
feel closer to happy
I don't mind being a bit shabby
maybe I'll go buy a beer
maybe I'll go buy a bottle
maybe I'll just go
406 · Jun 2014
Line
Daniel Magner Jun 2014
She said she wanted to take me line dancing
down town with a couple of folks
I said yes but wanted to say
"Don't you go an' get too involved now
'cause I'm packing my bags, on my way out
and you might just wind-up a' really  hatin' me"
Daniel Magner 2014
404 · Jul 2014
Ben's New House
Daniel Magner Jul 2014
the last few nights
will lay etched in memory
not because they were
overly special or
out of this world
but they are the end
of an era I didn't think
would cease to be

when, if ever, will I see
the faces that laughed
and sang along tonight?
will some of them press on
through the ages
or pass away with time?

my throat seems plugged
unable to open up
and say those final words
that lay solemn in the night
...
"Goodbye my friends,

goodbye"
Daniel Magner 2014
403 · Oct 2014
Stained
Daniel Magner Oct 2014
Ink smudges cover
the side of my hand
All because of
you
Daniel Magner 2014
402 · May 2014
Oaken Bones
Daniel Magner May 2014
Ice and hail have pounded their songs
deep into the earth
men have brought fire and axes
torn into the rock with picks
no thanks given
no compassion shown
to the land that bore them
yet the soil will live on
long after they are gone
grow over their towers and bridges
crumble their walls
slowly until not even the animals
will remember their calls
till the trees stand tall
roots buried, gaining sustenance
from their fall
Daniel Magner 2014

Mother Earth does not need us
it is only us who need Mother Earth
401 · Jul 2015
Cash
Daniel Magner Jul 2015
money makes me ugly,
as soon as I catch extra
you can see me at the smoke shop,
blowing it by buyin' packs of cigarettes
smoking two a pop,
drinking heinous amounts,
getting dangerous when I go out,
reckless intentions demolish
my apprehension for self harm,
not razors but walls,
not looking for a savior or even
interacting with all a y'all,
just sitting in the shower using
too much water while I finish off a bottle,
full throttle toward self destruction,
trying to not function,
I don't even want the promise
of resurection, distant on purpose,
so I'll close this with an apology
to everybody and me,
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
Daniel Magner 2015
400 · Mar 2013
12:25
Daniel Magner Mar 2013
In all honesty
I forgot I had
a
               dad.
© Daniel Magner 2013
399 · Jan 2018
Ten Fingers
Daniel Magner Jan 2018
All these people spilling,
letting themselves slosh over the sides,
tossing back courage,
tongues slipping secrets with a flourish,
nonchalant, letting things fly.

My lid, usually ******* on tight,
loosens slightly,
but not enough,
not like the rest.
I play things close to the chest.
Y'all don't need to know about me.
y'all don't need to hear my things.
I've got dead friends,
I've got self-inflicted scars,
I've got self-hatred, loathing, lies, wounds,
but I share them crucially.
Don't try and rouse it from me,
if I share,
I care,
otherwise,
beware.
Daniel Magner 2018
398 · Jan 2015
Make 'em Dance
Daniel Magner Jan 2015
Grandpa left me his keyboard
I left it in the corner for years
when late this very night
my spine grew chill with fright
for the keys clacked
of their own accord
as if wanting to be heard
then my spine did thaw and a smile bloom
for this phantom wasn't bringing doom
It was just a reminder from 'ol Grandpa
to let music fill the room
Hi Grandpa, I miss you, I promise to brush up on my piano playing

Daniel Magner 2014
398 · Sep 2013
Even in My Dreams
Daniel Magner Sep 2013
Twelve hours
of REM
and the images
in my head
were all my life
from five years ago
Will, Jake, Sondag, Emily,
Andrew, working at the DRG,
but one face was missing still
E-D-D-I-E
Daniel Magner 2013
398 · Oct 2017
Bike Seat Reversed
Daniel Magner Oct 2017
Zoned in traffic,
alone with the greatest hits of the 90s,
going 25 when I want to be going 90.
It's a two way repeat most days of the week,
and an unfulfilling repeat at that.
Back-tracking would hardly remedy.

Peddling into old things.
Daniel Magner 2017
397 · May 2013
Retrospect
Daniel Magner May 2013
Now that I
really sit
and think
about it,
that was the
most heart
felt thing
anyone has
done for me
in a long long long
                                   time
© Daniel Magner 2013

for Brooke
396 · Dec 2014
Say no to Dying
Daniel Magner Dec 2014
Kyle talked of suicide
how he wanted a way out
a release
but he never tried
I looked him in the eyes
and spoke
"In highschool
I poured a handful of Vicadin
down my throat
as soon as my palm was empty
I choked
as much as I wanted escape
I did not want to die
so I forced myself to puke
before it was too late."
I hope he understood
Daniel Magner 2014
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