Holly James Daugherty: Favorites

Feb 2014 Holly James Daugherty

Jessie

With a childhood comfort,
most of my existence
I have had dreams
in the light;
because I am not a cave man
with electricity at my fingertips
whenever requested.
This light, with
a firefly hum and glow.
Then I reasoned with myself.

A lack of melatonin
rushing through veins
never did any good
to anyone.

Last night,
I slept
in pitch-black darkness
and now,
like
oh my oh my,
I can't differentiate between
my dreams in the light
or my thoughts in the dark.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

A painter and a writer, a history of lovers and foes.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

The Masked Sleepyz

A painter and a writer, a history of lovers and foes.

You sell your paintings on the street,

I sell my writing on the black market,

we will keep at it till we meet,

I will sing my lyrics on an old carpet,

you will paint until your pictures bleed,

I will write with such a need,

you paint to make things real,

I write just to feel,

we will keep at it even if there is no meal,

you paint to scream,

I write to forget my nightmare, my dream

You paint with colors dark and bright

I write to make things right,

you paint with emotion,

I write what is in sight,

we will keep at it till this festival is revealed to light,

you paint what you see,

I write to see me,

you paint in the parts of this screaming town,

I write to make a lover wear a wedding gown,

we will keep at it till there is no sound.

You paint about me in this dizzy trance,

and I will write about you in advance,

we will keep at it till the end of our dance

and show each other what we have done.

One of the few I have edited after writing...im sure I repeat myself in a way, but I think it keeps it simpler but gives it a better rhythm

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

I'm smiling too.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

The Masked Sleepyz

I'm smiling too.

Bella donna are you smiling?
let me hold you tight,
and take away your pain tonight,
as friends is fine,
I'm so **** cheesy I know you don't know what side of the line,
you are leaning towards today,
because I'll always chase you,
a hopeless romantic born this way
even if you aren't mine,
just smile,
I'll stay longer than the expected while,
run from me for you,
but don't run because you have to,
there is no protecting me with your back,
so smile,
because kid I swear by the moon and the sun,
you look so much better with one

Alright so yea...kinda lame..but I do hope whoever is reading this one does smile, because even though I dont know you...I know you do look better with one, and just for kicks..I'll smile too.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Linger

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Amber Rose

Linger

Ripped ribbons scattered aimlessly,
with fractured cups, dirt and dust
pink pearly acetone just won't be enough
to erase the evidence of you.

With forced confessions,
spilled out all past indiscretions,
and cursed vindications and blood
splattered like a musty revenge.

Blank canvases,
Hand print caresses that show
Polaroid prints all faded and jaded
like the illusion of us.

It was desperate fingers
that clung to the railings
but the force of gravity meant I had to let go.
Hope had revived me
Like water to my parched throat
my oasis is the desert
All my horrid words were revoked.

Yet nothing will ever be enough
to surgically remove
our open bleeding wounds.
I must tend to the injured,
Leave alone the wielder
Knife still in hand
How did it come to this?
I missed your voice
so much it made me cry
yet after I heard
it made everything worse
Mourning a loss that was not mine
but yours.
Grieving hurts.

I still love you
but it burns
burns
until I have to take my hand off
the all consuming flame.

My teardrops cannot pay the price,
or eradicate the past in peoples minds
Will I forever be beholden to this guilt that now defines me?
Too many skin graphs to hide the scarred tissue underneath.

All paths lead me back to here.
I'm helpless to watch your ghost
Linger,you still linger.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Inversion of an Introvert

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

E

Inversion of an Introvert

When she speaks, you can feel the poetry pouring out of her soul
And all you can do is stare hopelessly into her eyes and wonder
If you have ever crossed her mind

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Metaphor

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

JP Goss

Metaphor

When my hand passes along your breast
—Your swooning tremors translated—
Done and quiet and motionless
Our appetites full and sated.
Nothing, no passion beats
Nor does heart sing of a bond
Mere means to untied ends
Cursed, that, to never go beyond.
Laying there, as you quake with delight
No feelings that burst
Try as I might
But, jewelry feigned and worn so prettily
Though you are not the first.
Wander oh, Wanderer
Through fields of cut-and-dry
And ponder oh, Ponderer
What it means, her and I.
Feelings professed in autumnal halls’ rain
True Heart’s contents gifted
Turned bed-pleasures again.
Is this then Love?
My mattress stained?
Is this then Love?
To entreat desires again?
My tongues are sincere, motivating that art
Painted with blood
Strained right from my heart.
But, perhaps, mine is a bad art
So prudish, so straight
Where her brushstrokes are cherished
Not the brilliance of her paint
Perhaps, then, I’m chasing
Pure metaphor
To find Love and love
Is what Lust is for,
So, then I lay empty
With misty dreams and starry eyes
My loving hands not deferred
But outright denied.
How can we, in what sense,
In Love’s definition confide?
To prove it’s only a metaphor:
Not literally applied.

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Reflections (What I've Learned In College)

Dec 2013 Holly James Daugherty

Showman

Reflections (What I've Learned In College)

I've learned that happiness
cannot be found in the form of a little
purple capsule.
I've learned that Pisa will have to wait until next time.
I've learned that the third mushroom
held in my sweaty palm was not as
big a deal compared to the other two opening my mind.
I've learned that a part of me
died that night where we ****** in a
room with no furniture.
I've learned that life is work and that
the molotov cocktail of Dubrah and eay mac
that came spewing from me left an orange tang
upon the floor.
I've learned that pain is better than numbness
and that jabbing a sewing needle repeatedly in my arm
was an educated decision.
Most importantly I've learned that together we are better than alone.