Off to stay at the bungalow
Come rain, or sleet, or snow
That’s the place we always go
When Summertime comes around
A Long tumultuous trip
To get there just passed dusk
With lakes and streams
And front porch swings
And metal turned to rust

Singeing and burning
It bleeds through my chest
Just a heartbeat away
As only love would suggest
The wanting and yearning
Building burning empires
No escaping the flames
Like moths to the fire
Whether hellbound or godly
Your love still inspires
Wicked and lusting
My every desire

Like the sun I burn within
Hidden behind a wholesome grin
But the flames that reach their highest
Mask a world that’s downright grim
And the spark that lit the fire
Is wrapped around a life of sin
I’m not sure where it began
Or where even to begin
To tell a tale so dim
It’ll clock you on your chin
With morbid story lines
Thought up on a whim
Whether fat or thin
It doesn’t matter
Or the color of your skin
It all gets written down
Then thrown inside a bin
Because who is to say who loses?
And who’s to say who wins?
The yang to my yin
It’s all moving so fast
That it’ll make your head spin
Whether friend or foe
Or your next of kin
A distant relative
Or your Siamese twin
It doesn’t matter where you’re going
Or even where you’ve been
It’ll all come back around again
Until you pop it with a pin

She bid me a fond farewell
Said she’d kiss and tell
Just to see me sweat and squirm
She wasn’t very nice
But I was still enticed
And wasn’t all that too concerned
She had no valid proof
Must be she’s aloof
All while driving over bridges that she burned

Multicolored ***** of air
Steady floating everywhere
Buoyant; seeing double
Life inside a bursting bubble
Clear reflective mirror image
Of a town, or a small village
Until it pops, oh, the joy
For every little girl and boy

My death might not mean much to you
But it’s affected many lives
I’ve been waiting for my day
Since the moment I arrived
Although it seemed inevitable
For a time I felt immune
Never for a second
Did I think I’d die too soon
I imagined I would grow old
That my body would decay
I’d struggle standing on my legs
I’d have some aches and pains
But I didn’t know the magnitude
Of day after day after day
So in a sense I feel relieved
Although not overjoyed
In a life of ups and downs
I leave behind a void
I was a cousin and a nephew
A son who lost his way
But only to be found again
Now standing center stage
The lights were bright and blinding
Heaven sent its shine
Even if it’s not your belief
Don’t criticize what’s mine
You know as much as I do
You may think that you know more
And I’d push you to continue
To research and explore
I believed in optimism
Perspective coincides
I believe it to be criminal  
To be deprived of time
The essence of our purpose
Existence to maintain
After all we’re only human
Not little drops of rain

No outgoing ships or flights
The highways are insane
Our only other option
Is to travel by a train
It’s imperative we get there
Our presence is a must
Even though it’s been several years
And we were nearly out of touch
It’s still the right thing to do
Even if it’s not much
And family, is family
Hence, the need to rush

Around the bend, down by the creek
Are a multitude of ducks and geese
Gathered around by sunsets peak
Golden skies without words to speak
Just picturesque silhouettes
Before the day is through
And a healthy appreciation
Of my panoramic view

If it were only for a kiss
Together with your face and lips
I’d let it all fall by the wayside
When I got what I wished
And although it would be missed
It’s still high up on my list
To give her space
And comfort for the void

He begged her to stay quiet
He had a lot to lose
He gave an ultimatum
An honest chance to choose
She chose a lavish lifestyle
Loud pocketbooks and shoes
He had plans to trick her
An elaborate, calculated ruse
But the tension grew too heavy
What if he’s accused!?
For pushing her off the building
Then blaming it on the boos
He took some time to ponder
What on earth to do
Then he made up, in his mind
To never tell the truth

The eerie silence
The calm before the storm
The trees swaying in the distance
Much just like the norm
Then a steady rumble
The ground moves under my feet
Witnessing such power
That’s both impressive and elite
The trembling in the valleys
Things begin to shake
Just before you realize
It’s just another quake

An amber horizon
Felt in a warm summers glow
Over calm waters
That shimmer and flow
Feeling calm and serine
Like a midsummer nights dream
Taking deep breath‘s
Coming forth; coming clean
As the wind whispers secrets
unfiltered

Flowers in her hair
Roses on the table
I’d give her the world
If I were rich and able

Love with everything you are
Stay away from drama
Dinner under candlelight
Complete with candelabra

Crickets in the quiet night
Wishing on a star
I grow silent as the autumn air
Captured in a jar
On to a winters eve
As December rears it’s head
With snowfall within hands reach
Nothing more need be said

Rise up high, or sink below
What you need, to succeed
Is what everyone should know
In the scorching heat around us
Or in the ice and snow
A master and his passion
Still leaves room to grow

In the eyes of an owl
In the lions heart and soul
The lion roars
The eagle soars
And the raven finds its crow

From the setting sun in the distance
The orange, yellow, and golds
Captured here in a moments time
Though it has no place to go

Nothing really matters
Anyone one of us can see
I came so close to drowning
That’s how angels earn their wings

Few out there shares my interests
I’m lonely and estranged
Everyone is different
Yet somehow all the same

When one of us is hurting
When it’s just too much to bare
Ask for help, and you will see  
Just how many of us care.

Your arms spread out before me
Wind, running through your hair
Living only for the moment
Without a single care
Soaking up the suns bright rays
Feel the warmth upon your face
A day like today, you want to share
With the entire human race

I let it win
It took control
I held it without letting go
It held me back
The fear surpassed
The closing act
To events of past
I gathered strength
I forged ahead
Continued on with life instead
I carried on
With scars as proof
Now just faded events
Of a forgotten youth

I had hoped you’d reconsider
Hoped you’d pause to give it thought
But you did the deed incessantly
Without fear of getting caught
You had my admiration
For your disobedient carte blanche
For your unrelenting nature
And the thrill of sabotage

I’ve raised the bar on expectations
I’m carving out my niche
I have so much more to learn
But some things I can teach
It’s the discovery of my wisdom
And the changes that come with age
It’s the tempering of my fire
And the suppression of my rage
My uncontrollable desire
To turn another page
In the book of life
Where nothing stays the same
And the only thing left to do
Is to welcome in the change

A casual encounter
To share a drink or two
At the local café
Where there’s coffee freshly brewed
A fine way to start the day
In a weekend mood
A casual encounter
Could be me and you

The crack of the whip
Doesn’t sit well
With whiskers or kittens
Or a cat-o’-nine-tails
Leather and laughter
In a distinct frenzied smell
Wrapped up in ribbons
In a hard candy shell
Was it an omen
Or can’t you tell
If it was more of an archway
Than a gateway to hell

Sees the birds
On the outside porch
Cat let’s nature
Take its course
Predator and prey alike
Know not when
It’s time to strike
Teeth are sharp
Their eyes are keen
Vicious when
They feel the need
Fierce and quick
Reflexes sound
Much softer than
A cats meow

She had a tear in her eye
Her lips parched and dry
His hands were red as a ruby
He’d been caught in a lie
Yet, he tried to deny
That he wasn’t in love with another young beauty
Her anger was just
Lost over lust
As if a plot to her own twisted movie
She believed in their trust
It was an absolute must
Now going forward, she’ll have to be more choosy

Those cemetery gates
Iron bars of wrought
Climbed over by hooligans
Some of them, they caught
Others, they went missing
Never to return
Some say they were eaten
Others say they’re in hell getting burned

Ironically, your position
Is a blatant contradiction
To the cosmic coming of a brand new day
With your history and tradition
I’m no competition
And your curtain call beckons you to center stage

Costume jewelry
Beads and pearls
A pretty gown
A twist
A twirl
A million ways
To right the world
Let’s start with number one
Let’s dissipate all fears
I’m open to ideas
On what to do to change the way things are
Whether near or far
Wishing on a star
Praying that it won’t leave a scar as proof
Proof that it was here
For many many years
They tell us what we want to hear
Just not the truth
The staging is all set
Moving forth without regret
While it’s prevalent
And I’m somewhat in my youth
When the damage has been done
And the stars replace the sun
That will allow us to regroup and recoup

I’m witty and contrite
It’s true I am quite daft
With a charming sense of humor
And a plethora of laughs

Boyish good looks
Intelligence in spades
Ambitious as they come
It’s true I got it made

Living for the fun of it
In every kind of way
Minute after minute
Living for today

And if tomorrow comes
I’ll be there for the race
Send me off to college
Or into outer space

I can be an astronaut
The stars to which I pray
Our galaxy, the universe
Vanished without a trace

I can make you happy
When we’re face to face
There’s no other way around it
The thrill is in the chase

And when I contemplate it
The suspect in a cage
It makes me feel nostalgic
Way back in the day

I try to be convincing
Read what’s on the page
A steaming locomotive
Superseded by the train

My heartbeat pumping fast
Allow me to explain
But first let’s grab a drink
I didn’t catch your name

Tell me all your secrets
I’ll prove you’re not insane
My heart, it goes unwanted
Do you feel the same?

I’ll never cheat or harm you
You’re deserving of only praise
You’ve made a real impression
Inducted to the hall of fame

In the morning solitude
There’s calm before the storm
Prior to the noise and ruckus
Staying true to form
High-rises on steroids
Traffic on the streets
Crowded in the subways
Wash, rinse, and repeat
There’s no winner of a battle
That’s never met defeat
Unless of course you battle
And ultimately cheat

Cherries, berries, nuts, and cream
Dipped in chocolate, what a dream
Milk, and sugar, and cocoa butter
Chocolate tastes, like no other
Some will say that vanilla’s better
They need to get their act together
Cold, or hot, or melted down
Chocolate’s king, and wears the crown

We crafted out of snow
A man of seven feet
A carrot for his nose
His eyes were two small beets
We used raisins for his smile
Two sticks for his arms
He donned a scarf and top hat
As if to keep him warm
He was given last a corn pipe
So he looked debonair
Needless to say, on this special day
There’s Christmas in the air

Wash away the dirt
The remnants
The grime
Beautify with cleanliness
And a hint of lemon/lime
Breakdown it’s construction
It’s greasy residue
Then ask yourself with all honesty
How does this apply to you?

He saw it clear as day
Even in the night
Visualizing everything
He aimed to bring to light
Each step he had to take
Grasping, holding tight
To the promises he made
After putting up a fight
With a goal to be achieved
When it seems nothing’s going right
Or when doubters; non believers
Disregard you out of spite
That’s when things get clearest
That’s when dreams take flight
Then putting pen to paper
Turning into a passion overnight
When all ideas flow freely
With whichever hand you write
And with a flicker of a finger
We watch it all ignite

They form
Then falter
Then float away
Then dissipate
In shades of gray
Constantly changing
Never the same
The producer of shadows
We tend to call shade
Hovering up and about
The hoarders of rain
They’re what we’re sad to see go
But are happy they came

Along the road to the unknown
Under cloudless skies
Free to venture on alone
Without question or disguise
Strangers come and strangers go
Come day or come night
In our hearts we’re still guided home
When the moment feels just right

‪Multicultural hands at arms‬
‪Come together to form a bond ‬
‪Nonjudgmental; colorblind ‬
‪Is exactly where we aim to strive‬
‪These are our sisters‬
‪And our brothers‬
‪That come from dads‬
‪And worried mothers‬
‪Across our nation‬
‪Across the land ‬
‪Arm in arm‬
‪Hand in hand‬

People just want to be free
People like you and me
To hear what we’ve got to say
Exercising our freedom of speech
I don’t think it’s too much to ask
I don’t think it’s much of a reach
With our own radical ideas
Our own poignant philosophies
We need less political stages
We need more dancing in streets
More messages of peace
While ending police brutality
For fear of being taken under siege

Wake up, stand up and fight
Know the laws of the land
Know your God given rights
Separated we don’t stand a chance
People of the world unite
No more stories of victims at large
Dead cause they got shot up on sight
No more running around scared
Separated by black and white
We need unity
Unity
Unity
Unity
That’s right!


By Jason Klenetsky

He achieved very little
Never went for the win
He’d much rather snuggle up
With a bottle of gin
He wore matching boots
Come rain or come shine
But he rarely wore pants
Due to way too much wine

Words are in my comfort zone
My home away from home
When written they can convey
And express what’s the unknown
Whatever it is we’re feeling
Or sentiments not shown
Dispersing all of my emotions
But not with speech or tone
If only to make connections
So as not to feel alone
And harness all of my energy
To which I’m seldom prone

Fired it, desired it,
Put you in your place
Riot, don’t fight it,
A punch to the face
Movement, you blew it,
Your mind in outer space
Write it, defy it,
Rattled in cage
Flaunt it, report it,
On the front page
Deny it, provide it,
With minimum wage
Correct it, deflect it,
An outpour of rage
Plan it, contain it,
My life’s rearranged
Confront it, restore it,
The best way to gage
Mask it, enhance it,
Act out on stage
Collect it, pretend it,
Coming of age
Own it, disown it,
Become disengaged
Force it, explore it,
In need of some change.
Mend it, ignore it,
That’s not how I was raised

A new coming of age
When you feel you’ve been betrayed
By the person you love most
Putting you in a fit of rage
We formed a bond we built on trust
Now I’m curled up in disgust
I can’t look you in the eye
But I have to, and I must

I’ve been coming under scrutiny
For starting up a mutiny
Before, I never had the time

I preached about our unity
And sought out my immunity
For never failing to commit a crime

I looked in your direction
You drew out my attention
And ever since
I want you to be mine

Take your time, don’t answer
Be my private dancer
Until one day
You up off and resign

Then I’ll play my favorite solo
Pay the final total
And everything will all work out just fine

Sometimes separation’s good
To alleviate dissension
Walking away is best
Helps to dissolve the tension
Opinions can be fact or fiction
Make you mad; send you off into another dimension
That’s just how it is
There are no restrictions
Best to be the better man
If you know the distinction