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Daybreaks;
A silhouette appears
Barking out loud orders;
Intent to commandeer
The rations provided
A meal of ill content
A smallish tangerine
Slippery when wet
Hustle out the galley
Fall in line and march
Hunger in my belly
Mouth completely parched
Still no sign of enemies
Disseminated plans
Reaching out to the inhabitants
The proprietors of the land
Spread them out, far and wide
Like a shark in shallow waters
Getting swallowed by the tide
All sons and pretty daughters
Hair salons and fingertips
High heeled shoes and bright red lips
In the know, now in the mix
There’s no more time for parlor tricks
Day break walks along the shore
Breaking waves are opened doors
To the sea, a glimpse within
Until the next tide rolls on in
Basking in the suns warm rays
A perfect way to start the day
All while breathing in the salty air
Like no other place can quite compare
I daydream in my daydreams
About the bright light up ahead
That’s even bright when my eyes are shut
Or just lying in my bed
I daydream on a colossal scale
Great goals to reach and more
But the light always shines its brightest when one is on the coastal shore
Daylight comes
Fresh and new
Spread vast over the land with dew
The clouds are scarce
The sky is blue
It’s where lovers love
And the flowers bloom
There’s dazzling colors
In plain sight; view
Offering up
Its sweet perfume
A tear falls from her eye
Thoughts racing in her mind
Pleading to the sky for mercy
Her lovers now passed on
He taught her to be strong
Now she only drinks her wine
when she is thirsty
This helps to ease her pain
For the feelings that remain
A broken heart is still worthy of a mending
In the deep dark dead of night
There’s charcoal colored skies
That suffocates the light, the stars, and fireflies
The atmosphere is crude
In an egocentric mood
An agitator, mischief maker
With something more to prove
Such as a smile lit up in the sky
Or a fluorescent crescent moon
To see and sit back and behold
This panoramic view
Because after all, there’s not much more
You can or cannot do
Dear Departed Friend


Ten years ago today
A good friend passed away
It's not so much he died
But the circumstances at play

I found him lying dead
In a red pool of his blood
He handled his inner demons
The best way that he could

His pain had been released
And was laid to rest in peace
But leaving in his wake
No answers could we reach

He wasn't in poor health
Never asked for any help
He was always in good spirits
Held the aces he was dealt

His demeanor never worsened  
He was a very well liked person
Always offering a hand
Kindness, he was well versed in

It was just the man he was
He smiled just because
Always looking out for others
But he did like a good buzz

He could put away his liquor
A tolerance that never quivered
But even he surpassed his limits
And with gun in hand he pulled the trigger

A disturbing revelation
For his loved ones in the end  
A discerning final memory
Of my dear departed friend
RIP John Paul Carroll. My dear friend. You will never be forgotten.
In a world mired with discontent
You are my salvation
My stroke of grace
My everlasting gobstopper
With honey bees
Suckling at it’s nectar
And hummingbirds flying softer than a whisper
Singing silently for all the wold to hear
My flower
My angel
My dearest of dears
I am aware of how it works
Of how I came to be
Your presence was required
Of this we should agree
For years you were protector
Of fragile cargo so to speak
You brought me with you everywhere
The Shepard with its sheep
Investing time and money
And many sleepless nights
With no manual to speak of
To teach the wrongs and rights
I was fed when I was hungry
I was taught my A, B, C's
I was taught to use the *****
To say "thank you", and "please"
To say "excuse me" when I burped
"God bless you" when you sneezed
Just a general compilation
Of everything I'd need
As the years have passed
I've grown into a man
And I have you to thank
For everything I am
Yes, I still have some rough edges
And mistakes are common place
But the fact is, I'm alive and well
Thanks to your guiding grace
On this day that is so special
I hope it stands above the rest
Know you're loved by all around you
And that you're nothing but the best!
When tomorrow becomes today
Death puts on a crooked grin
You can almost feel his pain
Standing by for mortal sin
Waiting for mistakes
Matters not, who he takes
Always raising stakes
But not for money that men make
Souls are on the line
When it comes time to pay the fine
Inspired by a painting by Gustav Klimt
He was catharsis with his paintings
He creatively reached release
Then he’d infuse it with the paints he used
And he painted what he pleased
Whether landscapes or a portrait
Or an abstract just the same
All express emotions
Like the love, the joy, the pain
I tend to sink
When off the boat
I cannot swim
I cannot float
I cannot cough
To clear my throat
So I circle down the drain
Like driftwood in the rain
Flooded waters high enough
To touch the weathervane
Yet deep enough
To call my bluff
At the facts that still remain
Abundant clouds
And distant ships
Alone on empty seas
No sun yet in the morning sky
A calmness, without breeze
No sails deployed
The waters flat
Cool, calm, and serine
The crews asleep
As silence looms
Deep within a dream
A defiant man
Closes his door under lock and key
Sits down in his chair and broods
A version of three moods
As a fly wizzes by his ear
Which sets into motion a 5th gear
Over the top
Cannot be stopped
With a gleam like shine
Twinkling in his eye
Only bad news
Unpaid dues
And an cankering to tear you apart
When miserable feels good
It’s gone way beyond being misunderstood
Just a creature born into this world
To scrummage and scowl
Bark and howl
At a moon that’s second to none
Doing its thing behind the back of the sun
And below it, a society echoes its vibe
To a new unwelcomed tribe
Held together by only angst
And a hunger to reap its rewards
Then dispose of the carnage
Into a sea of deadly parts
Deep
Deep into the abyss
Forever
In the holiday spirit
Impressive blue hues
Over breathtaking views
In leu of small clues
Of yesterday’s news
Predicting the weather
From small drops of dew
A pair of old shoes
That the laces are chewed
Thrown in the waste-bin
For something that’s new
To feel the same thing again
As if I had déjà vu
Delicate notions of momentary bliss
The unbridled anticipation of a summer eves kiss
The empowering feeling crossing goals off your list
Or not wanting to change anything if given just one wish
A heart of a tiger
The will to persist
If nothing gets lost
Does nothing get missed?
Filling a void
Feelings suppressed
Pounding the pavement
Beating my chest
For generations to follow
Who’ve flown from their nest
All it encompasses
And all it protects
From abusive behavior
To just plain neglect
It’s a face with a voice
Demanding respect
We mustn’t do away
With exuberant minds
That depict or portray
Behind heartfelt lines
And leave when the current
Has washed love aside
Crashing and splashing
Receding with tides
Twisting and turning
Filled with new life
While slicing and dicing
With a serrated knife
Deep within the childs eyes
Forms the tears the child cries
Hidden in the deepest woods
That acts as safety in disguise
The pain seen, goes unrealized
The victim in a senseless crime
That leaves the child traumatized
Worse for wear and desensitized
Near the shores of oceans
I surrender my devotion
Where seagulls rest upon a stoop
A singularly notion
Crevices where sands attached
Puts lotion on the skin
Often broken down; detached
Committing mortal sin
I miss the roar of the crowd
The feel and the sound
The viewing of sports
All the year round
I miss the steal and the dunk
Fans getting drunk
The swish out from three
From the top of the key
I miss the dive and the catch
I’ve grown so attached
Go away virus
I feel so detached
Devastation
Can’t comprehend
The fallout of these people’s land
Black smoke rising
Makes no sense
No enemies
No self defense
Just havoc
Without precedents
Explosive measures
Explosive times
Prayers be answered
For these peoples lives
This has to do with the Beirut explosion
‪We could sleep away the day‬
‪On the bed on which we lay‬
‪In comfort, me knowing that you’re there ‬
‪I could tell you little lies ‬
‪And you could act surprised ‬
‪And end it, with the flipping of your hair‬
‪We’d both be in the ****‬
‪Acting deviant and lewd ‬
‪While not giving a single iota of care‬
I could whisper in your ear
Close my eyes and disappear
While you’re telling me how life just isn’t fair
I’ll do what I must
If love’s turned into lust
But I will not act as though I’m in despair
Lay your head upon my lap
And take your precious nap
But just remember, that life isn’t always fair
Never in love or war
Has it happened once before
Where the enemy, was set free, and spared
But if these moments should arise
I’d still claim you as my prize
Because you’re my every breath, my oxygen, my air
I got artists hands
I got artists feet
I got no surrender
I got no retreat
Like Jack, I grew a beanstalk
Using magic seeds

Don’t stand in my way
I got some place to be
There’s no telling where I can go
Or who I can be
Or help me go where I want to go
If I only just believe

I spent time in the devils corner
But never once knew defeat
Looking back over my shoulder
For the ones who were chasing me
Now every time when I come around
They’re taking me more seriously
Because they know that I’m on fire
I combust spontaneously

So don’t stand in my way
I got some place to be
There’s no telling where I can go
Or who I can meet
To help me go where I want to go
If I only just believe

Took out the devils daughter
I asked her to marry me
Devil said “I’m going to get my gun
They’ll find you dead mysteriously”
Took her across the border
Chasing after both our dreams
Now this might sound a little peculiar
But nothing is as it seems

So don’t stand our way
We got some place to be
There’s no telling where we can go
Or who we can be
Or help us go where we want to go
If we only just believe

Had a baby with the devils daughter
Named her Angeline
Had her christened in holy water
Took up a new philosophy
Raised my hands up to the clouds
Screamed out victoriously
Said “I’m an artist from down below
Is there someone there that I can speak?”
God looked me in the eye
Said, “Son, you’re a freak!”

“I wouldn’t stand in your way
You’ve  got some place to be
There’s no telling what you can do
Or who you can be
Tell me where you want to go
But I recommend you come sit next to me”

Woke up the next morning
Back in New Orleans
And the girl sleeping in my bed
Was the ugliest thing I’d ever seen
And that’s when I said to myself
“That’s the last time I ever drink!”
It was all just a dream.
No idea where this came from. But had fun writing it.
Looking down the barrel
Of the devils horns and fire
I couldn’t pull the trigger
But I knew what it would require
So I thought about what happened
Not yesterday, but prior
Which allowed me to refocus
And regain my desire
In which turn; regardless
Your situation’s dire
I played a ****** on a fiddle
I plucked a concert harp
To play melodies that strike a cord
And see if there’s a spark
A connection to your ear and heart
Until you can’t tell the two apart
A symphony of both sight and sound
A perfect work of art
He told me not to worry
But that he was out of cash
We stumbled in a hurry
In an attempted dine and dash
We made it to the hotel
As well, did the police
Remind me not to dine and dash
In the Middle East
Disbelief by what we can see with eyes
Or what our brain constructs; contrives
Reality then splits; divides
Into a realm of oneiric dreams
What we perceive as a mirage
Is in fact, pieces of a grand montage
Resorting to both **** and dodge
Euphoric pandemonium
The world’s in disarray

But, be it as it may

The earth still spins around

Despite the poor display

Where hate now reigns supreme

Instead of chasing after dreams

Where colors can divide

And nothing’s black and white,

Only gray

Be it as it may
Discovery in the ocean air
Seagulls taking flight
Waiting on the rising tide
Before calling it a night
To sit or stand
On hot beach sand
While avoiding things that bite
It’s the sound of waves
The hot suns rays
That make the moment right
Distance stands between us
The time is growing near
That I'll get to hold my sweetheart
My darling, my dear
There's excitement running through me
There's a skip in every step
My smiles' worn for all to see
Until my hearts content
Time has become a blessing now
When I thought it to be a curse
I'm unsure how this will all play out
But in my mind its been rehearsed
My anticipation is off the charts
That my beloved should now appear
It's like nothing I've encountered
Not once in all my years
The joy I feel is boundless
Yet it still hasn't reached its peak
I'm certain to approach its limits
Once our two hearts finally meet
To try and describe this feeling
Words just seem so obsolete
For emotion is heard its loudest
When ones heart skips a beat
I picture fireworks and neon lights
Yet nothing so discrete
That moment that our eyes do fix
I'll know what it’s like to be complete.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder
Not too near, but over yonder
Longing to wrap you in my arms
And woo you with my boyish charm

Whisper words of sweet delight
The essence of how how I feel
Under skies of pale moonlight
In hopes to seal the deal

These are the dreams I have at night
My heart you’ve gotten hold
Dancing in poetic form
Is something to behold

I soak in your attendance
Your spoken words like music to my ears
But, my dreams only seem to fade away
When reality draws near

You’re far into the distance
Across the hemisphere
So I’ll bow my head in silent jest
And wipe away my tears

Until the day I can hold your hand
Till I can look you in your eyes
Although you are so far away
Please know that you’re my prize
I am perplexed; distraught
About the violence in my home
When guns are turned on children
Yet it somehow feels condoned
There’s nothing being done
The laws are still unfit
We need to speak up now, and loud, and never ever quit
Lest not forget the forgotten soul
That scours the land on the green grassy knoll
The one that waged war on everything we've ever known
And puts beliefs in question that hinders how we grow
Paired with the unknown soldier
Chiseled bold on stone
No eagles soaring high above or perched upon their thrones
Could easily go unnoticed
Or even once be overthrown
No dolphin heard with sonar
The gnarling undertone
Not by land or by sea
Could breach our waged steel armory
Of the land that's in my heart and such a great big part of me
Mountains may crumble
Volcanoes; erupt
But the song for our freedom
We mustn't disrupt
For men have died for every letter of each and every verse
Written and inscribed
On our constitution's purse
Since the day that we arrived
Our nations songs' been sung
Forming echoes along our greatest plains
As one resounding voice ....
The free, the proud, the brave.
Feeling a little patriotic
He had a voracious appetite
They were fearful for their lives
His gaping maw consumed their thoughts
Until they all broke out in hives
He had a mongrels disposition
A dog without a home
But all he really wanted
Was a place to put his bone
How do we change who we are?

The perception of yourself, from everywhere; near or far.

I've searched inward.
I had hoped something would jump out at me, but it did not.

If I could remember what I've forgotten, it would help thicken the plot..

I look at peoples ****** expressions as I gauge my retort.

I see disappointment in their faces, for something as trivial as the way I hold a fork.

I have a basic comprehension of how the world works.

I am often too difficult to read and come off as a ****.

I am quiet when there isn't much to say.

So I listen, and wait.

I ponder what I can add to any scenario or situation.

But I first have to rise above all my own mediocre expectations.

I pretend to be comfortable in the company of others.
Maybe it shows through?

There are many questions I ask myself, yet I get few answers.

What is it that separates you and I?

Where does the respect that people have for one another come from?

Where does it go?

What sets us apart?

Is it our upbringing?
Is it derived at birth?
Is our destiny laid before us, for all the years we walk the earth?

For my beliefs, I need permission
Wishing
Wishing never comes to fruition.

I enjoy my quiet, but often times gets dull.

Too much time spent thinking,
Can make one want to crack some skulls

What's wrong with me?

I say, "What's right with me?"

All anyone ever wants is acceptance,
Mixed with a little common decency.

Treating me as I treat you all in good harmony.

Synchronized in thought and sending out only good vibes.

A give and a take.

A Yin and a Yang.

Not the spewing of words.

Words spoken or not spoken; proper, or slang.

Just a general, fundamental statement to let us know we maintain .

Some acknowledgement.

We may inevitably, some day, drown in a pool of our own self pity.

But we do.

We do feel sorry for ourself.
"Poor me, can't ever catch a break."

Never made aware of it, until it's too late.

Dashing off, never to be seen again,
Like a high school prom date.

The ups and downs.
The highs and lows.
Bare naked to the world.
Totally exposed.
Underneath my color, coordinated clothes.

Knowing, isn't always the answer.

Doing, is.

Do it.

Just do it.

Let yourself win.
Don’t Be That Guy


I used to have a thing for you
With hair jet black and eyes of blue
I may have had a drink or two
What was it that you said I’d do?
I can’t remember, but hope is here
As we circle around the hemisphere
Don’t be that guy, don’t be that dude
You’ve got it wrong
He’s black and blue
Nothing could be done, just gloom
He had to go and be rescued
Instead I feel complacent and completely Misconstrued
There’s nowhere left to run and hide
When two worlds collide
Just time left to say goodbye
Wiping tears away from eyes
As a race we did some good
We even landed on the moon
But alas, we all went quietly
One doomsday afternoon
‪Just a simple moment ‬
‪That any two can share‬
‪Just a subtle notion‬
‪To let you know they care‬
‪Be it a friendly gesture ‬
‪Or a spoken word of praise‬
‪Can span the entire test of time‬
‪Just from uttering a phrase‬
‪Be kind, and give from the heart
Let us stand together
Even though we are apart
Inspired by a soldier overseas in full gear, handing an Arabic child a red ball which in turn, inspired me to write this piece
They deny prying eyes
Built stern for their aim
The protectors of secrets
Of the unknown; unexplained
Crafted with purpose
To conceal what’s inside
Taking painstaking hours
Through hard work and pride
There’s no flaws that you’ll find
In its build or design
Or opportunity given
To see what’s behind
A key is their master
In command and control
The determining factor
Of what’s revealed or exposed
Without it, it’s hopeless
Left to ponder and stare
And wonder what ever happened
To the duplicate; spare
Unlock the doors of perception
Open up your minds eye
Let imagination consume your thoughts
And do, instead of try
Take the leap
The fall runs deep
Further from the sky
Feel release
Say your peace
Then wait for a reply
When an echo’s heard
Help spread the word
May God be on your side
Succeed or fail
Won’t tip the scale
Nor will it decide
On your set course
By means of force
But I forget the reasons why
Nonetheless
We still progress
As we take it all in stride
I choose the double edge sword
On my own accord
Bend through the air unscathed
The wind fights hard
So avant-garde
Yet still, it harnesses the rain
The sword is meant to disenchant
The strength of a never mentioned plant
But what it’s meant to do, it can’t
So loosen up the reigns
I’m an utter disappointment
A letdown through and through
I’ve meandered through existence
Avoiding my own truth
I stare into the mirror
As if I needed visual proof
Of a living, breathing, disaster
Of someone I thought I knew
Don’t reach out to me, I’m hopeless
I’ve been so since my youth
Wasting my short existence
I hope, will conclude at some point soon
I’m too cowardly to end it all
I’m just waiting for my cue
To take the plunge into eternity
And end my doom and gloom
All the fight has left me
I’m in a constant state of blue
With not much energy to speak of
I’ve lost the will to do
To explore the world with wonder
For a new perspective; point of view
Everything seems meaningless
I’m withdrawn, I withdrew
Nothing new that life can teach me
Unless forbidden or taboo
I’m void of any passion
Nothing to inspire too
I’m confused as to why I’m still on earth
Simply howling at the moon
Just as a crying baby would
Fresh out of the womb
Adventures down by the lake
Vast beauty to behold
Crystal clear blue waters
Lush green trees, so vibrant; bold
Great mountain view’s
That reach their peaks
At one with nature
Calm; serene
In a peaceful state of mind
With every inch in tact; pristine
Down by the river shore
Where old tales come alive
It sends shivers down my spine
And dreams wither up and die
There’s a story of a lovely woman
That rises from deep depths
And grants fishermen’s wishes
That are seldom ever kept
She whispers little lies
That the fishermen want to hear
And she works on their emotions
That often stem from fear
Her beauty is seductive
Her powers well in tune
To men that come from all around
But leave us way too soon
She promises them good fortune
That they’d catch fish as big as whales
But let this be a warning;
A cautionary tale
Her veins are filled with venom
Her heart rotten to its core
She’ll gobble up all the weak
And be still left wanting more
So beware of where you cast your hooks
In lakes, rivers, and streams
And be sure not to underestimate
The secrets that men keep
Down by the river, I forgot all about the time

Kept thinking about all the love I couldn’t find

I could never put myself out on the line

Couldn’t look a woman straight into her eyes

My chances came and I watched them all go bye

Could be all I can do is tell you lies
Be it alexithymia;
Emotions without words
Or “Toska”, meaning
Anguish
The pain felt is absurd
Melancholy offerings
To help the devil ween the herd
Often go unnoticed
But sometimes it’s preferred
To hide amongst the shadows
Where the silence goes unheard
And can lead to new beginnings
Or new expenses just incurred
To the downfall of an empire
Where all reality is blurred
At first we headed west
But we weren’t that impressed
So we decided to go east
But we wound up in the streets
So we ended up down south
In a town I can’t pronounce
Standing in a field of shredded wheat
Down the bridges walkway
To the land of the unknown
The sky grows dark and cloudy
Shaped as skeleton and bones
Something evil this way comes
The air is still and cold
Someone that crosses that bridge
Must be daring, mad, or both
I wouldn’t walk in there
If I wore an invisibility cloak
In the haunted forest
Where life is but a joke
A belly full of liquor
Rags for clothes on back
The homeless and downtrodden
Are under an attack
Rested, uneasy, on grass under the sun
Saving all their strength, for the night to come
Little food, and an unquenched thirst
They’re Impoverished, but they’re human first
Poor decisions made, and down on their luck
Has led them down the path they took
A good hot meal goes a very long way
To being more a human, than they are today
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