I remember you well
at the halfway hotel
dusty corduroy ragged
shambling shoes smiling
toothless and untethered.

You, shop door keeper
sidewalk sleeper
a torrent of tall tales
and misery sweet
You, invisible to those
who see beauty 
in possessions alone
while all you possess
hangs in blue plastic noose
from your weathered hand.

Me, the bearer of bread
hot soup for the soul
and soft blanket warmth.
We settle together
to watch the world wane
You tell me your story
hushed tones as sun sets
homeowner to street roamer
family man to castaway
as an eye blinked
and winter frosts left their bloom.

We shared our love of Cohen
as the stars forged the sky
you sang a little
with tobacco rough lungs
the sweetest sound
mixed with bitter tears
picking through all that remains
in the ashes of your life.

You thanked me for kindness
grateful for a chance at visibility
your gratitude reciprocated
by the impression left upon my heart
your face forever summoned
by Leonards finest song
I remember you well
at the halfway hotel...

When did life become the new Hollywood
and us actors playing a part
Who's directing what used to be a blockbuster
Which is now quickly becoming a flop

Who wrote this screenplay anyways
Possibly Stephen King?
Who taught us how and what to say
All these lines of make believe

Who holds up the Cue cards and hollers out action,
quiet on the set we're about to begin
Who chooses the leading ladies
and picks out the leading men

When was it most of us became stand ins
filling up space and time
Not even mentioned in the credits
A bit part in this life

By just surviving the daily we all should get Oscars
No matter the part we play
When did life become the new Hollywood
That my friend is hard to say

Tightly curled
leaves gracefully unfurl from their
grey cocoons into beautiful pastel shaded lime.
It's a surprise when used to 
the barren, pre-spring wilderness
to be ****** into the flourish
of fertility.

Golden calm flows through me as the glittered dragonfly's frame and fairy wings buzz over pooled Monet oil.

I swirl the loose skin
of my forehead like the swirls
of stars, in weariness of the world.
My lashes beaded with drops,
from the shower that I was to tired
to dry, blur my vision like the floating boat clouds which blur
the moon to a
wisp
of smoke.
I lie, wet in my towel uncaring that
my body is forming a silhouette
of shadowed dampness on
my bed.

There is a young Lady in Scotland
who was as shy as can be.
Shy Sye had a difficult time
saying Hi or Bye.
It would just make you cry.

A challenge went out
for she would not shout...
with her eyes
"Here I am. I see you."
or
"Can you see me?"
Then she raised her eyes
And was pleasantly surprised
when she found some friends
who spoke with their eyes.
and
she did not suffer the bends.

Decompression can be painful
When coming from deep within
and letting go of all the fears
of  "safety" of where you have been.

But out she came
with doubt and fears
Maybe almost tears...
To find a new world.
In the rush of it all
She is now walking tall.

And now the rest of the story
will be told, moment by moment
day by day...
Until she becomes who she
wants to be... a therapist...
Helping others in their need.
Where she will put it to the test.

Shy Sye is now (soon to be) Happy Sye.

Congratulations My Dear Sye!!

Christina was with friends
schoolgirls like her
and she saw me

coming across
the sports field
she left them

and met me
and I heard them
cackle like hens

I’d turned down
Reynard's game
of football

to be there
what's tickling
their fancy?

I asked
nodding
towards the girls

on the field
O you know
what girls are like

any juicy bit
of gossip
to bite on

what gossip is that?
about the gym
and us the other day

she said
and that prefect
turfing us out

O that
I said
looking at her eyes

seeing worlds there
I wish I was in your year
she said

then I
would be leaving school
this year

instead of next
shouldn't wish
your life away

or before you know it
you'll be an old lady
with grey hair

and wrinkles
God forbid
she said smiling

we walked up
the field together
she talked

of her parent's rowing
and her mother's moods
and how her big brother

had  done things
but then she broke off
and talked

of the girl in her class
who thought
she was dying

because she had
started to bleed
during P.E

we got to fence
which separated
the field from the road

where cars and lorries
were going by
she looked back

at the field
we don't get
enough time together

she said
you being
in a village

miles away
and I living
in this boring town

at least we do
see each other
I said

not enough
of each other though
she said

her lips stopped
and parted slightly
I gazed at her

for a few moments
taking in her eyes
and lips

that kiss
in the gym
she said

that could have
led somewhere
could it?

I said
yes it may
she said

BENNY
someone called my name
across the field

who the heck is that?
she said
my mate Reynard

I said
what's he want?
football game I expect

you're not going
to play football
are you?

she said
I waved away Rolland
indicating I wasn't playing

and he ran off
with other boys
towards the goals

on the other end
of the field
she looked at the boys

kicking a ball around
never understand boys
she said

what do they see
in kicking a ball about?
never mind them

I said
we have limited
time together

she nodded
and she looked back
at the field seeing

who was nearby
and who was who
then she came

close to me
and kissed me
her lips warm

and wet
skin on skin
tongues touched

a fire like sense
raced along
my nerves

I closed my eyes
and so did she
and we were

in places
and positions
in our minds

where
we wanted
to be.