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2.9k · Mar 2015
Guilt
Julian C Jaynes Mar 2015
Do you truly know
Yourself? Look in a mirror.
How long can you stare?
Everyone else has a haiku. Why not?
Julian C Jaynes Dec 2021
For a portion of my life I’ve lived
Inside this little box
Where everything I do is safe
And this tragic life can rock
But fate, it seems, had other plans
And took it in her wake
And now I sit, weak and exposed
And feel like a mistake
I can’t seem to remember now
A time when life was good
The future gets no brighter
Only harder to endure
I miss my box, where everything
Was perfect and exact
Where nothing was ever scary
Where nothing ever attacked.
So as I curl up in a ball
And let the fear sink in
Don’t pity me, nor rescue
….. for I fear I’m dead within.
1.5k · Feb 2015
True Friend
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
If you're ever feeling sad
If you're ever feeling down
If you ever cease to smile
And you begin to frown.

If you're ever feeling lonely
If you're ever feeling blue...
Just know that I'm right here
And I'm willing to help you.
Often there are people all around us wishing to help us with whatever problems we may have, and we overlook them or shrug them off.
1.3k · Feb 2015
Society
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
We're building a snowman
And it's not going well.
The snow just won't pack
And nobody will help.

It's cold and it's wet.
The ground underneath's muddy.
And we're sitting here wishing
That instead it was sunny.

The neighbor kids come
Saying they want to play
But only as long as
We do it their way.

They kick the snow 'round
And start a big fight.
Shove our faces in snow
'Til they're all white.

When we ran away,
They screamed, "No fair!"
"That's not in the rules!
You must stand there."

They kick down our snowman
And when we start crying,
They make Boo-Hoo faces,
And tell us, "Stop whining!"

The sun starts setting.
They all are called home.
We are left standing
In snow-dust alone.

Oh, we hate those darned neighbors
And their kind of fun.
From now on, we decide
How our happiness is run.
I tried to write this one as a metaphor. Often in the world, we seek help from others, only to have them tell us how we're doing it wrong. Then, they step in and show us the "right" way, often destroying something that makes us happy, and spit in our face when we become upset about the way they run things. Every man should be left to himself.
1.1k · Mar 2015
Good Ol' Bobby
Julian C Jaynes Mar 2015
There once was a man named Bobby
Who was bored and needed a hobby
He sat there and pondered
He thought, and he wondered
But nothing came to him all day.

So Bobby decided to write
But none of his words came out right.
His thoughts tossed and turned
And his first drafts, he burned
Because he felt his work was trite.

Suddenly, the room filled with flames
And he knew his first drafts were to blame
He tried to escape
But he was too late
And soon he screamed with pain.

He died later on that day
And his story goes on to say
Take pride in your work
And all of its quirks
Or soon you will leave the same way.
I tend to believe that our harshest critics are ourselves, and that we must learn to overcome that terrible voice in our heads, or else we'll never do what we love.
993 · Apr 2015
On Suicide
Julian C Jaynes Apr 2015
A friend tried to die.
He tried to escape the iron grip of life.
But he failed.
We managed to get to him in time.
We "saved" him.
He sat in a room for a day,
Coughing.
Retching.
Crying.
He was reduced to nothing more than a sack of flesh,
Only staying alive
Because the human body has an astounding capacity
For forcing you to live, above all else.
As I drew closer, he feebly reached out,
Squeezed my hand,
And held on as he proceeded to apologize.
It was all I could do not to cry.
Later, they shipped him out for rehabilitation.
They gave him drugs.
Until he adjusted to them, they affected his brain so strongly,
He couldn't complete the sentences he started.
He couldn't remember what he just started to say two seconds previously.
He went back home soon, though.
He seems okay.
But I'm not.
A part of me died the day I saw him in that hospital bed.
This was my rock,
The person I looked to when my life fell apart.
Now his life has fallen apart.
Now I have nothing to show me things will be okay.
Now I sit in a pit of depression
Deeper than any I've dug before,
And I can't see the way out.
Attempting suicide is the worst thing you can do to your loved ones.
It hurts them more than it could ever possibly hurt you.
Life gets better.
You just have to reach out.
My best friend of six years just tried to overdose. It had a very traumatic effect on me. I'm glad he's okay now, but I now deal with this stress every day of wondering whether he will try it again or not. I just had to write down my thoughts. I know it doesn't resemble a poem very well, and I hope the entire thing doesn't sound too selfish, but I also hope that someone who reads this realizes that attempting suicide is never the way to go. You hurt yourself, and many others when you try it. Reach out if you're hurting. I promise you, the friends and family that really matter will always help you. They want you to be happy, and so do I. I guess I'll shut up now.
697 · Feb 2015
The Critic in Your Head
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
I like you.

What? *I like you
?!?
No no no.
You can do way better.
That is too vague.
Put some.... pizzazz into it. Like this:

You are incredible.
I find it impressive that you can keep me talking for hours
And it doesn't bother you that I never seem to run out
Of things to say.
I think your hair is beautiful
And I love that you keep everything so simple.
Your smile shines, and I can't help but grin when I see you happy.
Oh, and you give the best hugs.
In short, I like you.
A lot.

...See? A lot better.

...

...

Why didn't you say that to her?!? Aaaaahhhh, stupid!
I give up! You're hopeless and you're never going to get her!
This is definitely a terrible, stupid poem. I am trying to give a brief, comical glimpse inside my head when I am talking to a crush of mine. It's stupid, but I wanted to write it, and I hope the experience of writing this poem allows me to perfect my technique and learn to better pursue inspiration. As always, thank you for reading.
665 · Apr 2015
Routine
Julian C Jaynes Apr 2015
Sitting Sitting
Running 'round
Through the halls
Up and down
Grab a quick
Bite to eat
Bring my little sister treats

Sitting Sitting
Run some more
Before I find
This place a bore
Smile and act like I'm glad
That each person tells me the day they had

Sitting Sitting
Slowing down
People stare
Like I'm a clown
But I'm not nervous, I've no fear
Because I'm getting out of here

Sitting Sitting
Driving home...
Man I can't wait
To be alone
It was such a hard work day
I think I'll grab my laptop and play
Just an average day in the life of a host. The restaurant industry is certainly a fast paced environment. I got home today and wanted to write a silly thing about it.
664 · Jan 2021
Misery
Julian C Jaynes Jan 2021
Happiness deceives.
True joy can only be found
In a life of pain.
524 · Feb 2015
Hobby
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
As far as my understanding goes,
A poet very rarely knows
The journey he'll take when pen rests upon paper.
Will it be a love story, or some ******-Doo caper?
But I guess I don't know much about poetry,
Because, as others keep telling me,
A poem begins with an inspiration
Spurred on by a healthy dose of devotion.
But I'm rarely inspired, I write
barely, and most of it is trite.
But I take comfort in the fact
That, while my writing is lacking tact
Or symbolism, or inspiration, or even meaning,
At the end of the day, It always leaves me smiling,
And that's all I need.
I have not written yet again, in a very long time. I apologize, and I do plan to make more poetry more often in the future. I find it very therapeutic.
496 · Apr 2015
What I Give.
Julian C Jaynes Apr 2015
I know no words.
I know no meaning.
I cannot describe to you the explosion of color
Flashing in the night sky
On a glorious Holiday.
I cannot show you the ocean, how it twinkles
And how it loves to play
How she lets the little ones climb upon her back
And tosses them around.
I cannot fathom it.
I am nothing.
I do not have words.
I have mountains of joy.
I have seas of rage.
I have skies of peace.
They are something.
I can give you these.

I can give you these.

I can give you these.





... And so I give thee my life. Take my thoughts. Remember them.
So I decided to try to take a completely different perspective from my usual. Hope you like it.
465 · Feb 2015
Rings
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
We are connected
Linked to one another
In more ways than one.
Sometimes it was almost like a trap
And it seemed we were stuck
Blocked by some obstacle
That we never could completely identify.

They say that problems will find a way of solving themselves
Yet there was no solution.
I was on the verge of giving up
But an intangible presence urged me to press on.

Fate had other plans.

Our problems seemed to have solved themselves when we separated.
There was no connection
No bond with which to struggle.
For a time, it felt as though it were complete.
Solved.
But, as time passed, and I looked more closely
It became apparent.

We are meant to be together.

And so I pursued, putting the pieces
Back where they belong.
Easier said than done.
It was almost as if I had to climb over mountains
And trudge through valleys
But I could not give up
Because now I saw the completed puzzle
And it was too beautiful not to include you.

There were many bumps
But in the end, you reconnected.

Many were, and still are perplexed by us.
They don't understand why we didn't give up.
But when we are together, the answer is clear.

And when we are apart,
Rings
Remind of our journey, our promise.
Our love.
Considering Valentine's Day just passed, I felt this poem was fitting. Comments and Suggestions are welcome.
449 · Apr 2015
Rest
Julian C Jaynes Apr 2015
Darkness wraps around my mind,
Beckoning to me.
The cold is starting to sink in,
I fight to keep the heat.
I rest my head and look above
Towards the fading light.
And as my eyes close one last time,
I bid you all goodnight.
It's late, I'm tired, I'm going to sleep. But not before I share one more poem. I've been slacking quite a bit on my writing.
418 · Dec 2021
The Reason I Survive
Julian C Jaynes Dec 2021
Life seems so pointless
Until she says those sweet words
“I love you Daddy!”
386 · Jan 2022
Condemnation
Julian C Jaynes Jan 2022
Gods and Goddesses
Up in the sky
If you’ve any mercy
You’d leave us to die
This world you have “gifted”
Is twisted and cruel
Am I to say thank you
For this awful cesspool?

Gods and Goddesses
I’ll take no blame
I did not consent
To your bitter game
I could ask, “what’s the point?”
But I won’t waste my breath
For even the faithful
Are rewarded with death

Gods and Goddesses
I mean to offend
With nothing but scorn
Are these words penned
I spit at your “kindness”
I curse your very names
Quite simply, *******
Leave me out of your games

Gods and Goddesses
Come and do you worst
Bring hellfire and brimstone
And Plague to this earth
I warn you, don’t cheat us
Give us this death
Unless you wish to prove
Your mercy’s bereft.

Men and Women
The time is nigh
Reject the gods
That reign on high
Their power wanes
While ours waxes strong
**** these false idols
They do not belong
I beg of you people,
Heed my own letter
Let’s show these weak gods
That we can do better
I want to thank everyone who has every taken the the time to read any of my poems. I know I’m not the best poet, so it makes my day when I see those numbers go up. This website has been a safe haven for me in some of my lowest points, and I just want to thank all of you for making this place special.
357 · Nov 2017
recovery
Julian C Jaynes Nov 2017
I travelled down this wondering road
Certain of where I'd be
But the paths I chose along my way
Were ones I'd never foreseen.

I'd lost all my desire
I had forgotten passion
Something had doused the fire
I no longer had an obsession.

I spiraled deeper in this pit
And lost all self control
I had a drinking habit
And the drugs, I did them all.

I looked into the mirror
My face came into view
Suddenly things were clearer
I needed something new.

I made some changes in my life
And threw the drugs away
I started taking bigger strides
Towards the life I'd want someday.

Now things are so much better.
But it's not over yet
I still have a little ways to go
To reach the goals I've set.

It's definitely not perfect
The alcohol's still there
But it will be worth it
When I'm happy without a care.
There seems to be a pattern of me taking extremely long breaks between poems. I had a lot happen these two years, and I'm well on my way to becoming the person I want to be. I'm thankful to the people who didn't give up on me, and just thought I'd make a long - overdue post. I don't have a lot of readers, but I thank you for your time and appreciate all of you.
355 · Jan 2021
“Authorities”
Julian C Jaynes Jan 2021
Follow the leader
Get in line
Don’t run ahead
Just march in time
Please remain calm
It’s just a drill
The hardest part’s over
We’re over the hill
Don’t ask questions
Trust in the plan
Shut the **** up
And get in the van
It’s for your own good
Mother knows best
Just keep looking forward
Only the dead rest...
322 · Feb 2015
Pursuit
Julian C Jaynes Feb 2015
I cannot find a reason
To write a poem today
I search throughout my head
And look down every pathway
The inspiration doesn't come
I don't think it ever will
I guess I'll just chase inspiration
And beat it until it lies still.
This poem was inspired by a quote from Jack London: "You cannot wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." It's simple, but I like the message.
281 · Aug 2020
Elizabeth
Julian C Jaynes Aug 2020
My dear Elizabeth
This poem is for you
A poem from daddy
I hope it will do

Dear, sweet Ellie
I don’t know what to say
Except that your smile
Takes the pain away

Lovely little angel
You are simply divine
And no matter what happens
You will always be mine

The sheer joy that I feel
When you’re holding my face
Fills my heart up so much
That there’s no extra space

This life that I’m living
Is finally worth it
The gift that you give me
I do not deserve it

So I’ll watch you grow up
And I’ll love every minute
My life would be empty
Without you in it

And as you grow older
I hope that you know
You’re daddy’s little girl
And I love you so
276 · Dec 2015
Untitled
Julian C Jaynes Dec 2015
You know, right now I feel amazing. It's great. I am alive.
I'm full of energy.
Ignore the fact that I haven't been on here in months.
I just want us to sit here for a moment and take everything in.
Just let it all sink in for one second.
All the smells.
The colors.
The sounds.
Let it all waft around you in a glorious display.
Realize that this is life, and there is not a moment to be wasted.
Fall in love.
Get drunk with that friend, you didn't want to work tomorrow anyway.
Drive your friend's clunker around town; it might need a jump start every two or three times you rev the engine, but you shouldn't let that hold you back from enjoying a night around the town. This life is short and so so sweet. Do not just meander along.
268 · Jan 2021
Life Debt
Julian C Jaynes Jan 2021
A glowing warmth
A growing cold
A joyful youth
A man grown old
A winter’s night
A summer breeze
A violent birth
A death at ease
A memory gained
A family lost
This is our tax
Our final cost
My great aunt just died. I loved her dearly, and I hate to see her go. But it’s not the end. Life trudges on, new relationships will be formed and lost, and she will remain a fond memory always. This poem was an attempt at explaining the duality of life, how sadness and happiness, pain and pleasure, can coexist, and in fact must do so, for life to be appreciated.
247 · Nov 2018
Loneliness
Julian C Jaynes Nov 2018
A Deathly chant spoken
Two fates interwoven
The only true token
Of love.
A deep understanding
A love that's abounding
Its touch as light
As a dove's.
Dreaded words spoken
A dream that's been broken
The love still whispers to me.
And when love is leaving
It taunts me by sitting
On its perch that's right beside me.
An old one of mine I never posted
196 · Nov 2018
Mistaken
Julian C Jaynes Nov 2018
Some would say love is a fiery passion
I simply say it is love
Passion is different from love in its actions
These ideals generate different reactions
Love prompts a gentle, sweet sigh
Passion, it thunders, much to love’s detraction
Passion is often mistaken for love, and
When it burns out people frown
And assume that love slips through fingers like sand




It’s an awful structure
That’s bound to rupture
So we must nurture
Love’s own true structure
Love can change

It goes up and down and all around
But never away

It is quite strange

Sometimes you’ll frown
Then turn around, and once more be gay

Love isn’t loud
It isn’t proud
It sits and stays
So long passion
I found a mission, so go away

I’m found, completely, sweetly in love, and
I’ll never stray.
My first posted poem in years. Literally. If it’s garbage it’s garbage, I don’t care. I’m just happy to write again.
193 · Nov 2018
Remembrance
Julian C Jaynes Nov 2018
If one wished to hear a story
Of love and glory,
They need look no further
Than the tale of the Dame.
This Dame’s story, however,
Appears to have never
Been read. Yes,the Dame has been tucked
Solitarily
Into a corner of a shelf in an aisle of a
Library called Memory.
Temporarily
Momentarily
Permanently
Forgotten.
Yes, the tale will be told no more
Of her many suitors gathered ‘round the village well
Each thinking themselves to be a whale
Of a catch. And oh, how their faces fell
When the Dame denied each one their dowry, her peals of laughter ringing like a bell
As they turned their tails
And shuffled away.
They’ll never find a page of that.

One will never speak of the Dame’s great deeds.
How innumerable men, in time of need
Fell prostrate before her, their pathetic pleas
Receiving none of her sympathy.
She arrived with one purpose, that
Purpose being to combat
The mighty Dragon
Who, swaggerin’ and braggin’,
Challenged, “No man dare approach me!”
Her answer? “Only a woman.”
Laughed the Dragon, “Oh really?”
Said she, “God is with me!”
And then from out the sea rose lightning
And struck, blinding all who could see.
The Dragon, disappeared.
The people, freed.

Her power will not be remembered.
For the world turns even ash
Into cinders.
173 · Sep 2020
Plea
Julian C Jaynes Sep 2020
Fiery tongues
Mysterious places
I pray my lord finds it
Within his good graces
To spare him the rod
And sever the tongue
No longer will truth
From this mouth be wrung
Of this matter here
Will he no longer shout
Nor speak, nor whisper
To people of doubt
We would steal his power
His talent to sway
And then turn the menfolk
To our cause today
And he will not speak
Of our place of no name
Here where we meet
And make men our game
Then when victory is nigh
Bring him out for display
As the crowd cheers
Have him slain where he lay
This is the price
A man such as he faces
For a fiery tongue
In mysterious places
169 · Nov 2018
Thoughts on Sadness
Julian C Jaynes Nov 2018
The thoughts that swirl in my head
Make me dizzy
And weak.
There's a woman on the street.
She's waiting for her lover
Absent-mindedly staring at her phone.
She's wearing a pretty dress.
The slim, black kind.
She knows he's going to propose.

She's trying to decide
How to tell him
No
But doesn't know how.


Beside her is a man in sandals
He's bald, he's buff
He's wearing sunglasses.
A weak attempt at covering
His black eye.
His boyfriend came home drunk again
He doesn't know how to get out.
He's blinded by his love.
He wishes someone out there
Understood.

Beyond him is a little girl.
Adorably freckled, cute as a button
And smart as a whip.
She's failing in school.
Her parents are concerned.
They don't know that her uncle
“Loves” her too much.
They don’t know about the baby.
She won’t tell anyone.
She doesn't know how.

The only true kindness of the world is this:
This world will end one day
And the Pain...
Will...
Stop.
164 · Aug 2020
Empty Existence
Julian C Jaynes Aug 2020
“I’M SIGNIFICANT!!!!”
He screamed into the darkness.
The void was silent.
Maybe I’ll actually try writing with some regularity. Been a long time though. Can’t guarantee it will all be quality.
154 · Sep 2020
Obituaries
Julian C Jaynes Sep 2020
A readied pen
On empty pages
Writes the lives
Of countless faces

Of rich and poor
The small and great
The pen takes note
Of each one’s fate

Their peals of laughter
And tears they shed
All words spoken
And thoughts unsaid

It is sad that the lives
Of us and our neighbors
Will become nothing more
Than some ink on paper
We are all just obituaries in progress.
107 · Jan 2022
New Years
Julian C Jaynes Jan 2022
Happy New Years to all
‘Tis the end of the year
One more chapter is closing,
But a new one starts here
As we look forward
To the good times to come
We also reflect
On what this year was done
I hope your past year
Was not full of sorrow
And if so then I offer
The comfort of tomorrow
Bring in this new year
With smiles and cheer
And hopefully people
You find very dear.
I’m getting long winded
So I’ll just stop and say
Enjoy yourselves people
Happy New Years Day!
94 · Sep 2020
Untitled
Julian C Jaynes Sep 2020
I don’t understand
Why I get so violently angry
When I see my reflection

— The End —