You* saw a flower proudly thriving
sitting so beautifully on its shrub
and You picked it
because You lusted for it
so You took it

kept it in a vase
enjoyed the waxy texture of its petals
admired its vibrant colors
savored the floral scent

but as soon as it wilted
You threw it away
like it meant nothing to You

and replaced it with something new
because that's how You treat flowers

*right?

for William Dougherty

Water downhill flowing
      washing away soil and flora -
            downward, always down.

Torrents across California,
      hillsides crumble - tumbling down,
            enshrouding streets and stoops below.

Rivulets merge with rivers
      meandering, spilling into the sea -
            down again, always downward.

But eagles lift and sail the skies
      as cornstalks pierce the earth
            growing ever boldly upward

and **** sapiens stands *****
      water in our veins soaring up
            against the crush of gravity's pull.

Obstinate life, the defiant force
      flowing upstream, ever upward -
            entropy's worthy and immortal foe!

January, 2007

confessions of a newborn

It's been something of a while
      since I tumbled down
from warmth and darkness
      into this strange bright space.

I see you coming towards me
     and curious parts of me
begin to dart about in all directions
     because I remember you.

Every time you're here
     something glad happens:
           you hold me to your warmth,
           you bring good food to my mouth
           to ease the ache inside,
           you make pretty sounds
           that tell me I am safe -
           that tell me I am not alone.

For reasons I cannot say
      I know that I am you -
that you are me.

The beauty on your face
     tells me you know it too
and like you, I smile.

*© 2016 by Robert Charles Howard

"The pity of war, the pity war distills". - Wilfred Owen"

Just as a feral war begs for armistice,
    a season of peace engenders
a violence vacuum that begs to be filled
    as surely as a hollow begs for a pond.

It seems a cosmic battle rages
      between the oversouls of people
who would chisel a sculpture to grace
     and those who would hack off its arms.

History’s fools fire up their bully horns
     shouting proud oratory to ignorance -
and lemmings goose-step to the precipice -
      doomed to plunge into a sea of misery.  

Then there is quiet - guilty and reflective.
     How could we let this happen
with so much gain and loss in the balance?

and the sculptors of civilization
      find fresh marble to once again
carve reason, beauty, purpose
      from the acrid ashes of pride.
    
But the oversoul of hate will brood and re-fester
     as long as it's thought noble to **** for a cause.

© 2016 by Robert Charles Howard

Electric eyes domestic thighs I just got a feeling you are where I want to go
Narcissistic pride to high to die don't need no reason for me to put on a show
Can't let it slide nowhere to hide botch dont **** my vibe all I see is green my swag is set on go
Courrupt with lies full of it attracting flies I wondered why I made an effort to even try
Wish I would of just said no
Lust is off the chart off guard from the start unintentional you pulled out my heart
It's easy to say anything but I needed you to grow
Up side-by-side official do or die a patriot being victimized
Not likely but Floridana is a place we both should know
Support as strong as Styrofoam at agonizing won't leave me alone
Negative to wrong negativity right lose confidence discovering happiness inside a broken home
Ignorance in ignore to what make you miserable
Designed to change your mind confidant and comfortable in twined.

I love you all with Christ , unconditional Love.
For every one is a beautiful Creation of God.
So please do not be discourage here my friends.
For Christ has a beautiful purpose for each of you.
He  wants to bring you from darkness unto his Light.
Thus using the transformation of your poetry here.
To draw others unto him, for each of you here.
Are an example unto his to show this world his Light.
So fear not, be strong unto the Lord for he is good.

You call, I come
- surrendering the fight-

how can one fathom life
so far from your thoughts
as pieces of the sun
- kisses wither in time-
and sieving memories soften
the fall

-you are my demise-
sweet harshness striking in calm
stripping marrows in early dawn
-yet you cannot will my will-

A paper weight holds
down the heart – and all beneath
slowly dies
-petals arched in the sun-

And yet, you call, and I, well I…
just want.