We daily cross the path
With those that do and do not have
A strong grip or is that grasp
On the life they wish they had

They either know or do not know
What it means to hold out hope
Trying to make it on their own
In the throes of, that's all she wrote

That's why they choose to lean heavy
On the downside of history
What to keep and not to keep
Find they're bound to repeat

The same mistakes their fathers made
In the way that they behave
What they say and do not say
The least resistance along the way

In what they do and do not have
As they walk along the path
With a loose grip or is that grasp
On the life they wish they had

there are those
that grab ahold
as well as those
that let it go
there really is
no way to know
how or when
the wind will blow

there are those
who know to cope
with the mess
that this life throws
and also those
out of control
who paddle against
the river's flow

there are those
that hold out hope
and then those
against the ropes
who wrestle with
themselves alone
with the easy come
easy go

with open eyes
and open heart
do you know
which one you are

you could be these
you could be those
honestly
do you know

aren't we to
love our neighbor
treat each other
much the same
because we need
one another
not run for cover
when placing blame

aren't we to
love our neighbor
not for favors
not for gain
and to
treat each other
as we would have them
do the same

aren't we to
love our neighbor
as our maker
paves the way
bringing blessings
both now and later
layer upon layer
in Jesus' name

Can you see that it’s time
With no watch on your arm
Is there hope to survive
If you’ve done bought the farm
When all things feel right
Does the moment just flow

How can a man say
What he doesn’t know

If your neck deep in the stream
Shouldn’t you know how to swim
If there’s truth in the ring
Should you step out and give in
Do all mountain tops
Come with a *****

How can a man reach the heights
If his life view is low

Are you late to the central
In Eastern time
If it’s really that simple
Then why’s it so hard to find
Have you often faltered
Where you’ve clearly been

How can a man love
If he’s never let love in

If your deep in the dream
Can you be what you want to be
If your dream was a train
Would it run out of steam
Could you hold onto the promise
If the words aren’t there to lend

How can a man start over
Once he’s reached his end

I hate you
And you hate me
For the things
We think we believe
Not looking at each
Individually
But as a whole
Collectively

I have a mind
And so do you
So why do we
Misconstrue
What you think of me
And I think of you
Which more often than not
Is far from the truth

Just because we voice
Our opinions out loud
Doesn't mean we think
Along with the crowd
Last time I looked
Pretty sure I found
That both you and I
Make our own sound

Which means...

We should not hate
For the things
That we believe
Differently
Looking at this
Individually
Can't we all agree
Collectively

You'll find that it’s much easier
To get along with those, you do not know
Do your best to keep your distance
Never grow with those too close

Do what I do and stay aloof
Never fully lay open your heart
And never let on by letting them know
Who you really are behind the scars

And you’ll also find for them likewise
If in turn, you never learn
Anything about their life
Neither of you will ever get hurt

Like I said before it’s much easier
If on this point you carefully listen
Don't get too close with those you know
Just remember to keep your distance
and never ever get too serious

I wish that I had known
Or at least been told
That the memories I thought to keep
Were given out to me in loan

And that without a say
This, my Memory bank
Could over time repossess
What little bit of it I saved

The price they make you pay
When you find in time you bank on age
Can suddenly lose interest
Or at least make your payment late

The means to an end depends on how long
And who is holding the note
To when the bank in question
Goes into foreclose

At this late stage I wish I'd known
Or at least been told
That the memories I deposited over the years
Were only given out in loan

He's the daily strength I call on
The one who gives me breath
For whom I long, my morning song
Who never once let's go my hand    

From everlasting to everlasting
All this soul could ever need
From the direction I was heading
He came to set me free

My go to when things go wrong
There is not a one more loving
My daily pray, in God alone
Without Him I'd be nothing

The one who holds it all together
In the palm of his hand
And yet to him I still matter
Including me in his daily plans

He keeps his loving eye on me
Never once am I alone
Sheltered underneath his wings
Is where this child always belongs

My go to when things go wrong
There is not a one more loving
My daily pray, in God alone
Without Him I'd be nothing

what you now hold
is a simple poem
that simply states
it's done nothing wrong

doesn't cause any waves
in what it has to say
has no point of view
on truth, love, or hate

does not try and hide
behind cleaver rhymes
though it might take up
some of your precious time

simply stating the facts
on what it has or lacks
if you can relate
this poem is okay with that

takes time to exercise
it's poetic rights
then when it comes undone
it takes to high flight

where it seeks out a hand
in which to land
this simple poem
that holds no demands

Lights up a smoke
Takes in a draw
Laughs with a rasp
Chokes with a cough

Lives for the sensation
Of smoke in her lungs
On the ladder of life
She skips a few rungs

Prefers the menthol
Says it freshens her breath
With little regard
The rest smells like death

Side of the pack reads
They bring on disease
Smiles at that fact
Behind yellow teeth

The very same ones
She's lying through
When she says she can quit
Any time she wants to

Fires another one up
Takes in a deep drag
With what little lung
She seems to have left

Laughs with a rasp
Chokes with a cough
Never once wonders
At the sense of it all

Rumors swirl round in small talk town
You won't believe what they have to say
On the corner of 5th and Gossip
They're cranking the mill, most every day

They have no need T.V.
When entertainment comes from the mouth
You might not believe all that you see
But when it is heard, there's never a doubt

This town you are in from beginning to end
There's not a one not loose in tongue
Where the daily wags have a gift for gab
Whether their standing still or on the run

As a fact of the matter, they tend to gather
In the smallest of gossip groups
When they start to chatter the latest in Blabber
It's also known as the fine art of Schmooze

Things never settle down in small talk town
Having no boundaries to their city limits
Not much they won't say on any given day
As long as they themselves aren't included in it

Aren't we all but broken souls
Just packaged differently
From tall to small, partial to whole
All with the same deep hidden needs

The desire to be accepted
For whom we really are
In a world where most are rejected
If you don't come with a Hollywood Walk of fame star

The thing is about postage
We're all pretty much priced the same
Open the package and you'll notice
There's more to life than our stickers and tape

Though some get beat up in the mailing
Traveling from Post to Post
Life is not always smooth sailing
In the way some folk, choose to go

Because after all we're all broken souls
Just packaged differently
Beat up and torn in a world that's gone wrong
We all still have the same deep hidden needs

I’m going to buy me a pair
Of astronaut underwear
So I can go anywhere
With nary a care

There’ll be no stopping me
Or losing a single beat
When I feel the need
To take a leak

I’ll go wherever I want
Being oh so nonchalant
Do my business then gone
Like a real astronaut

I’ll have no more delays
With all the time I will save
As I make my way
Throughout my busy day

*For more helpful tips
From the wisdom I have
You know where I’m at
All you need do is ask

You think you know me
You think you've seen me
Well believe you me, I've been around

From the beginning
Both losing and winning
So many times, I've lost count

I'm the woman at the well
Who's life' s a living hell
All the while searching for love

The thief on the tree
Deserving all done to me
The one Jesus sees in need of forgiveness

I am the Pharisee
The one who believes
He's one with God but still something's missing

The preacher on the street
Held back in mid scream
Hoping that someone would listen

I'm one of many on death row
Here without hope
Who'll soon be face to face with my maker

I'm the lame, the deaf, the blind
Lost by the roadside
Hoping for a glimpse of the Savior

Now do you see
That you have seen me
In fact, we are all very much the same

From the very beginning
Both losing and winning
All in need of God's Amazing Grace

Some days say
They need a change
And will gladly give
Their spot away

Feeling tired
And uninspired
With this weekly gig
In which they’re hired

All Monday knew
How to do
Was start the week
Off with the blues

Switched it up
With Friday
Who'd had enough
Of partying

Tuesday and Thursday
Stayed in place
Not much for them
Would really change

Never been known
For causing waves
However early or late
In the week they came

Wednesday left
Its middle ground
Taking Saturdays spot
To piddle around

And Sunday itself
Pretty much kept
Its sacred spot
As a day of rest

Not quite sure
If you ask me
How this will work
Throughout the week

My best guess is
Before too long
They'll all go back
To where they belong

Giving Monday back
The basic blues
Where you find in life
You don't always get to choose...

Willfully Ignorant
Over what’s going on
Whatever they say
You take it and run
Every iota
Not questioning once
Being willfully ignorant
To what’s going on

Willfully Ignorant
To the news of the day
Believe everything
They have to say
The channel you’re on
Has never been changed
Being willfully ignorant
To the news every day

Willfully Ignorant
To the point you don’t care
Seen majorly
As left unaware
With the shrugging of shoulders
And far off stare
Being willfully ignorant
To the point we don’t care

Willfully Ignorant
There’s no argument
Over the time
You've wrongfully spent
Under the rug
Where ideas are swept
Being willfully ignorant
You’ll get no argument

I try and mind my own business
That seems to be the way I lean
With God here as my witness
Don't need no one bothering me

But who if not me will help those in need
If I see a need arise
And who's to reap if we don't dare dive deep
In the knowledge of all that's right

We may keep to ourselves doing little to help
Watching from the sideline
Knowing all too well it's not a big sell
When our time spent is to criticize

At times it's best the less that is said
In any given situation
Under wraps if it's kept from being fed
Adding trouble to the making

What keeps bothering me is all of the needs
To the point where I want to hide
Where all that I see is overwhelming
Just to find, it's a part of life

If we saw life through God's timeless eyes
Would we see how depraved we are
All restless souls out of control
In desperate need of a Savior

Would we then give a hand to our fellow man
No matter creed or color
Invite them in, break bread with them
Show genuine love to one another

Would we give all we have to the point of death
Even death on a cross
If we saw life through God's timeless eyes
Would we do this all for the lost

Would we show love to the least of us
Expecting nothing in return
Knowing it all stems from the fall of man
Would we burn with concern

If we saw life through God's timeless eyes
Would it make much of a difference
The way we saw the world as a whole
And would the world even listen

A lot of what you do
I do not condone
But who am I to criticize
When it comes to each his own

What might suit you fine
I never would dare to wear
And you might find with open mind
That what I do, you don't go there

It might come to light
There are several means to an end
That doesn't constitute a crime
Or deduct from the shape we're in

Ice cream comes in many flavors
If not, then we'd get bored
With time off for good behavior
We can live in one accord

Though we all have different feelings
It doesn't mean we think alone
We still need to be willing in dealing
When it comes to each his own

I am at this moment
right where I am
just a tick away
from where I had been
the shortest of steps
that I'm soon to be
yet through all this
I'll still be me

just a breath away
from where it all ends
hard now to count
from the days I began
not sure which side
on the dial I lean
my best guess is
it's soon to be seen

what makes life exciting
is the mystery
what adventure is hiding
for the likes of me
to take me beyond
from where I now am
to deposit me
on the other side of that

You wrap me up in paper
While I'm out here tossing stones
Running off with scissors
Playing games on the go

What is next to happen
We may never know
With paper, rocks, and scissors
You never are alone

Running fast for cover
From being covered up
By the hand that's flattened
This fist, full of rocks

Hoping that the scissors
Soon enough will show up
Paper, rock, and scissors
Thankfully there's no gun

Peter Paperclip
Never got over the fact
That at such a young age
He got bent out of shape

And from that point on
He knew something was wrong
When he couldn't hold on
To things on his own

Now he just sits
On the cold wooden desk
Watching other paperclips
In the process

Of holding tightly
To things between teeth
Being of useful need
In the whole scheme of things

While Peter wastes away
All the live long day
With nothing much to say
Being bent out of shape

What are we supposed to do
When you say we're in the way
You're the one who invited us in
And now you say that we can't stay

Being miles away from yesterday
And the place we once called home
Now you tell us, pack your bags
And that we all have to go

We didn't come looking for a fight
Just peace and harmony
What will it take for open eyes
To see the light of humanity

We're all just trying to do better
And make something of our families
Isn't that what really matters
In the broad scheme of things

Wouldn't it be better if we came together
And built this up in both trust and love
After all, as I recall
You're the one who invited us...

If every Country
Here on the map
Would just sit back
Do their best to relax
Think of the people
Along with the effects
That ****** wars have
Try and give peace a chance

If every country
For a moment sat still
And at least try to think
Of someone other than self
Imagine the blow
That would be dealt
On the war machine
That's dragging us all against our will

If every country
Then laid down their arms
And in the meantime, made a promise
To never again do harm
Emptied themselves
Of the hatred that comes
With the ignorance
Of a country void of love

If every country
Would then make a pact
To share all they have
With the ones that lack
Giving freely to those
That have no way of paying back
Then maybe we'd have peace
Finally, in our grasp

The media today
Is one big endless buffet
Drawing in the overweight
To pile up high their empty plates

Simply sampling
Tasty bites, under hot lights
Meaty morsels cooked up by
Both those on the left and right

With lines out of the building
And up around the bend
The buffet doesn't really change
They just keep on recycling it

Prices ain't cheap in fact they're steep
With a society willing to pay
Many going back for seconds and thirds
Never mind the use of ***** plates

They say you are what you eat
So, keep eating the vegetables
Where the only thing required from you
Is to stuff your faces full

Feel free to visit the salad bar
For the latest scandal of the day
They change it out quite frequently
Where there's always more to take its place

With an overabundance
Of what there is to cook up
As they bake you for breakfast
And broil you for lunch

All of this and much more
24 hours a day you're welcome to dine
At the Media's Endless Buffet
Where you come for the food yet stay for the lies

You know what drives me crazy
Bonkers over time
The moment I go to wondering
My mind goes into rhyme

No matter the situation
Or subject in full spin
My thoughts are cranking in creating
Another poem out of them

This madness has gotten to the point
Where I hate to point this out
But if something doesn't change in the way of deranged
They'll ship me off to a padded cell

I often stop mid-thought in what I'm doing
To write down a line that comes to mind
Cruising for a bruising
As I beat myself up looking to find

The perfect word in my Google search
That makes some sort of sense
I'm not sure there is a cure
For this rhyme du jour I dip my pen in

These thoughts all drive me crazy
A distraught juggernaut
When what comes to mind is my mind tries to find
A way to take and rhyme it all

Liars lie right before your eyes
Cause that's what liars do
They tend to lie most all the time
A fur piece from the truth

Lie their way straight to your face
Even if you hold the proof
Lying makes liar's take
And place the blame all on you

Liars lie with lies in mind
As if there's nothing wrong
They even lie in double time
If there's a chance of being caught

They'll wind the lying side extra tight
Even if they're proven wrong
Saying don't believe your lying eyes
Amidst what's going's on

Liars lie twice their size
If given half a chance
Hoping that you take the bait
Despite the circumstance

Pinocchio's as their lies grow
Never ever will they quit
Liars lie as a past time
So, just get used to it

I've walked up and down these city streets
Left my prints along the beach
Searching for that which I need
But seldom is it within reach

Every nook and cranny in my home
Climbed high the mountain top alone
Never sure of where it's gone
The illusive poem

Day and night I will not rest
This poem to find I've made my quest
I've laid it out at my behest
There's nothing needed more than this

I've called up everyone I know
Rang the Vatican in Rome
I will not stop my on the go
Until I find this poem

I've trudged the jungles of the South
More places than I dare to count
And still have yet to figure out
How all this came about

I'll keep on with my keeping on
Never bowing to the loss of hope
Because deep inside one day I know
I will find this poem

I've looked up among the blinking stars
Telescoped both Venus and Mars
Held up signs to passing cars
But failed to look deep in the heart

You'd have thought I would have known
The one place I failed to go
That's where it was all along
The illusive poem

Here's a few things that keep me sane
When crazy has its way, as of late
Steadfast and true, they remain
My go to, time and again

The innocent smile of a child
What better way to wipe away doubt

The glimmer in a young mother's eyes
Knowing God used her to bring forth life

An early sunrise over the ocean blue
Gives my cloudy mind a good talking to

Quite time on a front porch swing
Helps to clarify my reasoning

The joy inside a bluegrass tune
That you can tap your toes to

The sweetness in a pecan pie
Can do a lot to rectify

A caged bird that's been set free
The very first time it spreads its wings

The sweet Southern draw of a girl down South
Are a few of the things I think about

That said out loud help keep me sane
When crazy has its way, as of late
Tried and true they remain
My go to time and time again

We all start out on a path
Of one way, no looking back
You can have it all in all you have
Me, I'll take mine

Soon enough you see, you need to watch your speed
Not all in life is all that easy
You have a choice to stay or leave
At the Detour Sign

You know you know the way to take
So why all of the mistakes
In choosing of the path, you make
More often wrong than right

But all along, wrong looks so much fun
And before this day is cooked and done
It's bound my friend to eat your lunch
At the Detour Sign

If you'll keep said path straight ahead
Not one iota or turn of the head
To the right or to the left
Then you will be fine

But that's not the way it's made to work
When lessons need to be learned
And them, we learn until it hurts
At the Detour Sign

Don’t ask me about anything
I try and stay out of what’s happening
Do my best to keep to myself
Leave life’s problems on the dusty shelf

No, I don’t know what’s going on
Either here and now or good as gone
I haven’t got a single clue
With the thought of what or not to do

Don’t assume I have sound advice
Ask me once, I’ll tell you twice
I'm fresh out of new ideas
Who you trying to kid, kid

I rarely care for what's out there
With no clue of who or what they're doing here
I try not to get too involved
In the much to-do of what’s going on

If there's anything, don't ask me
There's not a thing on which I lean
I can tell you straight away
I could care less in the mess that's being made

When I need a little pick me up
I start off with a coffee cup
The size of a gallon jug
But here's the deal, it still ain't enough

It all goes down in real time smooth
Puts me in a better mood
To do whatever it is I do
And that right there is the dog gone truth

I remember when I was young
There was no need for stimulant
To get this machine to up and run
To jump the gun on its own

But that was back, as they say
Living in my best hey days
Be it early or be it late
I was always ready, right out the gate

The old me now tends to lean
When it comes to what I eat
On the heavy side of treats
And all the fat points in between

So, when it comes to energy
I **** the snot out of caffeine
Gobble up all vitamin B's I see
Washing them down with energy drinks

Which these days seems to be
Just to keep me on my feet
Crazy as it all may seem
The greatest of necessities

We're living in these days at hand
The fall no less, the sin of man
Have caused a stir of fanning flames
In questioning, did God really say?

A sign of the times, this age-old lie
Working ever since our sense of pride
Both as of late and back in the day
To this date, did God really say?

From ancient times to here and now
So many lies that we've lost count
That over time have never changed
Like the one, did God really say?

The serpent whispered in Eve's ear
She must have not heard it clear
That very day paradise went away
With the lie, did God really say?

Man is so pleased with himself
And yet we still swim in self-doubt
Giving the whole farm away
With the question of, did God really say?

Why do I think that I
Deserve more than the other guy
Acting like it's owed to me
Bought and paid for, mine to keep

Why do I treat selfishness
As if it is mine to possess
It's not enough I want it all
And when it's gone, I ask for more

Why do I hold onto pride
Ever tight for dear life
Afraid to let the people see
When it comes to the real me

Why do I light my angry side
Any disagreement, I try and fight
Pushing back with all my might
Thinking that, you're wrong I'm right

Why do I even think
I deserve anything
Angry at my selfishness
Which in turn hurts my pride no less

When they're at their peek of brightness

She ties ribbons around the stars

She's been told by some, they like this

Highlighting who it is they are

Outside she spends her evenings

At the edge of her front yard

Reaching into the constellations

Tying ribbons around the stars

i took an empty envelope
and mailed it off to you
it told you of my feelings
more than a letter could ever do

please don't get me wrong
i'm really not that cold
i did try to write that letter
but this empty envelope here alone
in a way says so much more…

How easy it is to throw stones
At things and those we do not know
When they don’t fit inside our box
We hide it well while they get caught

The world we’re in no longer hides sin
Not that it makes a difference
He sees our deeds and inner thoughts
There’s nothing you can hide from God

On a quest to do our best
To hide it all from all the rest
To make ourselves out as saints
Two bit hero’s in rag tag capes

While carrying a load of stones
Ready, set, go, in time to throw
At those we perceive caught up in sin
Don’t look at me though, go look at them

i found out
some time ago
if you want to move fast
you must first do slow
after awhile
pick it up a bit
just make sure
you never quit
even when
times get hard
and you know they will
it's in the cards
take to heart
this timely notion
never quit
your forward motion
no matter if
it's fast or slow
hang on tight
and don't let go
there is no secret
to this life we live
don't concede
and never quit

Another year, another Father's day
Too long since mine has passed
Still holding tight the memories
Of the man that I called Dad

He did with me the best he could
Teaching me what he thought was right
Never turn your face your to evil ways
When it comes to justice stand and fight

Always respect your Mother
Loving her the best you can
And when you see those with little hope
Lift them up with the kind word of friend

Valuable lessons that my Daddy gave
I can't begin to tell
He is with my other Father now
In Heaven where all is well

If I could be half the man my Father was
Remembering all he thought was right
Like being the best Dad for his kids
Then I will have served out well my purpose in life

I'm not sure what time it is
But expect me to be late
If you have a hunch that we'll do lunch
I'll most likely be your dinner date

It's not like I don't know what's going on
And realize I have a problem
If anyone is to be late to this party
Count me as being the one

I've heard them say the day they dig the grave
I'll be late to my own funeral
That may be so but who's to know
Being cremated like a popcorn kernel

And with that said if there's any time left
I'll be late for even that
If there's any doubt, I'll run the clock out
That's one secret that's never been kept

So, don't agonize over the time
We've all heard it said that it's concept
And if you're looking for me, I can guarantee
If I'm not there yet, I'm still home in bed

I'm in here and you're out there
Looking for someone who cares
Having searched most everywhere
Have I mentioned I'm right here

Why would you leave where you were
Hoping for a shooting star
Wishing there was something more
That you wish you could wish for

When it's clear I am here
With you on the hunt out there
In desperate need of someone who cares
Have I mentioned that I'm right here

Here is where we dare to start
Throwing rocks at passing cars
Burn the whole place to the ground
In peaceful protests throughout town

Carry signs, scream and spit
Looking for that TikTok hit
Forcing fascists to see our side
Hoping they don't make us cry

Stand up for our right to be
Sitting on the wrong side of history
Start our days with blind outrage
Keep our minds inside a cage

Buying everything they sell
From the bargain basement pits of Hell
Told half-truths to bold faced lies
We'll sit back as they decide

How to best use us next
In the stirring up of social unrest
Peacefully burning it to the ground
Coming soon to your town

In my sleep I often dream
In the realm of miracles
Where my mind escapes time
To let consciousness go

Moving beyond this plain I'm on
To reach a new plateau
Where R.E.M. takes to the wind
As my dreams start to blow

I float away from this frame
That keeps it all intact
Silence is the sound it makes
Before a snore or two escapes my head

In deep sleep I'm free to leave
The confines of my mind
That to a degree, keep holding me
On the awkward side of life

And with that said I lay my head
On a pillow soft and sweet
In my bed there's no looking back
As I float off in my dreams

I like to buy different magazines
And bring them to my home
Cut out all the faces
And replace them with my own

I always look so happy
In other peoples lives
I can be the best of husbands
Along side the best of wives

It all depends on my mood
On any given day
I could be hang gliding in the South Pacific
Or hiking the hills of Mandalay

On a beach in Florida
With perfect kids flying a kite
At a Hollywood premier
My face on any star I like

I used to lead a boring life
As I sat around at home
Now pasting my face in different magazines
I go and do anything I want

I just purchased NASA monthly
Dare I go to the moon
If they picture two astronauts together
You know I'd go with you

There's this island magazine I've been saving
From a travel agency
Can't wait to paste my face out swimming
In the bluest of the bluest seas

I'll flip through all the pages
Till I come up with the perfect tan
On top of the perfect body
Then I will be the perfect man

It's not always fun and games
I do have a serious side
When I paste my face onto orphans or the homeless
Then wet the pages as I cry

There's so many different things I do
Depends on the mood and the magazine
What peaks my interest at the store that day
And who it is I'd like to be

For years now I have written down
My most likely history
A mixture of public services
Both the seen and unseen

It helps a soul to focus
On the many goings on
I'm not sure you know this
Here one minute, next it's gone

I'm talking time and memory
As they seem to coincide
And you like me just might be
Along for the ride

That's why this mission that I'm on
From day one to write it down
Of the many things I've done
In a life of lost and found

Are equally important
In the major and minor scheme of things
Helps me to stay focused
In hopes I keep my memory

The ghosts of those long deposed
A-list Hollywood Actors
Are rehearsing their parts in the graveyard
Of the not so happily ever after

They come out at night in time to recite
Lines from their last endeavor
Not sure if they know, they died long ago
Or even would care to hear that answer

Wondering how they're not drawing the crowds
As in the day of the Silver Screen
There's a whole host of reasons in this ghostly season
As to why they are no longer seen

If they made their way through the graves in the day
They'd see all their fans paying homage
Getting their pictures made beside the graves with their names
Able to share in that special moment

But alas the ghosts of those long deposed
A-list Hollywood Actors
Will continue to rehearse their parts in the graveyard
Of the not so happily ever after