As the flickering images
slowly fade from the screen
emotions have been heightened
as darkness recedes
there sits a witness
to the fact
and to the screen
salty drops
of his soul
roll slowly down his cheeks

The memories returned
as they always do
an emotional pain filled journey
passing through the gloom
from joy filled times
to tragedy
he'd surely seen them all
watching the years go slowly by
how long must it go on

How long must one suffer
until they feel the need
to throw off that cloak
set their soul free
look upon past folly
with an ear to ear grin
cheering like a spectator
at a title event

A life can be wasted
by sitting idly
whining and pining
lamenting your days
Life can be hard
and rarely is it fair
but the strength of your spirit
has got you to here

Here at the crossroads
a choice must be made
a path must be traveled
a toll must be paid
but how you accept
is all up to you
remember this when
memories haunt you

"Beware  ye that enter!"
" a word to the wise"
shouted out the pitcher
while pointing inside
There before me sat a tent
arrows pointing out the way
while the surging wave of people
forced me on my way

The sign it read Beware
in letters  big and bold
what you will see in here
will make your blood run cold
grisly noises and some screams
emerged from the tent's fold

Closer I was pushed
to the awnings door
among the throngs of people
to my uncles leg I clung
the feeling I had was tense
unsure of what to do
the yawning mouth engulfed us
my eyes dare not leave the floor

A Man Eating Chicken
was what the sign proclaimed
pictured in my young mind
a horrific feast
but what sat there before us
shocked me into dismay
a gluttonous man in checkered shirt
greedily filling his face

On the table before him
sat the poor carcass
ripped apart with savagery
a bird once so robust
the crowd let out a laugh
and the let out  a sigh
as we were ushered out
into the noonday sky

Moonlight danced upon me
lighting my darkened path
searching ever seeking
a partner for this dance
will you come and take a chance
a twirl in the night
while laughing close together
searching each others eyes

Moonlight danced upon us
as we twirled to and fro
laughing and rejoicing
making patterns in the snow
living for the moment
breathe each and every breath
sharing moments together
along this winding path

A Star
merely a person
painted against
a kalidascopic  societal view
upon whom the hopes
and aspirations of the masses
focus and ****

Driving ever forward
to some unknown end
as the masses want more
the star retreats
descending
hiding
all at once
what he had craved
haunts him daily
life in a cage

privacy
a luxury that
no longer exists
the worlds eyes upon you
prying
           seeking
slowly
insidiously
ripping your mental fabric

Charities
seek your name and presence
in order to maintain
the momentum
that their message
seems to intend
but often are drivin
not by the need for help
but for financial gain.

you trade your soul
for a star beside your name
just to bask
in an unreal "fame"
never again will you be
just a name upon the screen

The professor was mad
it was clear to us all
fantastic ideas
right off the wall
seeing the world
through his crooked way
gave all of us students
laughter for days

We reported for class
on the 15th of May
I must now confess
a memorable day
his topic that day
was a paradise lost
deep in the jungles
he'd go at all cost's

An expedition he'd mount
would I like to go ?
adventure soon seemed
to grip my soul
I talked with my parents
I talked with my girl
they all encouraged
this voyage from home

We gathered supplies
that we thought we'd need
but not knowing for sure
a gamble indeed
we then secured passage
on a ***** steamer
destined for the island
where the valley lay hidden

The day soon arrived
when we bid goodbye
to friends and our family
my girl she cried
she begged me be safe
and stay far from harm
I turned to leave
and she grabbed my arm

The look in her eyes
I'll never forget
searching and longing
full of regret
I may never return
or if I can
I may not remain
the very same man

I gently reassured her
we will be safe
upon our arrival
we will celebrate
The professor will lecture
to very large crowds
we will get married
and then settle down

Two weeks at sea
torture to me
rolling and bobbing
like a cork in the sea
the professor would not
let this deter him
stolidly he put on
a very brave grin

Over the horizon
the island took form
soon we were being
rowed into shore
the coxswain advised
they'd be back at slack tide
we'd better be there
or they'd leave us behind

We gathered our goods
right there on the beach
took a read of our bearings
and set on our way
we climbed through the mist
that clung to the hills
marveling at all
the sights and the smells

Finally we reached
the valley we sought
the professor's composure
was completely lost
he laughed and he jumped
screaming "I was Right!"
I fell to my knees
after my very first sight

Paradise was before us
I could scarcely believe
we sat and drew sketches
and took photographs
wrote in our journals
observations we made
The professor was planning
a brilliant display

We descended into
the valley beneath
and then set up camp
to stay for the eve
we talked of our discovery
and of impending fame
the magic was broken
as if all at once
a terrifying roar
emerged from the brush

The Lizard it lunged
staring straight at me
the professor let out
an ear piercing shriek
another had grabbed
him from behind
he struck it with a stick
picked up from the ground

We ran for our lives
and left everything
scrambling back
out of the valley
lucky we were
lucky indeed
over the crest
we ran for the beach

We would be early
where could we hide
staying out there
would be suicide
the lizards were coming
out of the hills
tounges sniffing the air
searching for us
intent on the ****

We climbed up an out crop
just out of reach
and hoped that our perch
would really be safe
we stayed there for hours
until the next day
when a flare did signal
help on the way

Back on the steamer
we would then relate
our strange experience
narrowly escaped fate
we thanked the captain
for his returning
to that strange island
a little early

We arrived back at home
there was much hurrah
family and friends
and a very warm bed
my girl then asked me
just what we saw
I related the story
as she stared in awe

The professor retained
a place where to teach
to my girl I was married
we moved by the beach
often at night
we look out to sea
paradise lost
we'll never again seek

As the reel of past events
slowly does unwind
pictures and emotions
seem to drift like the tide

As the waves come rushing in
embrace the flowing light
take a trip upon the wind
like a leaf taking flight

Soaring ever higher
vision blooming like a flower
suspended in a tranquil mist
watching events transpire

Knowing you can't change events
a stunned witness you remain
muted as you shout inside
with regrets your soul is stained

Look into the future
with a heart that's burden free
don't take the past and wear it
just like Marley's chains

Make amends then move on
life is short you see
enjoy the days that you have
set your spirit free

Don't cry to me of hardships
we all have paid a price
everybody has a past
and another set of lies

The things I think that matters most
are the connections that are made
truly understanding
what the other has to say

When we meet eye to eye
on equal ground we stand
looking through the others eyes
examining ourselves

Smile a lot and say hello
to everyone you meet
together we can re form a bond
we once called society

Howling wind
and drifting snow
defies all bounds
that I know
a winter chill
does set in
to the bone
the cold creeps in

A clearing sky
few clouds remain
cold winds burn
bring you pain
as your flesh
freezes white
mind goes numb
frost starts to bite

As you gaze
up to the sky
you ask yourself
how and why
have you found
yourself out here
all that's left
is the fear

fear of what
will come to pass
a night out here
you will not last
a frozen corpse
in the morn
no worries left
after the dawn