I have lost the beat of your heart
No matter how I held it
Safe as a seashell in my palms.

Warm sand trickles out of me
A worn place, a hole
Not far above my ribs
From too much rubbing.

The blades of grass will not understand
Nor do the worms.
The cicadas above only mimic my heart's song.

I have lost it as I lose every sunset, every wave.
I am an animal skin, a false drum.

(2010)

Forever lives the rhyme
Of the days we served our time.
Myself and my sister -
Like the mental disrupt,
Hands rubbed into blister,
Tolerance waiting to erupt.
Guilty until proven innocent
By those who once walked in our shoes...
In health was placed many a dent
As we tried but could only lose.
Here's to her: my sister, my friend.
From the past we deter;
To the past, induce end.
Used and abused,
She finally met relief.
Apart from the system -
The incomparable grief.
Blood, sweat, and tears
Were the least of our fears.
For we could only dream
Of better future years.
We were the lowly...                                                         ­                                                    The bottom.
Seemingly forgotten.
We will never forget
The ultimate discontent.
We shall never discount
The bits of hell we were sent...
Our God-given creative nature
We have suppressed for far too long.
We simply had no choice but to
Silence our song.
We toiled together, yet worlds apart.
Across the world taking cover
And dodging fiery darts.
Our bond as fellow fighters
Not even the seas could part.
Who knew the wise could be seen
As that of anything but smart?
Glancing down at my trousers
Worn at the knees,
I have visions of her suffering
In port and over seas.
For this uniform she wore
Before her time ashore.
Now I carry it on,
Taking on more than ever before.
Used and abused, she finally met relief
Apart from the system -
The incomparable grief.
For her, that is over, and I am overjoyed.
For I was starting to think
That her optimism would be destroyed...
My time will come but for now,
I toil.
At times, I swear I can feel my blood
Boil.
Still...
The great peace that God brought my sister
Is the same that came as I would miss her.
Thus, forever lives the rhyme
Of the days we served our time.
Myself and my sister -
Like the mental disrupt,
Hands rubbed into blister,
Tolerance waiting to erupt.
Guilty until proven innocent
By the ones who walked in our shoes...
In health was placed many a dent
As we tried but could only lose.
Once again, here's to her:
Fellow Sailor, fellow fighter.
It brings me much relief
That now her spirits are lighter.