All of these things that I write
And every word therein
Are more for my self than anyone else
They are advice to my self
Even when they may seem otherwise
Especially when pain is the only reminder that I'm awake
I am talking my way out of the places my mind takes me
The remedy for what ails me
And sometimes, hopelessness having it's way
I know that there are brighter days ahead
For they call to me
Giving me reason to hope at all
Even on the days I am my own worst enemy
But, sometimes one cannot break free of one's cell
Unless every inch of such is explored
For shadows do not always bring demise
More often than not, they bring answers
Sometimes found within the questioning despair
Strength never comes without experience
And victory never comes without a fight
But, even the losses are victories
For I learn more about my self
And what I can endure
What breaks me, and what makes me stronger
Fear does not mean weakness
Failure does not mean defeat
Just as victory does not mean success
It all depends on the lessons that come thereafter
And the intent of each attempt
Because sometimes what I want is not mine to have
Even when it is something everyone desires in their own way
Though mind and heart cannot agree
Sometimes suffering hand in hand
Sometimes content in the joy of desires unobtained
But, always waiting...
Longing...
Dreaming...
Lamenting......
Rejoicing
For, even in wishes ungranted
Dreams yet untrue
Nightmares revisited and unresolved
It is the knowledge of beauty
There are still things in this world worth suffering for
There is still wonder and magic in the midst of chaos
There is still strength in my weakness
Pleasure despite my pain
Smiles in calamity
And the only way to defuse the effects of my depression
Is to study every aspect of emotion
Mainly, those most volitile to my mental destruction
Disarming sadness by personal description
Metaphores and precise actualities
Spoken not by the creative mind
But by the afflictions of my soul
Turning the darkness upon itself
Before I completely turn on my self

In sorrow, or in joy
We walk this darkness side by side
Though the vastness of the void
Can make us feel we are alone at times
But the voices that ring out
And the messages they carry
Cut sublimely through the emptiness
A hand to help us rise above
A friend to drive us onward
A comfort from one lost soul to another
As well as to ourselves
As we all continue to find our way
Through this weary, yet beautiful world
In each other, we find ourselves
And in ourselves, as in each other
We find our way through the darkness
For we are the light that shines
And together, we can chase away the night
So, to all of the poets who raise their voices
For others to hear, as to hear for themselves
It is truly an honor to fight by your side
As we battle the shadows that lust for control
And we each find our own understanding
Making the world a little more beautiful
One poem at a time
You are part of the beauty of the world to me
I thank you all

My wife has been asking for a divorce
I'm thinking this time that she is right
It's been a long time in the making
And I know I've put up a good fight

All the time that we've spent together
Must now come to an end
It's true it's you that I cling to
But this is best if the relationship is to mend

Of course I'm a little bit nervous
And this will take time to adjust
But cutting ties is the best of advice
So cutting ties I feel is a must

I think back years ago to the very first call
I picked it up innocently enough
It didn't take long for you to take over my life
Where I fell under your spell, thinking it love  

We've been side by side from that moment
I've held you tenderly all of this time
I'm finding it hard to let go of you
But it's best that we part and say our goodbyes

For all good things must come to an end
And we both had a good run of course
So I'm telling you now "Cell Phone" my friend
From you I need a divorce...

When you ask of me, why poetry
I'm not sure you understand
That it's the center of my universe
The very depth of who I am

The molecules in the air I breath
Oxygen pulsing through the veins
The storm brewing beneath the surface
The pounding of the rain

It's the timeless anticipation
Of the thought that's yet to come
The tearing open of life's seam
The beating of the drum

The first peak of the desert flower
When it feels the gentle touch of spring
The smile in the eyes of a child
And all the joy it brings

The in and out of the tide
In the pulling of the waves
When you ask of me, why poetry
What more is there to say

How many times must I ask*
For forgiveness for this sin
Just when I think I've conquered
It rears it's ugly head again

And with it comes the guilt, the shame
In my moment of despair
The vicious cycle starts again
A well traveled road that leads nowhere

My inner being knows what's right
And yet I do what's wrong
My spirit yearns to stand and fight
The flesh that holds me down

Without the power of the Cross
My life will not concede
Until I've finally had enough
There is no hope for me

So who will save this sinful man
When I have nothing else
Praise be to Christ, the Great I Am
*Who saves me from myself