When I was a younger man
Time moved so much quicker
There was always something happening
Always something changing
Somewhere to go
Something to catch up with
Or even to escape from
People came and went
Then came and went again
"Where's he living these days?"
"Who knows what's happening?"

Now things are quieter and calmer
In this age of ghosts
In the land of the lost and lonely
Where once there was speed
There's nowhere to go
And nothing much changes
Even my dreams remain the same
As, with an unaccustomed patience
I write poems
And wait

                              By Phil Roberts

-Enjoying the view?
-I'm going to jump.
-Sure.
-Sure?
-Who am I to say you shouldn't jump? Perhaps they deserve it.
-Who?
-The people's hearts you're going to break when you touch water like concrete and dismember yourself. I heard it's painful.
-How do you know?
-I'm a forensic pathologist. I observe dead bodies all day long. I know when something hurts.
-Maybe the external pain wouldn't be as painful.
-As?
-My crushed heart? I know when something hurts, too.
-What did he do to you?
-Love somebody else.
-Then move on.
-I cannot move on.
-Then leave.
-Why?
-So he cannot hurt you anymore.
-The other end of the world isn't far enough.
-No man is worth this kind of hurt.
-This one is.
-No one is.
-I have forgotten how to be happy again.
-Start with a smile.
-*Even smiling breaks my heart.

I will never forget our date
Under the cool evening sun that led
to a wonderful enchanting night
Nerve pain and sweaty palms
We smile throughout the whole ordeal like champs

The camera capture a moment of truth near the fountain
while the sound of the water whispered our names
not Romeo or Juliet but Rommel and Annie

  Tense moments, unanswered questions throughout the meal
somehow our smiles, determine the rhythm
Of our heart beats, but our strong faith saves us
From naughty thoughts, enough to create a memorable kiss
We never set out to want each other like wild cats
Little did we realize we had the key to each other heart?

True love is so rare; I am still searching for it.
Even though lovely things like us had to
endure years of unhappiness
we must bear in mind that Jesus he too also
Endure one side to get to the other

All signs were there, yet we failed to see them

Today we are playing it safe and crossing only one signal,
Love hurts when we settle for less than the best.
I am always embracing the dark side of my creativity:
I am always searching for ways to add to the love without the hurt.

I always seem to have needed lots of time
To stare......at nothing
I went through my entire education
Staring through windows
At nothing much
Indeed, the essence of a good stare,
Is not to focus on anything
But to find that comfortable place
Where thoughts can wander
To find nourishing places to dwell
Where poetry is born

                                     By Phil Roberts