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354 · Jul 2016
Accepting Myself
Michael LoMonaco Jul 2016
Judgements of deception plagued my mind,
Following an artificial shadow with no hope.

Having problems from cognitive growth,
Learning was considered a form of witchcraft.

No intentions of committing remorseful acts,
Yet sinned horribly with clouded viewpoints.

Jinxed by the demons of mental illnesses,
Leading to the wicked curse of addiction.

Due to the unpreparedness at the legal age,
The real world ate me alive during adulthood.

Climbing an uphill battle to conquer problems,
The first step needed to start with exploration.

Reaching the highest mountains to find potential,
Recognizing my personality through discovery.

Acceptance from pure identity led to happiness,
Now traveling a path of my own choosing.
352 · Feb 2019
The Immeasurable
Michael LoMonaco Feb 2019
We like to put a number to levels,
Utilizing a scale for expression.

Using measurement to rate happiness,
Applying a scale to convey fear.

Some scenarios of magnitude proportions can’t be accessed,
Such as the righteousness of God’s love.

Accepting the high measurement just as intense,
Without putting a value to intensiveness.
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2014
In the moment of present day bliss,
We wonder if the next day will still offer wealth,
Hoping that tomorrow can still possess gold.

The journey to good fortune is an unpredictable path,
Like rolling dice in a game of chance.

The future holds no guarantees,
Leaving tomorrow a mystified puzzle.

Forget about the mystery of the unknown.

Instead, move with the currents of the ocean—
Continuing in stride with each flow.
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
Humanity emphasizes a need for titles,
Stressing highlights of one’s abilities.

Bragging rights are sparked by struggles,
Fighting barriers to earn the prize.

Just because a person lacks an award,
Talent can still exist with its potential to shine.

Individuals don’t need a degree to claim intelligence,
People don’t have to earn a trophy to proclaim athletic strength.

Having your name on a centerpiece is valuable,
But being happy with your capabilities is priceless.
Michael LoMonaco Mar 2018
With imperfections tearing us apart,
We feel like throwing in the towel.

Cruelty weakens the inner self,
Screaming inside for the intent to surrender.

Somehow, survival sets the will to live,
Providing the necessary strength to exist.

Because we don’t want to die,
The goal is to dominate the suffering.

Finding that second wind to endure the brawl,
Fighting all the way to the last round.

We usually finish the brutal battle,
Because life is too precious to quit.
337 · Aug 2017
Repressed Memories
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2017
It’s those memories you forgot,
The moments that caused despair.

Times when tragedies lived,
Events that your brain doesn’t remember.

Incidents which inflicted scars,
Provoking trauma in the current day.

Those misfortunes must be healed,
For a positive present and future.

Recovery could take months or years,
But blissfulness occurs once peace of mind happens.
328 · Jun 2018
When Stuck in that Rut
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2018
Blissfulness has hit a brick wall,
Colliding against the barriers of hardships.

Unable to discover the joys in life,
As despair kills all of the pleasure.

Cause is misplaced by unanswered questions,
Replacing purpose with unjustified critique.

Lying in a pool filled with misery,
With motivation at a standstill.

That rut puts us in a downward spiral,
But we can certainly stand again.

In order to conquer the slump,
We must lift ourselves up from the water.
325 · Jun 2017
Hiding from Happiness
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2017
Society says hearing voices is crazy,
People claim smashing walls is lunacy,
But hiding from happiness is considered insane.

Involuntarily depressed with no shining star,
As the sun started to offer light,
Shadows still existed without any brightness.

Years of captivity kept old rituals alive,
Keeping that same routine living in misery,
As depression always plays that agonizing day.

Painful repetition needed to be broken,
Shattering sadness so bliss can enter,
Unlocking new gateways for contentment.

Once the passageway to pleasure opened,
Glory was capable of glowing,
Unleashing possibilities which now thrive.
323 · Jan 2019
Focus on the Pro List
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2019
The favorable column should dominate,
Banishing fake avenues that transpire from negativity.

The con list will grant false promises,
Even though optimism is provided in the short run.

The dopamine effect of cigarettes delivers brief relief,
Yet generates many harmful conditions years ahead.

When kicking any bad habit with encouraging harms,
Focusing on the pros will direct you to the right path.

The route to a better you will always have barriers,
But strong determination will guide you to success.
319 · Sep 2017
The Competition amongst us
Michael LoMonaco Sep 2017
Witnessing imperfection at it strongest,
Seeing a contestant battle to be on top.

Observing dignity abandon principles,
Using the sword of honor for greediness.

Stabbing others to get ahead,
Putting one’s desires before righteousness.

I am also a sinner committing disloyalty,
As a flawed man living with human ambition.

When betrayal creeps up on the mind,
We must remind ourselves to stay faithful.

Dedicating our quest to a virtuous reason,
Or else evil destroys the meaningfulness of cause.
Michael LoMonaco Mar 2017
Mending scenarios with driven force,
Even though the circumstance isn’t fractured.

Unhappy with a near perfected line,
Trying to weld perfection into an unfitted pipe.

Attempting to perfect the impossible,
Flaws will always appear in every situation.

Repairing items that are fine,
Correcting terms that are stable,
Finding remedies when the heart is healthy.

When we fix problems without cause,
Conditions can become completely smashed,
Rebuilding solutions from scratch.
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2018
When people insist a goal is farfetched,
Decisiveness prompts the will to excel.

Self-encouragement is on a mission,
Battling criticism by trying to succeed.

The world is in a destructive war,
Attacking on every side to beat success.

Engaging risks that can harm potential,
As threats by civilization conspires talent.

Struggling with enthusiasm to win glory,
Sparring the enemy through self-dignity.

Applying discipline to an opposed cause,
Desire for victory duels with a sharp sword.

The ambitious purpose can defeat the odds,
Not surrendering for diligence of passions.
314 · Jul 2016
The Tendency to Sin
Michael LoMonaco Jul 2016
The perfection clause doesn’t apply,
Yet we struggle to be flawless.

Society demands perfectionism,
But the perfect human ceases to exist.

We are all sinners in an imperfect world,
In a universe that is filled with faults.

Immorality is part of the individual,
A mind which consists of defects.

Misdeeds will prevail in this life,
As wrong acts continues to thrive.

The soul can live based on virtue,
Following a path where dignity rules.

Even though we can’t be perfectionists,
Striving to be finest person is enough.
310 · Dec 2018
Paradise in the Mind
Michael LoMonaco Dec 2018
The scenario is unhappy one,

Frustrated with the current conditions.



Chaos is dictating the conscious,

With the devastation manufacturing pain.



Alter the nightmare by shifting gears,

Rising from the misery by envisioning bliss.



The imagination is a strong tool,

Modifying horror with peace.



Enter a place where the sun shines,

By producing visions of tranquility.



Viewing the palm trees through images,

Reaching paradise without leaving home.
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
When success is present through fortune,
It’s easy for us to ease the fighting.

Battling less while glory is achieved,
Maintaining greatness after a long war.

Misery is usually in a brutal dispute,
Shedding blood and tears for progress.

Anguish is trying to win,
Attempting to earn that chance.

Whenever goals are acquired,
Never forgot the road that was traveled.
308 · Nov 2016
Noticeable Fury
Michael LoMonaco Nov 2016
Your face turns red with blood,
Seeing veins looking like they are about to burst.

Perspiration flow similar to a river,
As sweat falls down the face.

Temperature rises to levels of the sun,
Feeling like you are about to burn up.

Heart races to the speed of light,
Experiencing a high pulse that’s unsafe.

Most people see these signs as you are angry,
Witnessing fury which is affecting your health.

Take a deep breath by inhaling through your nose,
And exhaling directly out of your mouth.

You can help release the tension by proper ventilation,
Breathing out the stressors of life when furious.
305 · Aug 2016
A New Beginning
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
Traveled the unwanted trail to pain,
Loss on the route of disappointment.

Walking to roads that ignites cruelty,
Setting fire to a mind which hurts.

Agony led by the soul will ruin life,
Causing existence to be dissatisfied.  

Once realizing the clock is ticking,
The bridge to healing can approach.

Searching for the track to recovery,
Beginning a phase that will thrive.

When avenues of chances start to open,
New lanes will unite enlightenment.
302 · Mar 2017
Running on Empty
Michael LoMonaco Mar 2017
Sweat is produced by reason,
To achieve that point of results.

After strenuous miles on the obstacle course,
Fatigue stabs the nerves without remorse.

The body is bombarded by pain,
As cramps represent a threat to success.

Running with ambition on the track,
Risking safety by pride for the ultimate glory.

Self-discipline and good health will produce goals,
As recuperating on the sidelines can produce better outcomes.
302 · Mar 2018
Panic Attack
Michael LoMonaco Mar 2018
Dread accelerates to terrorizing proportions,
As the abnormal fear response kicks into gear.

Your surroundings close you in,
Even when in an open field.

Panicking like a life or death situation,
Yet the conditions are completely normal.

Temperature rises to burning levels,
Feeling the heat ******* up your oxygen.

Heart rate climbs to a rapid pace,
Believing a heart attack is happening.

Whenever a panic attack occurs,
The key to survival is saying you will survive.
300 · May 2017
When the Pain Comes Back
Michael LoMonaco May 2017
Suffering returns with a vengeance,
Causing pain that inflicts wounds.

The injury puts us on the sideline,
Interrupting stability by tearing balance.

Now that harmony is broken,
A new mission must start to reenter the game.

A quest to restore steadiness must persist,
Or else we will forever sit on the bench.

Because of our determination to rise from agony,
We tend to find a way to run normally on the field.
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2019
Progress tends to hit a barrier,
As advancement to take a step backwards.

Disappointment could take us off the track,
Causing all gains to be completely lost.

Even though you take a step back,
You are still ahead by one stride.

You lose five pounds of fat by determination,
Then gain three pounds through indulging.

Succeeding doesn’t demand perfection,
But it requires you not to quit the mission.
299 · Jan 2019
The Inspirational Path
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2019
When you possess the *** of gold,
We shouldn’t keep the wealth to ourselves.

The inspirational path offers fortune,
Delivering hope to the disadvantaged.

It starts by pursuing virtuous ways,
Aiding for the greater good.

Inspiring though that great action,
Providing assistance with a smile.

To spark a revolution of righteousness,
Making a difference one deed at a time.
299 · Sep 2017
Meaningful Pain
Michael LoMonaco Sep 2017
Pain is usually a warning sign,
Telling you damage is being inflicted.

When cause unleashes agony,
Torment tends to have purpose.

Struggling with ambition up that cliff,
Striving for success to reach the top.

Recognizing the obstacles of the hill,
As reason provokes the will against anguish.

Commitment is the source of meaningful pain,
Battling the resistance for a special prize.
297 · Jun 2017
Quitting before We Try
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2017
Throwing in the towel without effort,
Afraid of the vicious blows.

Brutal punches are part of the game,
Stepping into the ring for conquest.

If we don’t fight for that win,
The belt will never be won.

We can be knocked out through a hit,
But losing by not trying is the ultimate defeat.
294 · Jan 2017
Pain Creates Wonderful Art
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2017
Pain expresses creativity from the artist,
As the creator develops ideas inspired by misery.

The designer creates a masterpiece due to agony,
Sharing their work which is a symbol of meaning.

Throughout history, anguish has motivated the best works,
Establishing exhibits that have led to recognition from fame.

Even though despair is a horrible curse,
Possessing a wonderful imagination in art is a gift.
287 · Jan 2019
The Roller Coaster of Life
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2019
Survival on earth has its ups and downs,
Like a roller coaster taking you on a zigzagged ride.

Pain and pleasure will shift throughout living,
Swinging back and forth usually without any notice.

Destiny’s plan will keep swaying,
As the ride will always consist of rocking.

Even though this journey is full of twist and turns,
We can still learn how to live with fluctuations of life.
Michael LoMonaco Jul 2016
All outcomes are driven by desire,
Fueled by the intentions to succeed.

Not every result is created equal,
Due to the justice of the means.

Good versus evil battles for cause,
Deciding the value of success.

Vileness leads to an easier end,
Throwing out worthy principles.

Winning with virtue is harder,
Keeping integrity in progress.

If the journey is kept righteous,
The soul will earn a higher prize.
285 · Dec 2018
Anxiety
Michael LoMonaco Dec 2018
Anticipating the absolute worst.
Needing to escape the situation.
Xanax isn’t a pure solution.
Isolation becomes worse with time.
Everything seems out of control.
Taming abnormal fear by recognition.
Yoga is very a therapeutic approach.
An acrostic poem.
284 · Jan 2019
When we are Offended
Michael LoMonaco Jan 2019
When we are offended,
Revenge is not recommended,
Even through harm was intended.

It’s a complex situation,
One that causes frustration,
But it’s best to form a foundation.

Do not fight the opposition,
Lead with strong ambition,
Take a stance with definition.

There is no gain with hostility,
Only leading to irritability,
So choose the route of responsibility.
284 · Apr 2017
Music Tames the Soul
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
The beat generates tranquility,
Producing waves of comfort throughout the body.

Words stimulate symbols that provoke meaning,
Singing along with passionate purpose.

Calming the anxious soul during nervousness,
As blood flow reduces while hearing the song.

Seeing agitated animals become tame by the music,
Putting aside the salvage beast by napping on my lap.

Whenever the difficulties of the real world become tough,
Play that melody that brings you to a calm world.
283 · Apr 2017
Experiencing a Breakdown
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
The intersection is deadlocked,
Blocked by reality of living.

The overpass has fallen,
Causing a traumatic breakdown.

Life is at standstill,
With no traffic being averted.

Congestion on the highway becomes worse,
Thinking there will no solution on the streets.

When bridges collapse,
Destiny tends to find a new route.
282 · Mar 2018
Rising and Falling
Michael LoMonaco Mar 2018
Climbing to the top of greatness,
As glory advances to maximum performance.

The peak of the mountain is reached,
With new heights soaring to bliss.

When we rise to the greatest point,
Eventually, we will fall to the bottom.

Contentment loses its altitude,
Bringing pain as joy can’t last forever.

Each time we drop to the ground,
Surging to elevated levels can be achieved again.
282 · Apr 2018
Cash for Survival Only
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2018
Cash is mandatory for existence,
Using currency to survive life.

Money can’t buy me purpose,
A feeling that thrives in the soul.

Seeking out meaning that’s priceless,
Causes which gold can’t purchase.

Time is mostly spent on forming reason,
Even finding dedicated motives at work.

Wealth is secondary to devoted ambitions,
Achieving trails that secure avenues of intent.
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2017
A vision plays out in the mind,
Creating a perfect design for an outcome.

Ideas blossom to construct a purpose,
Hoping nothing won’t block the strategy.

Somehow, obstacles stop the movement of progress,
Ruining a project which was well devised.

When situations don’t go as planned,
We feel like reason is destroyed.

Try to preserve the infrastructure,
And work on rebuilding the architecture.

If the fort can’t be maintained,
Form a secondary scenario as an option.

It’s unfortunate when a framework is damaged,
But there is always new an alternative to an aim.
280 · Nov 2017
Nothing Wrong with Average
Michael LoMonaco Nov 2017
The stigma from ordinary raises the bar,
Intensifying the level that’s regarded as success.

Society envisions a perfect portrait,
A picture with ideal coloring.

Black and white dye can possess boldness,
Yet life could judge the lack of bright colors.

The drawing still has the same meaning,
Even in the absence of glowing beauty.

When common is frowned upon,
Normal develops a bad reputation.

Artwork presenting stronger purpose is best,
Despite the masterpiece missing coloration.

If average offers powerful reason,
Design that great image with routine paint.
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
Traveling to another land to escape,
Yet the house offers misleading hope.

Leaving from home to seek a dream,
But the next location can’t fulfill bliss.

The exact problems are still alive,
Staying with you in your new residence.

Running from misery injuries the soul,
Stabbing the human mind with regret.
277 · Jun 2018
Equal Opportunity
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2018
All people are battling for one purpose:
Opportunity in a world full of barriers.

Unfortunately, not all chances are created equal,
As connections to money and fame can create inequality.

The struggles of life are harder than others,
When climbing up to the mountain is tougher.

Good souls suffer because of lack of resources,
And unappreciative people abuse power and fortune.

Everyone deserves options to happiness,
But imperfections will always put limitation on humans.

Let us try to create a simpler world,
Attempting to reduce complexity by opening roads.
277 · Apr 2018
Small Steps
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2018
Traveling the long journey to glory,
Trying to reach the destination of success.

When progression is hurried by exertion,
Stamina will arrive at levels of exhaustion.

The momentum to victory requires steadiness,
Needing patience as the pace relies on mini strides.

Small steps are essential to attain greatness,
As the route to succeeding is a slow plan.

If desires to rush growth produce a craving,
Crush the urge by realizing the harms of speeding.
274 · Aug 2016
Forgiveness
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
The sword of fury stabs us in the back,
Sparking the fire by resentment.

Flames ignite into a huge grudge,
With hatred burning in our eyes.

If a person repents their past sins,
Eradicate the arson of fueled anger.

Life is too short to scorch in rage,
A blaze that depletes the quality of life.
272 · Jun 2017
Many Chances
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2017
Once freed from sin,
New chapters started to begin.

No longer holding that knife,
While threatening people’s life.

Presented with that chance,
Now taking a righteous stance.

Promoting the message of peace,
Instead of letting rage become released.

__________________­


Danger played an unhealthy game,
Gambling my life for pathetic priorities.

Addiction almost ended my existence,
As searching for relief led to a harmful route.

Aggression triggered various explosions,
Suffering the blow of minor consequences.

With opportunity closing the trail to chances,
Potential needed to find a righteous path.

Once realizing sin would cause a conclusion,
Virtue started to prevail in a new chapter.
I wrote a rhyming and a free verse form.
Michael LoMonaco Nov 2018
The easy route is calling your name,
Offering an easier path to glory.

Promising a way without obstacles,
But deceitfulness is waiting at the end.

By skipping corners on the trail,
Steps are missed that will ruin the outcome.

The longer journey will possess barriers,
Yet the quest to victory will be fulfilled.

We must be patient with success,
Or else rushing will collapse progress.
270 · Dec 2018
Tomorrow is Another Day
Michael LoMonaco Dec 2018
Pain is part of the plan today,
As misery claims today’s tournament,
But agony didn’t win the championship.

Tomorrow is meant to be played,
One which improvement can strive,
To start another day on a happy note.

Battling the remaining hours left,
Attempting to survive torment,
Using current time to heal wounds.

Even if the sun isn’t shining,
The next day begins a fresh test,
With a chance to excel in a new exam.
269 · Apr 2017
Ruthless Labels
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
Society marks you with an unfair tag,
A sticker that hurts by its significance.

Stereotypes swing with deadly force,
Wounding the mind through violent words.

The imprint leaves a scar,
Registering unjustified opinions.

Fighting the infections of trauma,
Stigma tries to regenerate by cruelty.

Ruthless labels possess pointless messages,
Meaningless slogans with no conceptual definition.
269 · Nov 2016
No Goodbyes
Michael LoMonaco Nov 2016
It was that wicked drug,
Not some contagious bug,
That caused a goodbye without a hug.

We certainly cried when you died,
And our tears eventually just dried,
Because your potential to shine was denied.

Even though you are dead,
A fact that we all dread,
After knowing what life you have led,
And every battle that caused bloodshed,
We are confident for what is ahead.
This poem is dedicated to my brother, who died at age 33 from an overdose on painkillers. I love you with all my heart and soul!
268 · Aug 2016
Never Forget the Pain
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
Slashing memories into pieces,
Trying to **** horrible thoughts.

Attempting to defeat trauma,
Striving to end mental pain.

The past is destroying the present,
Ruining life with a very sharp blade.

Oppose the scars from old events,
But never forget the anguish,
So patterns of history won’t repeat.
267 · Aug 2016
The Fear of Responsibility
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
Responsibility spooked me like a ghost,
Terrified of my own accountability.

Discipline dreaded my conscience,
Realizing that punishment was mandated.

Duties frightened my lazy mind,
Knowing that obligations had to be fulfilled.

Waking up to a scary reality,
That I had to grow up and become serious.

The route to adulthood was exhausting,
Yet a rewarding task filled with excitement.
266 · Apr 2017
Those Locked Doors
Michael LoMonaco Apr 2017
Destiny has created a maze,
One with many locked doors.

The course to success is difficult to find,
Setting up barriers which ignite insecurities.

We can wait for someone to open the entrance,
But that person usually doesn’t show up.

In order to get through the entryway,
We must take action by unlocking our own trail.

If you depend on others for reaching the exit,
Glory will fail as thriving routes won’t open.

Use self-disciple to unlock victory,
Not relying on another person’s keys for progress.
264 · Jun 2018
Part of the plan
Michael LoMonaco Jun 2018
Devised before the moment of birth,
A blueprint was created by God.

A chain of events that will take place,
Designing a predestined future that shall occur.

These trends are all part of the plan,
Setting up a test built upon virtue.

The pattern consists of many barriers,
A journey one must complete for glory.

The trail will provide two dictions,
Providing an exam based on faith.

A road which offers darkness,
And a route that provides light.

The almighty already knows your choice,
Foreseeing the quest that’s already predicted.
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
While walking down the street,
Moments produce a desired smile.

A television show ignites a flashback,
Remembering the laughter of peace.

When we eat at the dinner table,
We miss the empty seat by his absence.

Every time the stars rest at night,
There are tears of pain in my eyes.

As the present relives his soul,
Stories shine by honoring loyalty.

Each tale that recites his existence,
Memories exhibit praises of tribute.
263 · Aug 2016
Heaven Can Wait
Michael LoMonaco Aug 2016
Lacking the strength to fight,
Ready to surrender to life,
Society’s flaws had me surrounded.

While being stabbed by all directions,
Desperation delivers the strength,
The power to conquer adversities.

Battling for happiness with a strong sword,
Winning the war against the brutal enemy,
Finally realizing that heaven can wait.
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