you have the
nerve
to say that women are
squeamish

when we see blood
month after month

you say we are too emotional
to hold office,
too fragile
to be independent,
too unpredictable,
to be on our own

but you forget
we are bulletproof.

you forget
we have stamina
and fire inside of us

because we are fighting
twice as hard
to be recognized
as the amazing,
successful people we are.

we are fighting
to be seen
as more
than our appearance,
to be valuable
because of our brains
instead of our *****.

we are bulletproof.

Hope set on repetition
Single sentences, remittance
Cataclysmic, for a single state
Left to divide the remainder

Still, hypnotic trained psychosis
Found me scoffing at the notion
Growing old, centered delusional
Truth for something final

Dead-set pan, follow the camera, love that emotion, let it seep through

Lost, toppled bridges surrounding
Found more than a fair share of ashes
Corridors narrow enough...

Almost one in the morning, lost in the middle of some state or another
Neon lights come to a head, followed by the sound of the loose bulbs rattling in their sockets
Sounds of something crawling in the walls

I bet it all on retention
My whole life, I bet it all on retention

Marketable skills, not likely
Fighting for a  timepiece that
I know despises, time will pass
One way or another
Make it last, fat chance
Almost out of change and past
Mistakes ring straight through glass
Mark the date

I have a love hate relationship with nice weather
Warm nights in particular, where it would be just slightly too hot if not for a nice cross breeze
Bearable, when I've got company
Not that I have much company to spare

You are beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are fat or thin,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are tall or short,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are dark or light,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you have scars or birthmarks,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are an introvert or extrovert,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you suffer from
Mental disorders,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you wear glasses or not,
You're still beautiful.

It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor,
You're still beautiful.

You may have flaws,
But that's what makes you whole.

And to me,
You'll always be beautiful.

I'm editing my next book "Definitely Didactic"  and in coming across this one, I decided - this must go out long before the book. Listening to and about other's woes,  I just fell in love with it.

        You Never Know The Clout You Have



You never know the clout you have,

Clout a blow or target;

Most of all effect or power

You exert by being you.



Take care! Be careful, scared! Be wary!

Everything you say, you do -

Each word, each vow, an influence.

In circumstance an ambience

You pray will be benevolent.



You, you, you in all you do;

And you have impact.

Make a pact with mental you

To be a kind and gentle you,

Giving out rewarding vibes,

Enriching, beneficial, fruitful.

You, yourself a scribe imbibing

Influences from abroad,

From world untoward – in discord!



Take some in and turn them ‘round.

You abound in power.

You can be man* of the hour

Just by being who you are.

You can be the lucky star

Of every person you encounter.

So remember!

You ne’er know the clout you have

To save what ever may occur.

* of course woman too!

You Never Know The Clout You Have 4.29.2017 Definitely Didactic; Coffee Book II; Arlene Corwin

She was broken,
Pieces of
Her splintered heart
Floated around
As she fell to the ground
Sobbing.
But she did not
Give up,
She rose again
And
Gathered her
Shattered pieces,
Putting them
Back together
Bit by bit.
She was not broken
Anymore,
She was art;
A beautiful mosaic.

You are beautiful, He says
And the truth lingers in his eyes
You are wonderful, He says
And this man tells no lies
You are amazing, He says
And it's enough to make you cry
You are my world, He says
And I will always love you
Until the day I die

Narrow escapes never mind this week of infamy,
emotions boiled over and evaporated,
their singe screeching over ousted flames,
the kettle screams in B flat, desperate for attention,
cattle calls draw the milk in.