you mock my pain,
cheering me on.
like —
for real.

i’m annoyed.
a bit hurt.
disappointed,
because my first attempt
didn’t work.

you tell me it’s okay —
when it’s not.
you say it’s an easy fix —
i know it is.
yet i sit in the grump,
because i wasted time,
energy,
looking forward to this.

if it’s a let-down,
you say, ten percent of it is.
i say, ninety —
so you argue,
i’m too pessimistic.

bite me.

It's a party, so

drink to me, drink to my life --


drink to life itself!

he got caught
in a downpour
on what seemed like
the sunniest of days
when he stopped
for a coffee
he didn't really need
and hadn't noticed
the sky's shifting grey
he would have been
home long before
the storm came
if he had kept walking
but the torrent
began so suddenly

one of those where
the raindrops
feel enormous
every impact
an undeserved
or unwelcome
pat on the back
with neither
umbrella or coat
he found cover in
a sheltered alley
between two buildings
and begrudgingly
chose to wait

two buoyant women
elderly but clearly
not showing their age
scampered playfully
into his refuge
their umbrellas
forgotten for now
while their mood
somehow remained
remarkably well disposed
even though
those webs of nylon
had protected only
heads and shoulders
while their lower halves
had become saturated
they seemed not to care
greeting him with a grin
they chatted and gestured
and laughed

he would have no idea
what their story was
where they were going
or coming from
but in those moments
sheltering amidst
their joie-de-vivre
his frustration was
dampened
             ironically
and with a smile
that would last
his entire walk home
he stepped out into
the ongoing deluge

A trusted advisor,
A friend,
Someone you can rely on,
Through thick and thin.
Someone to hold out,
A guiding hand,
Someone to cheer you on,
When you reach the end.
There’s something special,
Knowing someone believes in me,
Despite everything.
It gives me hope,
That perhaps one day,
I’ll become something!
All because of a few words said,
From a mentor, a trusted friend.

what a voice, an adoring grin
warm hazel eyes that welcome sunsets in
a laugh of blooming jasmine
from october’s touch to march’s kiss
spoonfuls of honey warmth by a cup to sip
a blushed smile like a spoonful of peanut butter
grasped by the hands of a child
hair that is messy and soft
arms to pull me in by the waist
soothing and pure cheer
in your love

Please, bright holidays - summon irresistible cheer
that dancing souls can celebrate with free hearts.

Let hallow'd observances pass with seasonal soundtracks, tinsel-prismed cascades of multicolored lights and evergreen scents.

Too often these days, our joys seem hostage held
by some fearsome heaviness, like that of a guilty thing.

Give wholesome nights back their power to charm,
enjoy festive feelings, and pass those, as gifts, on to others.

Tiresome day
Seemingly little to say
Hoping for things to be
Well on their way

Tired, near gone day
Nothing much to say
Not much to see
Sleepy limbs to sway

Shuffle through
See what may be

News,
Oh happy day!
At last,
Great things to shout and say!
Life surging back into the limbs
Run, jump about
Celebrate this greatness that has come!

Rising to swift moving feet
Spirits, today they soar
A great new thing there is to greet
The night no longer a bore!

Here comes this poet,
My weapon is my word,
I will slay them with my tongue
Then turn them quite around
Take them by their hands
And dance with them
To the wildest of songs!

Here comes this poet,
Words at the ready
Come and catch me now
No need to wonder how
Stride quite steady
And they shall soon know it
As here comes the poet!

- Jay M
January 12th, 2021