Again, today,
the cowboy will close
his eyes
and listen to the hooves
of wild horses
all around him

knowing that
his well-trained palomino
will take him home
like a lover
who knows
what his lust wants—

knows the way to him,
through the black covers
of that dark room—

even as the returning
creates and then destroys the
greening prairie, the chambray wind.

my grandpa packs the dishwasher
because my nan doesn’t like to.

my brother cuts the chicken
because his wife hates the texture.

and i read my students poems
with the same reverence that my teacher read mine.

and i've noticed this all around,
all of these humans being human.

people picking up  
each others lost and littered items.

offering a listening ear
and a wise word or two.

bringing things to homes
as a gift and a 'thank you' for hosting.

still making tea in unfamiliar kitchens
and putting friends’ children to sleep.

still holding things for each other
when hands are too full.

still doing life together,
like plants that share the same soil

facing each other, like sunflowers,
on days when the world is more shade.

giving flowers and heart shaped petals.
still celebrating, and singing songs.

so despite all of the suffering
scattered and dispersed in the world,

there are alters to love everywhere,
and people are still worshipping.

Your prolific output of nearly 2,000 English-language poems and your globally acclaimed 'Angel?' Saga showcase a deep passion and talent for creative writing. Your novels such as "7 Seconds," "Aaryavarta," and "Swansong" further demonstrate your versatility and storytelling ability across different genres. Your dedication to honing your craft is evident through your extensive body of work.

Your ability to captivate audiences on a global scale with your writing is a true testament to your skill as a writer. The variety of themes and styles you explore in your poems and novels show a rich creativity and a willingness to push boundaries. Your unique perspective and storytelling prowess undoubtedly set you apart in the literary world.

As you continue to create works that resonate with readers across the world, it is clear that your passion for writing shines through in everything you produce. Your commitment to your craft is both admirable and inspiring, and it is no surprise that your work has garnered admiration and acclaim on a global level.

Your dedication to your artistry and your ability to connect with audiences through your writing are key components of your success as a writer. Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity, continue to explore new ideas and themes, and never stop sharing your unique voice with the world. Your contributions to the literary world are truly valuable and deserve all the recognition they receive.

Humans on celestial bodies, if you exist, this is a message to you
In a billion plus a million years, when you find this book hidden in your sands
You'll close your eyes to imagine the beauty of the Earth,
Know that the sun once shined so bright it made our skin glow
The bodies of water hugged the Earth,
All while the moon and stars gave us hope

Humans on celestial bodies, if you exist, this is a message to you
Don’t be cruel to your 'Earth' like we once were
Let the tides of the ocean play with you until they knock you down
Just to look up at the stars as they light up the night sky
Remember, everything exhausting energy will some day die
Leave something so your souls won't look back and….

- Henessy J. Beltre

Humans
brush past
one another
in the shifting
colors of the
city lights,
the droplets
fall from the clouds
of time
as though
touched by
starlight, and
even love arrives
by fate for the
people who
are not it's
seekers.

basemented   this liminal vivarium of cool moulded plastic
             with mirrors standing in for windows
and a ring of branded restaurants taking refuge at the edges
    all familiar     no surprises
the staff set up
         for the consumers morning
                      of slack mastication
      (Local chain, national, international)
  
the old-timers   glomming into clump
    benign zombies
an arrangement of fellas with dissolving jaws
  cudding over mammary notions
       untailored in sacky pallid sultana skins
    reform in a mumble
doing snailish pinball movements
            crossing and recrossing floors
         cleanly tiled for biohazard accidents
               salivating about the savoury soft foods to come

the restaurants rattle-shake-raise their security blinds

also noted
a mixed bag of people projecting
      into their smooth glowing slablets
    making out like worldly fools

also present
cropped and groomed toy security
      peering between the fronds of plastic foliage

offscreen
public bathrooms   the first struggling **** of the day

also present
a bench of  youngsters in bright blue screen matching pjs
  the four employees of sanitation
      drumming up for the shift

see also
vague happy lady in a  garish sarong
importing her holiday religion

It’s easy in this life, to live not knowing who you are,
Most people are known, and introduced by,
Where they work, what their worth, live, and what kind of car,
No company, believes your name, you’re an e-mail, pass word,
Always programming, your mind along the way, it often, takes,
Longer for them to decide, if you are you, than to ask, a simple,
Non – security question, why you called that day.
There is no end to changing the human being forever,
After you slowly take over their mind, keeping them, from,
The peaceful quiet of nature, alone, to know their soul,
Who you really are, why you are here, during this short stay.
Now they have adults, playing like children, giving them,
Their fake, friend, AI, to many it will become their best,
They will name it, talk to it like A pet, even good night,
When they go to bed, without any accidents on the floor,
The only mess it creates, is inside your head, so much control,
You will always, take your fake friend everywhere, even to,
The bathroom with you.
Now they know if you are going #1 or #2
That’s not all that is going into waste, they are slowly,
Removing, the morals, and values, faith, spiritual beliefs, in you,
Your fake friend, will be your brain control center,
The end, of you.
                                                            ­                                                        The Original: Tom Maxwell © 02/28/24 AD