As sudden as an ocean wave, the valve in his heart gave up.
Standing at the cemetery gates I finally understood.
He is gone. He is missed.
But he is not coming back.

In the blink of an eye, he was under the truck.
Standing at the cemetery gates I finally found peace.
Peace with the truck driver and peace with myself.
Most importantly peace with God.

As the bullet hit the gun dropped from his head to the floor.
Standing at the cemetery gates I was angry.
Angry as his parents, angry at the school.
Angry with myself. But mostly angry at him.

Her car veered off the road, down the ledge and into the water but it wasn't an accident.
Standing at the cemetery gates I was lost.
I couldn't understand why this happened.
I couldn't fathom why she did this to herself.

Thanksgiving morning, metal on metal, laughter dies.
Standing at the cemetery gates I was broken.
My soul so tired, holding those around me.
One life was gone and another hung in the balance.

His father saw him drop the gun as his body fell, wanted to run and save his son.
Standing at the cemetery gates I was numb.
Numb with shock and fear and cold
During that frigid and depressing December.

You can't beat the train. He knew but didn't listen.
Standing at the cemetery gates I was empty.
So many pieces of my heart were taken during the year
I wasn't sure there was anything left.

Standing at the cemetery gates I look around at all the friends I have buried. I thought high school was supposed to be the simple time in life, but if that's the case, why did they all have to go?

I remember brown eyes
And I remember white fur
I remember the times
That I used to hold her  
Lovingly in my arms
Or petting her till she rolled over on the floor  
Hoping for more pets on her belly
So I rub her stomach and play with her arms
Expecting her to play along
She almost always did
Until she got sick
There was no more playfulness    
At times she would only lick as a sign of affection                                    
Oh, how I miss her happiness
That's why on that day you left
I understood that it was for the best
Even though it made me a mess
I had nothing less                              
Than unconditional love
For my darling, Jessie
Baby, I'll be there right with you, just wait
I'll meet you at Heaven's gate
And once again, we can play
Like we used to until that tragic day

The story of Marilyn Monroe is like a fairytale of sorts
She was a simple and shy sweetheart who one day let her beauty for the world to show
Everyone knew her name, her glamour and fame, the glitter and lights in her name
But no one knew the real Marilyn, her private inner life
Plagued with tragedy, demons, and strife
A mentally broken mother, distant and sometimes unfaithful lovers, and personal demons that plagued her in the dark
Marilyn Monroe herself was just a mask; an alterego to shelter and protect the sensitive and quiet little Norma Jean
From a shy sweet girl to a vivacious and sultry *** goddess
Marilyn Monroe is a lot like you and me
She was a starlet beauty who was realistic and relatable
Tragically, she died and left the world; her name and life still a mystery to this day
Here's a story of a little girl who dreamed to conquer the world

Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe

frozen coke
family matters
sack swing
hugs

at 822 Pine Avenue

late nights
pillow forts
peach cobbler dessert

at 822 Pine Avenue

headstands and trampolines
laughs
a front porch swing

at 822 Pine Avenue

wives tales & mud pies

at 822 Pine Avenue

pecan tree
bench beneath
singing in her sleep

at 822 Pine Avenue

bird fountain and basketball net
a ball needing air
popsicle stains on shirts

at 822 Pine Avenue

mining for rocks down the alley
papa's roof was *****

at 822 Pine Avenue

birthday parties
coconut pies
drawing pictures in the front room

at 822 Pine Avenue

Geraldine stories
flash light animals
sleepovers with the twin beds pushed together

at 822 Pine Avenue

talking in her sleep
frying me bacon to eat
Sunday afternoon lunches

At 822 Pine Avenue

1 husband
3 kids
7 grandchildren
13 great grandchildren

at 822 Pine Avenue

A life has been taken
A light has faded
Touched so many people
Around the world
How could someone
have done this
to such a sweet girl
She brought a warmth
To your soul
A smile from quirky ways
How could someone just go
And take her life away

Ooh Angel rest at ease
Oh Angel just sleep and dream
We will always remember you
And everything it was you did
You accomplished so much
Yes you did, so much joy
So much light
that's what made you shine
Encrypt her in the stars
Yeah remembered forever
Oh Angel just rest at ease
Yeah girl please rest in peace
Just sleep and dream

Something just hit my heart
Something so pure
Gone too soon
God must have something
Big planned for you
Infected so many people
With your quirky ways
Always know how to bring a smile
To another's face
Yeah you held your arms open
to the whole world

Ooh Angel rest at ease
Oh Angel just sleep and dream
We will always remember you
And everything it was you did
You accomplished so much
Yes you did, so much joy
So much light
that's what made you shine
Encrypt her in the stars
Yeah remembered forever
Oh Angel just rest at ease
Yeah girl please rest in peace
Just sleep and dream

How could someone so good
Have such a tragic end
Doesn't that make you want to stop
And rethink absolutely everything
Taken so young,
Had so much left to give
She already gave so much
Hope we can find a way
To shine just as bright
Change the world
With your positive ways
Yeah light up the skies
With all your light
Spread love around the world tonight

Ooh Angel rest at ease
Oh Angel just sleep and dream
We will always remember you
And everything it was you did
You accomplished so much
Yes you did, so much joy
So much light
that's what made you shine
Encrypt her in the stars
Yeah remembered forever
Oh Angel just rest at ease
Yeah girl please rest in peace
Just sleep and dream

©2017 Written By Benji James

Call yourself a liar
Left arm on fire
Each take a turn
Watch them go burn.

Throw down the dice
Cut a big slice
The chest tightens up
Fill the deepest cup.

Break off a piece
Shell cracks to decease
All lost and trust
Red dead and rust.

Forever sleep, never keep
Die and let be dead.
Rest, my friend, in Earth deep,
You've finally come to know peace.

You are no demon, angel, or beast
You are, but instead,
A beautiful thing, to say the least,
Finally come to know peace.

and a bell in its place
to some, no doubt,
a disgrace

it was to me, i must admit
but new light shines
in place of it

our front page is new,
brighter than ever
and now made by you

trending was all the rage
but (we all knew it) the algorithm
couldn't hold the stage

so now he'll do his part
to get your poem out in front
but that's just the start

next it's up to the community,
a repost, a heart or a plucky thumb
dare I say, it's up to you and me