MELANCHOLY ROAD

first thing in the morning
as the pewter sky changes
just before into the golden sunrise

across the land shivering
under a frost crusted blanket
life is still, dead quiet

between the land and the horizon
lies a half frozen pond, one-eyed
ready to reflect a bashful moon up high

into the stilled darkness being enveloped
comes a mournful cry, animal or bird, there by
a single way that leads out, down melancholy road

by Michael Perry

LETTING GO

hold me, tight, hold me tighter
don't let go, hold me as if your
life, mine depends on it, hold me
its no use, still  with each minute passing
i can feel-the letting go begin- as i read your mind
- i only asked one thing of you, still you cannot comply
follow what i asked this one thing-why can't you understand me
i am talking to you, your not listening, why not, i am
looking right at you, am i not making myself clear, as i
can no longer feel the connection now being lost, almost gone
not much longer, like my body being ravaged, from within-
still it shouldn't have been a task, it's all i asked of you, and your
answer, like the hospital instruments, keeping me alive
they go silent,  like the unspoken response you give to me
we understand now as protocol demands we comply
for the disregard of human contact at this time

by Michael Perry

WINTER UNFORGIVING

in a winter unforgiving
be it sacrifice or sin
eerily cloaked in the white
of piety, no where to be found
in this, the season of lonesome times
we watch as the pigeons across the way
head for the park ready to scramble
and scrounge for a crumb or two
looking for battle, their survival depends
on it, for little sustenance found, they will fight
to the  death defending what they find
along  with the homeless man who
claims this as his home away home

by Michael Perry

We Were
We were just kids       living for back in the day
it was 1984                  San Francisco remember?
I do,  Ileene was a girl  I knew          full of fun
she was    ready for anything                 one day
it was at the                               end of the year
she dressed herself                                 all up
head to toe  in                          calendar pages
what a sight                               she didn't care  
what people thought                    or said of us
we were young                          wild and crazy
it was the year                          fleeting days of
                   willing to just standout
to be                                                whatever
we wanted       in varying     forms of expression
                   what can I say?
that year                           she said it for all of us

By Michael Perry

FORCE OF NATURE

the explosion of foam and water, to rock
as the waves, black; without end, form
one after the other, to come; to come
without hesitation, to make smooth the
jagged face of ages hence-exacting with
vengence, to ravage; erase, leaving no doubt
the force of nature upon itself-  while within
the setting dark of a full moon on the rise readies
itself to inspire bring order and purpose to the night

By Michael Perry

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

the sun finally came out today, peeking through cracks
in the curtains, all at once making its presence known
and you laying beside me undisturbed, unaware
warm and nestling as your blond hair lay tousled
tossed like a nest, and i brushed back a few strands
to see your closed eyes, made simple as a child's, innocent
you, free-spirited, happy-go-lucky,  lips full and composed
dreaming happy thoughts, as i continued  to lay next to you another minute more, while i did i thought all about us, what
if, what was, what we had, and what needed to be done
if not today, certainly by tomorrow, as i waited for an
answer to fall from the sky, i got up silently to get dressed
trying not to make any noise at all, not wanting to wake you
on such a beautiful morning, as i started closing the door behind
me, i heard you say in your sleepy voice "where are you going?"

by Michael Perry

BE READY

if it is midnight, it could somewhere or anywhere
for i might be a  stranger, who just happens to be
passing through, so be ready, and know this for
i maybe different, in looks and design, not your cup of tea
despite ourselves we all know better, isn't it ingrained
into our souls, not to judge a book by it's cover, still
at this late hour do not make assumptions, know this
i might be a soul in need of help or a stranger who wants
to stretch his legs, grab a coffee and be on his way, still
the feeling wasn't mutual between us, i could tell
you wanted me to move on, so with decisions made
we both felt it was for the best, as i hit the  gas pedal
creating dust clouds between pavement and the wheel

by Michael Perry

UNTITLED

a red curtain-torn, askew, made ashamed
as an insult to hang low, abused,   unloved

from within these four walls lies the stink of
the stale breath-overcome with the moss of age

and as the silence surrounds, it lets out a baleful sound
that screeches of jagged glass teeth-exposed, ready to bite

to the coldness that remains intact, over a once held claim lost
to time and space, where only now, live the ghosts holding court

by Michael Perry

DOWN BY

all the signs lead to a river, crested by a bank
deep in the wood, so look for a path
that will lead you there, or listen close for the
gurgling water as it sluices through winding ways
made from the top of the mountain down
you will know then, missed by countless others
a view underappreciated by most, unsurpassed

by Michael Perry

ALBATROSS

out to sea, just you- far out beyond the sky
drawn by the sight lines -of the horizon
in it's unending demarcation, latitudinal and
longitudinal points of interest-- where there
is life, sun, clouds and the occasional rain, when
you took a wrong turn, to bring you further out
-a situation, you hadn't counted on- you search daily
- looking for-something-anything, signs of life
in your momentary delirium-you start having  actual
life conversations with the only solitary animal for
miles around; an albatross- who has made his temporary
port of call- on your boats- starboard side- where each day
he regales you  with stories of his travels, places you will never see
he hopes to keep your spirits up just in case- but until then, it doesn't
matter to the bird for each time he looks at you , in apparent disdain
he will remind- in his scared straight speech -Morgan Freeman  voice
why didn't you have a backup plan just in case- for a situation like this
and then you both laugh at the absurdity of it all-to have
conversations with a talking bird, and a man lost at sea

By Michael Perry

BLOWING OFF STEAM

I shall never be rid of you; in the deep down
this little voice that nags-it grows stronger
sometime-not to be  ignored, here nor there
reacting whenever it wants to make itself
be heard, if I know right or wrong with my
mind made up-whether with disdain or satisfaction
to get it's point across for at this juncture or
next- to tell me in it's own little way, whether I
want to hear it or not-demanding of me; full attention
day for night; and sometimes-when I've had enough
it's my way of blowing off steam- I find a place
quiet, my sanctuary space with no one around where I
silently yell into the void and when I've had enough
I feel better, until the next time; whether good or bad
to keep me in line- to my conscience- I say, be ******

by Michael Perry

I AM A CHILD OF THE CITY

i am a child  of the city, tough as nails, who plays a part
hoping each day, no harm no foul, will come to me
some days are good while others are more than bad
you may have pity for some have none for me- i still believe

i am a child of the innocent heart, striving to be diligent
made out of tougher skin, a survivor, cavalier is a role i choose
my hopes carved out of make believe, the world is a video game
with me a player; fighting bad guys, some days I win, others I lose

i am a child who will always tell you the  truth - see it like it is
listen up, let me make it clear, plain as i can, i am telling you
it will take more than faith, wise beyond my years, doing
what i can, to get by, anything to hold on; make it through

i am a child under siege who realizes this is bigger than me
it is not easy to get away, break free, each day feeling more dread
hard to navigate- the in's and out's of my concrete confines, get by
i am a child  of the city, who lives day to day hanging by a thread

by Michael Perry

BACK THEN

you and I once made a pact
with our eyes, back then
words did not exist, between us

in the silent dark
we made holy, a vow with
our bodies in shadow, to witness

for every breath we took
a further reassurance, to the
love we shared

back then as words, hung in the air
unneccessary,not needed
we spoke of love, with our eyes

By Michael Perry

VINCENT
         (Homage to Vincent Van Gogh)

did you know when your genius came to you?
did you see it, materialize through your own eyes
or did someone tap you on the shoulder, is that
when the recognition for you became a reality?
no worries,  i am conflicted about being famous too
but it's sure nice to know, people know your work
being on a first name basis, still, your inspiration where
did it come from, read you had a tough life, blue periods
cut off your ear, and those starry nights, ahh, the sun flowers
too, sorry for it all, still you did well, and you never made a
dime while you were alive, but know even after all that
with generations to come, those of us who appreciate art
already know your name, so sleep well tonight Vincent, and know
your anonymity is safe with me, as I admire your genius from here

by Michael Perry

FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT

time, standing still; stealth laid bare, ours only to pacify
out of a split second we, kept in a trance, we
watch her pose, turn, stare back into the camera's eye

offered up she, with a look, her face  iridescence reflected
she, one eyed; Rita Hayworth, hair lost in skew
similar unfamilar, red-dressed silhouette, mirage detected

within a non shadow, filtering exposed, camera's focus explained
by the trick of light, she stays unfazed, to our dilema
she is poised; in a pantomime-as the mystery of; remains

displayed in negative rolls of film; to mock more the light
we are held in captivity, where she holds her court
into; out of body, precise is she, left anon in black on white

her face like an angel, or a devil in disguise
coyed in voyueristic servitude, our hands are tied
if we believe in truth,  willing to succumb to the lie

as we continue to watch; caught up in the freeze frame
with no where left to hide, she like a whisp, ghost like using
no words, not a sound, just sans a smile, in which to blame

waiting for the right moment, unattainable, in voices un-evolved
she stays defiant, steeley eyed in temptation, diligent, her essence
not revealed; she remains, whole- hearted to break our resolve  


By Michael Perry

A CAUTIONARY CHRISTMAS TALE
              
once there was a naughty little  boy
who knew no better, his right from wrong
always naughty instead of nice, not trying
he was unaware that his world would be
turned upside down, thinking last year a fluke
he paid no care ignoring his elders, he laughed
at the old baker man and his wife- who wagged
their finger each time he entered their store
they reiterated-be good or else-and as before
the naughty little boy promptly disregarded them
like every one else-always turning his back
slamming the door paying no heed, ready to ignore
as the clock ticked down- ready for Christmas Eve
the town went to sleep, all quiet, covered in new snow
the naughty little boy slept peacefully without care
having no visions of sugar plums, never to dance in his head
while his mother and father were downstairs
preparing the holiday feast- once done, they retired
to bed too,  then as the light of dawn came up
it was Christmas morning-from house to house
went the jolly old elf , he, himself and his reindeer of eight
arrived on the naughty little boys roof,  The elf paused
ready to check his list, just to be sure thinking to himself
maybe this time, but  there at the top of the list again
was the naughty little boy's name like the year before so
as the jolly elf stood silent shaking his head, ready to
cry- he silently removed a burlap bag from the back of his sleigh
it was filled to the brim with 365 lumps of coal; the sack was for
only the naughtiest of little boys- it was covered with soot- which
he placed under the tree, pinning it with a note, that the man in
the red suit wrote, he left it for the boy, personally; as the sun
rose on this special day, the naughty little boy woke up on
this Christmas morning, he went downstairs- where he  blinked
once, twice, while reading the note Santa left for him, the boy
looked up from the letter no reaction could have been more
timely -with one single tear making it's way down his cheek- he
realized that Santa meant what he said- in part, he wrote
"I know deep down and truly believe in my heart your a good boy
I hate bringing you lumps of coal, so maybe just try a
little harder and next year I will be back with presents, instead
of a sack of coal, so think twice be nice instead of naughty "

Santa Claus

By Michael Perry

NO ME WITHOUT YOU

you've shown me in ways a love so true
from out of everything good-I don't take light
for I know there is no me without you

looking forward as the whole world turns
we make ready our own gravitational pull  
coming together often  in a love fire burn

years from now as the sun rises up in the sky
and the moon shows bright  every night leaving
only the stars to tell our story of love undenied

By Michael Perry

ORDINARY OR NOT MORE THAN THAT

you and i
once made a pact, to be not
like everyone else, to be
ourselves, no matter what
everyone else did, so we would do
our best, to not be ordinary, to stand apart

so here we are trapped
in the same old routine, this life
we warned ourselves of what would happen
if we slipped and became ordinary
the drain of being just plain, it was not
what we signed up for, so what? resist?

so maybe, just a thought, for us to ponder  
here's a penny for your thoughts
it seems about right, in some ways
ordinary served us better, just saying
how we spend our lives now, it could be worse, whether
ordinary or extraordinary, we are together
shouldn't that be how it's supposed to be, don't you think?

by Michael Perry

MONA LISA SMILE

to the woman who has captivated
for all time-coming closest to
human perfection, she;  found in an alcove
down a museum hall, to be admired, the
world over, having her subtle  smile preserved
with a focused light trained on the canvas- as
her darkened eyes reflect- some- thing of a
secret detail never revealed- she of the beauty
and of womanhood-surpassed- sits unaware,with
all the voyeuristic eyes trained on her, the contrast
of light and dark; her image imbued- as you move
from, side to side admiring the artist concept -of she
who sat unmoved, unchanged-what was she thinking
as she sat there- then you think to yourself-somehow
a reaction resolves-itself as you are reminded, that
you know her, yet you  can't quite put your finger on
it- or was it your eye, just playing a trick-  and or was
that the artist's intention all along

by Michael Perry

WHAT OF ME

the car seemed in constant motion moving fast as
the world outside was all but passing by in a blur

what of me in this world the lonely, caught up
lost it seems to be spun on an axis out of control

so put me in the driver seat, for i know how
its the words stuck between teeth and tongue

even if i speak clearly, aloud enunciating words on paper
they are sure to be lost, left to the abyss, stagnant still

we are all here for such a short time, as i take notes the
writing is on the wall in cursive or print will it survive

i want to wake up on this ride that has me so tired
always searching down the endlessness of avenues

so as i pull the car slowly to the dirt road side noticing the
vastness of the night sky its purple crimson  bruises  intact

i remark to myself, as i get out to stretch my legs anticipating
i am the last of a dying breed, a lost writer in search of a story

By Michael Perry

LAKE ERIE

On my walk, making way to Lake Erie
as it reaches out in front of me, proving
a task, bits of debris cling along the shore
a brick, driftwood, a tangled fishline coerced
I keep walking catching my breath as i go
till the harsh lake winds whip in a frenzy
trying to attack me from all sides, so i
look down trying to prevent  any further
wind burn lashing my face, and ahead
i see strings of brackish foam coming
in with the tide, behaving like a rabid dog
still ahead of me further up the body of some dis-
emboweled creature lands at my feet-which i am
unable to no longer identify with any certainty

by Michael Perry

HAVING AN ARGUMENT

we stare across from each other
our arms are folded, no one blinks
we show no regard for each other
brazen, our attitude, most stubborn

the clock ticks the minutes down
it's like we don't even breathe
we hold ourselves stock still
this is no longer a war of words

we have gone passed the point of return
willing to behave like two petulant children
without consent for the other's feelings, so we sit
like this refusing to budge, just then, the phone begins to ring

by Michael Perry

SO EASY

i felt so hopeless/ what more could i do/ knowing inside
something was missing/ then there was you/ with little more
than a kiss/ your gift has come to redeem me/ time after time
as our love becomes a flame/ my eyes are open/you've made me see

you are my breath- finally able to breathe
i am taken by you- bringing me back to life
in this love conceived, realized, you make it
so easy for me to believe that something this
good between us is real and will last forever

fulfilling all my dreams/ like a religion i am delivered
love has finally come true/ so easy; everything considered
you're love saved me/ like a clock without hands/ we fall
into the timeless sway/holding on/ you and i, all through
the night feeling our rhythm/ our forever- is here to stay

you are my breath- finally able to breathe
i am taken by you- bringing me back to life
in this love conceived, realized, you make it
so easy for me to believe that something this
good between us is real and will last forever


By Michael Perry

SHORT AND SWEET

I love her, she loves me
there could not have been
a love story like ours  
a possibility of,  having a future together
without the two us ready to play our part

She loves me, I love her too
we have had each others heart
forever and always, our love story
is a passion created and cared for over time  
renewed by our sacred vow taken years before
      
Darling, Happy Valentine's Day-"I love you"

by Michael Perry

GET THROUGH

from my eye a tear will fall
knowing I did wrong
got what I deserved, not trying hard enough
didn't have the nerve - to love you back
so I will punish myself, in any lie; to be believed
each day to day, to think maybe
you'd come back, have our love preserved
yet in those days, I wanted it all
one or two drinks to ease the pain-just a little
I know now it wasn't fair to you, at what cost
our love we once  shared- wasn't enough, I still
needed another drink, I couldn't let go
at what cost; you paid the price, you couldn't stay
to watch my fall from grace
so I understood the score, it makes me take pause
as, I walk closer still
to the brink, determined; to let you go-for one drink more

by Michael Perry

HEAVEN BOUND

in what feels
like a way station
for the people-of ethereal
to move about;  a difference of realities
they mill around to
take their turn-there
is no pushing, everyone
gets in line, fully cooperates
coming from everywhere
all walks of life
white, black, yellow, brown, red
filling up all the space
they smile, or
give a pat on the back
reassuring; to usher each other through
to the waiting gate; young and the old
gathering together ready
to make their way, destined to
board the crosstown bus, be heaven bound

by Michael Perry

THE LOVERS

as the lover whispers his
love for her, she yields to the
loving intent, between them passes
the desired effect, delivered; received

by Michael Perry

A Dark Time

from out of a dark time
let the light count the days
as our innocence is tested
in so many ways

what happens now
as millions of voices react-lay blame
ready to throw up our hands
we declare a moratorium on pain

with words plainly spoken
not just sung or rehearsed
we look to our elders; for ways to make peace
declared; passionate, spoken in straight forward verse

for in the light left, another day clings fast
after the soul-searching, too tired to move
we stay dug-in, immobile, steadfast
as the possibility of change, remains within reach

as we close our eyes, even sleep we fight
still we turn a corner; tonight is made possible
by the countless names and faces
their struggles lived;  impossble to ignore, the time is now

humanity for all- a God given right

by Michael Perry

AUTUMNAL

well into a year, we watch as all the colors
begin to clash and meld metamorph itself
into something more or less an original
declaring look at me, as all around we begin
to feel the change, and the winds begin to shift
taking a crisp turn, further more, lest we forget
it's noticeably dark; with the sun  in retreat; a little
more each day as the seasonal set stage, we once again
prepare ourselves for further year end decline, still
we will remind; to look for the early signs  of what's to come
until then we will prepare ourselves  to hibernate
through the winter,  if need be only waking  as the sun
reaches peak, hence retreat, we watch as the ice upon the
ponds and leaves, will give up, draw back, disappears

by Michael Perry

RANDOM TIDES

in rushes tide random
of **** and swallow
foam debris clog
slog log jam hollow
evacuation continuation
in upsurge sandspit
gritty settle little bits- follow through
giving in -back out  fade
eddies empty boulders shallow
moon in retrograde

By Michael Perry

WE KNOW OTHERWISE

there was a point to feelings unfinished
of all those little moments stacked up
once there was love, we called it that
our link to one another, still its about
those little moments, out of a life time
we took them for granted, in our
last attempt at feelings lost, we lived
we fought through it, we sought refuge
in each others arms, holding on, as if
our life depended on it, now we realize
without those moments, when love
tried to deceive, we have seen it all with
renewed eyes, making us stronger for it
like in the early days, when love was new
thoughtful, unable to break, we know otherwise
until that moment comes, regard it, anticipate

by Michael Perry

EVERY MAN

I am no one-and every man- a face in the crowd
unrecognizable-or of discerning judgement a
beggar, a thief, a nomad-could be young or old
I can be whatever you want me to be-a friend or
foe, a native or an immigrant- have an unrecognizable
dialect-be a speaker of many- languages, use my hands
to interpret for the deaf- or the associate of a lowbrow who
prowls the streets looking for a mark- maybe that tourist
visiting Cleveland for the first time- I will be; your beer
drinking union buddy down at the corner pub-or how
about an upper-echelon wine snob who hosts a party
for $500 a head- I can be anyone of them; I am the chameleon
you will never be able to tell, if our paths cross- recently or past
either way- if you see me- you will never escape the unavoidable  

By Michael Perry

THINK ABOUT IT
end of the month
another day down
gathered in one place
ticking off time, going forward
or back, inside out- one by one
once one reaches the end
it repeats, and the count
starts all over again, thats how its
been done for eternity, a day
for night, a morning sunrise
an evening sunset, the morning of
the day after, all very orderly
in a month,  a year, for all eternity
what does it really mean- is there
more to it-then space and time
well, your guess is good as mine

by Michael Perry

BABY FACE                

listen to me, baby face your not the first you
certainly won't be the last, i see your
hard edge trying to come through, baby face
they say projection is everything, but you
will fail, trust me no tough cool exterior or hard as
nails façade, will be enough it will be your  
downfall, i see right through to your innocence
hiding behind your eyes, i hate to break it to you
because age will deny you every time, being tough
is not a form of  maturity so cut the bad *** attitude
your not even old enough to drive, so my advice
is act your age enjoy being a kid, for you will have
plenty of time to behave like a real adult someday, just not now

by Michael Perry

TIME HAS COME

to myself, I think the time has come
I've made up my mind, It's taken me years
to understand- it was never my fault
I  was blind to facts while always taking blame

today is the day, we both face the truth
you will not change, so change begins with me
I counted each day as a prison sentence
you as the warden to keep me in lock and key

why did it take so long to recognize why
I have no easy answers to explain
love is blind, and each time you think
that with a little more time, things will change

as I touch the doors handle, my hand shakes
I don't turn around to look back, or I will
surely remember the pain- it's tuesday morning
at 3:30 am- I've finall y taken all I can take

the street outside is silent, the light is barely through
my life has been a blessing, yet I've always felt the curse
as my mind races faster than I can comprehend, I stand here
thinking- my feet planted, to reflect on, a freedom deserved

by Michael Perry

ALWAYS THE POINT

once we were all those very young
cause and affect- struck blind by love
what of it -more, more, no one else
all the craziness; of the years ensued
are we better for -have the memories
we made, out on the road as we traveled or
the hurdles we were made to climb, maybe
it was our once a year trips to the shore, sealing
the deal, we have the pictures, videotape too
what will  it matter -so we digress, will it count
not so fast, we are unwilling to repent or repeat
based on our naivete of yesterday, so we look
ahead for what-ever comes next, ready to curse the
before, here and now, settling in- to ourselves to
do it our way, that was always the point, first and foremost

by Michael Perry

TIME AS COMPROMISE

today is your birthday
i can't believe how much
time has passed- between us, a coming and going
all the years piled up in a rush, now
as my look back begins, it began with my head
now with my heart, ready
to rethink, challenge your memory, the push and pull

i may not have been
what you wanted, i succeeded
just the same, beyond both our expectations
- still our connection to each other- or the lack there of
how we used the strangled, misused words, to describe
love, acceptance, understanding, caring, with our pained faces
scrunched, because neither of us would not budge, we drew a line
not to cross, you and i,  cut from the same cloth, agree to disagree
and each morning as i look at myself in the mirror, i see you, me
staring back, funny how that turned out,  so as i look
deep into your eyes, my wish on this  birthday, is that, if only
we had crossed that line then, taken the same side, i would not
have had to write about you years later, so candidly, still i am ready to shake myself free of continued guilt, and as time passes to
lessen the weight felt,  if  only you could have done the same
instead of leaving me here to hang on to empty space, between
here and there, so i will  continue to stare into the mirror looking
wishing, waiting, i hope to see some day that look in your eyes
ready and willing once and for all, as your sign of our shared compromise

by Michael Perry

PILGRIMAGE

as the wanderer wanders
he has travelled to and fro
his search took him away
through the miles and miles  
he will spend each day and night
walking, the weather underscored
and the resoluteness he shows
having the heavy blisters on his feet
he remains resolute, determined
going all the way, through his pain
no matter he will decide when this
pilgrimage he started, comes to it's end

by Michael Perry

COME AWAY WITH ME

when I first saw your face
I was ready to believe, you were heaven sent
standing in front of me, God you were so beautiful

I knew, I would follow my heart
and if you followed yours
so let me sweep you off your feet, time and again
come away with me, come away with me, my darling here and now

with a love so close, I can touch it
I know you can too, with no time for indecision
the waves rush over, time and again, as we catch our breath

for this love is pure, has a strength of purpose
-a singular desire, our stars have crossed loves path  
let us keep the bonds of love alive, to feel the fire
come away with me, come away with me, my darling- forever and always  

By Michael Perry

THIS WOMAN

today, I am reminded of you, in most days you are of
a random singular thought, my silent pause, my somehow
happy image to reflect, to look back on, with a smile or a
tear or two, you are an indelible mark upon my life this
woman of silent strength and dignity, who stood tall, in my
life-she, who surrendered her love to me forsaking herself
above all else, she who gave me breath to speak, my sight
with eyes to see, a mind to think it through, my senses given
pause, to me you are, above all, so take this time, life is precious
let every minute count, never forget, for if you don't all that
will be left, are random photos and the piece-meal memories

By Michael Perry

THE SWAN

the male swan graces the water
without any effort, his lithe neck bows supreme
as he plays up his suspect regal lineage, with
tail feathers splayed, he introduces himself by
doing circles around, hoping to impress, seems though
this queen will play indifferent, having a standard all her own


by Michael Perry

POEMS:   EXPLORATIONS FLAWED IN (FOUR)

RED
when the color runs in shades of red
it certainly will leave an impression, for instance; shades of passion
the subtle and obvious, not so the taking of a life, shocking, dramatic
using only the eyes as action required, nothing more to be said

BELONG
when one has a desire for inclusion so strong
made paramount to most other necessities
baring only transitional hunger or thirst, still  
greater than it's sum, is the need to simply belong

WANTED
i wanted you more than life
to save you, cling to heaven and earth, selfish of me
ready to release my soul, hoping to move you enough
my subtle nod for seeking refuge in us, holding out once, twice

EXPRESSION
within any expression of art, come to think, brush off strife
behind all the crazy, a follow through is subjectively cued
to trace the lines, read the splotch, distemper the dot, explain
ambiguity, as you stipple for clues -when speaking of love and life

by Michael Perry

MIDDLE-AGED AMERICAN MALE

worked at the company for years
with nothing to show-the man he approached me
told me my jobs on the line, as he handed
me a pink slip-then he walked me to the door
- said he was sorry

now  all I have is worry on my mind
in the next days as I hit the hot dusty pavement
trying to look ahead, not back; Lord, I am struggling
I need a prayer heaven sent- ready to accept fate
-can anyone save me

I try to remain proud, while feeling emotionally spent
with my mind a constant blur, each night finds
me on bended knee, ready to fight for an intervention
when one doesn't come, I don't deserve this hell, why me?
- no one will look me in the face

dont want my kids to hate me
the wife thinks I drink, too much
I'm left in a funk, going nowhere fast , why now
why me- I'm a middle aged american male
-obsolete, easily replaced.

don't want any hand outs, just shake my hand
tell me im hired, use a comforting word or a simple hug
I want to stop feeling the pain, only drink assuages my pain
where is my family, when I need them the most
- how much can one man bear

dont want my kids to hate me
the wife thinks I drink, too much
I'm left in a funk, going nowhere fast , why now
why me- I'm a middle aged american male
-obsolete, easily replaced.

By Michael Perry

OUR TIME OF NEED

its always been about the words
with us-what we said
how we said them- in what form ; in which
way- to love, using words to hurt, with words to shame
how words give creedence- lay blame,we used
words to bolster our claim, we used them to prop us up
to make us feel better, when we needed it when-
and now -
it's about the words unsaid; in this our here and now
being altogether inappropropriate, for us-in this
our time of need, they are meaningless, they carry no weight
in this, our time of need, nothing else seems to matter, as
we  come to understand-that we have other senses- unused
unrecognized- hardly ever-thought of, till now
ready to reciprocate- in this-         our time of need.

by Michael Perry

WATER IS LIFE

for me water is life
i am a child of the water
born in January, an Aquarius
i am like a fish, with gills
for lungs, kept under the water
i live and breathe, thrive
but if i am kept from, taken away
made to lose the source, all but keeps me alive,
the essential essence of all that I know
i will suffocate, unable to
survive, die

by Michael Perry

FROM A POSTED NOTE

From a posted note found:

laid out in some fancy script
could have been really great, I guess?
one of many lines-maybe better expressed
how about in person instead- on it was written:

"I love you
let me
count the ways (100x)
to show you, starting
with today and always
it's you, it's always been you -who
I love and truly adore"-oops
:( I've run out of room-
flip the page; read on
Please!-there's so much more-I need to tell you-
still to come from me-stay tuned :)

by Michael Perry

MY LOVE

my love,   my love
with a hearts on fire, my heart is filled with desire, I speak your name
enuciate- dedicate my life, to touch, of this woman, my breath barely
escapes, flesh made reactive- rush upon the tide, the moon is full-white upon white
in hot whisper- cold sheets- collarbone kiss; touch of tongue, cleft of thigh
with sweet desire flame made high- moments succincintly, love has meaning
there up on the altar flesh of our truth- dawn is close, in shared communion we
look to the joy, out of the bodies hum, we will claim the unbidden, to each to each
in singular times, we are bound one  to one-flesh made of our purpose; a vow-taken
as the two souls awaken- we continue on, on -to; to give in, to, as we consecrate love

By Michael Perry

EN REGARDANT LE SOLEIL  (watching as the sun)

watching as the sun
begins to set, all of time
comes to an end, at least in the
hours before sunset and dawn
i can still see you, no matter where
i look, from the clouds that pass by
i see something to remind, or the people
that pass me in a crowd, having you as
a frame of  reference, i find myself
wanting to reach for, or call out your name
yet i know its all for not, steadfast, i
watch as the fire place embers begin to
lose their warmth, your  picture poised on
a table by my chair, reflecting in the quiet stillness
i think back to a time when a life, as i knew it
before- would be my constant, remaining steady, uninterrupted

by Michael Perry

AMOUR

give to me
your body, I love you
let me
explore, be transported
into the one promise, we will share
within these moments
to discover,  uncover-**** for, begging
the meaning of love
my fascination-to, you, I, painstaking-ache
to be in love
a prayer-answered
you, I as one
let this be our sanctuary
shelter from, together, be forever
we live, love, take from each other
spontaneous, closer, overcome, between
above, the exalted, by light, in the dark
our love, so- we- become- this-for us
intense with body and soul-declared, we are
light as air, infinite this- we, made-ageless

By Michael Perry

BLACK CAT, BLUE CAR

forever lost in their missed steps, beyond the cracks
steel garbage cans line up along  the blackened street tar
received without reply, for in those times gone unnoticed
two are poised, in it's strangeness; a black cat, blue car

by and by, as time flies to lives unsettled or to pass
this life stands stagnant, unmoved, hot to touch, near and far
anyone who wishes, in a subtle voice, lost among the whispers
unfazed nor rattled,  side step, both; the black cat, blue car

on a city street lives collide anonymous silhouette, the alley
heading anywhere else beyond pavements façade, scarred
close enough to touch, by the ruts, lost in moments, to pass
together they poised, to stare down defiant; a black cat, blue car

By Michael Perry