Some may think of the heart, metaphorically speaking, as if it were an ornament or a colored piece of glass. Too fragile to expose, they live in fear, never knowing the nature or the value of this gift that's been bestowed.

In childhood, our hearts are made of purest gold, so precious. They begin to take on layers through our experiences of love: we've known, our families, those closest to us. Over time, the layers grow, though some may wilt and fall away. We find refuge in the layers that remain just underneath.

No, this heart is not made of glass, nor will it break into pieces. I see it ever as a flower that blooms over the passing years, petals forming, falling, loves encountered and lost. The heart is the beauty of a memory that lies dormant, to grow again. A seed .. newly planted, to await the coming spring.

💡LightInDarkness 🌑 ©JFO👥2024

We can be strangers if you like
We can talk about the weather
Our silly plans for the weekend
Or how life has been kind to us
Trust me, I'm a terrific actor
You'll hardly be able to tell

We can be strangers if you like
Or at least we can pretend that
It doesn't shred us to pieces...

"Good evening, Mrs Jones."

"Oh, hello there officer, what on earth do the police want with me?"

"It's not you, it's your son, David."

"Why, David is a good boy, he is out now taking our puppy for a walk."

"Your poodle, yes?"

"That's right, Harry his name is."

"David has been reported as having relations with Harry behind the post office."

"Relations?"

"According to three witnesses he was seen bumming poor Harry to death."

"To death?"

"Yes, the body has been taken to the police dog pound."

"Oh ok, but you do realise David identifies as a gay poodle?"

"Mrs Jones, I am so sorry. If we had known that we wouldn't of troubled you."

"That's the problem with you lot; you're a bunch of Terfs."

"Tell David not to worry and be assured the witnesses shall be reprimanded and dealt with appropiately."

"Good day to you officer."

"Thank you for your time Mrs Jones and please accept the force's full apology in this matter."

these things.

these things you do
on the 4th of July
at an age
without thought...

things happen in front of
Madam Maria's...
(things happen
on the boardwalk
in Asbury Park...


...the police officer,
with a glee in his eye said

he was going to put
me in the cell with
Big Mortimor,

the happy tone in his voice
(and it worked.)
I was ******* myself,
serial killer
hit man for the mafia,
******... roommate...???

this isn't about me,
what brought me here
to the city yard ...

as it turns out,
it was Reverend Mortimer
from Our Lady of the Perpetual Motion.
the issue it seems was
the sisters.

the Sisters of Perpetual Motion,

for a $20 donation and up
a sister will love you.

more later, about the reverend, but back

to what brought me here
to a cell in the city yard
of Asbury Park.

as I reflect on what brought here
(vaguely)
to the city yard of Asbury Park

ah, fight.?

I had said to her,
your boyfriend,
"he's only over compensating
for his receeding hair line
and feelings of inadequacy,

ah, ah, a fight went down, I believe.
(I didn't know I had hit
the mayor.)

what more can I say
about my stay,

in the City of Asbury Park ?

the sisters???

that things happen
and you end up
in a cell
in the city yard
in Asbury Park
with a room without no view...

...oh, back to Reverend Mortimer. apparently

the. U.S Constitution,
NAACP, ACLU.

it was a religious issue. AND SO, FREE

the Reverend Mortimer threw a big party

with the Sisters of Our Lady

of Perpetual Motion!!!

"Mother Superior, I have sinned."

"Sister Bernadette, what have you done?"

"I passed wind during Mass."

"That's nothing. I took a dump while reading the Holy Book earlier."

"So, am I forgiven?"

"Shut up and get back under the covers. I've got a meeting with the Pope in an hour."

"Yes, Mother Superior."

"Babe."

"Yes, Bertha?"

"I'm starving. Make us a cheese sarnie, will ya?"

"Okay, my precious. Will you be coming downstairs to eat it?"

"Nah, I'll have it here in bed. I'm having a lazy day."

"Right, okay."

"Oh, and babe..."

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

"I love you too."

Love is the dream that would sing in the heart

touching the silk of a smile

softly caressing the leaves of desire

teasing the senses to feelings divine

and yet, can I hold you and make you all mine

for all would know when your near

silently squeezing the madness of time

choking the raindrops of shadowy tears...

Oh love in my heart, the giver of truth

believer of all that is real

graceful and dancing on liberty fields

peeping on treasures, all eyes would steal

have I seen you dancing away on the wind

laughing with clouds through the skies

touching the heavens, celestial dreams

calling my name in a sweet lullaby...

For without you I'm nothing and drift on the sands

collecting the pain from the wind

listening to daydreams alive alive o'

counting the virtues wrapped tight in lost sins ...

Oh love , would you dangle so sweet in my heart

how did you change all I see

the blossom fell slowly, the dagger so sharp

the darkness came quickly when daylight was free...

Love, I still love you, for how could I not

aching and sadly beguiled

twisting and turning,  forever be mine

love,  would you come here and stay for a while

Oh love, would you touch me...stay for a while...