I was once an old '36 Ford truck driven by a very well loved man
who's face lit up so brightly carrying his tackle box of bate n' hooks
with his grandchildren by his side, and fishing poles in his hand
I loved the sound of their sweet voices when they'd climb onto my back
I carried them safely home, along with the salmon held inside their sacks
I'm very old and rusty now, but I think of them on summer days
as the sun glimmers in the distance on familiar seashore bays,
while listening to great grandchildren laughing so happily at play.

The song goes on...
like a torch
you must pass it along
to the others you meet
on this journey/on the street
so they don't feel alone
to help them know they're needed
that they're strong..
everyone belongs
so learn to hum this song...
to the sounds all around
you'll hear it in the whistle of a train
in the drip of the rain...
to the drums on the street
in the all souls you'll ever meet..
it's found in the rhythm of their heartbeat
go on n' sing it now/pass it along
it's just a song ...
but it will help others to become strong.

I have vanished like the wind
that circles around a windmill
never returning back
but going outward
pushing birds in flight
rising
so that I may touch
the deep blue sky
with my golden wings
dipping...
to get a better view
below
I have vanished like the wind
that blows white dandelions
in the air
so that I may be silhouetted by the sun
when I am kissed by light
I now float
with anticipation...
seeking a resting place
somewhere in the ground
planting myself again
where I can be loved
by the sun and the rain...
until another breeze takes me again....
I have vanished like the wind
out of sheer necessity
from your silence
forcing me to move on
pushing upward...
always now,
around the stars
and the moon...
I have vanished from your silence
I am blowing in the wind
waiting to be loved again.

The eyes behind the camera reveal truth hidden in the shadows
in foreign countries like ****** Alley.
A story to be told--
through the camera that I hold...
men,  women, and children running for freedom...
how their fate was sealed..
because the truth is revealed ...
about how they heard the shots
the bullets coming/they heard the sound
their arms spread out like eagles/as they hit the silent ground
one bullet to the heart was their taker
that made them meet their maker...
Flesh n' blood like you n' me
(the shutter release is clicking away/whirring away)
capturing the stillness of these souls on this rainy Winter day...
Why does freedom
have to look this way?
With open mouths n' open eyes
they've been cheated from their lives.
n' the eyes behind the camera choke back tears...
in ****** Alley...
that a bullet took them away like a souvenir.

My Gemini man understands
everything that I am
n' when we are together
his touch feels like a magic feather
I get chills up n' down my spine
cause he whispers words so soft, and kind
n' he appreciates what's on my mind...
n' he listens to what I say...
I appreciate all his ways...
I didn't know that love could feel like this...
there's no drama / just peaceful bliss
Oh, how I love his tender kiss.
n' he loves the way I dance n' sway
to the music he he gently plays
knowing every note inside my soul
the riffs are hot ~ like awesome
rock n' roll
Yeah,
My Gemini Man feels like home...
n'  I know I'll never feel alone
whenever he's around
time fly's at the speed of sound
So this is the song that I'm sending him...
until I'm back in his loving arms, again.

The tiger is strong in character, strong in body
strong in mind...
they are amazing animals
one of a kind.

The tiger utilizes complete follow through with each strike with the intention of penetrating and destroying his or, her target.

What happens to the Tiger when they get scared?
Do they know fear at all
when their back gets pushed up against a wall?

I know a Tiger...
She's a fighter...
Her head has been held under water
Yet. Still.
She remains strong
She reminds herself that she's someone's daughter
Royal & True
These are the attributes of her
She has been scarred, and mistreated..
but by no means is she defeated...
Her eyes have a speck of gold that flickers in the night...
they light up at the sign of danger
she uses her keen sense of hearing along with her sight

No. A tiger does not know fear.
She doesn't weep. She has no tears.

She does not fear, does not hesitate, and does not regret.
And..
You'll recognize her the moment we've met.

I had a dream I was dreaming..
implying strong aspirations of optimism
indicating my wishful thinking
that I was a small child
blonde, and fair without a care
fluent in French
along with emotional intelligence
ahead of my time
in feminine wile
I was acting out a play
animated in every way
drawing a crowd
all the grown ups watched
smiling at me
imagining a bright future
at least that's what I dreamed...
they could all see...
then I turned into a Chimpanzee
swinging from tree to tree.

It's untitled because I'm still dreaming it up
designing their costumes
applying their make-up
I think one of them should say funny things
bringing the audience to their knees
Yeah...
the ideas are pouring in
Okay, I've got it
Act I
FADE IN:
that's where I'll begin
You never know what Zoe will say next...
she'll be hysterically funny, and very complex
(playing my protagonist)
bringing bubbles of joy
(even to my antagonist)
Yeah..
Zoe tends to do funny things
not even realizing the laughter she brings
because everyone will see themselves
in the situational stories she tells...
Act II
Zoe loses her shoes...
she thinks they're magic
(it will seem quite tragic)
maybe you'll cry
and, you won't know why
you'll just find it sad
to watch a person that's normally so happy, and glad
just to be in this world
to have emotions that swirl
you'll be cheering for her
to get back to the way things were
before she thought she lost her shoes
the ones she thinks are magic
(she's gonna have the blues)
I'll write a transition here
it comes from, Carlos Diaz, he'll be a true friend...
(he'll help her transcend)
Act III
Zoe finds her magic shoes
(but she'll have to pay some kind of price, or fee)
I'll have her find a key that will make her see...
that she can get back to the way things were
before she began to swerve
thinking life had way too many curves
(it seems so unlike her)
Yeah, he'll help her get back to the beginning
when she found humor in the darkest places
even in the eyes, and expressions of the all the strange faces
that had been tossed her way...
because her imagination was busy at play
Yeah..
You'll be so happy for her
that she's finally back to the way things were
her friend, Carlos Diaz...
he'll be the one to remind her of all the joy she can bring
(by this point you'll all want to sing)
because Zoe can find humor in almost anything.

You enter this mysterious world
with trepidation..
and some hesitation
but you're the hero of your own story
seeking glory
there's no turning back now
you must accept your fate
what will you gather
or, learn on your journey
this Odyssey of adventures--
while on all of your travels?
There will be dragons to slay
and, some kind of transformation--
morphing you into a Prince or Princess
much to your dismay
but you're up for the ride
because there's really no place to hide..
You must go on
at all cost
because you're the hero of your own story
you get to write how you win
do you go down in flames riddled with sin?
There's always a fork in the road
for all the seeds you have sewn
A rite of passage--
you get to choose...
savage.
sinner...
or, saint.

by, Krisselle S. Cosgrove


She likes to tell me
about painting, or music
going on and on
about all her success
I’m happy for her
don’t get me wrong...
but once in awhile
it would be nice if she’d ask me
how I’m getting along
I’ll have to let that all go...
besides it’s really
my silly ego.
She doesn’t understand
my love for words
or, photographs
depicting
whole other worlds...
there’s a silent freedom
in accepting all that...
I can just listen, and learn...
while she chats.

There's a sailor that I know
a type of guy that gives me love
Yeah, but then he picks up ~ Yeah, just he just goes...
Sailing off
to another port that he knows
Surprising me each n' every time
when he has an extra dime...
to have the ***** to up n' call..
as if nothing happened
between us ~ at all
I'm not some Yo-Yo you can play...
whenever
you decide you want to stay...
So listen carefully
to what it is ~ I have to say...
"Hey Sailor ~ Hey Sailor
Go take your ******* to another store
Cause' I'm not buying here ---
anymore---!!
Oh, Sailor don't you see
You can't ever be with me...
Yeah--
'Cause, I've bought a vowel, or two
Yeah..
I've gone n' caught a big *** clue---
of the ***** Sailor inside you---
Yeah, go ahead n' sail away
You can't ever come back n' stay
cause, Sailor -- it's over - Yeah, it's the end
You can't treat me like this again.

-13-
I've been reading the diary I kept
an entry for everyday I lived
each night before I slept.
Elton John was my everything
cherry lip gloss n' faded jeans
winning my first spelling bee
my first kiss/his first slap
made the boy step on back.
Laughy taffy with good friends
Bubble Gum/******* Jacks
First Crush/Late Night
(gave my mom a total fright)
-14-
"Kenny Johnson"
Just three words...
"Oh, my god!"
I'm gonna die..
I'm in love with his blue eyes.
Ice Skating/Track Meets
hungry all the time
First job really bit...
worked so hard to be a hit
Fast forward...
-15-
Innocence
I want a Prince
Tough year/Tons of fear
(Does everyone feel this weird?)
Football games/Friday nights
SNL, and Popcorn Fights
Mean Girls show up here
I kick their bums to the curb
(They don't ever cross this nerd)
Summer Camp way out West
College Boys are the best!
J.D. Salinger made me cry
when I read..
"The Catcher In The Rye"
-16-
No more entries after this...
Just these memories of when I was..
just a young girl in search of love.































and read a ton of books...
I dreamed of being a writer someday
(extremely kind with a complex mind)
and sporting killer looks.

Welcome to your new day
where life it seems
is nothing more than a string of dreams
n' the people you've met upon the stage
were sitting inside a little cage
and Rod Serling has been directing this whole time
(he's been telling you how to say your lines)
You've been arguing for a better part
because you know it's not the end that counts...
you want a choice in where you start...
but he's just informed you it's too late
you've already chosen to participate
you'll have to do the best you can...
a dream he's entitled: your life span...
now you're kicking
and, just screaming
he says hold on ...calm down
I'll see who I can bring around
You're completely sarcastic at this point...
"Oh, right. Like you can bring John Lennon, or Elvis to this joint?!"
You hear, "they're on another gig..."
(so you ask for help from someone really--- big)
He kind of laughs, and then he says...
"I've been telling you to wake up this whole time...
you don't even need to spend a dime
it's called free will, man...
can't you see?
Besides...
You've got way more pull to ask than me!"

Maria..
A quiet little girl
with blue eyes
and big brown curls
she would sit for hours
depriving herself of sleep
for days
imagining characters
making up plays
In her dreams ...
she floated on clouds with angel wings
there she heard the sound of violin strings
rocking her to sleep each night...
where her imagination would take flight.

Watch me fly through the sky
high, high, high
My back's pushed up against the wall
it's do or die, die, die...
Sorry haters I've got to fly
high, high, high..
I'm not hanging around here
I won't drink your cheap beer
This girl likes diamonds, and roses...
European Yachts made by pro's
Yeah, so watch me fly
up in the blue sky
so high, high, high
it's do -- or, die, die, die..
I won't let anyone take me down
go ahead if you're dressed like clowns
I'll knock you out in one punch
Cause,
I've been blessed with a vision/Yeah, a hunch
that it's my time to fly
high, high, high...
Cause it's do,
or, Baby
die---die---die--
Gonna fly
high, high, high.

In the jungle of humanity
painted walls of white
all of them suffering the same plight
strangers sat together exchanging polite glances
hoping for a chance
to reach for the American Dream
one that had somehow slipped through their fingers
it seems...
wanting to keep their dignity
reaching for a life that shines--
Oh, so brilliantly.

Eye of Horus
I face the north
Hale the angels
I raise the torch
A pinch of salt...
  A silver moon
Dragon's blood ..
I sing a tune..
I dance for him,
in the room...
I love the sin...
where I start
he begins
stretching arms
wanting more,
  ecstatic charms.

It was raining on that starry night...
Softly leaning in
she whispered...
"Meet me at midnight"
before turning away
a million days flew by....
when he remembered her eyes
somehow the meeting was missed
(they never did kiss)
it was a cold starry night
in the pouring rain...
they were boarding a train
catching her hand
he spun her around
and fell to the ground
whispering...
"Meet me at midnight

Her children have all grown
off to college
with great expectations all of their own
they're too busy
to pick up the phone...
so she sits all alone
and talks to her cat
(that sits on her lap)
staring at her
with an inquisitive look
(as if reading a book)
pages of years...
stories of tears
laughter and pain
jumping in puddles in the pouring rain
first day of school
standing up to bully's that are cruel
Halloween lights
pajama party
nights
flying kites
Picnics and plays
on sunny days
Tooth fairy's
milestones
anniversary's
skinned knees
bandades
sunscreen
bee stings
Calamine
Valentines
Art classes
guitar lessons
Thanksgiving
blessings..
(tick-tock/tick-tock)
goes the clock on the wall
that's witnessed it all...
now that she's all alone
her children all grown
except the purr of her cat
who sits on her lap
with an inquisitive look
as if reading a very good book.

I find myself now
left in a puddle of tears
wondering how
as I look out our bedroom window
like a bereft widow
daydreaming
what we could have seen
together
wishing so hard
for what might have been...
after year ten
But I'm on a new train now...
blow'n down the tracks
blazing toward my future...
I won't look back.

Daddy: I did not know you well/except for the suits you wore
they were always well tailored in the color blue
would it be okay if I told you how much I miss you...?
You always smelled of Black Jack gum
I remember running up to you
when you came home sometimes you smelled of ***...
n' I was barely four
but I remember uttering the words, "gum-gum"
Daddy, I loved you so much...
why did you have to leave/why did we lose touch?
I loved the letters you used to send
when I left for college
I thought my life would end...
but you wrote humorous lines
about long dog your wiener schnitzel pet...
you always made up stories about some guy named "Chet"
I'm so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye--
I wished and wished...
the day I found out you had died...
it was a bad joke/a terrible lie...
I love you Daddy...if you can hear me up there
I hope Tigger n' Lion's are fly'n everywhere
just like the stories you told me every night...
before you tucked me in bed with my baby bear...
n' you brushed my hair...
you always said, "Papa loves you...
Tiger, you sleep tight...
now you just  go...
n' let your dreams take flight"

Can you hear the call above the fray?
You can frighten it away
just translate a latin charm this way...
"By all the powers of the Earth and Sea"
lift my spirit up to thee
shine your light into me
"By all the might of the Earth and Sun"
allow me peace to be at one...
I hear the call above the fray
refusing to shrink, or run away
my transformation has now begun
and, thy will for me
to be done.
Face your fears
don't run away...
hear the call above the fray
Quiet your mind in troubled times
when life appears to be unkind
know that you are deeply loved
from high above
and all around
it may show up in a simple sound...
watch for patterns along with signs
they'll show up in serendipitous designs
a web
an owl
a bird
a flower...
a sound
a phrase
a star...
a gaze
a smile...
on the face of a friend,
reflecting everything the Universe can send.

FADE IN:

V.O.
(sultry female voice)

I'm that girl..
(you know the one)
she strolls into an Advanced Creative Writing class
wearing leopard skin boots
designer jeans
smelling like coconut
Swaggering Confidence
like she owns the room
You feel her energy
when her skin brushes up against yours
it's so electric
and, you're the guy that sits down across from her
just wishing she'd look your way
(but I don't)
my focus is on my professor.
He loves that I stare at him occasionally
as I take notes
and, it makes him blush
causing him to turn away
nervously
as if being caught...
"thinking those naughty thoughts"
I'm the girl that works really hard
but -- everything comes so easily.
Yeah,
I'm the girl that gets an A+ every time.
And -- you just might be the guy
that hates me for it.

I don't know you anymore
you're just an old phone number
on my floor
don't come knocking on my door
cause baby, baby,
you had your chance
just the other night /when we danced
don't think I'm sitting around here
wait'n for you
like some love sick cowgirl/sing'n the blues..
No, I got news for you, baby
n' this is for sure/this ain't no maybe
I got my red boots on/n' my tight blue t-shirt...
n' I'm out dance'n tonight
wear'n your favorite short red skirt
you know how I can flirt...
n' I've left you in the dust/I've left you in the dirt
cause, baby, baby
I don't know you anymore
you're just an old phone number on my floor
I'm out dance'n tonight with some new guy...
n' I'm in love with his blue eyes
No, I won't be home tonight
I think this time I got it right
this one holds me close/he holds me tight
yeah,  looks like we'll be up all night.

I am /falling down my dear...
Please catch me
I am falling down/I am scared
can you please wipe away my tears
I have never been one to be afraid/I have never been one to know fear
I /can't see through all this rain
I /can't see through all this mist
I/just want your love'n touch
I /just want your love'n kiss
I/don't understand all this hate
(strangers)
I /don't know these people n' their hate/to twist my life n' fate
I/am so lost  here without you
Please paint a rainbow with pinks n' blues...
(because)
I/am used to bright sunshine
I/am used to love that is holy n' divine
Yes, I'm used to only love...
that my angels send to me above
I/am falling
n'
I/am calling
won't you please..
comfort me with all these foreign feelings/with all these foreign fears
while you take away all my sadness/while you wipe away my tears.

I held the elevator door open for an elderly couple today
In their mid 80's I would say...
so very cute in so many ways.
The man was wearing a red checker hat...
and she wore blue eyes like a beautiful cat...
I wondered what secrets they could tell me
that kept them going so happily.
He steadied her gently with his right arm
protecting her safely from falling, or harm...
guiding her thoughtfully
through the door
he limped along..his leg looked sore.
I stood alone inside my thoughts...
pondering their love
that can't be bought.
(Ding)
Went the door
I watched them float by
a moment
that made me
let out a sigh...
as he wrapped her sweater around her soft shoulders
to protect from getting any colder
and the two glided down
a cobblestone path
each one careful
not to miss
a step...
and all the secrets they've ever kept
for their kind of love
throughout the years
and all the tears...
they've ever wept.

For those who dare to fly
through the open sky
over oceans  
through rough waves
for exploring caverns in the Himalaya caves
daring to cross Atlantic seas
through the heavy fog
and misty breeze
climbing mountains far and wide
(happy you even tried)
I dedicate this poem to you
for staying strong..
for being true
daring...
to fly the open sky.

Those that knew her
described her as quiet, and nice.
She entered her own world
when she took the ice...
She liked the sound of her skates...
rhythmically cutting figure eights.
White chips of snow flew into her hair
circling her body - shooting out
as she fearlessly leaped into the air.
In an instant...
she was inside her world now
without a single worry, or care.
Mozart was playing just for her  
she leaned into him with a flirtatious stare.
Captivated by her joy,
the audience had been taken there
(to her world she loved dancing on)
Swept away by the quiet skater,
a quiet Swan.

I turned around
in the crowded room
I remember the sound
of your voice
I once called home
you always made me feel
like I wasn't alone...
and you were standing there
I laughed
as if I didn't care
and all you could do was stare
but deep down ...
All I wanted was for you to pull me close
hold me tight--
whisper in my ear..
"everything's going to be alright"
and never let me go.

We lost her at the train station on a busy Saigon afternoon
her hand had slipped out of fathers when she lost her red balloon
Searching desperately day, and night for months that did not end
one day we found her favorite little doll where the river twists, and bends
I heard a little bird sing a song while sitting in a tree
this is what I heard her say while she sang her song to me...

"I watch you father everyday, and I miss you very much
your voice, and words always had such a gentle touch
It is cold now with the winter snow you ought to bundle up
please know that I am near because I like to cheer you up.
I see you through the window, and it makes me feel so very sad
that you blame yourself because you lost my little hand....
and, you make yourself feel so guilty, and incredibly so bad--
I'm the little bird that sits in your tree....
I sing for you everyday.
I hope you hear the song I sing to you,
from my heart to you ... from me."

How many times do I have to say I'm sorry
until you beat me down
again to claim your sense of glory...
I never said I was Jesus hanging on the cross
for your personal execution
to fulfill your own sense of retribution.
Oh, baby I'm so tired of the judgmental looks you toss
I never said I was perfect
I'm so worn down from your disrespect
(n' my heart aches)
please forgive me
n' let your anger go because someday I'd like to say...
I'm so sorry that things turned out this way.

There are ****'s at my door again
Yeah, yeah, yeah--
She-she-she-bop Shalom...
I wish they'd leave me alone
So what would Jesus bomb...
forcing all of us to get along?
Would he eradicate the hatred in my neighbors face?
Screaming at me with so much hatred I wanted mace...
Would he bomb the self-righteous
the ones with black and white checkered brains
to release those they're holding down in chains?
Yeah, yeah, yeah--
She-she-she-bop Shalom...
I think you need to move to Rome...
so you can all just leave me the f* alone
Or, I need to move to Malibu
where I never have to see you...
Yeah, there are ****'s at my door again
with clubs, and guns to take down the green eyed girl
she's too happy/ they must crush her world...
Lord Jesus, won't you please drop a bomb on them...
so I never have to hear from them again?
These angry men with hatred in their eyes..
telling gossip/telling lies
Yeah, yeah, yeah--
She-she-she-bop, Sholom
please go away...
just leave the green eyed girl alone.

Stand alone when you know it's right
truth is beauty held up to light
there will be people that want your soul
to do their will/to have control
Your sword is truth/wave it high
part the sea/part the tide
fearless warriors never hide.
You are truth/you are light
you're like a candle shining bright
in the darkness/through the night
Use your words ...
to make things right
blaze through fire/cut through stone
you're the warrior...
that stands alone.

The peasant girl wandered toward the Queen
she'd only read about her in magazines
The Queen's voice was kind yet strong
still the peasant girl thought something's wrong
she thought "there's no way that I belong,"
instead the Queen gave her a diamond stone...
ordering the peasant girl toward her throne
When she sat down the Queen bowed her head
saying, "You've always belonged up here instead"
The peasant girl began to cry
upset that it was just a lie..
looking fiercely into her eyes...
"Tell me what is it that you see
that I could be as great as thee?"
The Queen answered thoughtfully...
"I see your lovely graceful elegance"
"I see your fine, and great intelligence"
"I see your kind, and aristocratic gentleness"
I see that you are really me..
and, it's time to claim your dignity.

I am the past, present, and future
wrapped all into one
I am your destiny
soon to be your ecstasy.
I am what you are to me...
a heart shaped key
I am the butterfly you see...
waiting for you ...
my wings softly fluttering in your apple tree.
I am the bird in the sky...
I am a pink sunset in Shanghai
I am
with you
past, present, and future
all wrapped into one
and..
we have only just begun.

She was an unfamiliar song even to herself
with notes changing from day to day
fluid like water
heart of stone
eyes like steel
a Queen secluded
in a Castle throne
all that was known from the day she was born
was that her soul could never be possessed or, owned...
lovers would come, and Knights would go
hearts were broken
fortunes blown...
with solid resolution
a single conclusion...
that she,
(an untamed Queen in her Castle throne)
would never  be possessed, or owned.

In the darkness of the moon
without a future or a past
where there are no left turns back
between the minutes that never last
I am within your silent whispers
found in the darkness of holy secrets
I've been read about in ancient myths
I am the darkness of the moon
and,
I am attracted to quiet prayers
I am floating in the air...
I'll be present when you feel it
I am the stillness of your spirit
found in the darkness of the moon without a future or a past
I am the mystery of the moment
between the seconds that never last.

I grew up a wolf child
all alone
playing in streams
pretending to have a family
in my dreams
I grew up strong
grew up wild
I am the wolf child
I like to make dolls & things
and little flower rings
              I am a wolf child
               I run wild
                               I run free....
                                                        ­                   No one will ever own me.

Let's fly away home to the place where dreams create
floating white clouds that dissipate
in a mystical land called me and you...
where we've invented flying machines
that move so fast they can't ever be seen
we dance back in time
right into a joyous
New York 40's chorus line
fast forward we invent
a world filled with love, and content
because the sun shines bright
there's never a grey cloud in sight
and the sky is always blue...
in the mystical land called me and you
where "once upon..." is always true.