"negotiated" poems
~
dark early pre-dawn
body suspended between the-dark ochre earth tones of night,
and the teal pealing notes of warning of an impending morning,
signs aborning, me rising with urgency of the leaden half deaden,
torn from the bed casket to venture into a different kind of twi-lights,
nature demanding both intake and outtake, a restoration of balance
but first a bumbling wobbling, the body as carnival bumper car,
installing soon-to-be-bruising for later examination-exhumation,
lurching from handhold crevices in the walls like crazy cliff climbers,
my balance disturbed, eyes try tearing apart the sticky glue of night,
my sense of direction keeping me from free falling into green glass
edges of glass tables, barely, and not always, red cuts evidentiary
“my balance disturbed” words fresh formed, and a poem expulsion
required to balance the unjust scales of spirit soul and the body cage,
patch an negotiated agreement between warring cousins, just a
twenty four hour ceasefire to retrieve the wounded and the
corpses unfounded in the small copses of false shelter,
like my ancestors expelled from Spain, making escape to be
strangers in strange lands, or remain hidden in place neath disguises
of clothes of new poems, prayers for old and new gods
this new poem comes quick like a young man making first love,
for the poem has been written by thousands nights of practicing,
so ready for quick retrieving in a smattering of a few minutes,
expulsion expulsion
what a perfect verbiage to capture the night terrors, the differentials,
the procession path between what was and what will be,
when my balance restored and this poem’s completion installation
in the body of my work, as a nail disguised in the works of my body,
entering by command of the pitch black gods
May 21, 2019
May 21, 2019 at 8:42 AM UTC
Dawn casts her long line for spring
Days linger to catch the angel irises bloom
Enveloped by early chirping chitter-chatter
Lightly crusted sleep argues for lids to remain closed
Black perking wake-me oil makes a strong cups case for compromise
A nudge to join the living
- On negotiated terms -
Somewhere between another dream and lavender bubbles
The contract will begin
Foggy feet shuffle onto the wheel
Spying steps creak tattle-tale floorboards alerting all on the way
Pleading thoughtfulness
You beg for silence as the Ra room comes into view
Brightly checkered yellow-brown mustard window patterns
Cut diagonal boxes across maple hardwood
Stained glass dots of emerald, violet, and red raspberry
Dance on lemon washed walls as they turn and wink for a smile
Your morning chair sets at the edge of the warming sun pond inviting you
Join them
You listen to the ripples of space
Your cushioned dock perfectly positioned for a loving embrace
You sit
And slowly dip legs into the glowing pool
Drenched limbs cocoon in the heavy webbing of golden rays
Bathing
The chickadees celebration is known
Immersed
Lids succumb to the orange haze
The Girl from Ipanema sings
Young and lovely
You feel wonderful
No risk of drowning here...
Only in happiness
One radiating breath
Before the Samba plays again
© 2019 MJL
Mar 26, 2019
Mar 26, 2019 at 2:38 AM UTC
Willie sat by the side of
the river in a philosophical
mood under a weeping willow.
Midway, between the two
banks, was a small island
only paddling distance away.
Debris from a previous flood
had accumulated on the low
foliage of an uprooted tree.
A funnel of cold air from the
ten arch bridge made a wind
sock of a plastic net nitrate bag.
In all his time, Willie had never
ventured on to this little islet,
even wondered if he should flag it.
Off with the shoes, rolled up the
legs of his trousers and slowly he
negotiated his way over the stones.
On exploring the land mass, which
was an isthmus of a mere ten square
meters, he decided to return to land.
Just before his disembarkation, he
noticed a large denominational euro
note caught in the gills of a dead fish.
Eureka Eureka money and food all
in the one catch (was his thought as
he made his way back).
The sodden state of the 100 euro note
was what guided ******* wise decision
to take it, as was, to the local Credit Union.
In the queue whilst waiting for a vacant
teller, everyone was admiring *******
dead fish.
Eventually, at the desk, and known to
those working therein, a 100 euro note
was not his norm and created suspicion.
After tendering the note attached to the
Trout, that had apparently been fowl
hooked up the river by Johnny Logan,
The lady behind the desk called for the
manager, who immediately held the note
up to the halogen fraud lamp.
Willie had never encountered anything like
this when he made a 5 euro deposit once a
month to his savings account.
He enquired of the manager as to why he
was holding his fish and 100 euro note up
against the bright light.
The manager responded, “ It is the policy of
all banking systems to check high denominational
notes for visible water marks “ !!
Sep 5, 2018
Sep 5, 2018 at 4:01 AM UTC
It’s thought provoking
and emotion evoking
I feel like I’m choking, {Heimlich}
Truer words have never been spoken
by a dancing mime with only one leg.
Minds have reeled
Fates have been sealed
Unknowns become real
It’s a negotiated deal made by some lawyer with a soul.
Tragic, Comedy- Tragicomedy
Shipping-handling. As seen on TV.
What’s the cost of free ?
Nothing comes really, with a money back guarantee.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Operators standing by- keep your seat.
Stay out of the kitchen if you can’t stand the heat.
And know your victory isn’t over defeat.
Miller time- the best time of year
But I’ll never need another beer,
My life’s so complete when using Tampax.
The latest miracle cure is as safe as anthrax.
Who has time these days for voting, when I feel the blight of bloating ?
There are no important politics or elections.
When I have four plus hour erections
but I bet my doctor won’t be the one I decide to consult.
>>>>>
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.emotionalorphan.net.
Oct 1, 2009
Oct 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM UTC
As a child I did not know whether it was the act itself or the knowledge that I was the receptacle for malevolence and cruelty that made me so vulnerable. At first I thought it was God's punishment for something I had done. I took an inventory, desperately seeking the deed that triggered the retribution. But I could not identify a single act. Even my accumulated errors, transgressions and unkindness’s did not exact the cost. Then I understood: if I could not isolate a deed, or pattern of deeds, commanding the punishment, it must be me. It is not what I did. It is who I was...a fundamentally, intrinsically and irredeemably bad little girl. I negotiated my adolescence and early adulthood with the mathematical symbol for "less than" (<) attached.
I would like to be able to write that I am no longer negotiating my adulthood with the same mathematical symbol attached. But that would be a lie. It is pervasive. It is formidable. And if I do not keep it contained, I am so afraid it will be debilitating….I've been down that road a time or two. At times it has enveloped me, penetrating my pores and drowning everything essential and vital inside.
Undisturbed, it is docile, sated. But aroused by even the slightest hint of beauty or strength or grace it is a painful reminder that I am...somehow...contemptible...that I am still fundamentally, intrinsically and incorrigibly...what? Flawed, imperfect & bad? You may say, "But we are all flawed and imperfect. And our flaws and imperfections make us more interesting...more truly beautiful...more human." And perhaps you are right, but this inexorable deprivation makes me somehow subhuman... less than human...permanently broken. I am a receptacle for malice.
I skillfully deflect praise directed my way, an effort to soothe the inescapable conflict inside. Moderate praise induces a subtle twinge of embarrassment; more effusive praise incites the consuming and agonizing feeling that I am irreparably damaged, hopelessly broken. It has contaminated, compromised and diminished every accomplishment, soiled every success. People sometimes tell me that I am humble and that it is an admirable trait. But the modesty and humility they identify helps me to mask the mortification stirring inside. I have gotten so good at hiding it from others that I have nearly learned to conceal it even from myself.
At least that is what it feels like...right now.
Oct 20, 2013
Oct 20, 2013 at 8:21 PM UTC
its these winter mornings
where any thought
of greeting
the dawning day
with warm thoughts
hopeful exuberance
and a positive outlook
will quickly be silenced
along with
the birdsong of
that overly optimistic alarm
that melody
so carefully selected
to ease consciousness
into a brightened state
of motivation
of joy
despised within seconds
immediately cut short
and resented for
its mindless persistence
the first excuse
a need for another
ten minutes
of warmth and comfort
to prepare
for the day
for life in general
perhaps
the second
a negotiated concession
that there was
no real reason
to get up
early anyway
finally
uncertain whether
in victory
or defeat
the alarm will be
cancelled completely
along with the rest
of the day
Dec 15, 2022
Dec 15, 2022 at 6:52 AM UTC
Mankind’s obsession with wealth is what created the mass destruction of the natural world.
The greed of mankind,
leading to inhumane acts against the world,
in which we all live.
Our eager appetite for wealth,
unable to contain itself,
loses control of our greedy hands,
that do nothing but take and never give.
We chop down trees,
stealing the homes of innocent creatures.
We tear into the Earth like a one year old into a birthday cake,
and we expect no consequence in return.
We throw garbage on to flowers that once flourished,
and let the creatures choke on it to their demise.
We force the Earth to relinquish its beauty,
so that we may build our shopping malls and highways upon it.
We confiscate anything natural about this world and destroy it.
Doing so,
with the carelessness of a hand brushing away spilled grains of salt,
off the edge of a table at a truck stop.
Our destructive actions do not come without consequence,
no matter how hard we ignore it.
As horrific as it sounds,
it’s not the greatest challenge mankind has had to face.
No,
that trophy is reserved for mankind’s violence.
For centuries we have waged wars on our neighbors,
slaughtering anyone who does not agree with our way of life.
We have taken women and children captive,
making them our prisoners of war.
We have brutally murdered husbands,
brothers and sons,
and sent ours to do so.
Our only "improvement" made,
is now sending the mothers,
sisters and daughters with them.
All while our nations relish in the glory of their chance-medley.
But now,
school shootings take residency in,
what used to be vacant fears.
Nobody can truly understand why humanity lacks so much humanity.
Why humans are the only creature that can be so inhumane.
No one can explain why these terrible and God awful acts of violence continue to occur.
That is why if you ask,
the only response you’ll ever find is
“they have a twisted mentality.”
But tell that to the hunter keeping populations steady.
Tell that to men destroying the Earth with more destruction for man’s construction.
Tell that to the politicians who think taking away our right to bare arms and protect our families,
will protect our families from being taken from us while they’re at school or a concert.
Tell that to the former president who negotiated with terrorists to save a few American men.
You can’t,
because some inhumane acts have a slightly humane justification. Whether we agree with them or not,
it’s only human.
Being a little inhumane and still humane,
is only human.
Mar 18, 2019
Mar 18, 2019 at 5:17 PM UTC
I am lost in humanity’s sea, that great wind swept expanse of self indulgence and heartbreaking reality.
I seek the emotions of peace where no such emotion exists, only that of the state of peace, the situation of peace;
negotiated by power ****** and money makers. The heart and soul have nothing to do with it instead; it is a chip to be thrown upon the worlds table, a tool to justify misguided means.
The elements of true peace are far flung and their intent, jaded in envious green shades of self servency.
I scream into a canyon of wonder, and singular echoes return and return.
My voice; the only answer to my only question. I ask the winds of this willowa to cease and calm their tirades.
Instead, the request falls upon emaciated ears and hardened hearts.
A world exists in this expanse where my unheard calls ring. The din of self absorption outplays my simple plea.
Instead the flags of bias, the banners of silent hypocrisy, flap in winds of fouling air
Upon a society that has no care for the simple emotions, those of peace.
The hard, cold reality that I am forced to realize.
The banters of the ignorant that brings tears to my eyes.
Some may call my wondering that of the mere naïve.
Then I am that in these terms.
For my wish is to see all
At peace.
Jan 11, 2011
Jan 11, 2011 at 3:25 PM UTC
Full moon to no moon. ..
it's a black night....
obama throw our country out the window....
it's not just his fault though.
It's these greedy *** wholes...
our resources are going down...
but noone cares.....
we as a nation..
need to pay attention..
the real worlds not just a tv show... everyone is brained washed in our nation...
It's hard to say proud to be an American..
When the world is laughing...
Our own president negotiated with terrorist...
One law we stood by..
Any why...
For a deserter..
Who should of had his head cut off...
Between politics...
And big corporations...
Kids my age are in a daze...
They can repeat every word to every song...
But not one of our founding fathers...
Who by the way..
Didn't just concentrate on one thing...
Somehow along the way..
We turned politics in to a career..
A game...
We as the people of our nation..
Need to stand up..
Start paying attention...
And make this country...
The best it can be....
So we can stand up..
With our heads held high..
And scream.
I'm proud to be an American
Jun 16, 2014
Jun 16, 2014 at 11:10 AM UTC
Love is Contagious,
In-surmountable & Unstoppable.
There is no antibiotic,
no cure,
for Love.
It cannot be negotiated
or destroyed.
It Just Is.
A self-perpetuating, unending well-spring,
that when fed,
will break through every dam
and drown
all that stand before it
with it’s Never Ending,
Life Sustaining,
Saving Grace.
And to think for most of my life i’ve not believed in it’s existence - In This All Things are Possible!
Apr 26, 2014
Apr 26, 2014 at 7:26 AM UTC
he would have discovered him
trying to change the water formula in his tears
he tried to exist/insist/resist
where no body was thinking
the man without moon
suspended in a terrorizing labyrinth of faces
His own
he was a method man
growing salt in his eyes like minefields
teaching it the taste of the earth
anxiety like mountains of fog eradicating crossroads
he wants to exist inside the body of the world
with the decency of negotiated desires
and the hands get lost in translation
truth is a black truffle
sweating and swearing
sensuous craters perhaps
he killed many singing birds
searching for imagination, his body
muted, renegotiated soon after birth
staying alive, denying the soul of zebras
He lacks verbs, some nouns
learning from the theory of absence
how the effortless U(n-conscious)
is a Poet that
rhymes the body with the mind
of the world
He summoned the shaman, the artists, the tango teacher
to the wake of his body
while learning how summer waves contribute to a theory of mind
his self white
white while forgetting Magritte,
a taxi for Chopin
or the whiteness of the cotton pickers
perhaps
Nov 9, 2021
Nov 9, 2021 at 5:48 AM UTC
One bite of the forbidden fruit,
Hallucination and deception followed suit.
The more i enjoyed the malicious juice,
My heart swelled in rapturous delight
to deafen the opposing voices,I negotiated a truce.
But the more my body craved for it,with little respite.
The comfort and love it gave was heightened solace.
the complete engagement of trust and companionship.
The Ecstasy it contained,hard to replace.
But now the fruit has stopped growing,
No more pleasure,no more craving.
Even if I pass by a solitary plump fruit,waiting to be eaten
I remind myself,the taste and the craving will only sweeten.
I looked passed it,to the lush green field,
love is a patient process,it will soon began to yield..
Oct 31, 2011
Oct 31, 2011 at 1:10 PM UTC
No one may contest that a contract existed
Between my client and the respondent;
This much is beyond debate,
Nor did the plaintiff in any way compel
This miller’s-daughter-cum-queen in any manner,
Unless one contends that providing a vehicle
To obtain all that she had ever desired
Somehow equates to coercion.
As to my learned colleague’s claim
That the imposition of so-called usurious terms by my client
Serves to render the agreement null and void,
May I remind you that at no point in this affair
Did the respondent decline to accept the quid pro quo;
Indeed, she happily re-negotiated the terms of the very pact
She now seeks to vacate!
Ah, opposing counsel claims, *my client fulfilled the agreement
In accordance with the law*.
I must say, rather sadly,
I find my distinguished friend’s definition of fulfillment
Very odd, indeed, as if the employment of industrial espionage,
Illegal trespass, surveillance methods of dubious legitimacy
(All of which were undertaken
To surreptitiously provide his client with such information
To exercise the out-clause of the agreement)
Is something the court should embrace
As a matter of statute or accepted practice.
Again, members of the jury, I know where your sympathies lie.
All along , opposing counsel has implied
We should celebrate his client’s pluckiness,
Her cunning and initiative,
Her stunning journey from rages to riches.
My friends, I would argue this;
There is, indeed, a moral to every story,
Are our obligations and promises, at the end of the day,
No more than the interview portion of some beauty pageant,
Where long blonde hair and a winning smile
Serve as just cause to blithely disregard those oaths?
Are the most sacred of vows
Less binding upon those whom Nature and the mirror
Have favored more so than those among us
Who are among the unattractive and underloved?
Ladies and gentlemen, it is up to you
To write the final chapter of our fable.
I thank you for your service.
Jan 19, 2018
Jan 19, 2018 at 3:53 PM UTC
We were drawn together
Not by magnetism,
Though that would come later,
As we fell into orbit
Like a planet
And its satellite
Spinning helplessly
Around their star.
No,
It began much more humanly,
Though not humanely,
As we, thrown together
Through chance,
Negotiated
The rules
Of a game
Neither of us ever learnt
To play.
The name of the game
Was left unspoken,
Lost in translation -
Stolen
By the language of fear,
And the many tongues of that ancient serpent
Called hatred.
So shine I did,
Perhaps a bit too brightly,
And she,
Never having learned
Not to stare into the sun
Got caught up in the flames
As I burned
And burned
And burned
Out.
Jul 9, 2016
Jul 9, 2016 at 7:51 AM UTC
I negotiated
You hesitated
I silently waited
You went.
My heart is tainted.
Oct 31, 2015
Oct 31, 2015 at 11:48 PM UTC
"Without you, I’m incomplete,
I wave my white flag,
Because my heart and my pride faces defeat,
I gave every last thing I had,
And I either came up a penny short,
Or even a dollar more,
Either way, you’re not here anymore,
I shed tears hoping that heartbreak would escape,
But as I wake up,
I still try to make up,
Reasons why I should be over you,
I’m older than you,
But you control me,
I think it’s safe to say that you own me,
I haven’t been honest with myself,
I’ve tried to convince myself,
That I’ve put everything from the past on the top shelf,
But we talked last night,
And I realized that I lied,
Because when I found out about your new guy,
And my heart beamed from the sky,
And penetrated through the pavement,
So as we spoke,
I sat sit crushed and broke,
My lips trembled and my eyes made lakes deep enough to stoke,
Across,
Just in case you want to come back,
Nostalgia got me,
And I’m alright with that,
Because I enjoyed you,
And the feelings that were associated,
I just wish I could’ve negotiated,
A plan to make stay,
Because I’m tired of not having a reason to wake up everyday."
-Glenn Fullmore
Apr 30, 2012
Apr 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM UTC
Caring and Sharing Is What Love Is All About
Love can never be negotiated, because it has no immunity
by its merit the world exists, in an atmosphere of continuity
while war kills and spreads tragedy, love rescues to repair
healing broken hearts, removing all forms of grief and despair
Love can never be underestimated, its power is generated by a higher source
just when you think it's over, unity and hope are at the center driving this force
loneliness, despair, unhappiness, these sad feelings always seem to renew
until love once again comes to the rescue, in healing you through and through
Love can never be something more than you want it to be, because it cannot survive alone
if you think that it can be controlled, you'll ultimately find yourself lost in the twilight zone
here lies the caveat, despite your attempts, love cannot be tailor made it defies definition
in pursuing love your selfish character traits you must discard, a necessary precondition
Love can never be more than it is, being the only way to live a life that's worth living
but only when you cultivate this trait of sharing, because you can't love without giving
when you mature, right and wrong becomes your focus, selfishness begins to crumble
interacting with people your heart now stirs, feelings of happiness found in being humble
Unknowingly you've taken one step closer, in preparation to become one with another
finally reaching that maturity needed, focusing from I to we, finding your one true lover
love, that until now you held for yourself, finally giving it the only true fulfillment in your life
the ultimate expression of love and happiness is now yours, as a caring mother and loving wife
Jul 27, 2015
Jul 27, 2015 at 12:01 PM UTC
Love life, Sir
That's all you have to do
Love life with all your heart
For that's what He loves
You have a heart mightier than all others, Sir
"Defeat your enemies with kindness. Hate feeds hate, only love slays it."
And love as deeply as you can
Because if you lose that love
All hope will be lost
And for when hopeless
It seems as if nothing
Nothing
Could be mended
In what seems like the end
That love will save you, Sir
"That is hope, even for the hopeless."
If you hold onto that love
You can outsmart the devil
"Put as much effort as possible into pursuing the best things you can think of."
Be the best that you can be
Polite and collected, Sir
Focus on what you can do
Instead of the price of failure
"And as little as possible into struggling against the bad."
Some things can be negotiated
Not all things come down to standard rules
"It's your heart that's most important, not the rules."
So if your heart shines boldly
And deeply your love is found
Defeating the devil through life
Should show no bounds, Sir
Dec 28, 2012
Dec 28, 2012 at 9:48 PM UTC
When I take in air it doesn't feel so light.
It's full of the things you'd never want to go down your throat.
Its feels as if the air has changed to the hottest sauce I could ever imagine.
That with each inhale and exhale my mouth and throat burn.
They burn to such extremes that I feel like an out of shape boy after a run.
A boy that does not know that he is not built to run this way.
As I take in more air it only adds to the intensity.
Doing as what oxygen does and igniting flames.
My lungs have become these hostage negotiators.
The Hostage is myself.
As they decide whether I can breathe or simply gasp for the heat.
They tighten me up and begin to straggle me.
Just like the time I was smothered by my brother.
They just don't know when to stop.
Not realizing when it's no longer a game.
My eyes start to flutter as my whole body begins to shift.
This moment feels as if an eternity the same as watching sand glide with the wind.
A simple breeze where the wind seems most at peace.
An empty land where only the gust of wind exist.
I only feel the light droplets of rain right after the lightning bolt strikes.
It begins at my head and slowly trickles down the rest of me.
Moistening only the back of my head as I face the sky.
My lungs negotiated what they wanted so dearly.
I gave in to their final request.
The air has become as light as they say it is.
Taking one final deep breath.
My final thoughts on this day were those of the pleasant wind.
Jan 18, 2015
Jan 18, 2015 at 8:39 AM UTC
**my joints are protective like laminates and coke corner lookouts
they're.. less forgiving, less tolerant
and less inclined to suppress significant emotion
so as much as it might make me no nevermind
you'll be unfairly called out
unfairly because it takes both halves of anything to fulfill a split
and i was so spent; our nonlove had used me up
cross me
and they're.. that much more callous, vindictive
and less likely to fall back and dust you off
is why every drop i co-author will vilify you
i swear on everything relevant
co-author because anyone who's been through anything
is the voice of my writs
and every someone afraid to ink it lives vicariously through rants
my joints won't not be heard
they.. won't be negotiated and can't be bought off
they know how irresponsibly you've loved
and mypoems won't hold their tongues
or your hand, i promise
you should watch your back and wonder no more
if everyone's looking at you or if you're trippin because.. they are
i told you not to **** with me
but you forced my hand
and i've written you up and posted your offenses on poetry boards;
a journal worth of she-love-not and who gives a ****
my readers get it
heartbreak.. that's universal
and everyone wishes they could articulate a dear john or jane
so i supply a public service
pro bono
this here... is the way to the mediator**
Apr 27, 2014
Apr 27, 2014 at 4:24 PM UTC
There are moments I'll
Remember.
Like the bellyaching laughter on the
Living room floor when I said
Eisenhower, ****** and Giovanni Arnolfini and
His bride negotiated at Camp David.
Like sitting in an old Chevvy
Van with a half empty Starbucks
Cup, singing along to a song I'd
Never heard before.
Like dancing on the hot
Asphalt that has seen so much of
Us, and falling neatly enough to
Put me on crutches.
Like sitting in a bedroom that
Looked vaguely like mine when her
Boyfriend decided he would play
My guitar.
Like perfect
Complete and
Utter
Silence.
There are moments I'll
Remember.
Jul 13, 2016
Jul 13, 2016 at 3:04 PM UTC
Across,
A long table.
On top of each other,
In a small bed.
We attack one another,
Trying to get in our heads.
She,
Wants my love.
He,
Already has it.
Yet,
She wants a bite,
Of that ******* apple.
Negotiated ***
It is something at best.
Just a one time,
Contract.
But I know,
She'll be back.
She,
Says she's in love.
He,
Stands watching above.
I wouldn't dare,
Give her a taste.
But now that is all erased.
I,
Plan on making mistakes.
Everything,
Is in my control.
Negotiations are over dear,
Now let's get in the back of the car.
Nov 20, 2012
Nov 20, 2012 at 3:12 PM UTC
To live is more than breathing
It is more than movement
or gesture
To live is more than routine
It is more than setting goals
or placing limits
To live is more than simple reasoning
It is more than can be quickly understood
or accomplished
To really live is a rare effort
It must be carefully encountered
and wisely negotiated
To really live is to act
It is taking and giving
accepting and sacrificing
To live is joy and pain
To live is to do more than just exist
To live is to stand up and actually
LIVE
Aug 9, 2022
Aug 9, 2022 at 12:30 PM UTC