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A harsh wind kisses my fingers into sleeping.
Blurring the movement on the toggles of an anorak,
But my eyes dart quick, oiled and fleeting,
searching for my beloved old salt, looking back.
Funny, how in those footprints,
the piercing night that bites the ears and cries
can feel as soft as sheets
washed in the light of the moon, pulled by the tide.

this darkness which surrounds us.
it makes the world one of thrashing silhouettes
And as the earth breathes in gusts
It gives calmness to a mind, to comfortably forget
this, lulled swoon of nature pulsating hits
the windows, we can't help to be animated.
we cannot be closed to it, cannot obscure it
the call of the waves that past fishermen created.

pausing, that sun-baked, sinuous arm rose
and peering through his cigarette smoke specters.
the steam of my own breathing, softly froze
As the sky illuminated my weary lenses.
the theatre of sky before us fight light polluted filling
My mind left wandering like waking sleep.
These gladiators of light bleed ochre from shining artillery,
Their particles drifting into the night's sea, so deep.
Sparks spat by suns lie suspended above me
held like dew in nets of celestial string.
as the sunlight comes peering through these
the intensity in a pinprick, unearthly passion within.
lancing the sky too are spears of my dreaming
as neon cobras strike and churn to flee.
these heaven-borne beings carving visual song
Cutting luminescent pathways into my memory.

The soundless iron giant is now still as a caryatid.
Holding me before that blacksmith showered light.
an artist plucks flaming dewdrops from the wind
illuminating my foray into this night.
I sensed a small piece of gene pierce his yang
a black taint to his overall brightness.
In my black yin a spark from him i hang
and I'm proud of the infections we posses.
As he narrates this landscape, he narrates himself.
a new side to a shape I felt I knew.
As far into feelings as his masculine paradigm delved
like a square’s seventh face, always hidden from view.
walking the beaches at night as a child, finding my similarity to my father
Sayali Aug 2018
A thin film of air quarantines the words,

And toggles them into reverse,

Settling them back under the tongues.

The eardrums condensed by a deep warble,

Nothing heard, nothing said,

The pupils swelling like planets through a telescope lens,

Tired eyes gazing, as time flings itself in sepia and grain,

Planting memories of twilights on a park bench after a rusty Monday,

As you looked over a five year old dressed as a ballerina,

Of subtle brushes of the fingertips,

While you walk into the grocery shop in your robe,

The throat starts to build a lump,

And translating it into a warm feeling,

You stay rooted,

As,

The eyes,

Watch,

Un-love,

Wait,

Listen,

Surrender,

And love again,

In Radio silence.
Hank Roberts Aug 2010
It was only yesterday
I can remember my loneliness
Until I saw my sunshine
Going down across the way

The moon shines bright
Against those evening clouds
When they clear and steer away
That’s where majestic go and fly

My shadows circle and die
Even they utter and cry
No matter how hard you try
You can’t have all your dreams

An occasional reckless scream
In the distance I try to listen
Mixed morals sound and glisten
Shut my eyes while I try

The suns usual rotation
A God or natural creation
Understanding Life and above
Is like capturing your love

Even those that taught you so
Tell you not to lie but theirs glow
Whether it’s a songbird or a crow
Sometimes you got to let it flow

The sky always waits
No matter how bad the wake
Never ever trying to take
You, me, and nothing more

My mind toggles and boggles
Good and bad being smuggled
Trying to erase and start anew
What’s left that I can see?

You said there's nothing to fear
Even though I was never held close,
It doesn't matter my heart was splattered
and nailed up on plaster

Shooting star across the way
Reminds me you didn't stay
So I’ll never forget
That my sunshine’s gone away
Solange Sep 2011
My sweater is torn.
And its January. She can sew.
She taught herself on a Sunday afternoon last July.

My sleeve caught on the door handle as I left.
It was trying to stop me,
Hold me back, teach me a lesson.

The handle took my button.
I didn’t care. I could go back and get it.
But not today. I’ll fix it.

Stars, toggles, squares,
Pink, blue, white, navy.
I find a grey circle.

The thread finds its way
Through the four chambers
Of the button.

Atrium to ventricle.
Ventricle to atrium.
I double knot it.

She can sew.
I didn’t care.
And now I wear my button on my sleeve.
The light becomes stronger




the shorter the day

the longer I stay and

the longer the day that I

long to long away




and in the longing

belonging

a song starts recording




affording no respite

the strength of the

daylight

defeats me




night completes in me

the circle.
Hank Roberts Aug 2010
It was only yesterday
I can remember my loneliness
Until I saw my sunshine
Going down across the way

The moon shines bright
Against those evening clouds
When they clear and steer away
That’s where majestic go and fly

My shadows circle and die
Even they utter and cry
No matter how hard you try
You can’t have all your dreams

An occasional reckless scream
In the distance I try to listen
Mixed morals sound and glisten
Shut my eyes while I try

The suns usual rotation
A God or natural creation
Understanding Life and above
Is like capturing your love

Even those that taught you so
Tell you not to lie but theirs glow
Whether it’s a songbird or a crow
Sometimes you got to let it flow

The sky always waits
No matter how bad the wake
Never ever trying to take
You, me, and nothing more

My mind toggles and boggles
Good and bad being smuggled
Trying to erase and start anew
What’s left that I can see?

Shooting star across the way
Wishing that you’d stay
So I’ll never forget
That my sunshine’s gone away
A toggle is so fun to twist
While buttons pivot like a wrist.  
Rotating through a slit
Gives a much snugger fit.  
Toggles swaddle a contortionist.
Happily ever after Wednesday are the Thursday things I like to do
such as waking up and taking up from where I left off as sleep chanced upon me.

It's good here and I can see a
***** of light where the day and night
fight for control.

And when it's that time which it was but now it's
this time and because time moves on that's no longer
true,
who can say differently?

The lifesaver that the Doctor gave me
kicks in
my eyes pin and my breathing eases.

Morning darling.

Three forty five which in the real world is
far too early to be alive but alive I am,
can I believe it?
I do because it's true.

She murmurs something about the noise
I'm making and I try to make less.

In the happy hunting ground where
coffee beans can be found
I make a *** whilst percolating
on the waking state
the washing up will have to wait.

Then it's time to go
become John again
and
leave the empty cup
of 'joe' for later,
Drab Oct 14
The edge.

Not the ledge.
The edge.
Something so sought after,
Yet elusive.

It boggles…..
The mind.
Toggles…..
The senses.

If you fall over.
It breaks
Into little pieces.
Of happiness.
And slumber
Note - I need a short break.

Are you afraid of heights?
judy smith Mar 2016
Maria Messier, a registered nurse turned entrepreneur based in Clifton Park, said she has “created a solution to a “growing” problem.”

Though she has been a nurse for 15 years, Messier said she has always had “an entrepreneurial mind.” After having four children and experiencing the discomforts of pregnancy during harsh northeastern winters, Messier decided to come up with her own solution to a problem pregnant women have been dealing with for ages — how to make your winter coat fit as you grow through your pregnancy, without buying a huge coat you won’t ever wear again.

She realizes maternity coats are nice, but noted not everyone can afford to buy a new coat for their pregnancy. “They are expensive and are used for such a short time,” she said.

She calls it the Extendher and it can be used during pregnancies and after for holding your baby hands-free. It is an extending panel which clips onto outerwear with a zipper. According to their website, the product has adjustable pull toggles to ensure a great fit throughout each stage of pregnancy.

Having experienced the frustrations of coats that refused to zip first-hand, Messier began to wonder why something like the Extendher did not already exist. She shared the idea with her aunt, Joanne Frank of Schenectady, at a family gathering. Frank, who worked as a fashion designer for 40 years, told her niece, “You are on to something,” and agreed to create the first prototype.

“After many tweaks and changes, our final extendher was born,” said Messier.

She said the best part is that you can still use the product after having a baby by using it as a baby carrier. The Extendher is not only for expectant mothers, but can also be worn by fathers, grandparents and babysitters. Messier said “Babywearing is huge right now, so customers really love this option.” The Extendher comes in a variety of colors. Heavyweight and lightweight options are available for different seasons.

The business, Extendher LLC, became official in 2015. Messier said their product has been featured on Elaine Houston’s “Today’s Women” on News Channel 13, WNYT.

“Most importantly,” said Messier, “we are 100 percent made in the USA, manufactured in upstate NY.” The Extendhers are being manufactured in Little Falls, New York.Read more at:www.marieaustralia.com/short-formal-dresses | www.marieaustralia.com/formal-dresses-sydney
Chat on social media
Get influenced
by each other
He comes from five
she comes from one
Promise to meet
at a garden

       At Garden
she takes him all around
She might hoped of
holding her hand
But to her surprise
it never happened
Taken pics of each other
But never happened
that of together
      At restaurants
she took him to bar
But he refused
It cleared her
doubts of drinks
       At lunch
they sat at table
He stared in her dull eyes
She shyly said
please don't look in Eyes
Meanwhile rings the cell
Which toggles the conversation
And brings some hesitation
       At the end
she decides menu
Veg manchurian and veg rice
They feel to eat it happy and nice
       On departure
she gives her coat to him
To know his feelings
He returns it back
With the remark
          It is heavy
That ends all this gravy.
Rod, you look wonderful.
Thanks Glenda. You also look wonderful.
Rod, will you be staying at the palace for long?
No. I have business in Tokyo prefect tomorrow. I'll be taking a military helicopter transport directly there to save time.
Is Stacy with you?
Yes, Glenda. I knew that you would ask.
I have every right to ask. Stacy is my sister.
I've done bad things. I've led teen bikini models astray...promising them my everlasting love while impregnating their sisters. I'm an animal. How many lives must I ruin? How many Japanese beauty queens must I conquer? Glenda, I  must deny these natural & naturalistical inclinations. I must be more than a boy toy used by *** starlets to satisfy their carnal needs.
Of course, Rod, our passion was a passing fancy.
Please. I just watched Rudolph Valentino lose 2 women to his best friend in the 1925 movie Cobra. Valentino would be dead 9 months after this film's release. A friend's friendship meant more to Rudy than incautious fawning & womanly guile. Please Glenda, I tried. I tried and I failed.
Women can be men with feminine issues, Rod.
Glenda, deep down, your sister is just a a lot of fluid, organs & vessels. I have an eye for such things. I possess a knack for uniting incongruous things, whether it be nuts to toggles or spigots to petcocks. In The Eagle from 1925, Rudolph Valentino reads a note by candle light. A candle on the table in a moving train. Seems incongruous, somehow. What about the danger of fire? What if my bra comes undone at the amusement park? What if a thousand  things go terribly awry? Ha? Well, what about it?
Sometimes, dear one, you act as if the Washington Monument is an extension of your physical charm. Sometimes Rod...Oh, kiss me you fool!
Empty and parted broken hearted darted
From the day of the dusty battlefield
Emotions shield can't hide the demonic feels
Lurking and hawking over sleepless nights
Soars higher than kites leeched to a cursed rite
Rituals habitual following orders of wicked men
Chaos still within the words of my pen true sin
Lives in all of us once the guns bust ashes to dust
See the blood painting a beautiful ******
Highway this ain't D-Day better yet doomsday
Many questions left unanswered I feel sorrow
From my future present past of those who borrow
Golden times off the hours minutes to seconds
Somebody dies tears streaming rivers cries
I see the image in the mirror it's more clearer
When I'm drunk stumbling near a tree trunk
On bended knees uttering god please creeds
Take me out of my misery let the demons free me
Release my energy so i recharge the synergy
Suddenly I see a shaft of light wings spans
Of a ghetto contraband billions in the stands
Praised by the black figured man innerstand
My souls battling other souls over control
Had to toll my own self moving blood portals
Dodged the bullet weight of pains was heavy
I couldn't pull it stuck in a predicament
Seems like deaths the realist born for sentenced
My life ain't **** my friends ain't **** pulpits
Ain't **** jobs ain't **** the honor is in bullets
I feel my past warriors who done passed on
Yeah no names to mention i guide the strengthen
As the toggles lengthens im still wishin'
I could see y'all pains and wash away the stains
Seems I'm close to the joining y'all mayne?
Once again I'll let the words paint a picture
Graphic as ****** Stalin young brother wilding
Out dreams let my third soul intervene
No longer care about things what's happening
Somebody reach for me but ain't close to me
Naw folks just let me be guided by my will
Let the my body warm til cold leads chills
My body below grow about thirty pounds more
Yo I look good laying under the cover no other
Well some others feeling like me fleeing sanity
For insanity makes me a better man to see
Fantasy reality cold hearted world mentality
Certificate of death threats pawn by hands prints
Collateral damage can't be managed
Bloodstones sticks and bones drones a clone
I'm ready to die so why won't yall leave me alone...
“Rod, you look wonderful.”

“Thanks Glenda. You also look wonderful.”

“Rod, will you be staying at the palace for long?”

“No. I have business in Tokyo prefecture tomorrow. I'll be taking a military helicopter transport directly there to save time.”

“Is Stacy with you?”

“Yes, Glenda. I knew that you would ask.”

“I have every right to ask. Stacy is my sister.”

“I've done bad things. I've led teen bikini models astray...promising them my everlasting love while impregnating their sisters. I'm an animal. How many lives must I ruin? How many Japanese beauty queens must I conquer? Glenda, I  must deny these natural & naturalistical inclinations. I must be more than a boy toy used by *** starlets to satisfy their carnal needs.”

“Of course, Rod, our passion was a passing fancy.”

“Please. I just watched Rudolph Valentino lose 2 women to his best friend in the 1925 movie Cobra. Valentino would be dead 9 months after this film's release. A friend's friendship meant more to Rudy than incautious fawning & womanly guile. Please Glenda, I tried. I tried and I failed. I know why you do it and it's not why you say. Your brother loves you but he needs to find a girl who's not his sister for a change.”

“Women can be men with feminine issues, Rod. Math is a curious thing. If you're 6' 1'' tall, you are closer to 7 feet than to 5 feet. If you're 5' 3'' tall, you are closer to 10 feet than to 0 feet.”

“Glenda, deep down, your sister is just a a lot of fluid, organs & vessels. I have an eye for such things. I possess a knack for uniting incongruous things, whether it be nuts to toggles or spigots to pet-*****. In The Eagle from 1925, Rudolph Valentino reads a note by candle light. A candle on the table in a moving train. Seems incongruous, somehow. What about the danger of fire? What if my bra comes undone at the amusement park? What if a thousand things go terribly awry? Ha? Well, what about it?”

“Sometimes, dear one, you act as if the Washington Monument is an extension of your physical charm. Sometimes Rod...Oh, kiss me you  fool!”
Rod, you look wonderful.
Thanks Glenda. You also look wonderful.
Rod, will you be staying at the palace for long?
No. I have business in Tokyo prefecture tomorrow. I'll be taking a military helicopter transport directly there to save time.
Is Stacy with you?
Yes, Glenda. I knew that you would ask.
I have every right to ask. Stacy is my sister.
I've done bad things. I've led teen bikini models astray...promising them my everlasting love while impregnating their sisters. I'm an animal. How many lives must I ruin? How many Japanese beauty queens must I conquer? Glenda, I  must deny these natural & naturalistical inclinations. I must be more than a boy toy used by *** starlets to satisfy their carnal needs.
Of course, Rod, our passion was a passing fancy.
Please. I just watched Rudolph Valentino lose 2 women to his best friend in the 1925 movie Cobra. Valentino would be dead 9 months after this film's release. A friend's friendship meant more to Rudy than incautious fawning & womanly guile. Please Glenda, I tried. I tried and I failed.
Women can be men with feminine issues, Rod.
Glenda, deep down, your sister is just a a lot of fluid, organs & vessels. I have an eye for such things. I possess a knack for uniting incongruous things, whether it be nuts to toggles or spigots to petcocks. In The Eagle from 1925, Rudolph Valentino reads a note by candle light. A candle on the table in a moving train. Seems incongruous, somehow. What about the danger of fire? What if my bra comes undone at the amusement park? What if a thousand  things go terribly awry? Ha? Well, what about it?
Sometimes, dear one, you act as if the Washington Monument is an extension of your physical charm. Sometimes Rod...Oh, kiss me you fool!

⚡️
“Rod, you look wonderful.”

“Thanks Glenda. You also look wonderful.”

“Rod, will you be staying at the palace for long?”

“No. I have business in Tokyo prefecture tomorrow. I'll be taking a military helicopter transport directly there to save time.”

“Is Stacy with you?”
“Yes, Glenda. I knew that you would ask.”

“I have every right to ask. Stacy is my sister.”

“I've done bad things. I've led teen bikini models astray...promising them my everlasting love while impregnating their sisters. I'm an animal. How many lives must I ruin? How many Japanese beauty queens must I conquer? Glenda, I  must deny these natural & naturalistical inclinations. I must be more than a boy toy used by *** starlets to satisfy their carnal needs.”

“Of course, Rod, our passion was a passing fancy.”

“Please. I just watched Rudolph Valentino lose 2 women to his best friend in the 1925 movie Cobra. Valentino would be dead 9 months after this film's release. A friend's friendship meant more to Rudy than incautious fawning & womanly guile. Please Glenda, I tried. I tried and I failed.”

“Women can be men with feminine issues, Rod.”

“Glenda, deep down, your sister is just a a lot of fluid, organs & vessels. I have an eye for such things. I possess a knack for uniting incongruous things, whether it be nuts to toggles or spigots to petcocks. In The Eagle from 1925, Rudolph Valentino reads a note by candle light. A candle on the table in a moving train. Seems incongruous, somehow. What about the danger of fire? What if my bra comes undone at the amusement park? What if a thousand  things go terribly awry? Ha? Well, what about it?”

“Sometimes, dear one, you act as if the Washington Monument is an extension of your physical charm. Sometimes Rod...Oh, kiss me you  fool!”
“Rod, you look wonderful.”

“Thanks Glenda. You also look wonderful.”

“Rod, will you be staying at the palace for long?”

“No. I have business in Tokyo prefecture tomorrow. I'll be taking a military helicopter transport directly there to save time.”

“Is Stacy with you?”

“Yes, Glenda. I knew that you would ask.”

“I have every right to ask. Stacy is my sister.”

“I've done bad things. I've led teen bikini models astray...promising them my everlasting love while impregnating their sisters. I'm an animal. How many lives must I ruin? How many Japanese beauty queens must I conquer? Glenda, I  must deny these natural & nat-uralistical inclinations. I must be more than a boy toy used by *** starlets to satisfy their carnal needs.”

“Of course, Rod, our passion was a passing fancy.”

“Please. I just watched Rudolph Valentino lose 2 women to his best friend in the 1925 movie Cobra. Valentino would be dead 9 months after this film's release. A friend's friendship meant more to Rudy than incautious fawning & womanly guile. Please Glenda, I tried. I tried and I failed. I know why you do it and it's not why you say. Your brother loves you but he needs to find a girl who's not his sister for a change.”

“Women can be men with feminine issues, Rod. Math is a curious thing. If you're 6' 1'' tall, you are closer to 7 feet than to 5 feet. If you're 5' 3'' tall, you are closer to 10 feet than to 0 feet.”

“Glenda, deep down, your sister is just a a lot of fluid, organs & vessels. I have an eye for such things. I possess a knack for uniting incongruous things, whether it be nuts to toggles or spigots to pet-*****. In The Eagle from 1925, Rudolph Valentino reads a note by candle light. A candle on the table in a moving train. Seems incongruous, somehow. What about the danger of fire? What if my bra comes undone at the amusement park? What if a thousand things go terribly awry? Ha? Well, what about it?”

“Sometimes, dear one, you act as if the Washington Monument is an extension of your physical charm. Sometimes Rod...Oh, kiss me you  fool!”
Zywa Nov 2020
Suddenly it was different
the toggles turned over
and I was picked up

I brace myself, fallen through
something, a membrane
between order and overpower

Carry me away, I want heavens
of pastel and gray after the outings
in my room and in the hallway
not a dropped ceiling

Back home, in the light
of my own windows
between the plants, the pillar
and the post of pain

thinly covered with anxious dreams
in which I don't want to be snowed under
no matter how tight the ties squeeze

In pyjamas I suffer myself
clamping my cup in my hands
I won't let go
For Maria Godschalk #95

Collection “On living on"

— The End —