OPEN MIC SESSION

November 15th, 2000

Pappy
Sargent 11/2000


Slender old man
Long white hair
On a simple throne
Open wide eyes
Big childish grin
In a world all his own

In the cockpit 
Single seat P-51
Living glory days
12 o'clock high
Zeros fly down sun
Time to be an ace

Old man smiles
At sights and sounds
Only he can hear
Canon's blast
Down in flames
Reaper's waiting near

Final battle
Odds stack high
Number's up in flames
Lived in darkness
Tortured his mind
He would never brake

Old pilot frowns
Tears roll down
Lines in his face
Twenty-eight kills
For eighteen months
In a hellish place

Old war hero
Flying his Corsair
Just like yesterday
Fist clinched tight
Holding CMH 
Gramp's is here to stay

I inquired of him
"Was he here long?"
Clerk said, "Who do you mean?"
Pointed to old White Hair
He saw no one there
Damn, he looked real to me

I approached him
Whispered soft
"Pappy is that you?"
He winked and smiled
Did not speak
Just pointed towards the blue

I looked up
Then looked back
A book lay open alone
On that page 
A P-51 Corsair
The very one he'd flown

Left there in awe
Old fellow on my mind
A great story to tell
I looked into the sun
Screamed out loud
"Pappy, give'em Hell!"

~^~

Christmas Shopping
William Andresen

It may seem that hell's a popping 
but it's only Christmas shopping
with female buyers by the score
in every mall and every store
Getting toys, winter clothes,
T.V.sets, fancy hose,
cookies, cakes filled with fruit,
perfumes, horns that toot.
Dolls, cologne for there guy,
any thing there plastic will buy.
In the stores from nine to nine
browsing or in the checkout line.
There's a lull on Christmas day
when there gifts they give away.
But hell's fire will burn again
next day when they their gifts return
and jostle each other nonstop while
they shop for bargains in each aisle
Seems a hectic time, but remember
Christmas comes only in December

~^~

Tomorrow
Carrie Anne Wofford

Its just one of those days
no, maybe its worse
I cant find my keys
The kids raid my purse.

I try to be hopeful
but optimism is low
When I trip on the toys,
and my kids move so slow!

And when they have grown
I will look back and reflect
on the days when i didn't
know what to expect.

Next time you fix owies
mend her heart, stitch a hem
Are they growing from US?
or do WE grow from them?

~^~

My Little Boy With Wide Brown Eyes
Brenda Williams

My little boy with wide brown eyes, filled with laughter, so full of Love.
Run & play around the tree, come and find me Mommie, we'll play hide & seek...
Turn around, look, read me a book, sing me a song, cause soon I'll be grown & gone.
Pick me up & swing me high, wipe my eyes when I cry...
My little boy with wide brown eyes, how you've grown in such a short time,
You think their silly those ole Nursery Rhymes. Too old for a hug & a kiss? Your little arms around me, I sure do miss...
Years have flown,& now you're grown; I miss your small hand tugging at me,
Saying come look Mommie & see...
Finger-paint pictures & cards made by you; Handprints in plaster signed-To Mommie I Love You, I sure do...
The door to those sweet years are behind us, closed all covered with dust.
Memories I have they'll never depart, because they are buried deep within my
heart...
~^~

"On the Way to Fountainbleu"
Jason Gatton


On the way to Fountainbleu
Covered bridges sigh 
rarely used
Nightmare orchards ration 
narcotic fruits
Tables don't have legs
and cowards don't forget their parachutes.

On the way to Timbucktoo
Wild flowers lie
and marvelous white tigers devour
derelict guardian angels
willing to trade
one soul for two.

~^~

On Going to College
 Justin Downey

It's time:
Time to take her home and leave her be,
stay out with friends till the morning sun we see,

Time to close the book and loose my place,
Drive out to nowhere to get some space.

It's time:
The time is now to forget the old--
color your hair, to be called 'bold'.

Now is the time we, the young, have shown
The world what we can do on our own.

~^~

"The Widow"
 Christina Romeo

Before I'm granted peaceful sleep
I take some hours to moan and weep
to myself each night as I shiver in bed.
When I finally fall
I do not cry at all
only happy memories swirl through my head.
Skiing trips
champagne lips
hanging Christmas lights.
Ball room dancing
candle-lit romancing
starry summer nights.
When I awake
it's my mistake
I reach over to greet you good morning.
Quickly drained of my life
your widowed wife
remembers she's in mourning.
Each and every day
my soul slips away 
only to return in my dreams.
And I have to suffer
or learn to be tougher
and work with my remaining esteem.
The breath taking truth 
takes ten years of my youth,
I've already begun to emaciate.
Forever incomplete
I can't even eat,
my heart's begun to glaciate.
My hair's graying and thinning
months since I've been grinning,
everyday there's a hurricane.
The world ahs stopped turning
and I might die from this burning,
soul snatching, blood draining pain.

~^~

My Life
Sara Khalil 


The sun was bright
The trees were swaying
not a cloud was in sight
And the horses were neighing
Up in the sky
one after another
I could see the birds fly
all of them together
The field was filled with flower beds
The scent of freedom was in the air
The life was good, being well fed
Better than this would be nowhere
The days and the evenings were all so beautiful
For this, and for more, for all, i'm thankful
~^~

Jubilee
Madeleine Murphy


It's the year of jubilee,
Celebrate, break free,
Rest and relax,
Take time to forgive others,
Journey-travel home,
Set a goal and try to achieve it,
Make time to play not just work,
Play with your friends,
Do something strange or unexpected,
Reflect,
Start Again.

~^~

Tick Ad Hoc
Robbie Cartier Le'Nepveu


Ticktock ye old clock, in lieu of minutes ad hoc,
The aged features chime a moment in time;
Hitch the pane of the old face clock,
Moreover point in time befalls meantime;
At times the old man will tell the o’clock,
And from time to time the old man mistimes;
On several odd days at daytime he bids block,
Triggering disorder to mealtimes, anytime, ad hoc;
Borne giant, rigid, ye old man woodblock,
Moulds the daylight hours with hands to mime;
Nighttimes, noontime, pastime, peacetime mock,
The old mans influence to our passing lifetime;
Hold on to chiming, all climbing your shadow,
Old man with the hands, sallow walls, and window.
~^~

Sugar Cane
Marlis Lengué 

Foam on the cliffs of Havana
Rotting beautifully
From bleached-out heroes

Waves erected towards the quay
Spinning African calls
Into an island canned-up Ches

Sap shooting in green bamboo
Donkey ears pulled into the clearing
By squeezing hands ebulliently

Gobbled up dripping rain
Whiter shade of pale
On languorous lips

Juice on moist walls
Drunk fervently
In sips of sighs

Big bounty
Moving
in

~^~

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Amy Slankard 

witches, monsters, goblins, skeletons, ghouls,
what should i be , how about you
snickers, suckers, bubble-gum too,
i like what i got, how about you?
bags, buckets, don't forget the front of your shirt!
i don't know what i will use, how about you?

~^~

Frog zens into view
Our eyes meet.
I hop away.
 debra

~^~

Stepping Along With A Merry Mad Song
chardwick


Isn't it lovely to sing in a crowd, 
Laugh so hysterically, crazy out loud?
Look at the gawkers who stand all around,
While your making the most horrible, stupid sounds.
Isn't it lovely to howl at the moon,
While everyone's talking how you're such a goon?
Wouldn't they wonder if you could carry a tune,
Hopefully sometime in their lives real soon?
Hopping and bobbing and skipping along,
Trying to remember the words to that damn silly song;
Isn't it happy and full of no sense,
When you can think such absurdities 
and still straddle the fence?
I love to sing and don't care about the medley,
I'd rather hear myself sing all the time steadily.
Isn't it lovely to be such a jerk,
While others would rather you just go to work?
Stepping along with a merry mad song,
Having your head in the clouds and belong;
Isn't it sweet to be such a nerd,
Not caring about those sad stories you've heard?
I have to thrash about like a mad hatter,
Forget about the noise and all the chatter;
Won't it be lovely when everyone does it,
Out for lunch daily and out of the closet?
I'd rather feel full of life and of glee,
Tell me my friends what do you think of me?
Stepping along with a merry mad song,
Beating my drums and banging my gongs;
Wispy and stupid in all that I do,
Hoping that your just as stupid, I do;
I'd rather lay on the grass and sleep loudly,
Snore and ignore all the life very proudly;
Stepping along with a merry mad song,
Beating my drum and banging my gong.

~^~

*invest...probably...not the same*
 alex vaz.


wait for time, to show it's face...a card players table, green with felt -
I felt too ashamed to let go of what I feel...a let down, by the soul-bank,
time holds the withdrawal slip...watch me forge my being
they'll believe me - they'll see everything! me/naked. spirit/sacred. death/faked for fame...in a short period of time the barn gets filled with sick animals...sicker the look from healthy friends. They sell empty stomachs to the rich for blank eyes...looks, betrayal, forbidden few, jewels in the bowels, sands of gray - rain creates beloved mud - the dying beg for death in liquor canteens...the higher the grade THE BETTER!...sing me a vial of 'H'...hold hands
with one devil at a time, invest what you know, take back what they burn
no credit given to creation...sign your name on this here line__.
I tell no lie, well maybe a few...Egypt did back then, they came, went on...
they even ruled the Gods...hell, they were the Gods!...stone of worship, pray to me. I am fruit to the starving, game to the gambler, life to the craving soul
egg handler-if need be!...bargains are for pimps, brittle whore...I am all time
freedom to a once steel cage, try and wipe me from your face-I'll never leave, let go...I enjoy too much, you deploy too many - the ants to erode, conquer the termites - just remember, I'm always there, but probably not the same as before.

~^~

I Sit Here - Sitting (Doing Time)
René A. Martin

While I sit, they write, these my charges, my students,
My fellow inmates, doing time here, in this room, till sprung
By the clock - our stern unsmiling jailer.
Here our lives - the ones we live in the world of
Sun-tans, speeding-tickets, spouses, and supermarkets -
Are in suspension.
We spend our days here, they and I, behind
These walls, under the glare of these harsh lights.
They sit in silent concentration, coiled springs
Bent, slowly releasing stored energy,
Counting out the seconds with words etched upon
Walls of paper till their daily quotas be met.
Unsmiling, rebelliously compliant, they earn
The task points that I, measuring the depth of their
Atonement, dole out as reward - playing God.
Yet, confined as much by them as they by me, doing
Their bidding day after day with clockwork regularity,
Paying my debt to their society, earning their task points,
I sit here, sitting - waiting to be released,
Doing their time.

~^~

Breast Imaging Waiting Room
 Betty Wilson

An afternoon of compressed breasts,
angled views, benign and malignant
lesions ... cysts, tumors, calcifications ...

Dressed in hospital gowns, sitting in a circle ...
we wait, eleven ladies, hugging our purses
and our breast lumps, our swellings,
our discharges, our puckered, inverted nipples.

Silent ... until one woman says,

"Let me how you some pictures of my cats ..."

And we let her ... 

~^~

"Out Patient"
Marcella Tullio


keep your eyes off my shoulders and your lips away from my 
sorrow because in your eyes as in mine I am not dead anymore. 

you very well might think that you gripped me, that you 
owned it somehow, but I am here to tell you otherwise.

you may have gotten drunk on my living pride, and you may 
have spit the backwash in my face, but you did not take 
the last gift that I still have to give.

you thought that you stole me and ran off howling ecstatic 
in watching my slow-motion descent. and you hopped in my 
puddles as you do in the rain but you never got soaked in my sweat.

if you would trade places with me for a day and live my 
assumptions you would feel the love stuck in my throat. 
but now i can say with certainty that I am finally ready to swallow.

~^~

Dreaming
Shawn Hawkins


Clear water of a creek slowly moves pass me.
Tall beautiful trees line the creek.
A gentle breeze pushes against the tree's long flimsy branches.
Colorful flowers lay below these branches.
Big bright bees feed in the flower's blossom.
A blue jay stares curiously at these bees.
The sky is as blue as the blue jay.
Looking in the sky I see a hawk soaring high above.
This hawk lands onto a tree further down from me.
The tree stands on an enormous hill.
This hill, other than the tree, only has one thing on it.
This one thing is an eye opening girl.
The girl's eyes are so beautiful.
These eyes seem to glare down to mine.
My eyes examine the rest of her body.
This body perfectly formed and strong with beauty.
The beauty holds great meaning on her finger.
Her finger holds a prime gold ring.
On this ring there is a shiny stone of love.
This love is given by me.
I give this love to you.
You are happy with your new establishment.
This establishment is our love wrapped in marriage.
This marriage is a dream to both of us.
We can only do as what this was.
We can only dream.
For soon it will be time.
Time so long waited.
Waited, dreaming.

~^~

Their is hellfire on your roof and the shingles fall off, and water pours in through the gaps, and when you think you found the red button with the glass cover that erects an antenna, you pushed it, but you shouldn't have because that was the wrong button, and you let loose the dogs.

WHEW!

Too bad you can't spell, and the form says your from Chikago, but that's OK because the postmen know that when you say "Chikago," you really mean the city in Illinois that is spelled C-H-I-C-A-G-0. 

OH MY!

Turn on the radio and hear the War of the Worlds, but you know that's it's not a real news broadcast because you read the book, and you liked it so much that you went out and read every HG Wells book that you could find, and you even stole one from the library, but felt so guilty when the alarm went off.

WAIT, I'm not done.

The other day you were driving down I-83, and read an article about how air pollution is out of control, but you weren't really driving, you just thought you were, so when you stepped on the brake, you kept going, and the you sat up in bed, but that wasn't a dream, but that you had blacked out.

You're an alcoholic.
 Mike 

~^~

SCORNED AND LOVED
-Lori S. Maynard

I fill another's legacy-
a one that's left behind
to the realms of distant memory
and the caverns of the mind.

I speak a voice unlike my own
to the people who ignore me.
I wonder if they felt this alone...
those who performed before me.

The stage is set and bare at once,
the crowd, both, loves and scorns me.
I take a bow and leave this front,
the murdered grass is all that mourns me.

People spend their money, then leave.
There's no name stuck to this face.
Just whatever names their minds conceive
prove my existence to Their place.

And still, whatever name they give me,
I answer politely to their call
for, it's not always clear to see
the true person past the Carnival.

~^~

Leo wants affection
and Gemini knows
but she makes up her complexion
and pedicures her toes.
She hopes a virtual perfection
will get him to expose
feelings to her reflection
because she's afraid to impose
something that may cut off their connection.

An idea had arose-
one to avoid true rejection-
Gemini's hair glows
he notices as she walks from his direction.
Leo's confused as to why she chose
to leave their section
and he has to recompose.

Gemini wonders in her intellection
but never does she know
why he never follows her direction
and she can only suppose
he's not interested in her affection
not even her sexy clothes.
The reality hits her like an injection
while Leo, back there, still froze
has his eyes on her mid-section.

Leo, she forgets, as a breath she blows.
For too long he's been an infection
to the social brunette with painted toes.
And in a quick retrospection
before her hope can decompose,
she glances in his direction
finding his gaze running along her clothes
in an intricate inspection
from her head to her toes.

Like a voice inflection
Gemini's spirits rose
from sadness and rejection
to something only those
who have love connection
or bond, ever knows.
He never comes to her section;
her love, she never shows.
But their chemistry's reached perfection
as far as anything goes.

Christina Romeo 

~^~

Two lovers lie in Love and Lust
With their hearts the other they each trust
Until the day ones heart does turn
The other they leave, though their heart still burns.

One lover stays true, for love they cannot deny
While the other turns to someone else for a day.
The one true is hurt, and their heart breaks
While the other goes off in hopes of commitment to escape.
When they finally realize what they had was was for real
the other has turned away because of all that pain they feel

Is true Love worth all of the Lust in the world
Or do we just confuse the two words?
Our heart in the end is who does suffer the most
when the love we once had is only a ghost.

But which suffers more ask you
The one who left or the one who stayed true...
Though the pain may be strong for a while, 
the one who stayed true eventually from it is exiled
It's the one who left who suffers unending
To remember the Love that they just left standing.

Two lovers lie in Love and Lust....
I ask of you now, which one would you trust?

Natasha Anderson 

~^~

What I Really Learned In Physics Class
Brian Berkey


They speak of things I do not understand
Of wild ignorance and dreadful apathy
Their colorless stares and meaningless lips
They float in space because their gravity 
Has been overcome by their centrifugal desire
Leaving uniform orbit into eternal free fall
Greeting the dark abyss, 9.80 into forever
Centripetal morality a forgotten pull
Newton knew not of such deviances from Nature's constancies; 
Sometimes reality has no explanation 
And sometimes it takes more than numbers to solve a two-sided problem 
For the vast universe of man is not comprehended by the finite
And eternal truths are not justified by constants 
But exist in the true dynamics
Where spiritual kinesis transcends the doctrine of the tangible 
And static friction is a paradox. 

~^~

True Beauty
Danielle Smyth


YOU WONDER WHAT TRUE BEAUTY,
REALLY IS,
DOES IT EXIST OR MERELY A FAIRY TALE,
INSIDE YOU,
OUTSIDE YOU,
WHERE,
TO LOVE,
TO FEEL,
TRUE BEAUTY,
TO TAKE IT ALL IN IS A TASK ITSELF,
BELIEVE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL,
DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE ELSE,
LIFE,
BEAUTY,
IF,
BUT,
TRUE BEAUTY?????? 

~^~

~REALITY~
By: Michele 


~as real as real,
~how real is that?
~When someone asks,
~"is it real to touch?"
~what do you say
~if they asked you today?
~of course! No way!
~or think my way.
~how real is real to you?
~i say
~"what do you mean by real?
~what do you mean by real.

~thank you all~
~^~

muse
sijour

women come to him in his dreams
but he touches them only as our magnetic tapes
uncaring
he plays them, and rewinds to repeat
his sins
and when it gets stretched, like a rubber hammer
in a country police headquarters three men strong,
he throws them away along with his dirtied
sodden underwear
and goes out in search for more.

now, 
he treats music like we do women
courts them pulling out the softened chairs, offering opened doors
he sees love in air she moves, ear-clipped,
hoping to meet 
shuns cars blackening magic
and makes love day or night
deep tremulous love
and when finished,
kisses.

~^~

dEPRESSED
Jeremiah Morris


See my problem is, hollowness
it's a form of, loneliness
which goes into, no one to miss
that's why I risk, my simple bliss
and i'm on the list, of depressionalists
whose question is, where my affection went
it may just be my environment
but, i think it left when my father went
So I experiment, with hallucinogens 
don't try to prevent, what i'm doin again
my bottle of gin, is hollow again 
and i'm sorrow again, from this phase i'm in
this damn depression
wont let it end
this damn depression
is tryin to win
this damn depression
that is my sin.

~^~

My Burnt Soul
Via Villegas

Do I always have to be like this?
Hiding beneath my own shadow of wants
Do I always have to be in search for you?
Do I always have to be in love with you?

I did every pathetic way just for a snap talk
But the other self always finds a way to get out
I'd do anything to get it back
But in me, all I can hear is a silent shout

I don't want to continue this game I play
I don't want a dose of my own one day
But consequences are never apart
From stupid games of this foolish heart

Hide me beneath your wings, Angela
Make me look different and unique
Enjoy my company right now
For one day your wings will vanish underbreath

Forgive me if i play god in this entity
I'm sorry if you enjoyed the game
But this time I have to come out from slumber
And claim my bitter rights and burnt soul.

~^~

Pain
Jared Maynard


Pain is a feeling you feel everyday
You learn to hate it but why must you
Sometimes it feels the best to vent your anger
To people who don't care and look at you stranger
The feeling is the best sometimes
It goes away with a little time
Feel it, worry about it and its still there
Act on your anger and people start to stare
You feel the best when you get it all out
Tell people how you feel and you will have anger no doubt
The feeling you need, everyday, 
To help you out in every way
What is better anger or happiness?
That's for you to decide, don't care about the rest

~^~

Already Dead
Janine Cooley


I died in my best dress today
it doesn't matter anyway
in my coffin I will stay 
in the fields of fire I'll play

He knew I was already dead
the blood was pouring from my head
I chewed and bit the hand that fed
that hand was dripping liquid red

they felt my heart, it didn't beat
he stayed quietly in his seat
he said he didn't mean mistreat
my face is covered with a sheet

at a mourning people cry
he did not and I know why
it was his fault, he made me die
and my last words, they were a lie

I said I loved it was too late
he hit me with that paperweight
and now I will anticipate
watching a killer meet his fate.

~^~

WILL YOU TAKE ME TO SANTA CRUZ SAID THE GIRL IN BLOOD RED SHOES-SHE IS SO CUTE
-SHE IS SO CUTE-I SEE RED SHOES-I SEE BLOOD RED SHOES-MY BABY DIED YESTERDAY
SHE SAID AS SHE TURNED HER HEAD-I SEE BLUE EYES BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES-WILL YOU
TAKE ME HOME TO SANTA CRUZ SHE SAID AS SHE MADE THE BED-SHE IS CUTE-SHE MAKES
ME CRY SHE MAKES ME CRY-TAKE ME HOME SHE SAID-TAKE ME HOME-I WANT YOU TO STAY
I SAID AS SHE STARTED TO PRAY-SHE STARTED TO PRAY-SHE STARTED TO PRAY-
-THIS SONG IS FOR YOU I SAID INTO HER EYES OF BLUE-INTO HER EYES OF BLUE-INTO
HER EYES OF BLUE-I MISS MY BABY SAID THE GIRL IN RED-I SEE TEARS IN HER SAD
EYES -IN HER BEAUTIFUL SAD EYES-WILL YOU STAY WITH ME I SAID AS WE PASSED THE
CHERRY TREE-THE CHERRY TREE BY THE BLUE GREEN SEA-I WANT TO GO HOME SHE SAID
TO ME WITH A TEAR IN HER EYE-I WANT YOU TO STAY I SAID AS SHE TURNED HER HEAD-
-SHE IS WALKING AWAY-PLEASE DON'T GO BACK I SAID TO THE GIRL IN BLACK-SHE IS SO 
CUTE-SHE IS SO CUTE-THIS SONG IS FOR YOU-THIS SONG IS FOR YOU I SAID INTO HER
EYES OF BLUE-HER EYES AMAZE ME-PLEASE STAY WITH ME
RICK SIHLER

~^~

BED OF THORNS
mary morrow


I sit to cry upon your bed of thorns; Wondering why i've been torn.
Placed between truth and lies,
I tried to open my eyes;
Open them to see it all
But I wouldn't have it, to afraid Id fall.
In the dark between real and fake
I hold my heart trying not to givin to this hate.
So hang on tight,
The fight against the brutality of reality 
Will leave your soul twisted and bruised,
A fight i'm to afraid to loose.
The lights of destruction seem to lead the way
The only lights in my world bright enough to see i've been betrayed.
I'll pretend not to hear the whispers, blinded by the lies;
To them it doesn't matter weather someone lives or dies.
Pierced with your splinters, lying on your bed of thorns; I'll listen to the voice of choice; Never mind why i've been torn
I choose to make a stand by screaming my demands
Once again its up to them weather they tell me the truth or the lies
Its up to me what ill believe. Do i believe and be deceived?
Or return to my bed of thorns to cry...sometimes i think id rather die

~^~

Physically I am here;
but my presence remains Hidden.

What appears on the outside is a 
reflection of my internal pain.

I may sit beside you;
and smile to your face--

But in this cold world I am 
Alone in my shadow, lost with nowhere to go.
Gigi Morton 

~^~

There is no real me
James Morrison-Steward 


To many, my exterior is loud and brash
My bold defiance spreading like a rash
However, my weathered shell is breaking apart
My complexion like the caveman's art
The constant smiles are taking their toll
Meaningless niceties make my tired eyes roll
My personality is out on display, for all to see
But this picture is fake; for there is no real me.

The pain inside me grows and grows
Ever so quietly, so no one knows
This everyday nightmare will never end
My torn heart and soul aren't allowed to mend
If you were to look deep into my eyes
You would not see me, just stagnant lies
I want to escape from these polluted minds; to be free
I wonder if i can; for there is no real me.

I sometimes think I should end my life
cutting my neck keenly with romeo's knife
I wonder in my sinister dreams; who would die,
for my research shows you can not slay a lie
I hope someday that my saviour will come
Diminishing the acts and falsities one by one
At the end of the purge, my sacred reality will be
A black meaningless hole; for there is no real me.

~^~

Downward Spiral
Colleen McLeod

Fae, oh Queen of the Faeries.
Such glory and shining light.
Don't you talk with me tonight.
I'm your flesh and blood.
I love you and your kind.
I'm your daughter..
Shine your blinding soul and enchanting
world on your mortal daughter.
You made out of love for mankind.
Shelter me from evil, guide me towards
your blinding light.

~^~

Things We Can Not Have
Krystal P. Lovelace

I lay awake at night watching, you while you sleep
So soft
So weak
I spend my day think of you, and all the things i can do to move your heart
Your my dove 
And my love
And everything that surrounds um
So come join me in my dreams
For a mystery that's unseen
And as I wake, my heart will break
And everything will shatter around me

~^~

A Couple of Smiles
Tom Murray

Pschyo-boy was standing at the desk when we walked in from the bridge, red as a beet and looking at me like I was jackal prey. He said "hi"--very forced, I didn't want to respond or initiate. But he said it first, and that is how it is supposed to be. 
I saw the love of my life, or maybe I should say she is a "smitten moment." I know she is attractive-- I have seen her physically. I know she reads philosophy, because of her reserved books on the shelf. I know she is forty and lives in Bloomingtontown, so says the information on her file. She may be a mother, I have noticed her checking out children's books. But I don't know if she has a " significant other." I have never witnessed any signs to suggest it, she is always alone. 
Got back from Walgreens with Mr. Crow; sore-footed and shot up with cortisone, it had been a drudgery for him to walk there. He has been popping many aspirins recently. He bought some "Ben-Gay" plus a couple of packs of smokes. He keeps going on and on about his condition, and aspirin and cigarettes haven't sweetened his otherwise cheerful disposition. I sure do hope the "Ben-Gay" alleviates the pain, so I can hear him complain about something new and different. 
Now there is quiet--no talking, only a couple of smiles and that is OK.

~^~

When all was quiet,
you broke the ice.
When they were cold,
you'd sacrifice
your time, your precious time, just to see me through.
You were so kind
when I felt weak.
You'd never doubt,
you'd just believe.
And that's why I'd give anything,
that's why I'd give everything,
just to be with you.
Peter 

~^~

BUTTERFLY
margaret irwin

I am a flower sweet like hone:
You are my butterfly bright and beautiful;
I love you like honey from a treetop,
I will never let you go.
Be with me forever, promise me your love;
I will never let you go my sweet butterfly.
Gaze your sweet eyes into my heart and I will be yours:
Whisper sweet words to me, show me love and remorse and I will be your honey,
Love me always let me know you want me;
Say you love me and I will be your one an only flower true to you always.
My dear sweet butterfly I love you so:

~^~

'Homeless' a Haiku 
by Trixie Watson, England.

A trampy old tramp,
His clothes are umpteen years old,
His toes must be cold.

~^~

hero fall
 whiskey


just when you think you got it by the balls
watch out 
here comes the hero fall

training in my mind 
all the right things to say
when its time
over and over again
like a kid at piano lessons
repetition
repetition
repetition
all this force
like a giant rocket ship bursting the earth
wide open
cracking its hymen
cracking the 40’s
cracking me up like never before

i don’t remember much about what happened
for better or worse
but things seems like they are just fine now
and i appreciate your concern

~^~

BOBBY? 
by jon sanders
[dedicated to bobby fisher]

lasted thru time time after time
heavy are words heavy on mind
expect more and more and more
'til life's just a game and nothing more
can't win enough surviving's tough
lose once too many the glory's just the beginning
life's too hard to make it any harder
but they still try
try 'til the boy's soul has all but died
it makes you wonder though
does anybody know
where did Bobby go?
did he go down the street? did he go to the park?
did he just leave the light of life and go to the dark?
did he go into his soul? into his heart?
did he go to that part of his mind that's so very far?
the pressures pressured his mind his life lived out his dreams
the game of life made him lose and all too real it seems
where does he go what did he do
tortured being, scarred insides thru and thru
where did he go what does he do
his fall from the top of life's mountain hurt many others too
subjected to everything and nothing real to show
does anybody know where did Bobby go?

~^~

WHEN FAREWELL ARRIVES

If my life wanes too soon,
pretend I'm just asleep
and hug the pillow next to you-
my memory, there, shall creep.

Close your eyes, I'll be right there-
I'll be that shadow in your room.
I'll be that knock you thought you heard,
I'll be the break in the morning gloom.

If my life should end too soon,
and I reluctantly find my rest,
Visit me from time to time,
and move on to what is best.

You cannot love a cold, harsh stone-
It cruelly stands and glares
because it knows you miss someone
who's no longer Earthly there.

If one day, I bid farewell,
and journey beyond your touch...
Though I'm gone, I'll still be there
because I love you just that much.

-Lori S. Maynard
~^~

Forever*
Lark S

I wanted you so bad. You were the dream, the love I wish I had. I got lost inside your world. I got so dazed over you, this wonderful girl. I hoped you would be my everything, and you are. I had no idea what would become of us, But look, We got so far.
I needed you, And I still do. To be around, for me to hold. Because you make my life so much better. And because of you, I smile. When we touch, I feel so warm, outside and in. I feel like when I met you, My life had began.
I love you. I will always love you. Nothing and no one can break us apart. As long as we have each other, and each other's hearts. To have, To hold, To love, And to cherish. We will be by each other's side, Forever...

~^~

For the words of Charles Bukowski

C.B. Language
Don R. 


I've never met this man, old and boisterous
He stalks me,

At the bars and clubs, casually transfixed
From hypnotic suggestions,

He speaks, "There it is boy, pussy!" I can 
Almost smell the rot of my vice, yet something 
Aromatic appeases the senses.

"One more drink i think, then i'll be inside"
I take from my wallet a crisp one hundred 
Dollar bill, "Hey bartender, how about some?"

"Some what ?" he says. (sauntering up along side
Of me-like a landlord with an eviction notice-
A woman stops and ask's, "Yea, some what?"

Considering i don't drink much i say, "What everyone
Else is having."

"...aah! today's special, Apathy with a twist 
Of regret."

~^~

Sweet Horizons
Steve Morris


Sweet fading horizons, with sunsets and moonrise
And as the day closes, it whispers out blue skies
With the absence of light, a cold draft fills the air
A dark silent refuge, a dark secret affair
Stars shine through the night sky, and clouds move in to crowd
And as the night passes, they become like a shroud
Concealing and chilling, a cold draft fills the air
The answers find refuge, a dark secret affair
Auburn and ivory, emerald eyes sparkling
Behold the pure beauty, snow white skin shinning
Affection, Attention, a cold draft fills the air
A secret realm refuge, a dark secret affair
Faint sounds of a shovel, symbolic sound of death
Destined a dirt future, felt the fear on your breath
In league with the darkness, a cold draft fills the air
There is no safe refuge, a dark secret affair

~^~

Choose Tales
Robbie Cartier


Now take a view of the influential lie,
Vocal with honesty and enthusiasm in mind;
The lie is harmonious at what time it flies,
Past your faith and credit that be blind;
The lie will involve you, and please as it mimes,
Your favourable reception will save you no time;
It will saunter ahead of your benevolent dime,
As it flips in the air when your instincts incline;
You choose tales to decide the factual fib,
And the truth will draw you in trade to your crib;
For you become child when your faith is at game,
And worth will be tricky for you to reclaim;
Tough is the pretender, the liar and the lie,
Sturdy goes the victim as the labyrinth unties.

~^~

Rain runs off the face of a government child.
Blood runs off the nose of a model in a pose.
The secret drippings of a nation 
huddled together to stop all thinking,
Marilyn Monroe and JFK conceiving,
beautiful babies believing.

Omens of a dried scripture
the Ten Commandments in pictures,
breaking and bending the past raptures mending.

On the global front the ascension of the nobles
cast down the grand totals-taking back the lives
we ask (God) why?- He only takes back what we take for granted.

There are more seeds to be planted yet the soil is sour, 
we all root down for evolution power.
Will you trade these trees? Will you barter the sky?
While they create more streets the earth cries-
-but when God takes a baby we never know why.

Jeffrey Francis Wolfe 

~^~

BLACK NIGHT...WHITE FLESH
RED SKY...DON'T CRY...
BLACK NIGHT...SPOT LIGHT
WHITE FLESH....GREEN GRASS
NONSENSE...WHITE PICKET FENCE
BLACK EYES...A BABY CRIES..
INTO THE SADNESS ROOM....
INTO THE HAPPINESS SKY...
BLACK NIGHT...RED BLOOD...
BLUE EYES...WHITE FLESH..
BLACK DRESS...RED SHOES
BAD WORDS...BAD NEWS...
WHITE DRESS...WHITE GLOVES...
IM NOT THE ONE SHE LOVES...
NO TIME...I WANT TO CRY...
I WANT TO FALL TO MY KNEES...
 RICK SIHLER

~^~

In my dreams....
Created by Young Revolutionary a.k.a. Lady One

You come to me in my dreams
To visit me in my nocturnal existence 
You kiss me with sweet words that replay like a haunting echo
I can't touch you for soon I will wake up
You are with in me 
So there is no need for you to visit me in my dreams.

~^~

A Poem
by Alicia S Hanna


A poem springs from simple things,
A random tough by fancy caught,
A silver note from red bird's throat,
A little hand that gently rings from these small things,
A poem springs

~^~

Change
Wayne Adams 


Change is life.
Life is change.
Change is like the tide.
It can never be turned back.
Change should be welcomed
Like an old friend.
It should never be turned away
Like an unwanted relative.

~^~

Alone
Vincent Alien


I wanna dance till the morning shows
I wanna swallow every broken heart
I wanna eat all the green after the rain
I wanna blow long notes in my brain.

In those mental days where no one wants to fly,
I’m gonna hide this face so that I and only I can cry.

I wanna fly on a ship in space
I wanna zapp you with my broken ray
I wanna teach this child to play
To burn bridges.....I’m not insane.

In those mental days where no one wants to fly,
I'm gonna hide this face so that I and only I can cry.

Take it or leave it I’m no longer alone 
playing games with my mates of the ward
doctors selling tickets at the door
and nurses are waiting with plenty for all.

In those mental days where no one wants to fly,
I'm gonna hide this face so that I and only I can cry.

~^~

haggard face
Christopher Danowski


fumbling, bumbling, buffoon, I mumble humbly
clean I be, temporarily, by resembling dust
my duration existence was not procured to traverse this earth in quick time step
stepping up too far a reach
so down I belong, below comfort with fellow critters
whirling, burrowing, letting gravity succeed, scurrying about on short legs

And well, yes, I must admit though I love the wind
it raises my soul to dance among the clouds but down I eventually climb, 
to rest like compost,
it leaves this soul
relieves this soul of the burden of having wings
tired sleep is what I enjoy
sweet meditation
but from this silence I scream unto the sky and into the very wind I cherish

And perhaps that's why it teases me so
there will always be something to learn, from this pain, I, the world has incurred and uncured
more and more I crave timeless aggravation, for it is what I am used to
forlorned from peace
this haggard face.

~^~

My spirit
seeing the right
in myself and brothers
helps me cope with others
seeing the pain that's here and gone
away to my throne spirit is on

Adam Healy

~^~

"Sunshine"
Roxygal


I love the way 
your hair falls to the side of your face
I love the way 
your smile slants to the side
I love the way
you look at me with your brown eyes
I love the way
you slant your head before you kiss me on my cheek
I love the way
my face lights up when you touch me; 
like a touch of heaven hitting Earth.
I love the way
you put your arm around me, 
so firm and close that I could melt into you.
I love the way
you answer the phone and makes my soul yearn for you.
I'd love for you to love me.
I love the way
you make me feel.
I'd love for you to love me.
I love the way 
you treat me as your princess.
I'd love for you to love me
I love your smile,
the way you are my "sunshine."
I'd love for you to love me.

~^~

Across the room I see an old friend.
No attention paid me; seems the trend.

No, Wait, Is that a smile I see?
A look? A wink? For me?!

Just a Smile?
Across the room I see an old friend.
No attention paid me (seems the trend).

No Wait, Is that a smile I see?
A look? A wink? For me?!

Who’s that man? What did ‘e say?
She’s mine—hands off! 
You pedantic-fool---HAY!

A kiss—
a kind like no other
Not caring love; not like a bother.

So may it be.
She was smiling—but not for me.

Justin Downey

~^~

What It's Like
Elizabeth Brassord

I won’t lie, I won’t play pretend, I’ll tell the truth
I’ll tell you about the hurt, the confusion, the desperation
I’ll tell you how it feels to think everything is your fault
That you brought it upon yourself

Because in reality I did
But you can try to comfort and tell me I didn’t 
But the facts always tell to truth
You can look me in the eye and tell me we just grew apart,
But when I look in the mirror, all I see is red

So don’t tell me you’re sorry because sorry doesn’t sit well with me
I know it’s my fault, but you don’t have to rub it in
By taking some of the blame

I’m the one who messed up, I’m the one who screwed with emotion,
So don’t try to tell me other wise
You know how stubborn I am, I know what I did 
And I know there’s no way to fix it this time

Cause I know what they say:
The definition of stupidity is making the same mistake
Over and over again and expecting different results
Well put. So you wanna know how I’m feeling?

I don’t wanna talk about it….
~^~

Faded Tears
Ken Thomas

The tears fall like rain
Rain like a flash flood
It soaks my sorrow and agony
Deluge my happiness for I am drowning
Drenched in despair I suffocate

Blackness fills my heart
Choking for life as I hurt
Faded soul now departing
Longing to see her my heart cries
Alas she is gone and alone I die

~^~

Waitin for you.
Olinda Nolasco 

My darling future, where are you?
wherever you are; i pray for you that my wonderful God 
Jesus protects you and guide your life.
I don't know you but yet i already love you.
You are an illusion that one day I know it will be a reality
I know that in my heart and in my mind.
Perhaps, you think of me the same way I am thinking of you.
Waiting for you until we meet if God's will permits. May his will be done.

~^~

get what i get from the next safe set
wish what i want of the once great bet
sample what may seem extracting the mean
thinking the sought is something unseen
still dreaming not bleeding but needing so bad
for wings to uplift from the daily drift of the sad
if i'm not for one then must for another in turn
from lesson to lesson i swear to somehow learn
but the question gets longer, the rebut is the repute
hold my hand and read my numbers yet not my suit
catching coughs cold enough to make you want to die
lies and deceitful eyes, make me cry? no, just sigh
disappointed by the anointed queen of my healing heart
brain brawn for the dawn is gone never here for the start
god goes his circular road down the lane 
taking turns while my head burns me insane
and then blame is the game we name for regret and i net 
all the good, lose the pain for a gain in the glory of your debt
and could have ran but i said that id told this to me before
it's not confusion just delusion like fusion in an aching sore
its love, it's this life, not the next, i live for pain and play
its the sadness the madness the silly things you say
the laughter, the sweet here after is a hanging hymn
i swing and i sing to ring all that touch a lip or a limb
so just smile for awhile if not forever in this clever trick of trip
and feel what you'll steal from my mouth hold tight with your grip
Layne

~^~

" Love at first sight "
JIUSEPPE LAURENTI


Long ago in mid november if I could remember.
Walking down the hall I saw you standing against the wall.
Took one glance kept wondering if i had a chance.
Now that I look back realizing it was love at first sight.
Such a wondrous delight dream about it day and night.
I have a habit that everything I see and like I must have it.
Since then I've been thinking about you again and again.
by one peek you made my whole body weak.
I really never experienced nothing like this.
But it brings me much bliss.
To reminisce about what would happen if we were to kiss.
All I can do is wait make sure it's fate.
Take my time do it right.
Find out if it's really love at first sight.

~^~

The First Kiss
Connie McCormack

It seems as if the world has faded away,
Subsided to facilitate our foray
Of curiosity of each others' being
As our soft touches become our seeing.

In wonder, hesitation, we will meet,
Our uncertain caresses purely sweet.
What a moment it will be, such perfect bliss:
The very first instant of our first kiss.
~^~

SUNNY DAY.
THAT'S WHEN YOU WENT AWAY
NOW I SING FOR YOU
MY MOMENTS TURNING INTO LIFE
ALL THE STARS APPEAR.
CRYING AWAY, ALL MY FEARS.
TALKING THROUGH THE TEARS.

UP ON THE HILL...
I SEE THE SPINNING SKY
WITH EVERY MOMENT IN TIME
THE NIGHT SKY'S FALLEN
YOU, AN ME AND YOU.
WALKING AWAY, SPINNING AWAY
TAKE THAT PATH
WITH LOVE SO LOST
AND HERE, I'LL BE WAITING
FOR THE TIME YOU COME 
CRYING BACK..

THERE MAY BE SOMETHING TONIGHT
THAT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN
MIGHT BE A FIGHT THAT WILL FALL
WITH EVERY RAIN.

KALEB

~^~

A figure of true excellence with speech
Who can thus teach to the opposite 
What requires to be known of the unfit.

I, as such a figure remain shamed,
And feel in blame of my own words.
Because as critical I was,
Criticized I remain,
And forget that the prison of minds
stays hot.
As I am not crippled with one flesh;
But have many selections nearing a mesh.

Michael Aheirwe

~^~

Soul mates
Alicia Gonzalez

I am sitting here thinking of you and I
We will always be together, even when we die
You turn my stormy days into pure ones
You brighten up my days like a million suns
You make my day joyful when at first I was down
You make me smile when at first I had a frown
I remember the nights we would walk on the beach
You taught me everything there was to teach
Are feet sinking into the soft sand
Walking along side the ocean, hand in hand
You make me feel so loved when you call to see how my day is going
I don't even have to wonder if you love me, from your actions and words I am left knowing
We are soul mates, I knew it from the start
Forever I will love you 
Forever in my heart
~^~

09.07.00

I've run out of women.
I've run out of beer.
My friends disappeared long ago.
My cat died.
I have no soul left.
I have no love left.
I am lonely.
I am loneliness.
Most surely, I am done for.
But then, most assuredly,
I was done for long ago.

~^~

Dete Fabula Narratur
Mat Wells 

The workers here cry louder than Paris
No dream left, crushed by iron feet
Bourgeois ugly dirty soiled and weak
Proles so pretty ironed and fresh

Planes and prairies smashed with gray
Grey houses, sky, factories, earth and people

The cap has been on too long
All monsters evil wakened up
And angels stardust time to fall down
Lower than I could make you feel.
~^~

ADDICTION
livelystones


You came for me
I saw you walking up the street
I hid in the room.
Knowing you sought me
I could hear your voice 
You asked if your wife was there
My shame held me tight
I had given in to the enemy
My heart cried out 
You could not hear me
I saw you walk away
You held our son's hand
Our promise
Hand and hand you left
I cried

~^~

Face Reality
Erin Wyckoff 

Reality says to me:
"You're too happy
it was all going so well,
You got your hopes up
stupid girl, 
You said you loved him
did you? do you?
Why waste your time?
you will just get hurt...again,
Just erase him from your heart,
Forget all the memories...
all the times you laughed together,
all the times he let you cry on his shoulder,
that feeling you got when you looked into his eyes,
those three words he said to you,
Its all gone now,
Something had to go wrong,
You were just too happy."

~^~

I think i'm going to cry, but I know she's up in the sky looking down on you and I. It makes me angry to know that I won't be able to see her until I die. If I could just see her one more time I'd say i love you and goodbye.
 httllg

~^~

Thinking
Courtney Nicholas


Thinking, thinking, thinking of you.
Always thinking of you.
Thoughts of love,
Thoughts of happiness.
Aa i lay on my bed thinking, the shadow of your face sweeps through my mind.

I close my eyes and see your portrait,
those piercing eyes,
that pointed nose,
those perfect lips that part into that breathtaking smile.

Thinking, always thinking.
Thinking of love, 
Thinking of happiness,
Thinking of you and me lying in bed of rose petals, entangled in each other's arms.
Starring into your loving face,
Knowing that you feel the same way as I,
Knowing that you are always thinking of me.

Thinking, thinking, thinking of you.
Always thinking and always will be thinking of you.

~^~

The weak in spirit borne unto the rib of the strong lives in fear because the sinful told her to be wary of the fires that threaten to consume her if she runs into the arms of someone weak like her.
 Rachel Voss

~^~

Believe
Dennis O'Brien

So long ago
dreams were dreamt;
and voyages were cast,
add mist of ocean
caught in drift,
of star board
moon and mast.
We've sought for things,
we could believe;
through changes,
brought by you.
Now I say
above all this,
it's true I do
love you.
It's true I love you when you say,
to go on with my work;
it's good to know it's changing now,
'cause now it is your turn.

~^~

THE KEY IMPRESSIONS FROM THE HEART
ARCHER


IN THE EARLY EVENING SKY, THE SETTING SUN REFLECTS THE FLAME IN MY HEART
THE SENSATION WAS SPARKED BY YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND THE GLEAM IN YOUR EYE
REALIZING THE STRENGTH OF THIS FEELING GROWS SO MUCH STRONGER WHEN WE ARE APART
ONLY TO ARTICULATE THE KNOWLEDGE MY LOYALTY, ADMIRATION AND MY LOVE WILL NEVER DIE

STANDING ALONE AS THE SUN SLOWLY SETS AT THE END OF EACH DAY, MY MIND IS WITH YOU
SUCH BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS ARE THE STARS AND THE MOON REMINDS ME OF LOVE ONCE HAD
THE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE AS MANY EMOTIONS, BUT I KNOW MY LOVE IS TRUE
WITHOUT YOUR LOVE, DEEP DOWN INSIDE I HAVE A HEART THAT IS SAD

EACH NIGHT WITH THE MOON AND STARS THERE IS HOPE AS I PRAY WITH WORDS NO ONE HEARS
KNOWING TOMORROW BRINGS ANOTHER DAY AND LIFE MUST GO ON WITH OR WITHOUT LOVE
WITH THE LORD AS MY POWER AND HIS LOVE INSIDE, I HAVE NO FEARS
SOMEDAY TO WALK HAND AND HAND WITH YOU AMONG THE STARS AND MOON ABOVE

AFTER EACH SETTING SUN I DO LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW
I AM A STRONG MAN AND I WILL NEVER LIVE IN THE PAST
FOR YESTERDAY HAS ALL THE PAIN AND ITS' SORROW
I HAVE THOUGHTS OF HOLDING YOU AND FINDING TRUE LOVE AT LAST

AFTER THE TWILIGHT SEEING THE MOON SO LONELY AMONG THE STARS THERE IS AN EMPTINESS I BARE
WITH MY THOUGHTS OF KNOWING THE WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL WOMAN THAT YOU ARE TO ME
THE MYSTERY OF LIFE IS TO LIVE THE BEST WE CAN WITH OUR LOVE TO SHARE
TO UNLOCK THIS LOVE, ONLY YOU HOLD THE KEY

~^~

When Jesus Turned His Back On Me
Mark Anthony Thomas

I turned my back on Jesus,
So He turned His back, On me.
And when He turned,
My soul burned with guilt,
For my eyes saw the scars,
That He bared,
And the pain of mine,
That He shared,
And I saw the days,
When I gave up,
But He,
Still cared,
And showed me that
My suffering was not unfair…
…presented through these scars,
These scars inflicted,
when He took credit,
credit for my sins,
And co-signed with God,
To give me a chance,
A chance at life again.

~^~

"waste"
 Nicole Orr

They think it's such a waste of talent
of brainpower 
of artistic ability 
for me to quite ... 
but in fact all there little cliques do is waste me 
waste me with there words 
waste me with there lack of feeling 
waste me with there mindlessness . 
So ask me why should I sit and wait , to be babysitted until I am 18 
when I could be free . 
they think it is such a waste 
but they don't know the meaning . 
They waste the human heart , they waste human compassion , they waste the value of friendship , they waste the human heart .. yes , 
they waste the human heart . 

~^~
3. First Love
Mridula Varma

The charisma never ends
The feelings flow to touch the charm
And the only verse that rings my heart
Break forth into joy o' my soul
Its a strange mixture
The pleasure of ample joy and the pain of a broken heart
I am bound to my own ties and to your vibrations
When the auras match The feelings seek no bound
Sometimes the expression comes to life and sometimes it shies away
for the reasons unknown
He thinks its love
She calls it infatuation 
I think its that precious feeling
That once in a life time 
Breathes into you the warmth that stays forever.

This poem of mine is also being published by United Press ltd of UK in their latest book coming out on stalls in December.

~^~

CHANGING HUES
 Ravi K S

As the Sun goes down
changing its hues
fiery red to mild orange
playing hide 'n seek
with a lonely cloud
is it curtains only for the day?
As the weary tread home,
and as dusk gathers,
does he take with him
disappointments & unfulfilled dreams?
Rising, he always gives hope-
setting, there is no succor!
Though for some,
the day only begins at night !!

~^~

Neon From A Steep Sign Outside
David Koepke


Cold wrist by the braiding gutter water.
Her head, on its side. Soot lashed eyes

blinkless as the lieutenant drew a squeaking
stick of chaulk down the profile.

Half the chessboard city away a murderer

lay chained to the insomniac mattress.
Neon, from a steep sign outside,

flashed across his perspiration silvered chest--
his throat... with each strained swallow.

A gun, like a tensed scorpion, lay upon

the bedside table, the barrel facing him
His head faced dead at: Spiral hole

through to a dark wind streaked desert.

~^~

Beauty
E. Bernadel

Your luminescence catches every eye in which can stand its benevolent presences. Your mere essence leaves all anticipating your every move. It soothes the mind to simply contemplate about your heavenly figure, such an exquisite creation in which bestows upon the imagination such glorious sensations. You wear sex as if it were a fragrance your nostalgia even more potent then the strongest drug, though these notions describe your being, it is plain to recognize beauty.

~^~

billy
 cindy 


sometimes i forget
who we are..
my isolation takes my hatred too far..
sometimes my cruelty can kill us both-
yet there you stand by your solemn oath.

loving me is a task alone-
and i sometimes wonder why you haven't gone.

when you see this today 
please know this,
that i will try my best 
til' the very end
to love and cherish you
and be your friend.

~^~

YOUR SPIRIT
Sweneda


I'd like to think you are in heaven,
smiling down on me.
Or maybe your in the breeze,
cool and calm as the sea.
You could be that tiny beetle,
climbing on my shoulder.
Or maybe even that sweet red rose,
that wilts as is grows older.
Somehow I know,
your presence is near,
helping me to be strong,
and go against my fear.
I may not see your sweet face,
and your voice, I cannot hear it.
but no matter what...
I'll always feel your spirit.

~^~

Blue
By Ian Garland


Blue is the color of the sky.
It is the color of the bird going by.
It is the color of the sea.
It is the color of being free,
And that is how I want to be.

~^~

the river
patrick donnelly


lost in the river of life,
the current pushing relentlessly.
i can't stop, i can't slow.
i just go where the river takes me,

i hold my head above water and watch as the banks race past.
i have no control.

soon i tire and and begin to sink.
i struggle
and scream
and gasp for air

but no one comes to help.

my body sinks in to the river,
beneath its racing waves.

the water from the river of life, penetrating my lungs,
engulfing my life
KILLING ME!!!

~^~

Hide Away
Nate Bolling

I don't hear You anymore and I don't want to
I turn my face around to stone
Cause I don't need You and I don't want You
I can live my life without You
I don't think You care
It seems all I do is doubt You
Cause I don't know where I've been

I am down alone and drunk with depression
I don't know what to do with this dim progression
All this rejection
And I cry into the heavens
But no one answers me
And tears obscure my vision
Of life eternally with You

Where can I find a place to hide? 
In You?
~^~

Feelings.
alex thomson

With words so soft you 
stole my sleeping heart
away...
And showed such tenderness
you warmed this dreamy lovers
day...
And by that love that kisses
the happy 
sun...
I now know my life has only
just begun!
~^~

Love 
Christi Charbonneau 

~Why do we want to know,
The definition of love?
Is there really an answer?
You get unexplained feelings,
and share something you can't explain.
The feeling of love,
which you two share
is only felt between.
You cannot ignore it.
You cannot replace it.
You have to let it,
run its course
~Love can break your heart,
But it can make you stronger.
Love can repair your heart,
Yet it can still make you cry.
~When someone loves you,
They see and like your flaws.
~We each have our own meaning.
It could depend on who you are with.
Love cannot be explained.
Love is just...
LOVE
~^~

not quite wasted
-steve redmond-

Just sitting here, not open-minded
( like most people are)
........but blank headed.
There's nothing on my mind. 
Almost like i'm wasted.

Just laying here, not looking at SOMETHING 
( like most people do )
...........but staring at NOTHING.
There's nothing there to look at.
Almost like i'm wasted.

Just crouching here, not afraid of ONE thing( like most people are )
..........but afraid of EVERYTHING.
There's no one here to calm my fear.
Almost like i'm wasted.

Just standing here, not moving 
( like most people do )
........but standing still and with perfect posture.
There's no where to go. 
Almost like i'm wasted.

Just weeping here, not crying happy tears ( like most people do)
.........but tears of true sadness.
There's no one here to dry my tears.
Almost like i'm wasted.

Just kneeling here, praying, not prayers of faith 
( like most are )
........but prayers begging for forgiveness. 
There's no one there to forgive me.
Almost like i'm wasted.

My thoughts were destroyed, my feelings murdered, my emotions blown.
But i'm not wasted.
I'm worse.
I'm different.
I'm alone.
I'm empty.

~^~

sheldon, brad, johnny and james.
these are the ones that took my place.
was it worth it? let me know
cause im doing fine, with my 
girlfriend jo.

you say life's great
but wait and see.
cause i saw johnny 
with a blonde yesterday.

and pardon me, i may be mistaken
but you dyed your hair black
in a deep depression.

how are you feeling?
i'll always want to know
but please be advised
of my girlfriend jo

no i cannot come back
for one more day
you were the one that 
went away.

did you find what you were 
looking for 
i see not yet.
cause if you did
i would have been it.

 logan

~^~

Perfect Place
abbey smith


A place of dreams
A place of hope
Minds Contempt
Loves Lost Battle
Crying Skies and 
Voids of Laughter
Waves of Joy
Searing pain of anger
Chaos and creation
Love and hate
All things in life
Created havoc 
Created bliss
Perfect Place
Perfect Illusion

~^~

Plain Monday
Janine Cooley


All my horizons are misted
because they never existed
wanting to cry but its too late
all i can feel now is hate

Maybe my teardrops have dried
but i never really tried
'never' is all that you've left me
anger is all that i can see

now i'm finding it hard to sleep
i'm not strong but i cannot weep
before it was white now its all grey
i can't wake up to another day

all of your false poems and songs
leaving me to right your wrongs
you said you loved me, only for then
if only i had known til when

~^~

You search for your reason...your reason to be alive
You live unhappily.. pleasing as best as you can
You show no feelings thoughts or worries
You keep everything encaged deep inside.. but that is no good.
You try to figure out why you are here.. where did you go wrong to be sent to hell?
Hell is where we are.. where we will always be.
Hell is life...this life of mine
Hell is torture I go through everyday....struggling to move on
wanting more....showing all...running free.
Hell is the flame that scorches the evil mans eyes.
Hell is here. 
Show your true thoughts and feelings. 
Because hell is already here. 
Nikki 

~^~

REALIZATION
WELNA BOSHOFF


ME, ME JUST LET ME BE
BE ALERT AND AFRAID- IT WILL COME FOR U
SLOW AS A SLOTH, YET FAST AS A COUNTING SECOND
PACK YOUR BAGS AND GATHER YOUR GOLD-A SHINING BEING LIKE U
ALWAYS HATES THE COLD
A WARM WELCOME, A ROBBERY AND AN ETERNAL SHAME,
NOBODY BUT YOURSELF TO BLAME
ME, ME JUST LET ME BE
REMEMBER ME, I WILL BE LIVING, PEACEFUL, IN THE SEA

~^~

TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE BUTTERFLY
Marianna Ingenice


I really don't know what has gone wrong
& whey all the butterflies are falling from the sky
I guess their wings just weren't strong enough
So all the butterflies turned to stars instead
To twinkle in the sky
While you wonder why can't you be a star?
So free & beautiful & shining
Looking over the world
Instead of the world looking over you

~^~

The Blessing
Tara M. Aldred

The blessing sent from heaven above, down to save one's life.
To see that they are well taken care of, to love them to the extreme.
Your blessing comes in many costumes.
Not knowing you would come into this world, to save one's life, to bring happiness into a lonely life.
Tell them you are just a phone call away, call if they need to hear a soothing voice.
Letting them know that you are here.
Telling them three little words you think they need to hear.
You are a blessing, very few people are chosen to touch one's life,you feel is special and is worth loving, through all the times no one else has.
You are one of the few chosen.
The blessing from heaven above.
Blessings are from god and only him.

~^~

Mop luvs u all

I luv u all super people
funky hair and violet eyes 
quiffs glowimng madness
luv u all
Beeatch

~^~

As I lie here listening to the sweet hum of rain,
I think to myself,
Why don't I write down how the rain makes me feel?
No, No,
That would only put this sweet melody to shame.
For words will never describe how I feel.

Maybe I should take a picture.
No, No,
That would be only a glimpse of the rains awesome power.

Maybe I should take a recording of the rain,
No, No,
Then you wouldn't see the moonlight that is splashing upon my eyes,
As so many tears have.

I will just lie here, in my bed and let the rain fade away, as I will, into another's nights thoughtless, dreamless sleep.

Pat

 

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