Overrun

I screamed at the words, “JUST GO AWAY,
I’m in NO MOOD to think today,
it’s RAINING and the sky is GRAY!”
They merely snickered “Yeah, okay.

Your mind is ours, so just keep still
we have a lot of holes to fill
and a thought or two we may instill
compelling you to sit and spill.”

I felt repressed, but what could I do
they were so many, and I so few
and once I let them filter through
this is what was left for you.

Practice

My guitars are a little rough
because I play more than polish
but no discord or scuff
will ever quite abolish
this need that thrums inside of me
for a balanced scale and harmony.

Woody

“What a stiff!” the bullies jeer
and though I have a tough veneer
it hurts my pride deep inside
so much I want to disappear

but you’re unique and didn’t see
a problem with rigidity
in fact you said that in our bed
it’s something you expect of me.

Calling

On the cusp of foreseeable fall
will we hear the cherubim call
or do atoms disperse
across the diverse
dimensions that constitute all?

Are we simply carbon and such
coherent as long as we clutch
to fragments of thought
or is substance wrought
through tentative trials of touch

where friction is bound to ensue
enabling passion to brew,
a force with which we
can forge a degree
of purpose we long to construe.

Starting Over

The voice of a generation
has found a new reason to sing
the object of his veneration
is partial to its ring

but was his old counterpoint
on his mind as vows were sworn
the day they chose to make it joint
his former mate was born.


***Congrats Sir Paul/RIP Mr. Lennon***

Losing It

The giant grew older (as everyone will)
and started to barter his beanstalk for ill
the vultures got eager (as scavengers do)
and circled him, anxious for something to chew
but he was too stubborn (as most giants are)
to shoo off the vermin despite his last scar
and he's withered some more (as thin as can be)
a victim of arrogance mixed with ennui.

Summit

My departure wasn't soon
enough to catch the sun's demise
clouds conspired to hide the moon
from eager, earthbound eyes
but once I belted out my tune
the powerful reprise
would help reveal the breadth of heaven's scope
a panorama deep inside of hope.

Don't Knock It

Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown,
a world of mystery one knock away,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown.

Don’t fear the darkness because you’re alone
with a satin caress it begs you to stay,
beyond this door lies the daunting unknown.

Forget all those sins for which you atone
embrace your desires, come in and play,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown;

an icy chill that cuts right to the bone
reminds you suddenly, you are the prey.
Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown,

leery feet falter on cold drafty stone
curiosity calls, leading the way,
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown

when these rusty old hinges creak and groan
another morsel getting carried away—
Beyond this door lies the daunting unknown
just grab my brass ring and you will be shown.

Extremity

I recall feeling like a gymnast going for the gold
while hoping that still growing hands would have the strength to hold,
the branch I wished to reach was a good six feet from my perch
and I knew that when I grabbed it skinny arms would surely lurch;

I gritted teeth and leapt with all the strength I had inside
then snatched the limb whose prickly bark abraded my soft hide
and when the fullness of my weight felt the pull of the earth
I closed my eyes and held on tight for all that I was worth.

That gap was spanned so often, soon the bark was worn away
the naked wood much easier on youthful hands at play
and there were times I slipped to hit the ground with one big slam
but the fact that I still jumped is just a part of who I am.

Processor

An apple is only a fruit
until someone makes it compute,
mankind and machine slowly mesh
through the fervor of fallible flesh
before the command to reboot.


RIP Steve Jobs

Top 20

Hi everybody! I got an email from one of my friends over at Accredited Online Colleges, her name is Emma and she requested that I check out their post of the top 20 American Poems and spread the word if so inclined. I think it's a respectable collection and am leaving the link HERE so you can check it out.

Do stop back and let me know what you think or leave them a comment on their blog. Thanks!

Standard

Conceit, I would cleanse myself of thee
To find out if untainted truth is easier to see;

Deceit, I shall shun thy tempting lure
In order for my senses to detect a fact that’s pure;

Anger, I must rein that harsh retort
Which manifests in battle, whether mortal or for sport;

Languor, I can crush thy lack of force
By riding forth with passion, regardless of the course;

Neglect, I need never fear the knave
Forsaking everything they love for power that they crave;

Respect, I will vow to always strive
To practice thee on every soul I meet while I’m alive.

Clemency

On the eve of your destruction will you beg for a reprieve,
will you stand and shout defiantly “It’s not my time to leave!”
or will you shuffle sheepishly, your weary head hung low
because you know there’s really nowhere worse than here to go.

Pickup

I strolled for a stroke
on bricks that were broke
with moss sticking out
like fuzzy green grout
as autumn awoke

with grumpy gray eyes
to purchase my prize
and shook off the chill
that gets colder still
despite pointless sighs.

Have a Heart

Do not give in too much to feelings. An overly sensetive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This vessel of dismay
is useful, some would say
but I'm giving it away

it's much too soft you see
and filled so easily
with mushy misery

that seems to ever cloy
and dismally destroy
a chance for lasting joy.