Roses are red
Violets are blue
These feels, unfamiliar
And they’re all due to you
They stay when you’re gone
Long after you’ve left
I fear I’m a victim
Of some sort of thought-theft
Though despite the discomfort
And these feelings, so new
‘Tis the first time in forever
I’ve felt that they’re true
Please grasp the importance
Of these verses I write
So much more than mere words, you see
They’re my heart’s deepest insight
He said, she said, this don’t really need said
All that matters is who you become
When camera feeds dead
I know, you know, do you really think though?
Do you really think you know the person
That’s on this show?
I doubt, you doubt, things they claim they’re about
Everyone has seen it done they never
Do what’s spelled out
What’s that? Well, Matt, maybe you should look at
All the promises they made and how to make a bureaucrat
He said, she said, sincerity, it seems dead
All we have is those who give us words when all we need’s bread
Irony is beautiful, wouldn’t you say?
How funny is hypocrisy when you hear these people say
”Your dreams are just a waste of time” they scoff and berate
But then when we succeed they buy the things we create
People look at people chasing dreams and they judge
Then they work a 9 to 5 while holding this grudge
So for all who do the things they love, I say unto you
I hope these other people see the things that you do
I hope they see the work and the example you’ve set
‘Cause doing what you hate is something I will never get
Expensive is our time in life, it does not come cheap
And when the bill is paid in full they’ll gather and weep
They’ll tell a tale of all the awesome things that you did
And sweep under the carpet all the things that you hid
I wish that we would care more for the families we start
Than the money that was spent for that poor painter’s work of art
I wish it didn’t bother me that when the chips fall
The rich all hang our work up just to decorate their wall
It’s sad that we don’t understand the meaning of life
Happiness is sliced apart- conformity’s the knife
A Waste of Time
How often do we fall for things that people say and do?
How often do we wonder if the things they say are true?
And when there’s doubt we call them out when stories don’t connect
I wish I had a dollar for each lie that we collect
What makes us do it? Is it fear?
I fear that I don’t know
But to be real I sort of feel
Like life is just a show
So many actors, all their staff
Just dancing on a stage
And sadly I’d say that I’d laugh
If not for this here page
Pen and pad have saved my life
They’re my only true escape
Avoiding this sharp cutting knife
That’s carves life’s packaged shape
Every night I pray to He
Who I don’t even know
For his hand to help me stand
On nights when I feel low
It’s hard, sometimes, when life’s cold rhymes
Rip out your true heart
I’d give anything, if I could bring
A better, fairer start
So sorely do we wish to find
A person who’s just like our kind
Someone who’s just as weird as us
That we can know and love and trust
A person that just lets us be
And even when we disagree
They know that we’re still meant for them
And do not argue and condemn
Because when love is tried and true
It is not only about you
It is a union that you share
A contract, where you’re both aware
That life is meant for everyone
And when our time is gone and done
You’ll find that what we all should do
Is live it not with one, but two
Are those pillows to your liking?
Since you’ve spread them everywhere?
Are you packing to go hiking?
You sure took time arranging, there
I do not get it, little dude
Why must you make a mess?
To be frank, it’s kinda rude
Can you not just chill and rest?
All the blankets, all the throws
In the wash machine
It’s like you think nobody knows
That someone here must clean
Listen, bro, and yes I know
You like to fluff and puff
No more of this dog tornado
Because I’ve had enough
What do you do when you’re faced with a curse?
A fate that is worse than your death?
A thing that can just be described as the worst
A thing that is Baxter’s dog breath?
I usually let him jump onto my lap
It’s not a big deal, normally
But when I wake up after taking a nap
He tends to come walk over me
He’ll stand on my chest and look into my eye
As if to say “time to get up”
And then he will yawn and make me want to die
As I gag and say “close your mouth, pup”
It’s really not funny, because when he yawns
It’s like he’s exhaling his guts
His breath smells like what he ate from dusk to dawn
And what’s more, he’ll stand on my nuts
So I must say, as I lie here today
Typing and scribbling words
Buy a dog bed, so when you hit the hay
You’ll wake up, and only hear birds
Since all I ever do is sleep, a new word I shall give
Replace each word with “sleep” I will, instead of “life” or “live”
We do not have much time to waste, my point, do not contort
So sleep each day as if your last, because our sleep is short
I hate it when peeps waste my time, it’s not like it comes cheap
So get out of my way, alright? I have a life to sleep
Actually I take that back, I meant a sleep to sleep
When Franken’s doctor brought me back, he said “IT IS ASLEEP!”
Hello, Beauty
Hello ma’am, ‘tis nice to know
There’s such a beauty at this show
Next to this aisle seat with me
What’s that, there usher, you disagree?
Please check my ticket, it says right there
That this lady with such fine hair
Is meant to be right at my side
It’s not my making, fate’s our guide
Love, it seems, has made itself
A thing that’s nestled on our shelf
We met, we talked, we kissed, we held
We danced, our love unparalleled
And years later, two turned to three
A lovely, happy, family
Life is but a journey, yes
So please be happy, and do not stress
A twisted tale of truth he hid, as lying’s what he always did
Fleeing from the fear his bedroom mirror might make
He never judged the things he’d do, but if the same was done by you
His fingers would be first to point out every mistake
No thought for who he really was, and just like this world always does
The lies were the one thing that did him in
He had a picture in his head, and no one ever really said
That he should maybe stop and look within
So the tales grew bigger, and, supporting his false life’s grandstand
It wasn’t long until he wished he’d quit
For someone came along, you see, and though he tried to disagree
They ripped his mask and forced him to admit
They made him face the truth, at last, and when the time had come to pass
He realized just how awful he had been
And that’s how this old story goes, its theme, the world already knows
That people looking out will not look in
A raindrop has one chance to fall
To land where it might fulfill all
As do dandelions sway
They, just once, will drift away
Breeze will carry, gently now
The seeds of life that they endow
No second chances, no regrets
One life is what each person gets
Do not be nervous
Feel not afraid
Destroy doubt’s wall
And barricade
Live your life as you want to
Do the things you want to do
Boldly tell the one you love
You’re meant to be and not scared of
Embrace the world as you see fit
For time, we don’t get much of it
Make the most of what you’ve got
Live and laugh and love, a lot
Once upon a time a lovely maiden did her chores
She cooked and cleaned and washed and dried and wiped down all the floors
And though her Lord looked down at her, ironically this man
Would force himself upon her because when you’re Lord you think you can
He used her for his twisted games, he thought it was alright
Sadly she just let it be, so she could feed her son at night
And so it went for years and years, till finally one day
Her son grew up and saw the truth, saying that “this man must pay”
Despite his mother’s cries and pleas, the son could not forgive
He told her she deserved much more, this was not a way to live
His mom, you see, quick to agree, would never punish him
Her heart was her worst enemy, enabling Lord to live in sin
So the son approached the man, he stood much taller than Lord did
As the Lord said “hello boy, you’ve grown so much since just a kid”
“I know,” son said, “it must be strange, to to be on the receiving end”
“Of the games you play at night, I bet your wife won’t comprehend”
“Won’t comprehend the things you do, to satisfy your appetite”
“I can’t imagine how a person does this and then sleeps at night”
“At least it doesn’t matter now, because I give what is deserved”
“What’s that,” you ask? “To be frank, I really hate to touch a nerve”
“But since we’re here I will be clear, this might begin to sting a bit”
“I’ve wanted this for oh so long, because you’re such a piece of shit”
“It’s my turn now, so turn around, this will not end quick I must say”
“This won’t be fun, and when I’m done, this broomstick will make sure you pay”
I want you to know that you aren’t all alone
I want you to know I’m here too
I want you to see all the struggles in me
And I want you to know I love you
There’s nothing at all that could push me away
Though I know it’s not easy to do
It’s not easy to shed all the walls we put up
It’s not easy to face what is true
Out of all the things that you thought I would care
I’m telling you, matter they don’t
There’s no history or torn tattered family tree
That would make me leave you, ‘cause I won’t
I want to know everything, the good and the bad
The person you actually are
I care not for feelings that truth might bring out
I care about chasing this star
All of us, love, have things we regret
Things we’d change, if only we could
But we can’t, so tonight let me say unto you
Let’s move forward, not stand where we stood
A man enters a lonely room, we’ll call him Mr. Bad
Another joins the other, Mr. Goodman, his comrade
They act and play and do the things that all the people do
And every time that Goodman wins folks’ love, Bad smiles too
“Sure it’s great, I do not hate, for Goodman is the best!”
But on the inside, Mr. Bad is beating on his chest
He writhes around until he’s found someone who hates Good too
And plots with them behind the scenes ‘cause that’s what people do
“Come here my dear, now tell me clear, why is it Good you hate?”
Bad asks the girl he found when he pretends they’re on a date
“He’s about him, he’s arrogant, it rubs me the wrong way!”
The words this little lady said what bothered her that day
“I know!” Said Bad, “The facts are had!
To tell you the whole truth
I hate him too, here’s what we’ll do,
we’ll end it in the booth”
And so it went, although Good meant, to only lend a hand
He died that day, I’m sad to say, on this election stand
And so it goes, as we all know, that’s how these things play out
When jealousy, toxicity, takes hold and causes doubt
So if I may, let me please say, if you’re a Mr. Bad
Take my advice: change your life, or you will wish you had.
You ask me why I’m like this
I’ll tell you best I can
Some things have happened in my life
That made me who I am
I used to see things one way
But that way got turned to two
And then I started seeing things
From all these points of view
Everything around me changed
◦ ‘Twas different than before
The world revealed itself to me
As it drug me ‘cross the floor
It showed me everything it made
It showed me that I’m lost
It showed me that there’s many more
Who feel the same exhaust
Then, it softly spoke to me
It told me to be strong
And if you let your weakness win
You’re right where you belong
◦
If you were to ask “What’s he good at now, Matt?”
I would tell you that there is one thing
If you were to ask “Does it make him look fat?”
I would say “Really? Just look at the thing.”
For of all of the things we can do in this world
He basically cares about one
Which is to lie down in a ball as he’s curled
While scoffing when I ask to run
He truly cares not, nothing matters to him
Except for a treat and a nap
If I ask if he’d like to go lift in the gym
He’d say “no, I’ll just sleep on your lap”
“I sleep over here, I sleep over there”
“Must I be forced to pick only one?
“I think that instead, since I’m a dog that is fair”
“I’ll sleep on them all, but you can go run”
First of all, as a writer myself I should probably admit the fact that I might be slightly biased with what I’m about to say – so to be fair, I want to get that out there before going into this. That said, I feel the need to make the following statement:
As far as songs and the music industry in general are concerned, songwriters deserve much more credit and respect by the population at large.
Most would probably agree that when we think of our favorite songs and lyrics, we tend to associate them with the artist or vocalist who sings them. In fact, I would go as far to say that in the majority of cases, the average person couldn’t even tell you or hasn’t ever heard of the writers behind the words (obviously this doesn’t pertain to artists who originally write their own material, which is another thing altogether). Personally, I feel that this is an egregious disservice to the sentiments and messages that go along with the writing. Sure, the individual delivering said messages via their a better talented/more aesthetically pleasing voice deserves recognition – but we are remiss if we think that the writers’ significance is less deserving than the singers’ reciting their work.
If anything, the entire meaning and mood that the writing instills, which as I’m sure we’d all agree can be inexplicably impactful, touching, and inspirational, exists because of the persons responsible for artistically crafting the lyrics. An incredible voice can do wonders for how the melody makes us feel, but for those who are more influenced by the actual rhetoric rather than the audible tune/melody, these folks are invaluable. Now I know some of you might be thinking “well anyone can write stuff, but only a gifted few can sing.” And you’d be right. But for anyone who hasn’t tried their hand at creative writing, be it prose, poetry, or music, please take my word for it when I say that it’s a hell of a lot harder and more complicated than it sounds. Not only does it require the creativity, wisdom, and experience to be concoct the message and meaning in the first place, it also requires a cocktail of natural talent, artistic expressive capabilities, and acute awareness of the human condition and what content resonates with us as people. In many cases, deep, profound writing even calls for emotional trauma or particular sensitivity to common struggles and challenges we face as a collective unit all trying to navigate through the cold, harsh bitch that is life on Planet Earth.
So please, make an effort to at least tip your cap or otherwise acknowledge the hard work, sweat, and tears we as writer pour into our scribbling. I’m not saying you should go build a shrine to us, but an occasional pat on the back or nod of the head would be nice, ya know? And thank you to the ones who already make an effort to be aware of this stuff.
Rant over. Good talk…I’ll see you guys out there.
Twenty-twenty, ‘tis said to be
Yet now, so clearly do I see
Hindsight views such times, now lost
To go back I’d pay any cost
Things I wish I’d done, or said
To those who’ve drifted, or lie dead
I wish, so dearly, for the chance
To change what’s now my circumstance
So much sorrow
So much regret
No more tomorrow
They’re gone, and yet
All that’s left to do is clear
I cannot dwell on yesteryear
My choices give no other choice
I’m left with nothing, but my voice
So now I speak the best I can
I try so others understand
What matters can’t be weighed in gold
Its finding those who’s hand you hold
Petty? I shan’t think it’s so!
I have this Monet, and Van Gogh
Clearly, I appreciate
The things the low class tends to hate!
An eye for that which is so grand!
Smaller brains won’t understand
Yes, this is what I say to thee
A peasant is but lesser me
That means that I am better, yes?
Oh come on now, I must digress
Let me say something, highbrow
I am not fucking joking, now
A good person exists in me
The spirit of my mother, see
She can see right through your shit
And make you walk on top of it
So save your graces, save your prayers
Cause I know, you know, no one cares
This isn’t the beginning, friend
It’s just a taste of what’s at end
I ask myself, exactly how
Did I not see as I do now?
What things went on in yesteryear
To blind what I can now see clear
Perhaps it is with every age
Our lens grows sharp with each new page
Time, it makes us wise and true
And strips naïveté from you
The young, the old, we’re all the same
Just wand’ring souls in life’s bored game
We drift and dwell and dream and drink
And hardly ever stop to think
It is the way we’ve always been
‘Twas even said when we’d begin
It will not ever change, I fear
I long for what’s lost: yesteryear
