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”
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
◦
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
NECESSARY
I think I’ll write a poem that speaks epic truth, tonight
It doesn’t matter if you tend to lean left or lean right
Politics aren’t helping us, the gap is greater in-between
We need to stop fixating on whose King or who is Queen
We need to shift the focus to what matters, that’s for real
We need to stop the spinning and start breaking culture’s wheel
Martin wasn’t joking when he wrote that brilliant line
The story’s great, sure, but a grander message lies behind
Nothing’s stronger than a thread that’s woven one and all
But if you try to weave it on your own you’ll sadly fall
History has proven this, it’s not news to anyone
The ink in this here pen I wield weighs more than your big gun
Every life we live is shaped by minds that can run free
And if we came together just imagine what could be
Forgiveness, empathy, this is what we need
And we ever grasp these things our whole planet will be freed
Fire doesn’t put out fire, its ego you should bury
Someone had to say it, right? These words are necessary.
Days of old I envy, much realer all these feelings were
Now it seems it’s so fast-paced that every day and night’s a blur
Heartfelt talks under the stars are now boxed into tiny screens
And half the time when she’s not here I can’t tell what the message means
Context comes when eyes see eyes, the words we hear and understand
Its more sincere when we’re both here, when we can touch and hold a hand
I know the world’s exciting and the crowd is always calling us
But these things take the substance out and make love seem superfluous
Right now real is hard to find and so much harder to hold on
Those blissful eyes are nice, I know, but once you blink they might be gone
Why is it that we seem to care more for our fears than what we love
Emotions push, we build a wall, just to make sure they don’t shove
Its like we’re not supposed to feel or open up for weakness sake
Well I don’t want to live that way, I want my soul to stay awake
I want to feel the ups and downs, and everything that’s in between
To know why I’ve been doing this, to know what all of it might mean
Can we be honest with ourselves for a moment? I want to talk about some things. Things like Facebook. Twitter. Instagram, perhaps. Hell, even Tinder…anything that lets people advertise who they are (or at least who they want to be) without having to concern themselves with the real world.
Yeah, I know.
It’s not easy to examine one’s self. We’d all much rather be judging someone else. But right now, let’s do the hard thing and focus the lens introspectively.
Sure, it’s easy to look on at the spinning wheel that is social media, watching as the people we know and grew up with move on with their lives. Comparison is the theif of joy, ain’t it? That’s what they say, at least.
It’s funny though because everyone’s aware, whether consciously or subconsciously, that social media is just a highlight reel. If only we knew who we all are after each one of those many layers of social graces and obligatory formalities got peeled back. The real, you know? Because as much as we market how cool our lives are, at the end of the day…it’s validation that we really want.
Most of us, that is. And you know what? That’s perfectly normal. Not at all a thing to be ashamed of.
After all, most of us just want someone who knows us. Who understands us. Who IS us. We want to enjoy life with a person who gets, more so than anyone, who we truly are. And I’m not talking about the person at three o’clock, bringing in coffee with the same fake grin we all wear knowing we’re just waiting for the hour hand to get knocked ahead a couple notches. I’m talking about the person we are when the day’s facade is over, the candles go out, and the door closes. That person you see when the ambient light from the TV flicks on as it highlights the it-was-a-long-day-fucked-up-hair and feetie pajamas silhouette. That’s the person we’re searching for.
And you want to know something? I bet you’ve already met them.
I know I have.
A damsel in distress she’s not, though nights are all besot with her
Affection widely chased more than even gold, frankincense and myrrh
Aged better than Venetian wine, smoother than a fine liqueur
Treat her as the Queen she is: this maiden we call Literature
Sought by many, caught by few, to court her is a Fool’s Errand
Exceptions only granted when one’s dedication’s apparent
Gentle, patient one must be; to nothing she can come second
For absolute commitment is the quality of all legends
Everybody’s knocking but the owner just turns out the light
Fight to find a way inside and find the lock is far too tight
I smile as I watch them shout and beg her for one night’s invite
Because this pen unlocks the pad where Writing lays her head at night
So intimate we’ve grown to be, forever I’ll be in her debt
For it was I who was distressed, and she who saved me from regret
Sincerely now I thank her for becoming my one true duet
Eternity I’d wait for her: this love who was so hard to get
Softly cup my hand to ear
As wind blows whispers that I hear
Sadness, loss, regret they bring
All shadows from my yesteryear
Words escape me, ones I’ve lost
I never knew how much it’d cost
When I thought not to buy a ring
The path I should, I never crossed
Now I’m forced to walk, move on
Time has passed; those moments, gone
And though I wish to have them back
I must stay focused on the dawn
For life is cruel, it won’t concede
Regardless if I pray and plead
And though I may not be on track
Faith in myself is all I need
Things in life, they come and go
And as I lift this small window
I look outside, only to see
That we reap the things we sow
Every action, every word
Is seen, or felt, or tasted, heard
And whether it is you, or me
Life’s purpose always seems so blurred
So, to you, who has a past
Do not let your transgressions last
We’re here, together, throughout our time
And everyone has sins amassed
Live with love, try to arrange
The life you want, an open grange
Do not break rhythm, just to rhyme
And always, ride, the winds of change
Put my whistle to the wind, there’s naught another ‘round
Divided is the road I’m on, my choice shall prove profound
“Go left,” says he, “Go right!” says she
The demons, they’ve misled
I ask “which way?”
“That way!” They say
And so I point my sled
Every choice we make is a decision in our head
A string of choices, such is life, that’s all until we’re dead
When these choices come to you, what ever will you say?
Will you take the high road out or will you run away?
Make the choices that they love, My Lord you’re looking great
Undermine the ones they want and soon you will find hate
Treat the people as you would yourself, and you’ll find fame
They’ll sing your praises, call you King, in everything but name
