Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ THE RECKLESS, RUTHLESS, RIGID ROADS (TRAVELED ALONE BY THOSE WHO “KNOW”) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

might

.

f

e

e

l

.

you

.

a

r

e

.

right,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

.

f

o

r

.

sure

.

y

o

u

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

f

o

r

.

sure

.

y

o

u

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

do

.

y

o

u

.

really

.

want

.

t

o

.

take

.

t

h

a

t

.

road ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Do

.

y

o

u

.

really

.

want

.

t

o

.

carry

.

t

h

a

t

.

stone,

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

place

.

t

o

.

place,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

home

.

t

o

.

home ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Do

.

y

o

u

.

really

.

want

.

t

o

.

take

.

t

h

a

t

.

road ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Do

.

y

o

u

.

really

.

want

.

t

o

.

carry

.

t

h

a

t

.

stone ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

those

.

t

h

a

t

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

f

o

r

.

those

.

t

h

a

t

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

increasingly

move

.

t

o

.

travel

alone

.

d

o

w

n

.

cold

.

a

n

d

.

narrow

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

move

.

t

o

.

travel

alone

.

d

o

w

n

.

cold

.

a

n

d

.

narrow

roads,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

no

longer

.

g

r

o

w

.

or

.

g

o

.

where

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

love,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

joy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

adventure

flows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

n

o

.

longer

grow,

.

o

r

.

go

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

love,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

joy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

adventure

flows,

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

wild,

.

o

p

e

n

.

reaches

.

o

f

.

the

unknown . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

.

t

h

e

.

wild,

.

o

p

e

n

.

reaches

.

o

f

.

the

unknown . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

i

t

.

freely

flourishes

.

a

n

d

.

flows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ where

.

i

t

.

freely

flourishes

.

a

n

d

.

flows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ where

.

i

t

.

freely

flourishes

.

a

n

d

.

flows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

every

direction,

–

–

like

echoes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

like

echoes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

like

echoes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

bouncing

.

i

n

.

all

directions

–

–

off

.

o

f

.

those

stone,

–

–

cold,

–

–

lonesome

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ bouncing

.

i

n

.

all

directions

–

–

off

.

o

f

.

those

stone,

–

–

cold,

–

–

lonesome

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

owned

.

b

y

.

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every

.

.

o

f

.

.

those

who

.

a

r

e

.

“right,”

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

who

“know . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ owned

.

b

y

.

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every

.

.

o

f

.

.

those

who

.

a

r

e

.

“right,”

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

who

“know . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ holding

fast

.

t

o

.

those

reckless,

–

–

ruthless,

–

–

rigid

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

owned

.

b

y

.

those

.

w

h

o

.

choke

.

a

n

d

.

swallow

home,

–

–

after

home,

–

–

after

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

soul,

–

–

after

soul,

–

–

after

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

hope,

–

–

after

hope,

–

–

after

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

choke,

.

a

n

d

.

swallow

home,

–

–

after

home,

–

–

after

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

soul,

–

–

after

soul,

–

–

after

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

hope,

–

–

after

hope,

–

–

after

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

even

though

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

f

e

e

l

.

you

.

a

r

e

.

“right,”

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

.

f

o

r

.

sure

.

y

o

u

.

“know . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

ask

yourself

.

i

s

.

that

truly

–

–

where

.

y

o

u

.

want

.

t

o

.

go ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ is

.

t

h

a

t

.

truly

–

–

where

.

y

o

u

.

want

.

t

o

.

go ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

because

.

y

o

u

.

feel

–

–

you

.

a

r

e

.

“right,”

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

.

f

o

r

.

sure

.

y

o

u

.

“know.“

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2021 to inspire people to weigh the tradeoffs associated with making judgments and being “right” for much of the time. This poem was inspired by conversations I had with someone who repeatedly stated that he was “right” and everyone else was “wrong.” This has been a common attitude I have frequently observed in political affairs and such.

☆°▪︎ A HAUNTING MEMORY (IT’S NOT EASY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

used

.

t

o

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

glossy,

–

–

glamour

magazine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

used

.

t

o

.

believe

.

y

o

u

.

had

.

t

o

.

change

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

used

.

t

o

.

believe

.

y

o

u

.

had

.

t

o

.

change

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

y

o

u

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

perceive

.

t

h

e

.

beauty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

could

.

n

o

t

.

perceive

.

t

h

e

.

beauty,

.

.

s

o

.

.

obvious

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

a

s

.

obvious

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

told

.

y

o

u

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

could

.

b

e

.

anyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

y

o

u

.

could

.

b

e

.

anything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

smiled

.

a

n

d

.

laughed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tossed

.

y

o

u

r

.

head

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

saying

.

i

f

.

you

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

achieve

.

t

h

e

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you

–

–

could

.

n

o

t

.

live

.

t

h

a

t

.

life

.

o

f

.

peaceful

ease

.

a

n

d

.

prosperity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

n

–

–

–

please,

–

–

make

.

i

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ please,

.

j

u

s

t

.

make

.

i

t

.

easy,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

said

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile

.

a

n

d

.

a

laugh . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

said

.

i

t

.

with

.

a

smile

.

a

n

d

.

a

laugh,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tossed

.

y

o

u

r

.

head

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

was

.

i

n

.

the

past . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

in

.

t

h

e

.

past . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

now,

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Now,

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Now,

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

haunting:

–

–

–

.

.

.

“Achieve

.

t

h

e

.

dream,

.

.

o

r

.

.

just

.

make

.

i

t

.

easy . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

“Achieve

.

t

h

e

.

dream,

.

.

o

r

.

.

just

.

make

.

i

t

.

easy . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

“Achieve

.

t

h

e

.

dream,

.

.

o

r

.

.

just

.

make

.

i

t

.

easy . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

easy,

–

–

sleeping

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

memory . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ sleeping

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

memory

.

o

f

.

how

things

.

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ of

.

h

o

w

.

things

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

y

o

u

.

made

.

i

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

y

o

u

.

made

.

i

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

y

o

u

.

made

.

i

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

easy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

easy,

–

–

here

.

f

o

r

.

me.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2021. This was written in reflection of those heartbreaking, hopeless souls who can never seem to maintain a positive perspective or rise above the lows – no matter how hard you try to help them. I used the song “Creature Comfort” by Arcade Fire to play in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ THE SEEMING ETERNITY ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

seemed

.

t

o

.

be

a

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

we

.

w

e

r

e

.

dancing

carelessly

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

candied

–

–

apple

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

.

w

e

r

e

.

dancing

carelessly

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

candied

–

–

apple

streets

.

o

f

.

never

ending

reverie

.

a

n

d

.

possibility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

was

.

t

h

e

.

seeming

eternity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

seeming

eternity

.

o

f

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

.

t

h

e

.

seeming

eternity

.

o

f

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

w

e

.

entered

.

t

h

a

t

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dancing

carelessly

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

candied

–

–

apple

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

happy,

–

–

adventurous,

.

a

n

d

.

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

.

w

e

r

e

.

happy,

–

–

adventurous,

.

a

n

d

.

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

thinking

this

.

w

a

s

.

the

.

w

a

y

.

things

would

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

w

a

y

.

things

would

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

passionate

kiss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

feeling

.

o

f

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

i

n

.

a

cafe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

o

n

.

the

street . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

w

i

t

h

.

anxiety . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

w

i

t

h

.

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

t

o

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

could

–

–

happen

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

only

because . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ because

only

.

i

t

.

seemed

–

–

this

was

.

t

h

e

.

way

–

–

things

would

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

was

.

t

h

e

.

way

–

–

things

would

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

when

you

.

a

r

e

.

young . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

believe

.

i

t

.

just

–

–

goes

on

.

a

n

d

.

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

believe

.

i

t

.

just

–

–

goes

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

just

–

–

goes

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

y

o

u

.

realize

–

–

you’ve

reached

.

t

h

e

.

end

.

o

f

.

that

song . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

have

only

–

–

danced

’til

dawn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

.

h

a

v

e

.

only

–

–

danced

’til

dawn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

y

o

u

.

realize

–

–

there’s

.

s

o

.

many

more

–

–

miles

ahead

.

t

h

a

n

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there’s

.

s

o

.

many

more

–

–

miles

ahead

.

t

h

a

n

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

miles

–

–

get

longer

.

w

i

t

h

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ yes,

.

t

h

e

.

miles

–

–

get

longer

.

w

i

t

h

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

have

only

–

–

danced

’til

dawn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

those

–

–

magical

moments,

–

–

now

.

a

r

e

.

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ yes,

all

.

o

f

.

those

–

–

magical

moments,

–

–

now

.

a

r

e

.

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

miss

.

t

h

a

t

.

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

dawn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

miss

.

t

h

a

t

.

song . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ I

miss

.

t

h

a

t

.

song

.

t

h

a

t

.

went

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

seemed

.

t

o

.

be

a

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

we

.

w

e

r

e

.

dancing

carelessly

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

candied

–

–

apple

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ we

.

w

e

r

e

.

dancing

carelessly

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

candied

–

–

apple

streets

.

i

n

.

the

seeming

eternity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

seeming

eternity

.

o

f

.

spring.

Reflection:  

This poem was inspired by the movie “Before Sunset” (a sequel to “After Sunrise”) and largely reflects the romantic ease frequently experienced in the days of youth – something which starts to get more difficult and far less frequent as we age. We could be awkward and make so many blunders in our days of youth and quickly recover from those, but we tend to become less forgiving with others (and ourselves) as time marches on. I have many fond memories of those early, adventurous days of my life.

I used to song “Good Love” by Zola Blood to play repeatedly in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ A LIFE OTHERWISE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

sometimes

–

–

hold

you

.

i

n

.

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

smile,

–

–

when

I

look

–

–

into

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

smile

–

–

when

I

look

–

–

into

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

fantasize

about

–

t

h

e

–

kind

–

o

f

–

life

–

–

that

together

–

w

e

–

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

kind

–

o

f

–

life

–

–

that

together

–

w

e

–

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

otherwise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

in

.

m

y

.

life,

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

tightly

tied,

–

a

n

d

–

timed,

–

a

n

d

–

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

.

a

m

.

tightly

tied,

–

a

n

d

–

timed,

–

a

n

d

–

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

much

–

o

f

–

the

time

.

in

.

m

y

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

–

t

h

e

–

hours

–

o

f

–

daytime

–

–

conspire

–

a

n

d

–

collide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

–

o

f

–

my

twisted

–

a

n

d

–

troubled

times

–

–

align . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

it

.

i

s

.

hard

–

t

o

–

realize

–

–

how

many

weeks,

–

a

n

d

–

months,

–

a

n

d

–

years

–

–

go

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

.

i

s

.

hard

–

t

o

–

realize

–

–

how

many

weeks,

–

a

n

d

–

months,

–

a

n

d

–

years

–

–

go

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

in

.

m

y

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

it’s

nice

–

t

o

–

know

–

–

I

can

almost

–

–

feel

just

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

I

invite

–

y

o

u

–

into

–

t

h

e

–

warming

welcome

–

o

f

–

my

mind

–

a

n

d

–

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

thinking

about

–

t

h

e

–

next

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

smile

–

a

n

d

–

think

about

–

t

h

e

–

next

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

next

time

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

almost

see

–

t

h

e

–

wave,

–

–

upon

wave,

–

–

upon

wave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

want

–

a

n

d

–

wonder

–

i

n

–

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

next

time

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

almost

taste

–

–

that

warm

–

b

u

t

–

wistful

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

–

t

h

e

–

shimmering

skies

–

o

f

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

next

time

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

almost

hear

–

y

o

u

–

sigh . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ your

breath

–

–

next

–

t

o

–

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ your

breath

–

–

next

–

t

o

–

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

the

seaside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

candlelight

dims . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dallies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

dies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

next

time

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

ride

–

t

h

a

t

–

almost

tide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wild

–

a

n

d

–

alive,

–

–

tossing

–

a

n

d

–

turning,

–

a

l

l

–

hours

–

o

f

–

the

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

I

arrive

–

a

t

–

the

shores

–

o

f

–

daytime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ until

I

arrive

–

a

t

–

the

shores

–

o

f

–

daytime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

next

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

sometimes

–

–

hold

you

–

i

n

–

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

sometimes

–

–

hold

you

–

i

n

–

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

sometimes

–

–

hold

you

–

i

n

–

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

fantasize

–

–

about

–

t

h

e

–

kind

–

o

f

–

life

–

–

that

together

–

w

e

–

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

fantasize

–

–

about

–

t

h

e

–

kind

–

o

f

–

life

–

–

that

together

–

w

e

–

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

otherwise.

Reflection:  This poem is a reflection on those special people you come into contact with that you greatly love and appreciate, and wish you could be with them – but for some reason you just can’t. I’ve had quite a few experiences in my life like that and I’m sure many of you have as well. On the one hand, it’s sad that you can’t be with them but – on the other hand – you can feel content in knowing you were at least able to have that experience for whatever it was.

☆°▪︎ DEEP IN THE SHADE (A PARADE OF GRAY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Are

.

y

o

u

.

going

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Are

.

y

o

u

.

going

away

–

–

again

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

seems

–

–

such

a

heavy

–

–

weight

.

t

o

.

sustain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

brutal,

–

–

binding

–

–

ball

.

a

n

d

.

chain,

.

t

o

.

drag

.

d

o

w

n

.

such

narrow

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

drag

.

d

o

w

n

.

such

narrow

lanes

.

o

f

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

pain,

.

a

n

d

.

change,

–

–

where

.

y

o

u

.

feel

.

t

h

e

.

need

.

t

o

.

run

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

y

o

u

.

feel

.

t

h

e

.

need

.

t

o

.

run

away,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

find

a

way

.

t

o

.

escape

–

–

that

ghastly,

–

–

gray

parade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

ghastly,

–

–

gray

parade

.

o

f

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame,

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

t

h

a

t

.

remains

.

i

n

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

everything

.

t

h

a

t

.

remains

.

i

n

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

happens

–

–

every

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

happens

–

–

every

day

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

.

mood

.

i

s

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

again

today,

–

–

I

.

c

a

n

.

hear

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

engines

.

o

f

.

escape,

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

blaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

blaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

blaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

blaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

race

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

runway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ they

race

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

runway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

furious

pursuit

.

o

f

.

better

days

.

a

n

d

.

faraways . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

furious

pursuit

.

o

f

.

better

days

.

a

n

d

.

faraways,

–

–

deep

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ deep

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

without

a

name.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote. The opening lines came to me while sitting on my balcony relaxing. This poem is really about the many methods and ways people frequently use to escape their present life circumstances.

I refined this poem using the song “Came Here to Forget” by Blake Shelton playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. The song really seemed to fit. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ HAUNTED BY A SMILE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

saw

–

t

h

e

–

smile

–

–

behind

those

eyes

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

the

starshine

–

–

beyond

–

t

h

a

t

–

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

saw

–

–

the

starshine

–

–

beyond

–

t

h

a

t

–

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

should

–

h

a

v

e

–

tried

–

–

o

r

–

–

at

least

–

s

a

i

d

–

“hi” . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

should

–

h

a

v

e

–

tried

–

–

o

r

–

–

at

least

–

s

a

i

d

–

“hi”

–

–

o

r

–

–

even

waited

awhile

–

–

until

–

t

h

e

–

time

–

–

felt

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

should

have

–

–

waited

awhile

–

–

until

–

t

h

e

–

time

–

–

felt

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it’s

always

better

–

t

o

–

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

it’s

better

–

t

o

–

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

to

–

b

e

–

haunted

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it’s

better

–

t

o

–

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it’s

better

–

t

o

–

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

to

–

b

e

–

haunted

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

hours

–

o

f

–

wine

become

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

hours

–

o

f

–

wine

become

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you’re

–

w

i

t

h

–

me

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

time.

Reflection: The opening lines came to me while listening to a country song and it pretty much wrote itself within minutes. I later refined it using the song “Somewhere With You” by Kenny Chesney playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” while refining this poem. The song really seemed to fit. So, if you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: IF YOU WANT A BRIGHTER FUTURE, THEN INVEST IN IT… AND THIS IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST MONEY

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

In order to achieve longstanding happiness and success in life and to create the brighter future and the life you really, really want, you must be willing to make short-term sacrifices in order to create your most desired longer-term future – and anything and everything that might include for you (and others in your life). And this is about so much more than just money.

Do you want to live a long and healthy life so you can spend more quality time with those you love and appreciate, create memorable experiences, and live a life full of freedom, peace, and independence for the remaining years and decades of your life? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest in yourself by engaging in fitness activities and making healthy lifestyle choices. Sure, it might seem a bit painful and time consuming right now, but like most investments, it will really pay off over the longer term.

Do you have a dream that you really want to achieve or a cause where you really want to make a difference? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by performing the research, gaining the skills, and defining and taking the steps needed to achieve that. Sure, it might seem a bit painful right now, in terms of all the time and effort you might have to put in but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off in the long run.

Are there people in your life you would like to strengthen your relationships with or have you a strong desire to create a future relationship with a special someone? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by creating the balance you need in life so that you can mindfully participate in those relationships and take steps towards creating new relationship(s). Sure, things might seem a bit distant and awkward right now, but if you take regular, consistent steps to participate more in the relationships which matter most to you and position yourself for creating new relationships then, again, like most investments, it can really pay off over the longer term.

Do you want to achieve a sense of financial freedom in your life? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by getting in the practice of automatically saving 20% of everything you earn, developing and living with a sense of financial discipline, and learning how to invest and manage your money. Sure, you might not be able to live that exciting, lavish lifestyle filled with luster, experiences, and adventure right now but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off over the long run.

Are there any life experiences you really want for yourself? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by defining and taking steps to achieve that. Sure, it might seem a bit painful right now, in terms of all the time and effort you might have to put in but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off over the longer term.

And the above are just five broad categories of investment kinds of examples. There are several others we could come up with.

Lastly, don’t forget about the cross effects. For example, if you live an unhealthy lifestyle, do you suppose that could affect your finances, your relationships in terms of your abilities to inspire and actively participate, and the energy you have available to put towards the dreams you desire to achieve, the life experiences you would like to have, or the causes you would like to make a difference in? You better believe it might.

So, invest in yourself and invest in your future. And start today. Get in the practice of making all of the small sacrifices needed today, tomorrow, and all along the way so that you can achieve the brighter future you really, really want.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books…/

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness #peace #investment #love #relationships

☆°▪︎ YESTERDAY’S RACEWAYS (AND ALLEYWAY SHADES) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Yesterday,

I

knew

.

t

h

e

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

lived

.

a

t

.

such

a

pace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

even

–

–

average,

–

–

ordinary

.

d

a

y

s

.

smiled,

.

a

n

d

.

gave

a

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

smiled

.

a

n

d

.

gave

a

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

place

.

i

n

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

sailed

–

–

those

raceways

.

a

n

d

.

runaways

.

i

n

t

o

.

getaway

grays

.

a

n

d

.

alleyway

shades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

sailed

–

–

those

raceways

–

a

n

d

–

runaways

.

i

n

t

o

.

getaway

grays

.

a

n

d

.

alleyway

shades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

way

b

a

c

k

.

when . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

I

thought

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

only

–

–

changing

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

thought

–

–

I

.

w

a

s

.

only

–

–

changing

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

then

–

–

everything

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

–

–

everything

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now,

–

–

those

always

.

a

n

d

.

forever

–

–

endless,

–

–

summer

days

.

o

f

.

ravishing

rays

.

a

n

d

,

glimmering

grace

–

–

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced,

.

b

y

.

pain,

.

a

n

d

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced

.

b

y

.

pain,

.

a

n

d

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

nothing

.

f

r

o

m

.

those

.

d

a

y

s

.

remain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains

.

f

r

o

m

.

those

days

.

o

f

.

young

.

a

n

d

.

tender

age

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

nothing

seems

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2021 where the affected party looks back on a simple, wonderful life he or she might have had in the past but strayed far away from that by going down the wrong path for many, many years to the point there was no way to get to get back to that. So, it only lives in taunting, haunting memory.

I used the song “Wild Time (Rough Trade Session)” by Weyes Blood playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: ALWAYS BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU EXPEND YOUR TIME AND ENERGY ON

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness/Success Tip which might be helpful to some of you out there: always being mindful of how you expend your time and energy. Focus on filling more of your life with that which makes you happy and inspires and fulfills you instead of focusing so much on that which does not. Because life isn’t short. We make it short by wasting time and energy.

So many people seem to get lost from time to time and forget the true purpose of their life is to be happy – and anything and everything that includes – for each and every one of them.

So, keep doing anything that makes you happy. And be mindful of anything which does not.

A lot of people seem to forget the latter – especially when they get consumed by negativity, bitterness, politics, conspiracy theories, and such. So, I wanted to provide a “friendly reminder” in case it might be helpful to some of you out there. Because your life is precious. And you’ll be a lot happier if you treat it that way.

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness

☆°▪︎ STARSHINE DIES (LAUGHING AT TIME) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

y

o

u

.

will

never

–

–

again

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

again

feel

.

t

h

a

t

.

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

glow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

glow

–

–

called

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

y

o

u

.

can

.

n

o

.

longer

fill

.

t

h

e

.

hole

.

i

n

.

your

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

t

o

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although

.

y

o

u

.

try

.

t

o

.

hide

behind

.

a

.

soothing

smile

.

o

f

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

see

.

i

t

.

in

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

.

c

a

n

.

see

.

i

t

.

in

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

starshine

.

h

a

s

.

died . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ Yes,

.

t

h

e

.

starshine

.

h

a

s

.

died

–

–

from

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ from

behind

.

t

h

e

.

days

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

were

wild,

.

a

n

d

.

prized,

.

a

n

d

.

alive

.

w

i

t

h

.

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

pumping

.

w

i

t

h

.

pride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ from

behind

.

t

h

e

.

days,

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

were

delighted

.

b

y

.

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

otherwise,

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

.

a

n

d

.

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ then,

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

w

e

r

e

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

.

a

n

d

.

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy

–

–

who

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rolling,

.

a

n

d

.

riding

.

t

h

e

.

dice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ rolling,

.

a

n

d

.

riding

.

t

h

e

.

dice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

flying

high

.

a

n

d

.

flying

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wild

.

a

n

d

.

alive

.

w

i

t

h

.

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

speeding

.

w

i

t

h

.

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

.

w

a

s

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

who

.

w

a

s

.

then

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

–

a

n

d

–

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

living

a

life

–

–

still

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

future

–

–

which

could

.

h

a

v

e

.

been

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ which

could

.

h

a

v

e

.

been

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now

.

y

o

u

.

ask . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now

.

y

o

u

.

ask . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

over

eyes

.

o

f

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

line,

–

–

after

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

e

.

same

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

e

.

same

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

ten

years

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy

.

w

i

t

h

.

starshine

.

i

n

.

his

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy

.

w

i

t

h

.

starshine

.

i

n

.

his

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

gazed

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still

.

t

h

e

.

raging

fire

.

o

f

.

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

guy

.

s

o

.

fine,

.

h

e

.

burned

.

u

p

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

smiled

.

i

n

.

my

reply . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

lied.

Reflection:  

Written in reflection of someone who used to be a star entertainer at nightclubs back when he was in his early 20s and continued down that path many years later. I pondered what that path might have done to him over the years. Hence, I began the poem with: “Did you go so far down that road,” and then just let it take its own path. The remainder of the poem is not necessarily a reflection of him but perhaps someone who went down the wrong path for many, many years . . .

I used to song “Wild Time (Rough Trade Session)” by Weyes Blood to play repeatedly in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.