Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ PLASTIC PAPER PARADISE (YOUR LIFE IS YOUR DESIGN) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Do

.

y

o

u

.

invest

.

y

o

u

r

.

time,

–

–

creating

.

a

.

l

i

f

e

.

full

.

o

f

.

rhythm

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ do

.

y

o

u

.

invest

.

y

o

u

r

.

time,

–

–

creating

.

t

h

a

t

.

kind

.

o

f

.

life ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

do

.

y

o

u

.

wile

.

away

.

a

n

d

.

waste

.

t

h

e

.

time ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ do

.

y

o

u

.

wile

.

away

.

a

n

d

.

waste

.

t

h

e

.

time ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

trying

.

t

o

.

escape

.

t

h

e

.

life

.

y

o

u

.

designed

.

a

l

l

.

the

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ trying

.

t

o

.

escape

.

t

h

e

.

life

.

y

o

u

.

designed

.

a

l

l

.

the

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

all

.

y

o

u

.

buy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

all

.

y

o

u

.

hide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

all

.

y

o

u

.

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

between

.

t

h

e

.

blind,

–

–

white

–

–

lines

.

o

f

.

momentary

–

–

magic

.

a

n

d

.

plastic,

–

–

paper

paradise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ between

.

t

h

e

.

blind,

–

–

white

–

–

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ between

.

t

h

e

.

blind,

–

–

white

–

–

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

momentary

–

–

magic

.

a

n

d

.

plastic,

–

–

paper

paradise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

wasting

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

wasting

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

wasting

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Are

.

y

o

u

.

running

away ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Are

.

y

o

u

.

running

away ?

–

–

–

.

.

Are

.

y

o

u

.

running

away ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

the

.

life

.

y

o

u

.

try

.

t

o

.

escape . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

instead

.

o

f

.

the

.

future

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

otherwise

create . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ instead

.

o

f

.

the

.

future

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

otherwise

create . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

instead

.

o

f

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame,

.

a

n

d

.

the

.

emptiness

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

instead

.

o

f

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame,

.

a

n

d

.

the

.

emptiness

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

what

.

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

been

.

better

.

a

n

d

.

brighter

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

instead

.

o

f

.

just

.

t

h

e

.

same,

.

o

l

d

.

same,

.

o

l

d

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

ask

yourself:

What

kind

.

o

f

.

life

–

–

might

    I

create ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

might

    I

change ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

might

    I

embrace ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

might

    I

appreciate ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

kind

.

o

f

.

life

–

–

might

    I

create ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

.

c

a

n

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

complain,

.

a

n

d

.

remain

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

complain,

.

a

n

d

.

remain

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

complain,

.

a

n

d

.

remain

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

you

.

c

a

n

.

choose

.

t

o

.

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

.

c

a

n

.

choose

.

t

o

.

change

.

today.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in June of 2021 to inspire people to embrace positive change and live a happier life. The following thought came to mind: “Invest your time building the life that you want instead of wasting your time trying to escape the life that you have.” So, I decided to write a poem based on that. I refined the poem using the song “Old” by Starflyer 59 playing in the background at low volume to help 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 TANGERINE SKY OF GOODBYE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Sunshine

smiles

bright

.

a

n

d

.

wide,

–

–

all

across

.

t

h

e

.

tangerine

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

across

.

t

h

e

.

tangerine

sky

.

o

f

.

goodbye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

c

a

n

.

sometimes

–

–

fill

.

m

y

.

soul

–

–

with

song

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

can

–

–

fill

.

m

y

.

soul

–

–

with

song

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme

–

–

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

mood

.

i

s

.

right,

.

a

n

d

.

time

.

i

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

t

h

e

.

mood

.

i

s

.

right,

.

a

n

d

.

time

.

i

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

I

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

years

.

g

o

n

e

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

years

.

g

o

n

e

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

years

.

g

o

n

e

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

a

time

–

–

once

kind,

.

a

n

d

.

warm,

.

a

n

d

.

divine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

became

cool,

.

a

n

d

.

dry,

.

a

n

d

.

cruel

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

became

cool,

.

a

n

d

.

dry,

.

a

n

d

.

cruel

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

any

time

–

–

I

would

.

s

e

e

.

that

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ any

time

–

–

I

would

.

s

e

e

.

that

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Sunshine

smiles

bright

.

a

n

d

.

wide

–

–

all

across

.

t

h

e

.

tangerine

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

smiles

bright

–

a

n

d

–

wide

–

–

all

across

.

t

h

e

.

tangerine

sky

.

o

f

.

goodbye.

Reflection:  

This poem pretty much wrote itself after the opening lines came to mind.

☆°▪︎ ARROGANCE ADORES YOU ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

How

many

times

–

–

will

you

–

–

believe

it’s

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise

–

–

that

you

–

–

accent

every

view

.

a

n

d

.

consume

every

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise

–

–

that

your

arrogance

–

–

adores

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ No,

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise

–

–

that

your

arrogance

–

–

adores

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

through,

.

a

n

d

.

through,

.

a

n

d

.

through,

.

a

n

d

.

through,

.

a

n

d

.

through . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

how

many

times

–

–

will

you

–

–

believe

it’s

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

many

times

–

–

will

you

–

–

believe

it’s

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

many

times

–

–

will

you

–

–

believe

it’s

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise

–

–

that

you

–

–

accent

every

view

.

a

n

d

.

consume

every

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ No,

it’s

.

n

o

.

surprise…

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

your

arrogance

–

–

adores

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ Yes,

your

arrogance

–

–

adores

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

all

the

way

.

d

o

w

n

.

to

your

shoes.

Reflection: The line “your arrogance adores you” came to mind and the rest of the poem quickly wrote itself. I’ve seen several people in my life who fit the description in this poem – I’m sure many people have.

EARN ABOVE AVERAGE GAINS EVEN AS A LOW RISK INVESTOR

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Some people have been asking why I’ve been doing so much selling in the stock market lately when there is a strong potential for more gains to come. The reason is I’m taking a lower risk approach this year so as to build on, but not jeopardize, the record gains I had last year (a 164% gain!).

Right now my overall portfolio has earned a little over 9% in only 5 months. And although this lags some of the other major market indexes right now, my goal for the entire year was primarily my end-of-2021 projection for inflation (2.5%). My stretch goal for the entire year was two times that projection (5%). So, I have exceeded both of these by a large margin in just 5 months. So, I certainly don’t want to risk those gains.

As a low risk investor, I am primarily targeting earning at least the realized headline inflation by the end of the year (the Federal Reserve targets core inflation which strips out food and energy but I don’t think that is very realistic – so, I use the headline inflation number as my end-of-year target). Thus, the realized headline inflation would have to end the year above 9% for me to miss my expected target based on the 9%+ I’ve earned to date. And I don’t see that happening.

A secondary target I like to use as a low risk investor is the end-of-year gain of the S&P 500 (SPX) divided by 5. So, if the SPX earns 30% for the year, I would expect to earn about 6%. Likewise, if the SPX loses 30% for the year, I would expect to lose about 6%. Thus, the SPX would have to end the year above 45% for me to miss my expected target based on the 9%+ I’ve earned to date. And I also don’t see that happening.

As of yesterday:

1) the realized headline inflation was 3.5%.

2) the S&P 500 has gained 10.6% this year so far. So, at this point in the year, I would expect a gain of about 2.1%.

So, I have far exceeded both my primary and secondary targets above which means looking for stocks to sell probably makes a lot of sense for me right now.

Since I have far exceeded my annual targets for this year, I am employing a new strategy which involves selling every gain – even if that involves selling partial shares of stocks I own (i.e ., just those shares which have earned gains – those which haven’t I generally continue holding). The only exceptions to this are stocks I think still have potential over the long term given the increased probability of inflation, overheating of the economy, and interest rate increases (e.g., energy, utilities, gold, shorting of bond market, etc.). The reason for this is that investors are not going to wait for the Fed to decide whether or not they want to start addressing these issues (they’ve called much of this transitory meaning they believe these effects will fade over time). Investors are likely to start aggressively positioning themselves as soon as the economic data and other indicators signal these kinds of pressures.   

Hopefully the above helps to give you some insight into how I am performing my investments this year. Most people need to take much higher risk than me so you probably wouldn’t want to use the approach I’m using. But some might.

You’ll be a very successful investor if you observe and learn from what happens and make adjustments to your investing strategies accordingly over time. So, investing strategies can change from time to time. And they should. Especially, when your risk category changes.

You can learn about all of my investing techniques via my “Invest Like a Pro in 10 Minutes a Day!” series of 4 books where you can learn the “end to end” process to investing and gain key investing insights and skills (https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books…/).

Also, you can read all about my stock market activities here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities/

I wish you much success in creating a brighter financial future for yourself, your loved ones, and those who follow.

Happy investing everyone!

#finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #success

☆°▪︎ 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.