Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ THE SILENCE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Tell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

do

.

n

o

t

.

know,

–

– 

how

.

t

o

.

tell

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

– 

I

.

a

m

.

too 

ashamed

–

–

inside

.

t

h

e

.

shell,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

a

little

.

t

o

o

.

shy

.

a

s

.

well,

.

.

t

o

.

.

break

.

t

h

e

.

silent

spell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

it’s

easier

.

t

o

.

smile,

.

a

n

d

.

wave,

.

a

n

d

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

smile,

.

a

n

d

.

wave,

.

a

n

d

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

dream

–

–

breathing

next

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

–

–

–

turning

away

.

a

n

d

.

fading

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

turned

away

.

a

n

d

.

faded

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

nothing 

.

b

u

t

.

silence,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

feelings

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

that

.

y

o

u

. 

have

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

they

taunt,

.

a

n

d

.

tease,

.

a

n

d

.

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

a

n

d

.

tease,

.

a

n

d

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

a

n

d

.

tease,

.

a

n

d

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

a

n

d

.

tease,

.

a

n

d

.

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

n

–

–

–

anything

.

e

v

e

r

.

before.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018 where the affected party experiences a heart-wrenching turn of events which, at that point in time, seem too insurmountable for him or her to change. This poem was primarily inspired by the wonderful, moving movie: “Call Me By My Name.”

☆°▪︎ A NEW EARTH (IN REVERSE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

heard

.

t

h

e

.

words

–

–

about

.

t

h

e

.

turn,

.

e

c

h

o

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

universe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

.

n

e

w

.

earth

.

.

n

o

w

.

.

looks

like

.

t

h

e

.

old,

.

.

a

s

.

.

better

.

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

.

to 

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ as

better

.

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

.

to 

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward

.

i

n

. 

reverse.

Reflection: This was a forgotten reflection-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018. It was primarily inspired by U2’s Bono Rolling Stone interview (January 11-25, 2018 issue of Rolling Stone) where Bono said “the new normal is the old normal” (in terms of the world moving backwards to protectionism, and no longer advancing: Trump, Brexit, the rise of protectionist contenders, political agendas, and such). After reflecting on this interview, I then wrote: “the new world looks like the old world” and this simple poem wrote itself from that.

☆°▪︎ NOT THE ONE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time,

–

–

when

.

I

.

thought,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

might

.

b

e

.

the

one

.

i

n

.

my

life . . .
–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

later

.

o

n

.

I

came

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

were

.

n

o

t

.

the

one . . .
–
–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

.

t

h

e

.

one,

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

one

.

w

h

o

.

got

away.

Reflection: This was a fun but simple romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018 where the contemplator looks back on a past romance which probably could have turned out to be the best relationship he or she has ever had.

☆°▪︎ CRYPTOCURRENCY ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Cryptocurrency . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Cryptocurrency . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Building

easy

–

–

money

schemes,

.

a

n

d

.

sweet

–

–

money

dreams

.

.

t

o

.

.

that,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ well,

.

i

t

.

seems

.

l

i

k

e

.

a

bubble

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

seems

.

l

i

k

e

.

a

bubble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

comes

crashing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

comes

thrashing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

h

o

w

–

–

–

many

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

singing

.

a

n

d

.

dancing

.

i

n

.

the

streets?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ singing

.

a

n

d

.

dancing

.

i

n

.

the

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

living

a

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

eating

crypto

currency

feed,

–

–

beneath

crypto

currency

sheets.

Reflection: This was a fun, but simple reflective-themed poem written during the earlier days of the cryptocurrency craze – crypto crashed shortly after I wrote this but recovered almost three years later. Perhaps I should have modified this poem during the meme stock phase and published it then as well. The rhythm of this poem was inspired by John Lennon’s rhythmic verse in “I am the Walrus.” It started out as: “Cryptocurrency, easy money schemes, well it seems like a bubble to me.”

I actually started buying into cryptocurrency once the recovery began via Coinbase (COIN) – because that was the first time I started having some confidence in the fundamental value of a cryptocurrency-oriented company.


☆°▪︎ TWENTY-NINE: A SMILE OF WINE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile

.

o

f

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

desire

–

–

spied

upon

.

m

y

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

danced

.

a

l

l

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

hard

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

wild

.

a

n

d

.

winding,

–

–

whirling

ride,

–

–

just

where

.

t

h

e

.

night

–

–

might

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

i

n

–

–

–

those

precious,

–

–

priceless

moments

.

i

n

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

I

.

dreamed,

.

a

n

d

.

designed,

.

a

n

d

.

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.
 ~ when

.

I

dreamed,

.

a

n

d

.

designed,

.

a

n

d

.

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

thinking

–

–

somewhere,

–

–

someday,

–

–

somehow,

.

o

r

.

sometime,
.

.

I

.

.

might

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

make

.

y

o

u

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

might

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

make

.

y

o

u

.

mine,

.

.

f

o

t

.

.

longer

than . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for
longer,

.

.

s

o

.

.

much

longer

.

t

h

a

n

.

those

–

–

twenty-nine

maddening

–

–

moments

.

i

n

.

time.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the romancer looks back on a brief romantic encounter, and wonders what more could have been said or done to create a more lasting romance.

☆°▪︎ MAD MARTINI MOON ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here

comes

again

.

t

h

a

t

.

mad

martini

moon,
.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s” . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

.

a

r

e

.

nothing

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

old

.

h

i

t

.

tune,

.

.

still

trying

.

t

o

.

sound

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

still

trying

.

t

o

.

relive

.

t

h

e

.

dance

.

o

f

.

its

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

stale

–

–

scent

.

o

f

.

booze

–

–

after

.

a

.

confused,

–

–

alcoholic

afternoon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

boring,

–

–

cyclical,

–

–

patterned

story:

–

–

–

.

.

.

morning,

–

–

before

noon,

–

–

before

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

moon,

–

–

before

morning,

–

–

before

noon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

know,

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

move

.

t

h

e

.

most

desperate

.

o

f

.

fools . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

there

.

a

r

e

.

times

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

y

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

a

r

e

.

times

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

y

.

still

do.

Reflection: This was a fun romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the romancer looks back on a brief romantic encounter, and wonders what more could have been said or done to create a more lasting romance.

☆°▪︎ THE BREW OF YOUTH ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

.

.

s

o

.

.

many

.

f

r

o

m

.

which

.

t

o

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

.

.

s

o

.

.

consumed

.

b

y

.

the

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

with

pursuit,

–

–

pursuing

pursuit,

–

–

pursuing

pursuit . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

.

s

o

.

many

–

–

become

.

s

o

.

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

s

o

.

many

–

–

become

.

s

o

.

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

not

.

s

o

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

now

there

.

i

s

.

nothing

left

.

t

o

.

do,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

seek

.

t

h

e

.

sweet

.

o

f

.

something

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

seek

a

move

.

t

o

.

another

moon,

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ seek

a

move

.

t

o

.

another

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

a

blooming

shade

.

o

f

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

–

–

engages

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

I

believe

.

.

I

should

leave

.

h

e

r

e

.

soon,

.

.

I

do

.

n

o

t

.

mind

.

t

h

e

.

brew.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the affected party is in a constant state of pursuit and is continually disappointed by the results – leading to a continual negative cycle of pursuit. This poem was inspired by lines that appeared on the screen of the silent movie “Intolerance.” The woman saw her aging reflection in a mirror and the following lines appeared: “Seeing youth drawn to youth, Miss Jenkins realizes the bitter fact that she is no longer a part of the younger world.” I thought that was a great line and warranted the writing of a poem based on that.

HAPPINESS TIP: SLOW DOWN AND MARVEL AT THAT WHICH SURROUNDS YOU

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: SLOW DOWN AND MARVEL AT THAT WHICH SURROUNDS YOU

Many people spend so much of their time focused on getting there that they fail to appreciate the moment and their surroundings. Don’t do this to yourself. Mindfully slow things down a bit, every once in a while, and marvel at the world which surrounds you. You can do this while walking, driving, riding, or even sitting.

What I like to do is imagine my surroundings have been painted through the sentimental eyes of appreciation of an artist. How many paintings have you seen which were so cozy, so warming, so inspirational, and so inviting that you just wanted to be there? Well, imagine your surroundings were painted by such an artist and slow down a bit and smile and bask in the joy of it.

Anytime you do this, you will be able to transform even otherwise dull surroundings into something precious, wondrous, magnificent, and deeply moving; filling yourself with the warmth, joy, wonder, inspiration, and exhilaration of complete appreciation. And what might have been even boring, ordinary days will become extraordinary and you will feel happy, lively, and cheerful for much of the time. So, do this for yourself if you can.

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

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

☆°▪︎ CANDY APPLE RED ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

is

.
s

o

.

much

more

.

I

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

many

–

–

more

dreams

.

I

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

seen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

way

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

racing

around . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ racing

around

.

i

n

.

candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

instead . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

felt

.

s

o

.

wild

.

a

n

d

.

free,

–

–

moving

.

a

t

.

such

speed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

tomorrow

arrived

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

THEN

next

week

–

–

arrived

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

THEN

next

month,

.

a

n

d

.

THEN

next

year

–

–

arrived

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!MORE SPEED!

tires

screeching . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!MORE SPEED!!

engine

screaming . . .

–

–

–

!!!MORE SPEED!!!

freeways

streaming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!

!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!

!!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!!

!!!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!!!

.

.

.

==>>>Here

!TOMORROW!

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

there ==>>>

!TODAY!

–

–

–

.

.

.

==>>>Here

!TOMORROW!

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

spinning,

.

a

n

d

.

spinning,

.

a

n

d

.

spinning,

.

a

n

d

.

spinning

.

i

n

.

!YESTERDAY!

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

arrived

==>>>here

.

i

n

.

a

SCREAMING

BLURRR,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

knew

.

n

o

t

.

who

.

o

r

.

where

I

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

arrived

==>>>here

.

w

i

t

h

.

little

fuel

.

t

o

.

burn,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

much

more

.

t

o

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

!OH!

.

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

!THRILLING!

–

–

!!EXHILARATING!!

–

–

!!!TWISTING!!!

–

–

!!!!TURNS!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

INSIDE

OUT

.

a

n

d

.

OUTSIDE

!IN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

UPSIDE

DOWN

.

a

n

d

.

UP

!AGAIN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

a

t

.

time,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

the

twilights

–

–

dimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

a

t

.

time,

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

I

only

–

–

dreaming?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

days

.

o

f

.

before,

.

a

r

e

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

nothing

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

more

.

t

h

a

n

.

echoes

.

a

n

d

.
blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

echoes

.

a

n

d

.

blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

echoes
.

a

n

d

.

blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

every,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

could

not

.

b

e

.

sure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

taunting

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

teasing

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

haunting

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

with

all

.

o

f

.

those

WASTED

years,

.

.

o

f

.

.

WILD,

.

a

n

d

.

RECKLESS,

.

a

n

d

.

SENSELESS

SPINNING . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

still

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

still

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

still

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

love

.

t

o

.

go

reeling,

.

a

n

d

.

freewheeling,

.

a

n

d

.

gear

shifting

–

–

behind

.

t

h

a

t

.

revving,

–

–

racing,

–

–

windshield

again.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2017 where the affected party is addicted to the thrills of exhilarating pursuit – not realizing the speed that life can pass, and how little value, connection, or satisfaction is gained as the memories blur.

☆°▪︎ WHEN YOUR HEROES BECOME YOU ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

may

.

a

t

.

times

–

–

seem

.

s

o

.

bare,

.

.

i

n

.

.

places

where

–

–

tomorrowlands

reign,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

rejoice

–

–

instead

.

o

f

.

despair,

–

–

should

.

y

o

u

.

find

little

–

–

inspiration

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

might
.

h

a

v

e

.

grown

.

t

o

.

the

point,

.

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

.

the

heroes

.

o

f

.

your

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

 ~ where

.

.
the

heroes

.

o

f

.

your

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

h

a

v

e

–

–

–

since

become

you.

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2017 in reflection of the later years of life when heroes seem much harder to find – and came to realize personal growth is probably a key contributor to why this happens.