Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ SMILE AT THE SKY (FOR ALL THE DAYS GONE BY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Let’s

just

–

–

sit

here,

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply

smile

–

a

t

–

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t
h

e

–

days

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

lived

a

life

–

t

h

a

t

–

was

–

n

o

t

–

always

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

set

aside

–

–

some

dreams

–

a

n

d

–

desires

–

–

which

would

–

n

e

v

e

r

–

take

flight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

watched

–

t

h

e

–

springtimes

–

o

f

–

vibrant

colors

–

–

dim

–

a

n

d

–

die

–

w

i

t

h

–

our

youth

–

–

over

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

–

w

a

s

–

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ there

.

w

a

s

.

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s
just

–

–

sit

here

–

f

o

r

–

a

while

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply
smile

–

a

t

–
the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

days

gone

by.

Reflection:

This is a poem that came to me while sitting on my balcony enjoying the sunshine sky and imagining I was sitting there with someone who was on my mind at the time – and just enjoying the moment. The opening line “Let’s just sit here, you and I, and simply smile at the sky” came to me in that moment and the poem pretty much wrote itself from that opening line. It’s sort of the flip side of the previous poem I had written that year (December 2019) in reflection of Josh Geyer’s passing [“Starshine (All the While)”] – and a flip from the gloomy perspective usually taken when thinking about days gone by. It essentially says we’ve had all this time in our lives, and how wonderful is that (in contrast to those who leave this earth at a youthful age).

☆°▪︎ STARSHINE (ALL THE WHILE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

were

here . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ as

gone,

–

–

as

gone

–

–

could

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ we’ll

.

b

e

.

haunted

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

always

willing

–

t

o

–

reach

across

–

–

the

dangerous

depths

–

s

o

–

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

every

blackness

–

–

could

spontaneously

ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

transform

every

chaos

–

i

n

t

o

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

warming

welcome

–

–

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

shimmer,

–

–

smile,

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

making

everything

–

i

n

–

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

seem

–

n

o

t

–

just

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine,

–

–

guiding

ahead

–

–

all

that

–

–

fell

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

giving

the

lows,

–

–

new

reasons

–

t

o

–

fly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ making

a

life

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine…

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

breaking

circles

–

i

n

t

o

–

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

creating

inclusion

–

b

y

–

design . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

welcoming

inside

–

a

l

l

–

who

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ all

who

–

–

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we

each

–

s

a

y

–

goodbye.

Reflection:

This is a poem I wrote in the loving memory of Joshua Geyer who was such a wonderfully warm, welcoming, positive, spirit of a man. Nothing I could ever write could possibly do him justice, but this was my humble attempt to do just that.

You will be greatly missed, Josh, by all and everyone you came in contact with. You were such a wonderful example of how warm the world could become with just a smile, a kindness, and a joyous spirit.

I used the music from the song “On the Square” by Mac DeMarco, at low volume, to create the “moodset” while writing this poem. So, if you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ AN ENDLESS CHAIN (OF YESTERDAYS) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Yesterday

.

w

a

s

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another

.

t

o

o

k

.

its

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day

.

o

f

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

I

.

closed

.

m

y

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

the

shade,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

turned

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

.

o

f

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

.

f

a

r

.

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

–

–

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

hope,

–

–

beauty,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

smiled

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

danced

.

a

n

d

.

played

beneath

.

i

t

s

.

warming

.

r

a

y

s

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

.

I

.

.

thought

.

i

t

.

could

–

–

remain

.

t

h

i

s

.

way

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

awake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

awake

.

t

o

.

another

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ another

day

.

o

f

.

rain.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party lives a largely dismal life that seems to stretch out for lengthy periods of time. Every once in a while, he or she will experience warmth, a light, a love, or a kindness only to return to that same dismal place. It reflects the struggle that so many people go through in life. I played the wonderful song “Tuesday Afternoon” by The Moody Blues in the background 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.

☆°▪︎ ACROSS THE BAY (THE DAYS WILL SAIL) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

w

i

n

d

.

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

to

wait,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

generate

.

o

t

h

e

r

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

ease

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

erase

.

t

h

e

.

gray,

.

.

o

r

.

.

make

a

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

create

warmth,

–

–

glimmer,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

p

o

n

.

.

.

a

future

.

tomorrow’s

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

.

fade

todays,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

fade

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

tomorrows

.

fade

todays,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

fade

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

there

.

i
s

.

a

place

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

wind

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

tell

.

m

e

.

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

new

tomorrows

create

.

brighter

places

.

f

a

r

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

place

.

o

f

.

today.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party presently experiencing a difficult time has the experience, patience, and wisdom to understand that life is comprised by a series of ups and downs – and that things will get better and the challenges of today will seem much smaller and less threatening over time. I played the wonderful song “Sailing” by Christopher Cross in the background 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.

☆°▪︎ BEYOND THE TURN (THERE WILL STILL BE LOVE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

y

o

u

.

never

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

i

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

how

beautiful

.

i

t

.

might

.

b

e

.

when

.

i

t

.

happens . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

arrive,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

might

.

j

u

s

t

.

find

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

warmly

wipe

.

t

h

e

.

joy

.

f

r

o

m

.

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

come

.

t

o

.

realize

.

there

.

i

s

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life,

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns

.

a

n

d

.

then

cries

away

.

t

h

e

.

hours . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns

.

a

n

d

.

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light,

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

lovely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

nice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

share

.

t

h

e

.

highlights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

dance

across

.

t

h

e

.

shimmering

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

sing

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

dazzling

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

shine

.

a

.

smile

.

u

p

o

n

.

each

.

o

f

.

these

wondrous

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

. . . (and more) . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

please

.

j

u

s

t

.

keep

going,

–

–

because

.

y

o

u

.

never

know

.

what

.

y

o

u

.

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

never

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

you

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

warms,

–

–

glimmers,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

glows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

hold

.

y

o

u

r

.

head

high,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

try

.

t

o

.

look

above . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turn

.

there

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

cries . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

is . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

always

.

w

i

l

l

.

be,

–

–

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 to inspire people to keep going – even when things seem so dim. Because there might come a time when things become wonderful or that you contribute to something or others in such a way that you would have been glad to have experienced them and sorry to have missed them. One of my best friends was engaged in a lifelong struggle but finally overcame after several attempts, and created a wonderful life for himself – and I couldn’t be happier. I played the wonderful song “Planets” by Emily Haines in the background 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. This poem was also inspired by the wonderful gem of a movie which really moved me: “A Single Man.”


☆°▪︎ MY GREATEST BLISS (AND ALL THE HOURS MISSED) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

She

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

.

.

o

n

.

.

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

–

–

granting

.

m

y

.

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

greatest

wish

–

–

throughout

.

m

y

.

years

.

o

f

.

innocence . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

ever

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

e

v

e

r

.

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

warmly

remember

–

–

bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

that

first

kiss,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

hours

missed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

she

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ she

.

h

a

d

,

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss.

Reflection: This was a passion/romance/adventure-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2019 where the contemplator looks back on a wild romantic night of bliss. This simple poem came to me one night while out at Will’s Pub listening to an excellent live show (Paul Simon Tribute) orchestrated by one of the best musicians in Orlando (David Vanegas). Well, a couple of intoxicated young women saw a small container of lip balm that I was dipping into and thought I was putting cocaine on my lips. You should have seen their expressions change from excitement and bliss to gloom and disappointment when they discovered it was only lip balm. I did offer them some, but they declined. I’m not sure why. It’s really fascinating how much you can learn about complete strangers in just one interaction. 🙂

☆°▪︎ NOTHINGNESS ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

boundless

.

b

u

t

.

erratic

views . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

ecstatic

.

b

u

t

.

elusive

moods

–

–

that

consume . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

nothing

–

–

I

could

do

–

–

would

move

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

past

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

through

.

t

h

e

.

present

brood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

even

into

–

–

a

brighter

future

–

–

blooming

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

I

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

I

–

–

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

finally

knew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

knew

.

t

h

e

.

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November 2019 about a romantic encounter that consumed – even long after it had passed.

I played the song “Good Love” by Zola Blood 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.

☆°▪︎ LOST IN THE LACK (AND NO TURNING BACK) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

First

with

.

t

h

e

.

thirst,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

last

with

.

t

h

e

.

crash . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

e

.

.

.

were

lost

.

i

n

.

the

lack,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

no

turning

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

.

w

e

r

e

.

lost

.

i

n

.

the

lack,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

no

turning

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

high

.

o

n

.

the

blast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

afraid

.

i

t

.

would

.

n

o

t

.

last . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

day,

.

after

night,

.

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we

raced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

raced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

raced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

raced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

along

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

tracks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

hot,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

hard,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

fast,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

far . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

clickety

clack,

–

–

clickety

clack,

–

–

all

along

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

tracks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

clickety

clack,

–

–

clickety

clack,

–

–

further,

.

deeper

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

black . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

sins,

–

–

vices,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

excesses

.

we’ve

had,

.

.

I

.

.

w

a

s

.

thinking

.

w

e

.

might

.

t

u

r

n

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

a

s

.

hoping

.

w

e

.

might

.

t

u

r

n

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

instead

.

o

f

.

waking

again,

.

.

n

o

t

.

.

knowing

where

.

we’re

at,

–

–

lost,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

alone,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sinking

.

i

n

.

the

lack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ sinking

.

i

n

.

the

lack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

.

.

.

through

.

t

h

e

.

cracks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

sinking

.

i

n

.

the

lack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

.

.

.

through

.

t

h

e

.

cracks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ sinking

.

i

n

.

the

lack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

not

turning

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

turning

back

.

t

o

.

all

.

a

n

d

.

that

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

smiled

.

i

n

.

the

past . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

turning

back

.

t

o

.

all

.

a

n

d

.

that,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

warmth

.

o

n

c

e

.

had . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Not

turning

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Not

turning

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

those

youthful

.

d

a

y

s

.

begin

.

t

o

.

age

.

a

n

d

.

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

age

.

a

n

d

.

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

age

.

a

n

d

.

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

age

.

a

n

d

.

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

nothing

feels

.

s

o

.

bad . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

so

empty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

so

sad . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

that,

–

–

when

.

a

l

l

.

which

blossomed

.

dies

.

i

n

.

the

past . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ looking

back

.

t

o

.

all

.

o

n

c

e

.

had . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

nothing

feels

.

s

o

.

bad

.

t

h

a

n

.

looking

back

.

t

o

.

all

.

o

n

c

e

.

had . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ looking

back

.

t

o

.

all

.

o

n

c

e

.

had

.

i

n

.

that

dimming,

.

dying

past,

–

–

when

.

w

e

.

came

.

o

n

.

too

hot . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

hard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

far . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

too

fast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ riding

high

.

o

n

.

that

blast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ riding

high

.

o

n

.

that

blast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

First

with

.

t

h

e

.

thirst,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

last

with

.

t

h

e

.

crash . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

First

with

.

t

h

e

.

thirst,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

last

with

.

t

h

e

.

crash . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

First

with

.

t

h

e

.

thirst,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

last

with

.

t

h

e

.

crash . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

last

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

crash,

–

–

aged

faces

aghast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ aged

faces

aghast

.

against

.

t

h

e

.

glass . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

alas . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

alas . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

every

passing

warm,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

glossy

flash

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

flat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turns

bland

.

a

n

d

.

black . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

turns

bland

.

a

n

d

.

black . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

blast

.

standing

.

a

t

.

half-mast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

. 

a

t

–

–

–

last . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

clickety

clack,

–

–

clickety

clack,

–

–

there’s

.

n

o

.

turning

back.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but moving personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in September of 2019 as a warning to be cautious when engaging in vices and excesses which might end up consuming a life. So many people start out experimenting, being adventurous, and having “fun,” only to find themselves immersed and trapped in a darkness they can never escape. I played the wonderful acoustic version of the song “Cowgirl in the Sand” by Neil Young (from the “Four Way Street” album) in the background 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.

This poem was initially born from a favorite lyric: “after all the sin we’ve had, I was hoping that we’d turn bad” from the Neil Young song: “Cowgirl in the Sand” – which I changed to “with all the sins, vices, and excesses we’ve had, I was thinking we might turn back.” The rest of the poem pretty much wrote itself from that starting point.

HAPPINESS TIP: DON’T GET SO HUNG UP ON PURPOSE… THIS IS WHAT TRULY MATTERS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which might be helpful for some of you out there: Don’t get so hung up on having a purpose. There is something which matters so much more than that.

Frequently, as a life coach, when I give a talk to a group or meet someone for the very first time I will ask: “What is the most important life question?” Almost every time I ask this, someone responds with: “What is my purpose?” I then typically initiate what usually amounts to a lively discussion. I’ll ask questions like: “What does it mean to have a purpose and, more importantly, what does that mean for you?” and “Your purpose – according to what or who?” and “How would you go about finding your purpose?” and “How will you know when you’ve found your purpose?” and “Is your purpose static and limited to one thing – it being that ‘purpose’ is a singular word?” and so on.

The reason I like to initiate these kinds of discussions is because people frequently use common words and expressions – such as “purpose” or “passion” – without knowing what they truly mean for them. And if they don’t have a clear and specific meaning or how it might apply for themselves, as individuals, how do words and expressions like these help? Well, they don’t.

Many people I have coached in the past, experience a sense of anxiety, frustration, or gloom when other people seem to have some sense of purpose but they do not know, themselves, what their specific purpose is. But I always tell them to just let it go. That just because some people seem to live with a sense of purpose, not everybody does. And that’s okay.

Now, if you are one of those people who feel there is no way under heaven you will ever be happy until you have a specifically defined purpose, well, I’ve got good news for you. By the end of this post you will know exactly what your purpose is. How do I know this? Because I’m going to give it to you. Happy? Good. Keep reading.

There are some people out there who feel they know what their life purpose is and actively live it. And while I encourage and applaud them on the one hand, on the other I can’t help but wonder if their lives might have more zest, fulfillment, pizzazz, meaning, and completeness if they did not limit themselves to that one, singular purpose in life. That is, does it really make sense for an entire life to focus on one thing and might there be something more? You better believe there might. So, I encourage even those who believe they have found their purpose to both actively engage in new experiences and perform exploration all along the way. Because you never know what other interests and passions you might discover in life – some of which might be more rewarding than, well, the original purpose you thought was truly yours and elected to actively pursue.

I had an excellent conversation with a young man a few months ago who had planned to leave his job and go live in a foreign country for a lengthy period of time. He spent years saving money and over a year planning for this event and performing the coordination needed to make it happen. But as the date of his departure approached, he began to feel uneasy. So, we had a lengthy discussion about that and, in summary, what his uneasiness came down to was that he did not feel he had a purpose for the journey. So, I gave him one. I told him his purpose was exploration. He was moving to a foreign country to not only explore the culture and new experiences but also to explore himself. And he was opening himself up to new possibilities. New possibilities which could drive and direct his future and blossom into something so spectacular that it creates a lifetime full of warmth, passion, joy, excitement, and exhilaration. And what a wonderful life that would be! Needless to say, after our discussion, he felt much better about things and started getting excited about the adventure to come.

So, don’t get so hung up on having a purpose. Not everybody has one and not everybody finds “it” after years and years of searching. What truly matters is that you live a happy life, engage in new experiences, and perform some exploration all along the way. If you do, you might discover interests and passions you never knew you had. So, explore, experience, and keep exploring and experiencing, Because, as far as I’m concerned, exploration and experience are key ways to “spice up” your life.

So, now that you have read this, if you still feel you absolutely must have a purpose, well, just like the young man above, I will give you one: Your purpose is to live a happy life – including all and everything that means for you. Period.

For me that means living a colorful, exciting, multi-dimensional life by creating a dynamic, ever-changing life experience so full of warmth, joy, variety, color, wonder, sunshine, excitement, and exhilaration that much later in life I will reflect, smile, and marvel at all my life had contained and become. And I think that would be a wonderful place for everyone to get to.

Another part of the above, for me, involves inspiring others to live happy, rich, and rewarding lives. I hope I have and that some of you will be inspired to make some of the same choices I have because I would like nothing more than for you, all, and everyone to have this fantastic, spectacular experience.

So, yeah. Okay. Don’t talk to me about singular words such as purpose. Your life can be so much more than that. And it needs to be.

Simply live, explore, experience, and be happy. Because happiness matters. Not only does it benefit you but it benefits everyone and everything that surrounds you and all you come in contact with. Happier people create brighter surroundings, warmer and deeper connections with others, and more positive experiences. So, happiness is all that truly matters. And here is a four step process on how you can live increasingly happier that works each and every time.

Now that I have discussed the topic of “purpose” in detail, I imagine you have come to the realization that “purpose” is not the answer to my opening question: “What is the most important life question?” You are correct. “What is?” you might ask. Well, that is the topic of a different post. You can search for it here.

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

HAPPINESS TIP: EXPEND TIME AND ENERGY ON THAT WHICH OFFERS VALUE TO YOU AND LITTLE TO NONE ON THAT WHICH DOES NOT

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which might be helpful to some of you out there: Be very mindful of how you use your time and energy. Expend most of your time and energy on that which truly offers value to you and little to none on anything which does not. This goes for the activities you engage in, the work you perform, the people in your life, and the information and media content you expose yourself to.

For example, one of the time and energy depleters in life I commonly come across – when helping others as a life coach – involves people. If there are people who do not value you or add value to your life, then do not waste another precious moment until they do (if ever). It’s just wasted energy. Nothing you do will do anything for them until they learn to value and appreciate you or add value in some fashion.

So, clear the clutter and focus on that and those which add value to your life. You will be much happier and live a rich and rewarding life if you do because you will have the time and energy to expend on that and those which truly matter instead of being consumed by that and those which don’t. So, clear that clutter. And clear it often.

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/

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