I hope you had

a wonderful time . . .

–

–

I hope you had

the time of your life . . .

–

–

I hope you had

a wonderful time . . .

–

–

I hope you had

the time of your life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

forget

.

t

h

e

.

night,

.

.

y

o

u

r

.

.

warmth

.

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

forget

.

t

h

e

.

night,

.

.

o

f

.

.

rhyme,

–

–

romance,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

left

.

i

t

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

left

.

i

t

.

all

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

while

.

t

h

e

.

diamonds

.

glimmered

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

while

.

t

h

e

.

paradise

.

warmly

.

shined . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

know

.

i

t

.

might

.

come

.

a

s

.

some

.

surprise,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

I

.

took

.

each

.

o

f

.

these

.

moments,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

made

.

love

.

f

o

r

.

hours

.

a

t

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

without

.

leaving

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ without

.

leaving

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now

.

t

h

e

.

gentle

.

footsteps

.

o

f

.

youth,

–

–

eternally

.

dance:

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

daydream

.

still,

.

.

e

v

e

r

.

.

so

.

sweetly

.

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

p

e

.

whenever

.

y

o

u

.

look

.

behind,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

find

.

a

.

part

.

o

f

.

me

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

still

.

makes

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ some

part

.

o

f

.

me

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

bring

.

tears

.

t

o

.

your

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

.

am

.

n

o

t

.

the

.

ordinary

.

guy,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

one

.

who

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

leave,

–

–

warmly

.

content

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

.

pocket

.

full

.

o

f

.

alibis,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

reasons

.

why,

.

.

t

h

a

n

.

stay

.

behind

.

l

o

n

g

.

enough

.

t

o

.

watch

.

t

h

e

.

starlight

.

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ than

stay

.

behind

.

t

o

.

watch

.

t

h

e

.

starlight

.

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

while

.

t

h

e

.

want

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ while

.

t

h

e

.

want

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burns,

–

–

within

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I hope you had

a wonderful time . . .

–

–

I hope you had

the time of your life . . .

–

–

I hope you had

a wonderful time . . .

–

–

I hope you had

the time of your life.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2002 in reflection of a brief, but powerful romantic experiences I had back when I was very young and awkward. People so greatly and easily moved and inspired me back then.

I

.

kneeled

.

t

o

.

you,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

your

.

delusions

.

o

f

.

sex,

–

–

paranoia,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

confusion . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

e

t

–

–

–

still,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

infect

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

infect

.

m

e

.

with

.

y

o

u

r

.

tease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

infect

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

infect

.

m

e

.

with

.

y

o

u

r

.

greed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

infect

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

bleed

.

m

y

.

self-esteem,

–

–

until

.

nothing

.

b

u

t

.

you

.

remains

.

o

f

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

cannot

.

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

cannot

.

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

cannot

.

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

cannot

.

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

cannot

.

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

cannot

.

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

.

always

–

–

promise

.

more,

.

.

t

h

a

n

.

.

you

.

d

i

d

.

the

.

time

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

always

–

–

promise

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

always

–

–

promise

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

always

–

–

promise

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

days

.

later,

–

–

nothing

.

new

.

i

s

.

delivered . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

.

m

e

.

crushed

.

a

n

d

.

crumpled

.

o

n

.

the

.

floor . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

leave

.

m

e

.

crushed

.

a

n

d

.

crumpled

.

o

n

.

the

.

floor . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Crystal,

.

please

.

d

o

.

not

.

let

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

g

o

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

every

.

time

.

y

o

u

.

come

.

around,

.

.

m

y

.

.

good

.

intentions

.

s

p

i

n

.

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round,

.

.

and

.

.

f

a

l

l

.

.

up

.

a

n

d

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

s

p

i

n

.

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round,

.

.

and

.

.

f

a

l

l

.

.

up

.

a

n

d

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

you

.

hold

.

m

e

.

hostage,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

race

.

m

y

.

time

.

b

y

.

leaps

.

a

n

d

.

bounds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Hour,

–

–

after

hour,

–

–

after

hour . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

underground . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Hour,

–

–

after

hour,

–

–

after

hour . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spellbound . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

never

.

s

e

e

.

them,

.

.

I

.

.

always

.

hear

.

t

h

e

.

sound . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

always

.

hear

.

t

h

e

.

sound . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

always

.

hear

.

t

h

e

.

sound . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

always

.

hear

.

t

h

e

.

sound . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

maneuvers

.

o

n

.

the

.

ground . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ maneuvers

.

o

n

.

the

.

ground . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

ever

.

seeking

.

t

o

.

surround.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2002 where the affected party becomes consumed by an addiction he or she just cannot resist or overcome – and wakes repeatedly to chaos, darkness, confusion, and clutter. It becomes a lifelong struggle – and it seems the affected party will never be able to escape the forces of temptation, addiction, and compulsion. The struggle can represent any form of temptation, addiction, or compulsion: drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, obsessions, etc.

Here,

.

.

I

.

.

remove

.

t

h

e

.

clothes

.

o

f

.

false

.

impressions . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

moral

.

perceptions . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

strip

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

strip

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

strip

.

down . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

the

.

o

n

e

.

that

.

i

s

.

truly

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ entertaining

my

.

o

w

n

.

beliefs,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

roaming

.

fantasies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

without

.

having

.

t

o

.

worry

.

about

.

w

h

a

t

.

others

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

think . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

how

.

others

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

feel . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

others

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

think

.

o

r

.

feel . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Would

.

you

.

b

e

.

surprised

.

t

o

.

find,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

although

.

y

o

u

.

sleep

.

next

.

t

o

.

me

.

a

t

.

night,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

door

.

w

a

s

.

hidden

.

a

l

l

.

the

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

door

.

w

a

s

.

hidden

.

a

l

l

.

the

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

door

.

t

o

.

the

.

life

.

I

.

try

.

t

o

.

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

life

.

I

.

try

.

t

o

.

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

I

.

entertain,

–

–

multiple

.

guests

.

a

t

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

o

–

–

–

seduce

.

me

.

w

i

t

h

.

silent

.

smiles,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

they

.

look
.

i

n

t

o

.

my

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ who

maneuver

.

t

o

.

seek

.

a

n

d

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

seek

.

a

n

d

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

seek

.

a

n

d

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

m

y

–

–

–

most

.

prized

.

a

n

d

.

private

.

passions,

–

–

burning

.

inside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

b

u

r

n

.

inside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

b

u

r

n

.

inside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

b

u

r

n

.

inside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they

.

always

.

know

.

w

h

e

n

.

it’s

.

time

.

t

o

,

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they

.

always

.

know

.

w

h

e

n

.

it’s

.

time

.

t

o

.

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they

.

a

r

e

.

always

.

willing

.

t

o

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

spend

.

t

h

e

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

hours

.

o

f

.

the

.

day

.

o

r

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

hours

.

o

f

.

the

.

day

.

o

r

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

might

.

b

e

.

surprised

.

t

o

.

find,

–

–

faces

.

y

o

u

.

recognize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you’ll

.

never

.

know

.

f

o

r

.

sure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you’ll

never

.

know

.

f

o

r

.

sure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

they

.

d

o

.

not

.

s

a

y

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they

.

d

o

.

not

.

linger

.

a

t

.

the

.

door . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

do

.

n

o

t

.

linger

.

a

t

.

the
.

door . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Closer . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

want

.

t

o

.

get

.

closer . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

how

.

will

.

y

o

u

.

ever

.

compete

.

w

i

t

h

.

those

.

t

h

a

t

.

live

.

i

n

.

fantasy ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

will

.

y

o

u

.

ever

.

compete

.

w

i

t

h

.

those

.

w

h

o

.

whisper

.

softly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

sweetly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

serenely ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

will

.

y

o

u

.

compete ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

will

.

y

o

u

.

compete ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

will

.

y

o

u

.

compete ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

those

.

w

h

o

.

relentlessly

.

tease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ with

those

.

w

h

o

.

relentlessly

.

tease

.

m

y

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

.

need,

–

–

from

.

.

d

e

e

p

.

.

inside

.

o

f

.

me.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2002 in reflection of the haunting tease of romantic fantasies that tug, and pull, and maneuver, and compete for attention to the point they can derail any real, present-day romances being pursued or engaged in at the time. I’ve had a few experiences like this in my life – especially in my younger days – as I’m sure many others have.

You

.

cause

.

y

o

u

r

.

own

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

create

.

y

o

u

r

.

own

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

t

i

l

l

–

–

–

you

.

drag

.

m

e

.

in . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

.

drag

.

m

e

.

in,

–

–

just

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everyone

.

y

o

u

.

know:

!must pay!

–

–

–

!!must pay!!

–

–

–

!!!must pay!!!

–

–

–

!!!!must pay!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

.

.

repeating

.

mistake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

others

.

t

o

.

worry

.

w

i

t

h

.

wait,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

the

.

next

.

cycle . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

repeating

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ of

repeating

.

reasons

.

why,

.

.

t

h

e

y

.

.

must

.

t

a

k

e

.

center

.

stage,

–

–

within

.

t

h

e

.

same,

–

–

recurring,

–

–

doomsday

–

–

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ within

.

t

h

e

.

same,

–

–

recurring,

–

–

doomsday

–

–

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2002 where the affected party is the friend or family member of someone who flirts with temptation and repeatedly gets drawn into the depths of the darkness and chaos it brings – being addicted to the “ride” into what is likely to be a lifelong, all-consuming struggle against the forces of temptation, addiction, compulsion, and distraction in whatever flavors they might be (drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, obsessions, etc). This is one of the few poems I have ever written on this subject focused on the helpers themselves – helpers that can be deeply affected by the turmoil, chaos, and setbacks created by the people they love who repeatedly suffer from temptations, addictions, compulsions, and distractions in life.

Reflection: This was a reflection-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2002 inspired by Britain’s struggle against Germany in the early part of World War II and photographs during that time. I just can’t imagine how devastating it must be to watch your city burn. Several more recent conflicts could also apply.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Modern-Day-Reflection-London-1940.pdf

The

.

loving . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

trusting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

playful . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

little

.

puppy,

–

–

skips,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dances,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

plays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

.

magic

.

a

n

d

.

joy,

.

.

o

f

.

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

.

day,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

passes

.

h

e

r

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

She

.

skips,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dances,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

plays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

She

.

skips,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dances,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

plays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

She

.

skips,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dances,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

plays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

s

o

m

e

.

lunatic

.

crazed,

–

–

ties

.

h

e

r

.

awkward

.

footsteps

.

.

d

o

w

n

.

.

in

.

their

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

ignores

.

h

e

r

.

helpless

–

–

yelps,

–

–

pleas,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

cries . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ he

ignores

.

h

e

r

.

helpless

–

–

yelps,

–

–

pleas,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

cries . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

sends

.

h

e

r

.

spinning

–

–

’round,

.

a

n

d

.

’round,

.

a

n

d

.

’round,

.

a

n

d

.

’round,

.

a

n

d

.

’round . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

churning

.

blades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

churning

.

blades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

the

!slaughterhouse!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

u

s

.

march

.

o

u

r

.

little

.

boys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let

.

u

s

.

march

.

o

u

r

.

little

.

boys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

the

.

front . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ haven’t

.

y

o

u

.

heard ?

!There’s a war going on!

–

–

–

.

.

.

March them . . . March

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

smoking,

.

choking

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

March them . . . March

.

until

.

t

h

e

.

end

.

o

f

.

their

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

.

send

.

o

u

r

.

armies,

.

.

o

f

.

.

tender,

.

youthful

.

flesh

.

a

n

d

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

against

.

t

h

e

.

hungry,

.

churning

.

blades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ against

.

t

h

e

.

hungry,

.

churning

.

blades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

!barbed wire!

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

!!exploding blasts!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

!!!machine gun fire!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

a

.

small

.

sacrifice,

.

.

s

o

.

.

the

.

rest

.

c

a

n

.

wine,

.

.

dine,

.

a

n

d

.

opine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

the

.

rest

.

c

a

n

.

wine,

.

.

dine,

.

a

n

d

.

opine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

a

.

small

.

sacrifice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

a

.

small

.

sacrifice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

.

a

.

f

e

w

.

youthful . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

tender . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

.

love

.

a

n

d

.

embrace

.

o

u

r

.

trusting,

.

playful

.

puppies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

send

.

them

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

.

!slaughterhouse!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

.

love

.

a

n

d

.

embrace

.

o

u

r

.

trusting,

.

playful

.

puppies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

send

.

them

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

.

!slaughterhouse!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

.

love

.

a

n

d

.

embrace

.

o

u

r

.

trusting,

.

playful

.

puppies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

send

.

them

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

.

!slaughterhouse!

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!to the slaughterhouse!!

–

–

–

!!!to the slaughterhouse!!!

–

–

–

!!!!to the slaughterhouse!!!!

–

–

–

!!!!!to the slaughterhouse!!!!!

Reflection: This is a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in April 2002 in reflection of the children and young people I knew and the potential dismal future they might have – not by their choice but as a consequence of the state of the world affairs at the time. This poem seems even more relevant today. So many of our youths have been sent off to war with little meaning or purpose. I hope that in the future we will only engage in wars that we all collectively believe in and that we then all join hands and march off to war together (i.e., not just send our youths to do our fighting for us).

If

.

I

.

could

.

fuel

.

t

h

e

.

want

.

a

n

d

.

desire

.

behind

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes,

–

–

would

.

y

o

u

.

forever

.

warm

.

m

y

.

life,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

the

.

sunrise

.

o

f

.

your

.

smile ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ would

.

y

o

u

.

remain

.

right

.

h

e

r

e

.

with

.

m

e

.

tonight ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ would

.

y

o

u

.

remain

.

right

.

h

e

r

e

.

with

.

m

e

.

tonight ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

.

i

f

.

only

.

a

.

single

.

memory

.

resides,

–

–

somewhere

.

within

.

m

y

.

mind,

–

–

that

.

alone

.

might

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

alone

.

might

.

b

e

.

the

.

best

.

.

I

.

.

could

.

e

v

e

r

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

might

.

b

e

.

the

.

best

.

.

I

.

.

could

.

e

v

e

r

.

find,

.

.

i

n

.

.

my

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Every

.

night

.

m

y

.

anticipation

.

r

u

n

s

.

wild . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Every

.

night

.

m

y

.

anticipation

.

r

u

n

s

.

wild . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Every

.

night

.

m

y

.

anticipation

.

r

u

n

s

.

wild . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

with

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

rising

.

dawn,

.

.

m

y

.

hope

.

filled

.

tides,

–

–

divide

.

a

n

d

.

multiply . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

divide

.

a

n

d

.

multiply . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

every

.

time

.

I

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ every

time

.

I

.

dream

.

about

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Misty

.

watercolor

.

words,

–

–

fill

.

w

i

t

h

.

desire,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

always

.

arrive

.

w

i

t

h

.

sentimental

.

tears

.

i

n

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

always

.

arrive

.

w

i

t

h

.

sentimental

.

tears

.

i

n

.

my

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

I

.

forever

.

reside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

I

.

forever

.

reside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

I

.

forever

.

reside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

this

.

place,

.

.

o

n

.

.

the

.

edge

.

o

f

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

reaching

.

f

o

r

.

the

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

reaching

.

f

o

r

.

the

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

reaching

.

f

o

r

.

the

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

someday

.

y

o

u

.

may

.

decide

.

t

o

.

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ someday

.

y

o

u

.

may

.

decide

.

t

o

.

engage.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2002 in reflection of a powerful romantic attraction I had towards someone back then. I felt like I would have done almost anything to make things happen between us – but the more I tried the more distant things became. Such is the way things go I suppose. I’ve had multiple experiences like this in my life as I’m sure many others have. I’m at least happy I tried. I wrote most of this poem by listening to the wonderful song “Almost Hear You Sigh” by The Rolling Stones which I played in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem and inspire the writing of the poem. So, if you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

Surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

I

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain,

.

.

o

f

.

.

every

.

vibrant

.

d

a

y

.

that

.

suddenly

.

begins

.

t

o

.

fill

.

w

i

t

h

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

begins

.

t

o

.

bleed

.

w

i

t

h

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

begins

.

t

o

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

begins

.

t

o

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

begins

.

t

o

.

bleed

.

w

i

t

h

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

I

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

I

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

fun

.

a

n

d

.

laughter,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

begins

.

t

o

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all
.

t

h

e

.

neglect

.

t

h

a

t

.

begins

.

t

o

.

stain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

joys

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

never

.

came

.

t

o

.

stay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

I

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

I

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

a

.

part

.

o

f

.

you

.

here

.

y

e

t

.

still

.

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

part

.

o

f

.

you

.

here

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

will

.

n

o

t

.

allow

.

y

o

u

r

.

spirit

.

t

o

.

drift

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

will

.

n

o

t

.

allow

.

y

o

u

r

.

memory

.

t

o

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

will

.

n

o

t

.

allow

.

y

o

u

r

.

memory

.

t

o

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

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s

o

–

–

–

for

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

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day

.

t

h

a

t

.

remains

.

I

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w

i

l

l

.

surrender

.

t

o

.

shame,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

savor

.

t

h

e

.

pain.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2002 where the affected party continues to honor and keep alive the memory of someone that really meant something to him or her – even though it tends to taint, weigh, and have a negative impact on his/her life. At times, those who go away, you love and appreciate even more today.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2002 where the romancer meets someone he or she is highly attracted to who ends up absorbing and consuming much of his/her life throughout the days, weeks, and/or months of attraction. In hindsight, much of the initial attraction was more driven by perception and fantasy rather than reality. I’ve had a few experiences like this in my life as I’m sure most people have from time to time.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Lingering-Pictures-and-Words.pdf

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2001 where the affected party gets hammered by an on/off relationship that turned out to be nothing more than repeated false starts checkered by ups and downs and multiple engagements and retreats – and nothing he or she was initially expecting it to be. The affected party repeatedly tries to make things work to his/her own detriment. Sometimes, it’s better to read (and act on) the red flags early.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Deep-October-Breeze.pdf