The

taunting

echoes

–

–

still

haunt

me

.

.

d

o

w

n

.

.

those

reminiscent

halls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

don’t

.

y

o

u

.

know

.

I

.

wish

sometimes,

.

.

I

.

.

could

make

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

memories

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ don’t

.

y

o

u

.

know

.

I

.

wish

sometimes,

.

.

I

.

.

could

forgive

.

a

n

d

.

forget

.

i

t

.

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

know

.

w

e

.

were

.

m

u

c

h

.

younger

within

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

walls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

w

e

.

walked

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

.

s

o

.

.

awkward

.

i

n

.

our

flaws . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

walked

.

s

o

.

awkward

.

i

n

.

our

flaws . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

as

.

I

.

stroll

past

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

memories,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

wounds

.

t

o

o

.

deep

.

t

o

.

heal,

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

make

.

m

e

.

feel

.

t

o

o

.

strange

.

t

o

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

too

strange

.

t

o

.

offer

even

.

a

.

cool

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

feel

.

t

o

o

.

strange

.

t

o

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

too

strange

.

t

o

.

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

pretend

.

n

o

t

.

to

recall:

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

faces . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

names . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

aches . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

turn

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

turn

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

the

pain

.

t

h

a

t

.

still

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

a

.

more

brotherly,

–

–

sisterly

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

I

.

won’t

.

f

e

e

l

.

this

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

I

.

won’t

.

f

e

e

l

.

this

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but powerful personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in August of 2002 where the affected party is haunted by and cannot escape the ugly hurt and shame experienced in the past. This poem was based on personal experiences from my childhood days. I wish I could just forgive and forget but have come to realize that is not always possible – because at times we continue feeling hurt and awkward around certain people in our lives.

Can

.

y

o

u

.

perceive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Can

.

y

o

u

.

even

perceive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

pain

upon

.

t

h

e

.

page,

.

.

a

s

.

.

you

begin

.

t

o

.

read . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ as

.

y

o

u

.

begin

.

t

o

.

read . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

about

.

w

h

a

t

.

happened

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

of

.

t

h

e

.

dying

hopes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dared

.

t

o

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

of

.

t

h

e

.

dying

hopes,

.

.

I

dared

.

t

o

.

dream.

Reflection: This was a simple, reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2002 when pondering how much of what I write actually gets translated into feelings, meanings, and inspirations which are closely aligned with the original experience, observation, or intent.

I

care . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

genuinely

care . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

how

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

on ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

on,

.

.

t

o

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

.

w

h

o

.

add

color

.

t

o

.

my

life ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

on,

.

.

t

o

.

.

their

guiding

lights

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

shine ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

on

.

t

o

.

their

warming

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

.

.

.

I

journey

.

f

r

o

m

.

mile

.

t

o

.

mile ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2002 in honor of all of those special, wonderful people who have greatly contributed to my life and/or served to deeply inspire me. They added such warmth, color, beauty, and music to my life and to the living collage that is me – and today I am the result of all of those contributing parts and pieces (and more). And I cherish and appreciate each and every one of them.

I

know

.

y

o

u

.

wanted

.

m

e

.

to

.

b

e

.

perfect,

.

.

i

n

.

.

every

possible

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although,

.

.

I

try

.

I

know

.

I

.

c

a

n

. 

never

navigate

.

a

l

l

.

the

obstacles

.

y

o

u

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

obstacles

.

y

o

u

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

y

o

u

r

.

proving

maze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

separate

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

silhouettes

stained

.

b

y

.

your

eternal

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

move

away

.

a

n

d

.

into

.

s

o

m

e

.

brighter

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

rot

.

a

n

d

.

waste

.

t

h

a

t

.

decays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

make

opinions

sway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

gain

.

a

.

warm

embrace

.

s

o

.

I

.

do

.

n

o

t

.

fade

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

setting

haze

.

l

i

k

e

.

those

.

f

r

o

m

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try

.

s

o

.

hard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

try

.

s

o

.

hard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

be

.

s

o

.

clean,

.

.

s

o

.

.

sincere,

.

.

s

o

.

.

pristine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

pray

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

everything,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

ponder

.

h

o

w

.

much

you

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

truly

believe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

much

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

truly

believe . . ,

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

still

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

still

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

offer

.

m

e

.

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

feed

.

m

e

.

reality . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now,

–

–

instead

.

o

f

.

angels

.

o

n

l

y

.

demons

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Instead

.

o

f

.

hope,

.

.

I

.

f

e

e

l

.

unease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

f

e

e

l

.

unease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

e

t

–

–

–

still,

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

dream.

Reflection: This was a forgotten personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2007 where the affected party struggles against a brutal, judgmental, domineering force. Nothing the affected party does will ever be enough – so, self-acceptance and standing up for oneself is most likely the best path to pursue.

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

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

ever

.

s

o

.

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

.

f

u

l

l

.

of

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

can’t

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

can’t

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

can’t

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

can’t

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

can’t

restrain

.

t

h

e

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

can’t

control

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

always

.

promise

more,

.

.

t

h

a

n

.

.

you

did

.

t

h

e

.

time

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

always

.

promise

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

always

.

promise

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

always

.

promise

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

days

later

.

nothing

new

.

i

s

.

secured . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

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

–

–

–

what

.

i

s

.

truly

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ entertaining

my

.

o

w

n

.

beliefs

.

a

n

d

.

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

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

door

.

w

a

s

.

hidden

.

a

l

l

.

the

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

door

.

t

o

.

the

life

.

I

.

t

r

y

.

to

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

life

.

I

.

t

r

y

.

to

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

.

be

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 . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

j

u

s

t

–

–

–

the

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everyone

.

y

o

u

.

know

must:

!pay!

–

–

–

!!pay!!

–

–

–

!!!pay!!!

–

–

–

!!!!pay!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every

mistake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

others

.

t

o

.

worry

.

w

i

t

h

.

wait,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

the

.

n

e

x

t

.

cycle . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

repeat

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ of

repeat

.

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

.

t

h

e

i

r

.

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

–

–

–

!!BOMB BLASTS!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

!!!MACHINE GUN FIRE!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

a

.

small

.

sacrifice,

.

.

s

o

.

.

the

.

rest

.

c

a

n

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

opine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

.

t

h

e

.

rest

.

c

a

n

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

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

.

s

e

n

d

.

them

.

t

o

.

the

!SLAUGHTERHOUSE!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

love

.

a

n

d

.

embrace

.

o

u

r

.

trusting,

.

playful

.

puppies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

s

e

n

d

.

them

.

t

o

.

the

!SLAUGHTERHOUSE!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Let’s

love

.

a

n

d

.

embrace

.

o

u

r

.

trusting,

.

playful

.

puppies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

s

e

n

d

.

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).