You

.

w

e

r

e

.

just

.

a

.

common,

.

ordinary

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

.

a

.

common,

.

ordinary

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

y

o

u

.

removed

.

t

h

e

.

shirt

.

t

h

a

t

.

disguised

.

t

h

e

.

rigid

.

a

n

d

.

tight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

rigid

.

a

n

d

.

tight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

ignite

.

a

n

d

.

amplify . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

amplify

.

a

n

d

.

ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

want

within

.

m

y

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Haunting

reflections

.

a

n

d

.

recollections

fill

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

fill

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

fill

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

fill

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

through

.

t

h

e

.

nights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

through

.

t

h

e

.

nights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

I

.

realize,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

were

never

.

a

common,

.

ordinary

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

.

g

u

y

.

meant

.

t

o

.

satisfy

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

yearning

within

.

t

h

e

.

waters

.

o

f

.

forbidden

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ within

.

t

h

e

.

waters

.

o

f

.

forbidden

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

submerge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

taunting,

.

teasing,

.

warming

tides

.

o

f

.

moral

compromise.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in June of 2001 in reflection of an exciting, passionate, wondrous experience I had with a (supposedly) straight man many years ago. It was yet another brief but passionate, wonderful experience that I would never trade.

Michael

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

tried,

–

–

dressing

professionally

.

w

i

t

h

.

shirt

.

a

n

d

.

tie

pride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ he

dressed

.

w

i

t

h

.

shirt

.

a

n

d

.

tie

pride,

–

–

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

workday,

.

.

s

o

.

.

he

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

someday,

–

–

earn

.

a

.

dollar

raise

.

o

n

.

top

of

.

h

i

s

.

minimum

wage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

earn

.

a

.

dollar

raise

.

o

n

.

top

of

.

a

.

minimum

wage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

no

.

o

n

e

.

seemed

.

t

o

.

notice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

seemed

.

t

o

.

appreciate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

.

.

I

admired

.

h

i

m

.

anyway,

–

–

just

.

f

o

r

.

having

.

t

h

e

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

admired

.

h

i

m

.

just

.

f

o

r

.

having

.

t

h

e

.

faith . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Michael

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

tried,

–

–

striving

.

t

o

.

r~e~a~c~h

.

f

o

r

.

dreams

.

t

h

a

t

.

drifted

high

.

a

b

o

v

e

.

the

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

he

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

make

.

a

n

y

.

compromise,

–

–

working

.

a

l

l

.

hours

.

o

f

.

the

days

.

a

n

d

.

nights,

–

–

because

.

h

e

.

knew

.

h

e

.

would

.

n

e

v

e

r

.

capitalize

otherwise,

–

–

without

making

.

s

o

m

e

.

sacrifice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ without

making

.

s

o

m

e

.

changes

.

i

n

.

his

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

he

came

.

t

o

.

realize,

–

–

there

was

.

n

o

.

other,

.

.

o

n

.

.

which

.

h

e

.

could

rely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no

other

.

w

h

o

.

might

help

.

h

i

m

.

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

h

i

m

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

h

i

m

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

watched

.

h

i

m

.

grow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

a

.

caring

.

y

o

u

n

g

.

man,

.

.

w

h

o

.

.

knew

how

.

t

o

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

an

independent

.

m

a

n

.

who

needed

.

n

o

.

one . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ who

needed

.

n

o

.

one . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Michael

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

tried,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

there

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

large

part

.

o

f

.

his

life . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

.

a

.

large

part

.

o

f

.

his

smile . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

.

a

.

large

part

.

o

f

.

his

future . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

a

.

large

part

.

o

f

.

his

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

never

.

d

i

d

.

I

realize,

.

.

h

e

.

.

would

.

m

a

k

e

.

retrospection

shine

.

s

o

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ never

.

d

i

d

.

I

.

realize,

.

.

a

l

l

.

.

the

while,

.

.

h

o

w

.

.

deeply

.

h

e

.

loved

.

w

h

e

n

.

he

.

w

a

s

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

deeply

.

h

e

.

loved

.

w

h

e

n

.

he

.

w

a

s

.

mine:

–

–

–

.

.

.

Michael

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

took

.

t

h

e

.

time

.

t

o

.

polish

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

savor

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

word

that

.

w

a

s

.

spoken . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ leaving

.

t

h

e

.

lamplight

.

t

o

.

linger

.

i

n

.

adoration,

.

.

j

u

s

t

.

.

so

.

h

e

.

could

cherish

.

a

n

d

.

adMire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

we

.

.

f

e

l

l

.

.

into

.

t

h

a

t

.

deep,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

peaceful

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Michael

.

w

o

k

e

.

early

mornings

.

s

o

.

he

.

c

o

u

l

d

.

tenderly

.

w

a

k

e

.

me

.

f

r

o

m

.

my

sleep . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

rushing

.

o

f

f

.

to

.

h

i

s

.

second

.

j

o

b

.

which

.

h

e

.

worked,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

so

.

h

e

.

could

provide

.

n

i

c

e

.

things

.

f

o

r

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

whenever

.

o

u

r

.

lips

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

meet,

.

.

h

e

.

.

kissed

.

a

s

.

if

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

second

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

last . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

.

h

e

.

looked . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

h

e

.

looked

.

a

t

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

the

only . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

the

only . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

the

only . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

the

only . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

the

only . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

yes,

.

Michael

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

someday

.

I

.

hope

.

h

e

.

will

realize,

.

.

h

o

w

.

.

much

.

I

.

cherish

.

t

h

e

.

garden

vines

.

h

e

.

selflessly

planted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

the

–

–

white,

–

–

ruby,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

violet,

–

–

springtime

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

the

–

–

white,

–

–

ruby,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

violet,

–

–

springtime

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

.

forever

charm

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

m

y

.

.

heart,

–

–

even

.

o

n

.

days

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

strive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ even

.

o

n

.

days

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

strive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

lose

.

t

h

e

i

r

.

grace,

–

–

shimmer,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

shine.

Reflection: This was a forgotten reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in June of 2009 in loving memory and appreciation of a wonderful friend (and a former romantic partner). I was very awkward and had so many things to learn back in our earlier days together. I hope this poem does him justice and helps him to realize just how much he meant to me and how greatly I loved, cherished, and appreciated him over the years.

Let’s

.

t

a

k

e

.

a

.

drive,

–

–

you

.

a

n

d

.

I,

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

.

amusement

room

.

f

o

r

.

a

while,

–

–

where

.

w

e

.

can

.

p

a

y

.

tokens

.

a

t

.

a

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

a

.

30-minute

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ deny

.

t

h

e

.

world

outside,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

a

.

30-minute

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ wine

.

a

n

d

.

dine

.

t

h

e

.

eyes,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

a

.

30-minute

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ purge

.

t

h

e

.

worries

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

mind,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

a

.

30-minute

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

we

need

.

t

o

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

we

.

r

e

a

l

l

y

.

need

.

t

o

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

s

–

–

–

>>>ARRIVE->>

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s

.

t

a

k

e

.

a

.

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ let’s

take

.

a

.

drive,

–

–

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

a

.

30-minute

smile.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2001 in reflection of some of the exploratory, romantic adventures I had in my earlier years. They were brief but passionate, exciting experiences that I would never trade.

Together

.

w

e

.

waltz

into

.

t

h

e

.

serene

tease

.

o

f

.

a

.

smooth

.

a

n

d

.

soothing

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment

believe

.

w

e

.

might

never

.

n

e

e

d

.

to

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

might

.

never

.

n

e

e

d

.

to

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Anticipation

burns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Passion

breeds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Memory

blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

conscience

bleeds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

t

h

e

.

private

rooms

.

o

f

.

margarita

moods

.

a

n

d

.

reminiscent

views . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Cartoon

colors

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

pleasing

images

brew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

brew

.

a

n

d

.

confuse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

brew

.

a

n

d

.

confuse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

brew

.

a

n

d

.

confuse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wanted

illusions

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

truth.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2001 in reflection of some of the exploratory, romantic adventures I had in my earlier years. They were brief but passionate, exciting experiences that I would never trade.

So

sad

.

t

o

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

playful

youth,

–

–

subdued

.

a

n

d

.

consumed

.

b

y

.

the

tattoos

.

o

f

.

abuse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

try

.

t

o

.

hide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

try

.

t

o

.

hide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

behind

.

wallpaper

designs

.

o

f

.

posed

pride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

color

.

w

i

l

l

.

suit

.

y

o

u

r

.

mood

tonight,

.

.

a

s

.

.

you

begin

.

t

o

.

lead

.

y

o

u

r

.

new

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

five

.

f

i

n

e

.

flavors,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

two

.

dimensions

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ five

.

f

i

n

e

.

flavors,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

two

.

dimensions

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

iced

.

w

i

t

h

.

fake

promises

.

a

n

d

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

night,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

night,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

p

e

.

before

.

t

o

o

.

long,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

come

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

h

o

w

.

.

much

better

.

i

t

.

felt

.

t

o

.

live

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

those,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

could

.

o

n

c

e

.

rely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ within

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

those,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

could

.

o

n

c

e

.

rely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

used

.

t

o

.

move . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ You

used

.

t

o

.

move . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

between

.

t

h

e

.

moods

.

o

f

.

smooth

.

a

n

d

.

soothing

afternoons . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

used

.

t

o

.

bloom

into

.

t

h

e

.

laughter

.

a

n

d

.

charm,

.

.

o

f

.

.

brewed

cartoons . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

.

y

o

u

.

cannot

.

f

i

n

d

.

refuge

.

f

r

o

m

.

even

.

t

h

e

.

addictions

.

y

o

u

.

selectively

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

even

.

t

h

e

.

addictions

.

y

o

u

.

selectively

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

welcome

to

.

t

h

e

.

barbecue,

–

–

where

we

.

c

a

n

.

view

retreating

.

y

o

u

t

h

.

accumulate

.

t

h

e

.

dues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

accumulate

.

t

h

e

.

dues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

accumulate

.

t

h

e

.

dues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

accumulate

.

t

h

e

.

dues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

retreating

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

you

.

helplessly

move

.

f

r

o

m

.

low

.

t

o

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

from

side

.

t

o

.

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

ever

mesmerized

.

b

y

.

the

whirling,

–

–

winding,

–

–

hypnotic

.

ride:

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

can’t

.

g

e

t

.

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

can’t

.

g

e

t

.

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

can’t

.

g

e

t

.

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

can’t

.

g

e

t

.

off.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2001 where the affected party flirts with temptation and repeatedly gets drawn into the depths of the darkness and chaos it brings – being addicted to the “ride.” It becomes a lifelong, all-consuming 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.

I

get

.

t

h

e

.

feeling

.

y

o

u

.

have

.

n

o

t

.

smiled

.

i

n

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

get

.

t

h

e

.

feeling

.

there’s

.

m

u

c

h

.

more

inside,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

you

deny

.

t

h

e

.

world

outside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although,

.

I

.

know

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

a

t

.

times,

–

–

feel

confused

.

a

n

d

.

lost

between

.

t

h

e

.

midnight

aisles

.

a

n

d

.

dawn’s

.

unforgiving

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

h

o

w

.

it

feels

.

t

o

.

hide

.

b

e

h

i

n

d

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

hide

.

b

e

h

i

n

d

.

the

.

hollow

disguise,

.

.

o

f

.

.

laughing

eyes

.

t

h

a

t

.

would

.

m

u

c

h

.

rather

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

h

o

w

.

it

feels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

h

o

w

.

it

feels

.

t

o

.

live

.

w

i

t

h

o

u

t

.

being

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

.

i

t

.

feels

.

t

o

.

ride

.

t

h

e

.

highest

highs,

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

.

the

.

deepest

dives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

h

o

w

.

it

feels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So,

.

let’s

.

m

a

k

e

.

today

.

t

h

e

.

day

.

w

e

.

laugh

.

a

n

d

.

dance

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

.

carefree

joys,

.

.

w

e

.

.

knew

.

a

s

.

girls

.

a

n

d

.

boys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

w

e

.

never

.

h

a

d

.

to

worry

.

a

b

o

u

t

.

being

.

g

o

o

d

.

enough

.

t

o

.

make

.

t

h

e

.

grade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

about

temptations

.

t

h

a

t

.

might

lead

.

u

s

.

astray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

w

e

.

never

.

h

a

d

.

to

worry

.

a

b

o

u

t

.

misconceptions

.

a

n

d

.

false

impressions . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

stereotypes

.

a

n

d

.

hierarchy

climbs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

social

acceptance

.

a

n

d

.

repentance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

w

e

.

never

.

h

a

d

.

to

worry

.

a

b

o

u

t

.

being

.

g

o

o

d

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ good

enough

.

f

o

r

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

get

.

t

h

e

.

feeling

.

y

o

u

.

have

.

n

o

t

.

smiled

.

i

n

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

pray

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

somehow

fade

.

t

h

e

.

weight

.

o

f

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

weight

.

o

f

.

shame

.

t

h

a

t

.

dims

.

t

h

e

.

starshine,

–

–

where

.

y

o

u

r

.

playful

spirit

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

resides.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2001 where the contemplator is deeply affected by a solemn soul who repeatedly struggles with love, sadness, loneliness, and acceptance, and tends to get drawn into the depths of darkness and despair where he/she withdraws to struggle alone.

My

eyes

implore

.

t

h

e

.

eyes

imploring

mine . . .

.

.

.

smile,

.

solicits

smile,

.

solicits

smile,

.

solicits

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Two

.

m

e

n

.

burn

.

f

o

r

.

ecstasy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Two

.

m

e

n

.

entertain

fantasy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Two

.

m

e

n

.

presented

.

a

s

.

straight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Two

.

m

e

n

.

experimentally

gay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

really

.

j

u

s

t

.

stage

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it’s

really

.

j

u

s

t

.

a

.

chess

game . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Night,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

night,

.

.

I

.

.

force

.

t

h

e

.

kings

.

o

f

.

manly

ways,

.

.

t

o

.

.

positions

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

stalemate

reigns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

positions

.

w

h

e

r

e

.

stalemate

reigns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

they

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Wouldn’t

.

y

o

u

.

agonize,

.

.

t

o

.

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

man

.

i

n

.

my

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Wouldn’t

.

y

o

u

.

compromise,

.

.

t

o

.

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

man

.

i

n

.

my

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

eyes

implore

.

t

h

e

.

eyes

imploring

mine . . .

.

.

.

smile,

.

solicits

smile,

.

solicits

smile,

.

solicits

smile.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2000 in reflection of tentative, exploratory, forbidden, romantic encounters – with two very attractive men (not at the same time) who were supposedly straight. They were brief but very passionate, exciting experiences for me.

Reflection:

I wrote this poem back in October of 2000 for a friend who shared with me some of the things that happened to him when growing up at home and I could really relate to that – having similar kinds of experiences. So, I wrote this poem as a gift to him and to show that I could really relate to him.

Well, after I gave it to him, he criticized it and said it was not even close to capturing what he had gone through in his life. Then I didn’t hear from him for a while. 

He later reconnected with me and thanked me for writing the poem saying that it had deeply affected him but initially made him feel uncomfortable because he felt exposed and that I had seen right through him. He hadn’t met anyone who could do that right after learning about someone’s childhood history. 

I also intentionally misspelled a word because I’m big on rhythm when writing poetry so I shortened the correct, tedious word “lingeringly” to “lingerly” and it seemed to work.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Boy-You-Never-Knew.pdf

Reflection: This poem captured a special memory of a wonderful, warming experience that can only live in memory. In the late 1990s and early 2000s I had a lot of fun times, wonderful experiences, and memorable adventures, and this one ranks high on that list.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-admin/upload.php?item=18849

Reflection: I wrote this poem back in September of 2000 as a reminder to myself. I had a habit at the time of working a lot of overtime, carrying too many worries, and pursuing too many things at once outside of work. I didn’t realize at the time how all of the things I would worry about would never actually happen and how too many pursuits would create such a stressful life. I’m glad those days are over.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book “Burning . . . Burning Blue:” https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/To-Be-Alive.pdf