Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ YOU LOOK GOOD IN BLUE (WHEN THE MEMORY MOVES) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

.

l

o

o

k

.

good

.

i

n

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

memory

.

moves . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

l

o

o

k

.

good

.

i

n

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

memory

.

broods . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ when

.

t

h

e

.

memory

.

moves . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

memory

.

broods . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

l

o

o

k

.

good

.

i

n

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

i

t

.

loves

.

m

e

.

too.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem. I wrote the line: “you look good in blue,” and this simple poem wrote itself from that. I told an attractive neighbor that he looked good in blue, and that line stuck with me even though it is very common.

☆°▪︎ WHEN BEAUTY BLEEDS (I WISH I WAS LIKE YOU) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

wish

–

–

I

was

–

–

more

.

l

i

k

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wish

–

–

I

was

–

–

more

.

l

i

k

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

i

t

.

all

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

away

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

the

accumulating

–

–

payments

due . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

away

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

the

rumored

news

.

a

n

d

.

the

burdens

.

o

f

.

proof . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

away

–

–

the

gathering

gloom

.

i

n

.

the

middle

.

o

f

.

a

lonesome

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

away

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

the

phony

truths,

–

–

designed

.

t

o

.

pursue,

.

a

n

d

.

bruise,

.

a

n

d

.

ruin . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

.

i

t

.

all

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

.

i

t

.

all

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Laughing

.

i

t

.

all

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

with

glamor,

–

–

–

.

.

.

with

grit,

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

with

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

night,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

gray,

–

–

after

blue,

–

–

after

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wish

–

–

I

was

–

–

more

.

l

i

k

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wish

–

–

I

was

–

–

more

.

l

i

k

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wish

–

–

I

was

–

–

more

.

l

i

k

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

right

here

.

i

n

.

the

shadows

.

o

f

.

this

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ right

here

.

i

n

.

the

shadows

.

o

f

.

this

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

whiskey

seethes

.

i

n

.

jealousy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

whiskey

seethes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

whiskey

seethes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

whiskey

seethes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

jealousy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

swings,

.

a

n

d

.

pounds,

.

a

n

d

.

beats . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

swings,

.

a

n

d

.

pounds,

.

a

n

d

.

beats . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

swings,

.

a

n

d

.

pounds,

.

a

n

d

.

beats . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

every

part

.

a

n

d

.

piece . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ every

part

.

a

n

d

.

piece

.

o

f

.

memory . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

belief

.

i

n

.

beauty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

belief

.

i

n

.

a

.

beauty

–

–

which

bleeds.

Reflection: This was a popular reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2022 in which the contemplator expresses appreciation of someone who has the strength, resilience, and positivity to gracefully navigate the stresses, strifes, and ups and downs of life.

I love the live, acoustic version of the Joni Mitchell song “People’s Parties” and the line “Laughing it all away” really hit home so I used that and expanded on it. I also love the live, acoustic version of the Phil Ochs song “Pleasures of the Harbor” and loved the line “The whiskey’s loud” and changed that to “the whiskey seethes in jealousy” and expanded on that. I wasn’t really expecting both sections to fit together very well in a single poem but they did. I wrote this poem off and on over a couple of days or so. It only took about a couple of hours to complete in total. I used both songs alternatively playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. If you listen these songs at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ HALLOWEEN ON REPEAT (I SCREAM) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Halloween

–

–

comes

nearly

–

–

every

day

.

o

f

.

every

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ at

least

–

–

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

way

.

i

t

.

seems . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

way

.

i

t

.

seems

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

scream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

scream

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

deep,

–

–

where

guilty

–

–

shadows

scheme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

scream

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

deep,

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

haunting

–

–

never

sleeps . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

haunting

–

–

never

sleeps . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

whips

.

a

n

d

.

beats

–

–

until

.

I

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

 ~ it

pounds

.

a

n

d

.

bruises

–

–

until

.

I

.

cannot

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

I

.

cannot

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

in

between

.

t

h

e

.

haunting

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

in

between

.

t

h

e

.

whips

.

a

n

d

.

beats . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

drown

.

i

n

.

the

defeat

.

o

f

.

what

might

–

–

have

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

drown

.

i

n

.

the

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

drown

.

i

n

.

the

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

drown

.

i

n

.

the

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

what

might

–

–

have

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

h

a

d

–

–

–

it

been

–

–

another

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ had

.

i

t

.

been

–

–

another

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ had

.

i

t

.

been

–

–

another

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

would

.

d

o

.

anything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

would

.

d

o

.

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

t

o

.

be

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

would

.

d

o

.

anything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

would

.

d

o

.

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

t

o

.

be

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

married

.

t

o

.

the

disease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

married

.

t

o

.

the

disease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

married

.

t

o

.

the

disease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

married

.

t

o

.

the

disease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

called

PTSD . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

call

.

i

t

.

PTSD . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

call

.

i

t

.

PTSD . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

for

me

–

–

it’s

Halloween . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

hour

.

b

y

.

hour . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

week

.

b

y

.

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

Halloween . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

Halloween . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

Halloween

.

o

n

.

repeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

scream.

Reflection: This is a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2022 in which the sufferer is stuck in a horrifying cycle which he or she cannot seem to escape. The line: “I scream into the deep,” then the opening lines came to me, and I wrote the poem starting from those. Another separate section came to me starting with “it whips and beats…” as did another separate section starting with “I drown in the defeat of what might have been” (this part came to me after hearing “Country Feedback” by REM – especially the part: “It’s crazy what you could have had.”). Somehow all of this blended together well. I started the poem on 15 October and finished it the very next day off and on without too much effort just in time for Halloween.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: EMBRACE THE JOURNEY

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Whenever I come across common expressions in life, I like to try to mindfully stop, reflect, and take a deeper, closer look. Because people frequently become numb to such expressions and these don’t have the influence and impact that they otherwise might. One such common expression is “enjoy the journey.” And, while I am very supportive of this idea, the truth of the matter is that not everything in life is enjoyable. However, that does not make them less valuable. So, a more encompassing expression might be “embrace the journey.”

Sure, for the subset of activities applicable (and to the extent possible), you will want to take steps to better “enjoy the journey.” But for everything else, you will simply want to “embrace the journey” by getting started, putting in the work, addressing or dealing with challenges, learning the lessons, doing some exploring, taking steps to engage in the life experiences you truly desire, and making any sacrifices needed to create a better and brighter future. So, there is much more to life than simply “enjoying the journey.” As such, make it a point to “embrace the journey” and by all means avoiding tendencies to resist the journey. Because resisting the journey will create a lot of unnecessary stress and negativity, delay the learning of key lessons in life, and limit you and hinder progress.

Prior to beginning any journey, it’s a good idea to take some time and put in the effort to figure out what specific pursuits you truly want to work towards or engage in (whether associated with goals, activities, people, purchases, work, addressing or dealing with challenges, and such) – especially those which require a substantial amount of money, time, effort, or energy. And here’s something you can do to help figure that out. And here’s something else which can be helpful along these lines as well as this and this. And for those bigger pursuits, try to find ways to test drive or simulate those experiences first to make sure they are what you truly want before putting in the money, time, effort, and energy. You can read about how to do that here. It’s also a good investment of time and effort to come up with plans for execution – even if they are initially only preliminary plans. You can always make refinements along the way.


The journey you start out on, at any given time, doesn’t have to be perfect because you can (and should) make adjustments as you go. And even if the path you are presently pursuing is not the exact right path for you right now, simply embrace the journey anyway and make any desired adjustments along the way. You will still gain valuable experiences, skills, insights, and knowledge, and you will learn valuable lessons. And learning what doesn’t work for you is also a valuable lesson to learn which can benefit you over your entire life journey. So, do some mindful planning, set out on your path, and embrace the journey all along the way.

Now, the above being said, there are also things you can do to better “enjoy the journey” for those specific activities which apply. One thing I like to do along these lines is mindfully incorporate “enjoying the journey” into what I do on a day-to-day basis. So, I make it a point to remind myself that my focus is happiness, peace, and enjoyment for whatever I am engaged in at the time (where applicable).

For example, if I need to drive or walk somewhere, I make it a point to leave early so that I can take a nice, relaxing, leisurely drive or walk, taking in the scenery (and perhaps even taking a different path to getting there), and reflecting or perhaps even smiling and daydreaming a bit when stopped in traffic or waiting at a stoplight or intersection. Because, anytime you are in a hurry or running late the opposite happens. You become so focused on getting there that you miss out on opportunities for happiness, peace, and enjoyment along the way – creating a lot of unnecessary stress and negativity in the process. Don’t do this to yourself.

As a another example, if I am engaged in reading or viewing something, I try to mindfully slow down and enjoy what I’m reading/viewing and take a more leisurely, thoughtful pace – reflecting on what I’m reading/viewing and how I might apply it – and taking mini-breaks to relax and take in the sunshine and sip a soothing, warm beverage before continuing on with my reading/viewing.

And, as a third example, if I am working out, I try to mindfully focus on the body part I am working on (or stretching) or the specific pose I’m presently doing when doing yoga. My workouts would not be nearly as enjoyable if I focused instead on rushing things and just getting it done so that I could get on with other things.

So, the point is to always “embrace the journey” to get the most out of life, make progress, and create a better and brighter future. And for the subset of activities where “enjoying the journey” applies, slow down a bit and make enjoyment a part of your regular, daily practice. Because once you start mindfully doing this on a day-to-day basis, it will grow from there from week-to-week, month-to-month, and year-to-year, and you will find yourself making happiness, peace, enjoyment, and progress a priority and a regular practice in your life. And that will feel wonderful. So, do this for yourself if you can.

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

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

☆°▪︎ BATHED IN TURPENTINE (THE RAINBOW SKIES GONE BY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

°☆

☆°

°☆

.

.

.

.

.

.

You

can

.

b

e

.

blind

.

o

r

.

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

right

.

o

r

.

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

neither

at

.

t

h

e

.

same

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

neither

on

.

t

h

e

.

same

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

neither

in

.

t

h

e

.

same

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

can

.

b

e

.

blind

.

o

r

.

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

right

.

o

r

.

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

°☆

☆°

°☆

.

.

.

.

.

.

The

midnight 

.

o

f

.

my

mind

.

i

s

.

turpentine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ turpentine

to

.

t

h

e

.

rainbow

skies

–

–

that

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

rainbow

skies

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

rainbow

skies

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

rainbow

skies

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

hours

.

o

f

.

the

day

.

a

n

d

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

miles

.

o

f

.

aisles,

.

.

o

f

.

.

springtime

smiles

–

–

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

painted

paradise

–

–

that

only

resides

.

i

n

.

the

rainbow

skies

.

o

f

.

a

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

painted

paradise

–

–

which

only

resides

.

i

n

.

the

rainbow

skies

.

o

f

.

a

mind

–

–

bathed

.

i

n

.

turpentine.

Reflection: This is a personal struggle-themed poem where the sufferer frequently does not realize he or she is suffering from anything because of the firm belief that everyone else is wrong. I wrote the turpentine lines in various forms while walking on Daytona Beach. I was thinking about 60s psychedelic songs by The Doors, The Moody Blues, and Jimi Hendrix and wanted a very creative, interesting line or phrase and the turpentine lines juxtaposed against the rainbow skies came to mind.

☆°▪︎ ESCAPE AND ERASE (THROUGH FIRE AND FLAME) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time

.

a

n

d

.

a

place,

–

–

where

.

I

.

almost

–

–

felt

.

t

h

a

t

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

almost

–

–

felt

.

t

h

a

t

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

that

.

time

.

a

n

d

.

in

.

t

h

a

t

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

day

.

y

o

u

.

went

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

n

t

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

racing

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

.

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ racing

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

.

lanes,

.

o

f

.

fire,

.

a

n

d

.

flame,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

everything

.

y

o

u

.

could

.

erase

.

a

n

d

.

escape . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ everything

.

y

o

u

.

could

.

erase

.

a

n

d

.

escape,

–

–

through

.

fire

.

a

n

d

.

flame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

racing

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

.

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

raced

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

raced

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

raced

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

–

–

runway

lanes,

.

o

f

.

fire

.

a

n

d

.

flame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

.

w

a

s

.

too

.

afraid . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

too

afraid

.

o

f

.

the

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

too

afraid

.

o

f

.

the

pace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

too

afraid

.

o

f

.

the

trade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

too

afraid

.

o

f

.

the

change.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem in which one of the parties in a relationship was unable to keep pace or to accept the change – resulting in being left behind. I wrote much of the draft of this poem at the beach. Much of the words just came to me. So, I just tweaked it a little at home. It only took a few minutes to complete.

☆°▪︎ THE LOST AND LONESOME AISLES (OF GOODBYE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

would

–

–

rather

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

rather

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

rather

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

–

–

rather

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

keep

.

i

t

.

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

goodbye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

want

.

s

o

.

much

.

t

o

.

try

.

t

o

.

keep

.

i

t

.

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

want

.

s

o

.

much

.

t

o

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

while

.

t

h

e

.

shimmer

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

shines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

want

.

s

o

.

much

.

t

o

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

while

.

t

h

e

.

rhythm

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

rhymes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

eyes

–

–

always

linger,

.

a

n

d

.

stay

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

especially

when

–

–

they

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Eyes

–

–

always

linger

.

a

n

d

.

stay

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Eyes

–

–

always

linger

.

a

n

d

.

stay

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Eyes

–

–

always

linger

.

a

n

d

.

stay

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

especially

when

–

–

they

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ especially

when

–

–

they

start

.

t

o

.

cry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

On

some

–

–

other

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

in

some

–

–

other

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

might

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

o

n

.

some

–

–

other

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

in

some

–

–

other

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

might

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

might

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

might

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

might

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

some

–

–

other

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

in

some

–

–

other

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now,

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

goodbye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

reach

.

f

o

r

.

you,

.

a

l

l

.

hours

.

o

f

.

the

days

.

a

n

d

.

nights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

reach

.

f

o

r

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

reach

.

f

o

r

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

reach

.

f

o

r

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

go

.

d

o

w

n

.

those

lost

.

a

n

d

.

lonesome

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

try

.

t

o

.

keep

.

i

t

.

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

try

.

t

o

.

keep

.

i

t

.

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

between

.

t

h

e

.

memories

.

t

h

a

t

.

collide,

.

a

n

d

.

align,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dance

.

side

.

b

y

.

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

collide

.

a

n

d

.

align . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

collide

.

a

n

d

.

align . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

collide

.

a

n

d

.

align . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

dance

.

side

.

b

y

.

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

do

.

n

o

t

.

want

.

t

o

.

drown

.

i

n

.

the

demise

.

o

f

.

all

we

–

–

left

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

do

.

n

o

t

.

want

.

t

o

.

drown

.

i

n

.

the

demise

.

b

y

.

seeing

.

y

o

u

.

solely

.

i

n

.

the

shadows

.

o

f

.

my

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

o

l

d

.

tight

.

t

o

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

goodbye.

Reflection: This is a melancholy-themed poem in which the affected party is witnessing the final moments of someone who meant a lot to him or her. It might be the final moments of a romantic relationship, of someone suffering from injury or illness, or of a dear friend or family member going down a troubled path or turning away from the affected party for some reason.

I wrote much of this poem over a week or so in reflection of one of my favorite movies: “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.”  I played the wonderful song “A Million Parachutes” by The Sixpence None the Richer, and this song served as the inspiration for the final phase of poem refinements (I played the song repeatedly on low volume to create the “moodset” for the final stages of the poem). This poem primarily reflects the sad end of the film but was important enough to me to keep trying and trying until it finally captured what I was seeking. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ WINE, RHYTHM, AND RHYME (A SMILE OF SPRINGTIME) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

thought

.

o

f

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

wondered

how

–

–

your

life

–

–

had

gone

.

a

l

l

.

the

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

while

–

–

you

were

.

n

o

t

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

surprised

.

t

o

.

find

–

–

how

many

–

–

lows

.

a

n

d

.

highs

.

h

a

d

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

many

–

–

lows

.

a

n

d

.

highs

.

h

a

d

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

since

.

w

e

.

shined

–

–

our

smiles

.

o

f

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

shined

–

–

our

smiles

.

o

f

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

when

–

–

the

days

.

o

f

.

me

.

a

n

d

.

you

–

–

were

new,

.

a

n

d

.

still

.

i

n

.

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

w

e

r

e

.

new,

.

a

n

d

.

still

.

i

n

.

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

knew

–

–

we

could

.

n

o

t

.

lose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

could

.

n

o

t

.

lose

.

i

n

.

those

restless

–

–

days

.

o

f

.

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

love

.

w

a

s

.

more

a

mood

–

–

than

a

proof . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

could

–

–

move,

.

a

n

d

.

pursue,

.

a

n

d

.

do

–

–

whatever

.

w

e

.

wanted

to . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

could

.

d

o

.

whatever

.

w

e

.

wanted

to . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

those

restless

–

–

days

.

o

f

.

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

everything

.

w

a

s

.

new,

.

a

n

d

.

still

.

i

n

.

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

everything

.

w

a

s

.

new,

.

a

n

d

.

still

.

i

n

.

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

including

me

.

a

n

d

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

much

.

t

i

m

e

.

passed

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

since

.

w

e

.

shined

–

–

our

smiles

.

o

f

.

springtime

.

a

t

.

the

starting

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ since

.

w

e

.

shined

–

–

our

smiles

.

o

f

.

springtime

.

a

t

.

the 

starting

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

igniting

.

a

n

d

.

exciting

.

t

h

e

.

eyes

.

o

f

.

delight

–

–

which

–

–

came

alive

.

a

n

d

.

would

marvel

.

f

o

r

.

miles

.

a

t

.

a

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

would

–

–

marvel

.

f

o

r

.

miles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

would

–

–

marvel

.

f

o

r

.

miles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

would

–

–

marvel

.

f

o

r

.

miles

.

a

t

.

a

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ those

eyes

.

o

f

.

delight,

–

–

alive

.

i

n

.

our

springtime

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

words,

.

t

h

e

.

rhythm,

.

a

n

d

.

the

rhyme

–

–

were

.

l

i

k

e

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everything

.

w

a

s

.

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

everything

.

w

a

s

.

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

could

still

.

g

o

.

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ everything

 could

–

–

still

.

g

o

.

right

.

i

n

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

we

would

–

–

ride

.

t

h

e

.

skies

.

o

f

.

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

would

–

–

ride

.

t

h

e

.

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

would

–

–

ride

.

t

h

e

.

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

would

–

–

ride

.

t

h

e

.

skies

.

o

f

.

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

nice,

.

a

n

d

.

bright,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

high,

.

a

n

d

.

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

smile,

–

–

after

smile,

–

–

after

smile,

–

–

after

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

we

.

h

a

d

.

rhyme,

.

a

n

d

.

wine,

.

a

n

d

.

candlelight

.

o

n

.

our

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

.

h

a

d

.

rhyme,

.

a

n

d

.

wine,

.

a

n

d

.

candlelight

.

o

n

.

our

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

when

.

w

e

.

shined

.

o

u

r

.

springtime

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

w

e

.

shined

.

o

u

r

.

springtime

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

thought

.

o

f

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

wondered

how

–

–

your

life

–

–

had

gone

.

a

l

l

.

the

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

while

–

–

you

were

.

n

o

t

.

mine.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem I wrote back in August 2022 which largely reflects looking back on a cherished, one-of-a-kind, past romance – and is something most of us have probably experienced in our lives. Romance seemed so much easier in the days of youth when expectations were much lower, and we were less judgmental and more forgiving towards each other.

The opening lines to this poem came to me while I was at New Smyrna Beach. The remainder of the poem came into being a couple of weeks later by the accidental intersection of one of my favorite movies (“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.”) and an old song on the radio that I had never heard before on the drive back from Daytona Beach (“Come Saturday Morning” by The Sandpipers which was a tiny but catchy echo from back in 1970 – its peak position on the charts was at #17). And although this song was not in the movie, and not much of a hit, it really hit me and fit perfectly with what I was reflecting on and trying to capture.

The song served as the primary inspiration for the poem which took several iterations to write (while playing the song repeatedly on low volume 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.

☆°▪︎ TO DANCE THE DAYS AWAY (AND DANCE AWAY THE DAYS) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

°☆

☆°

°☆

.

.

.

.

.

.

I

wanted

.

t

o

.

love

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

would

have

–

–

loved

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

anyway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

we

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

strayed

–

i

n

t

o

–

the

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

°☆

☆°

°☆

.

.

.

.

.

.

In

.

t

h

e

.

pale,

–

–

gray,

–

–

nostalgic

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

saw

.

t

h

e

.

trace

.

o

f

.

your

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

came

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

place,

–

–

where

.

w

e

.

once

.

embraced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

came

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

place,

–

–

where

.

w

e

.

once

.

embraced,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

.

embraced,

.

a

n

d

.

played,

.

a

n

d

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

.

embraced,

.

a

n

d

.

played,

.

a

n

d

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

.

embraced,

.

a

n

d

.

played,

.

a

n

d

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

then

.

w

e

.

strayed

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

strayed

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

.

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everything

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

everything

.

changed

.

a

n

d

.

was

.

never

.

t

h

e

.

same

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

.

ways

.

w

e

.

would

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

complain,

.

a

n

d

.

fail

.

t

o

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

.

t

h

e

.

ways

.

w

e

.

would

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

shame,

.

a

n

d

.

just

–

–

turn

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

would

.

j

u

s

t

.

turn

.

away,

.

a

n

d

.

let

.

t

h

e

.

memories

.

decay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

still,

.

I

.

would

.

h

a

v

e

.

loved

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

anyway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

would

.

h

a

v

e

.

loved

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

anyway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

.

t

h

e

.

pale,

–

–

gray,

–

–

nostalgic

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

saw

.

t

h

e

.

trace

.

o

f

.

your

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

came

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

place,

–

–

where

.

w

e

.

once

.

embraced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

came

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

place,

–

–

where

.

w

e

.

once

.

embraced,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

danced

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

–

–

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

–

–

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

–

–

danced

.

away

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

strayed

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

.

fade.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem in which the affected party is looking back on a cherished romance from the distant past, wonders if something could have been done to save it and ponders whether he or she will ever experience something like that again. This poem came into being by the accidental intersection of one of my favorite movies (“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.”) and an old song on the radio that I had never heard before on the drive back from Daytona Beach (“Come Saturday Morning” by The Sandpipers which was a tiny but catchy echo from back in 1970 – its peak position on the charts was at #17). And although this song was not in the movie, and not much of a hit, it really hit me and fit perfectly with what I was reflecting on and trying to capture. This poem pretty much wrote itself (while playing the song repeatedly on low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem). The poem was written fairly quickly. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ A TUNE IN BLUE (FROM ACROSS THE ROOM) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

loved

you

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

moment

moved

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

music

.

o

f

.

the

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

.

the

music

.

o

f

.

the

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

pursuit

.

o

f

.

a

tune

.

s

o

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

t

–

–

–

consumed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 It

consumed

.

t

h

e

.

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 It

consumed

.

t

h

e

.

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

brewing

wish

.

w

i

t

h

.

want . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rooted

.

i

n

.

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ It

brewed

–

–

wish

.

w

i

t

h

.

want . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rooted

.

i

n

.

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

moment

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

moment

moved

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

music

.

o

f

.

the

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

brewing

wish

.

w

i

t

h

.

want . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rooted

.

i

n

.

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ It

brewed

–

–

wish

.

w

i

t

h

.

want . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rooted

.

i

n

.

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

loved

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

you

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

a

tune

–

s

o

–

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

t

–

–

–

consumed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

t

h

e

.

moment

moved.

Reflection: This is a melancholy-themed poem in which the contemplator is reflecting on someone he or she felt something special for but for some reason could not create the mutual, romantic connection desired – or perhaps did not even really try. I wrote this poem in reflection of watching a drummer in a band when I was at New Smyrna Beach – someone for some reason I just instantly loved. I talked with him briefly and even dreamt about him. He was so fun to watch. Such a cool, cool guy.

I played different songs trying to capture the mood of this poem. In the end, I played the wonderful, haunting gem of a song “First Thing in the Morning” by Secret Sun. This poem took several hours and several iterations to write. So, it didn’t come easy like some of the other poems I have written. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.