Sailor

.

b

o

y

.

does

.

n

o

t

.

know,

–

–

which

direction

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

facets

.

o

f

.

ego,

.

.

h

e

.

.

might

.

b

e

.

willing

.

t

o

.

expose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ which

facets

.

o

f

.

ego,

.

.

h

e

.

.

might

.

b

e

.

willing

.

t

o

.

expose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

d

e

e

p

.

.

within

.

t

h

e

.

fathoms

.

o

f

.

his

young,

.

erratic,

.

seaward

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

roots

.

o

f

.

tender

feelings

.

a

r

e

.

beginning

.

t

o

.

show . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

roots

.

o

f

.

tender

feelings

.

a

r

e

.

beginning

.

t

o

.

show:

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

y

o

u

.

stay

with

.

h

e

r

.

although

.

y

o

u

r

.

want

embraces

.

m

y

.

own ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

y

o

u

.

r – – e – – a – – c – – h

for

.

t

h

e

.

traditional

family

.

h

o

m

e

.

even

.

i

f

.

it

means,

.

.

y

o

u

r

.

.

yearnings

.

m

u

s

t

.

live

alone ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

can

.

b

e

.

difficult

.

I

.

know,

.

.

t

o

.

.

explore

.

t

h

e

.

unpaved

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

difficult

.

I

.

know,

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

.

red

Maserati

.

.

o

f

.

.

your

reckless

.

s

o

u

l

.

only

wants

.

t

o

.

spin

around,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

lose

control . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

o

n

l

y

.

wants

.

t

o

.

spin

around . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

o

n

l

y

.

wants

.

t

o

.

spin

around . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

o

n

l

y

.

wants

.

t

o

.

spin

around . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

lose

control . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

p

o

n

–

–

–

unpaved

roads . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

i

l

l

.

wait

.

f

o

r

.

you,

–

–

until

.

t

h

e

.

autumn

gold

.

n

o

.

longer

holds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

y

o

u

r

.

smiling

.

e

y

e

s

.

lose

.

t

h

e

i

r

.

amber

glow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

t

h

e

.

warmth

.

o

f

.

memory,

–

–

grows

old . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

grows

cold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

your

.

initial

glance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ your

first,

.

tender,

.

tentative,

.

touch,

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

.

never

pass . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

will

forever

.

toss

.

a

n

d

.

tumble,

–

–

upon

.

t

h

e

.

green

.

a

n

d

.

golden

grass . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ upon

.

t

h

e

.

green

.

a

n

d

.

golden

grass,

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

future

passed.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2000 in reflection of a tentative, exploratory, romantic encounter and the resulting mixed feelings of warmth, hope, passion, excitement, loneliness, despair, anxiety, and depression throughout the ups and downs – where I experienced a few wonderful, warming moments of closeness which ended up being much more than offset by the many moments of distance and disengagement. I feel I am happier for at least having had the experience rather than not, however.

Reflection: I wrote this poem Back in March of 2000 in reflection of the temptations and desires that can hijack a life for lengthy periods of time. Once you awaken you can sometimes find yourself so far away from the hopes and dreams you might have held so dearly in the past.

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

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2000 in observation of a tentative, exploratory, forbidden, romantic encounter between two different people during an indecisive, romantic phase.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Forbidden-Hearts-That-Hover.pdf

Reflection: I wrote this poem back in February of 2000 which captured some of the work experiences I both observed and experienced as a much younger man.

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

Reflection: I wrote this poem back in February of 2000 in reflection of a busy and difficult period at work. I was driving back from a difficult meeting on a nice, sunny day, heard a favorite song from my days of youth on the radio, and decided to take a detour and enjoy part of the day before returning back to the workplace. It felt so freeing doing that and it was the start of something new for me.

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

Fascination

laced

.

w

i

t

h

.

rum

Ron Rico,

–

–

ventures

.

m

u

c

h

.

further

than

.

t

h

e

.

ego . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ much

further

.

t

h

a

n

.

soft

.

a

n

d

.

subtle

.

probing

words,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

second

.

c

h

a

n

c

e

.

glances

between

.

brotherly

toasts

.

a

t

.

chapter

dances . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

every

.

t

i

m

e

.

I

.

close

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

I

.

.

feel

.

y

o

u

r

.

spying

hands

.

u

p

o

n

.

mine,

–

–

soothing

.

t

h

e

.

one

.

y

o

u

.

try

.

t

o

.

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ soothing

.

t

h

e

.

one

.

y

o

u

.

try

.

t

o

.

deny . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

.

t

a

k

e

.

a

leisurely

.

s

t

r

o

l

l

.

outside,

–

–

hoping

.

y

o

u

.

might

change

.

y

o

u

r

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ hoping

.

y

o

u

.

might

change

.

y

o

u

r

.

mind,

.

.

t

h

i

s

.

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

take

.

a

.

drive,

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

other

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

.

t

h

e

.

other

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

midnight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

.

t

h

i

r

d

.

cigarette

burns

.

a

s

.

your

footsteps

approach,

–

–

unsure

.

a

n

d

.

insecure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

wine

.

a

n

d

.

dine

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

timid

whispers

tight,

–

–

knowing

.

y

o

u

.

almost

want

.

t

o

.

oblige . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ knowing

.

y

o

u

.

almost

want

.

t

o

.

oblige . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

draw

.

t

h

e

.

phantom

window

blinds

.

o

f

.

a

private

paradise

.

t

h

a

t

.

resides,

.

.

d

e

e

p

.

.

within

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

try

.

t

o

.

pull

.

y

o

u

r

.

body

next

.

t

o

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try

.

t

o

.

pull

.

y

o

u

r

.

body

next

.

t

o

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you

pry

.

m

y

.

hands

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

pry

.

m

y

.

hands

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

wrestle

me

.

.

d

o

w

n

.

.

to

.

t

h

e

.

ground,

–

–

anchoring

.

y

o

u

r

.

cool

decline

.

w

i

t

h

.

masculine

pride:

“I could kill you . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

“I could kill you in

five minutes time . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

adding

.

t

o

.

the

haze:

“Did you really

think I was gay ?”

No,

.

o

n

l

y

.

confused . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

if

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

get

through

.

t

o

.

you,

.

.

w

e

.

.

might

.

j

u

s

t

.

somehow

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

might

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

make

.

i

t

.

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

“You’re a very

attractive man . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

excuse

.

m

e

.

if

.

I

.

choose

.

n

o

t

.

to

understand,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

reasons

.

y

o

u

.

refuse

.

t

o

.

join

.

m

e

.

in

.

t

h

e

.

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Meet

.

m

e

.

later

tonight,

.

.

i

f

.

.

you

think

.

y

o

u

.

might

like

.

t

o

.

take

.

a

.

drive,

.

.

t

o

.

.

the

other

side

.

o

f

.

midnight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

No

.

o

n

e

.

ever

.

has

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

if

.

y

o

u

.

begin

.

t

o

.

feel

afraid,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

decide

.

y

o

u

.

would

rather

.

b

e

.

alone,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

can

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

go

.

b

a

c

k

.

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

.

c

a

n

.

go

.

b

a

c

k

.

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

d

o

.

not

.

m

i

n

d

.

sailing

.

f

r

o

m

.

room

.

t

o

.

room,

.

.

s

o

.

.

long

.

a

s

.

I

.

can

.

b

e

.

next

.

t

o

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

long

.

a

s

.

I

.

can

.

b

e

.

next

.

t

o

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

d

o

.

not

mind

.

y

o

u

r

.

restless

moods,

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

blue

.

t

o

.

maroon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

from

maroon

.

t

o

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s

both

.

j

u

s

t

.

release

.

o

u

r

.

hold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

explore

where

.

t

h

e

.

rapids

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ let‘s

.

e

x

p

l

o

r

e

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

rapids

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

if

today,

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

me

.

y

o

u

.

decide

.

t

o

.

turn

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

–

–

–

may

never

.

s

e

e

.

me

again

.

m

y

.

friend,

–

–

except

within

.

t

h

e

.

taunting

scenes,

.

.

o

f

.

.

your

wild

.

a

n

d

.

restless

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s

try

.

t

o

.

make

.

i

t

.

real,

–

–

just

.

t

o

.

see

how

.

i

t

.

feels,

–

–

before

we

.

e

a

c

h

.

pursue

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ before

we

.

e

a

c

h

.

pursue

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ before

we

.

e

a

c

h

.

pursue

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

appeal

.

t

o

.

your

.

violent

disguise

.

o

f

.

virile,

.

egotistic

pride,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

suddenly

.

y

o

u

r

.

curiosity

.

engages

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Your

curiosity

.

engages

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Your

curiosity

.

engages

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Your

curiosity

.

engages

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Your

curiosity

.

engages

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

.

b

o

t

h

.

come

.

t

o

.

realize,

–

–

that

.

i

t

.

matters

.

n

o

t

.

whether

.

w

e

.

can

shine

.

f

o

r

.

longer

.

t

h

a

n

.

one

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

first

.

w

e

.

must

take

.

t

h

e

.

secret

drive,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

explore

.

t

h

e

.

distant

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ explore

.

t

h

e

.

distant

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

forever

.

r

e

s

i

d

e

.

on

.

t

h

e

.

other

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

other

side

.

o

f

.

midnight.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 1999 in reflection of a tentative, exploratory, forbidden, romantic encounter (someone with the initials B.N) and the repeated false starts checkered by ups and downs and multiple engagements and retreats. It was such a brief but passionate, exciting experience that I would never trade. So, I am much more content with at least having had the experience rather than not.

Reflection: This was a 4-part poem I wrote in reflection of a very good friend at one of the low points of his life back in 1999 (it was the first of many low points in the years that followed). He told me several times since then that this poem actually saved his life. Fortunately, after several years of up and downs he eventually recovered but it was a very trying experience for many years to say the least. It was a very difficult time in my life (and in his). I’m so happy things are much better now.

I played the song “Exit Music (For a Movie)” by Radiohead repeatedly at low volume as the “Moodset” for the poem. If you play this song at low volume you might better get the “feel” of this poem.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book Burning . . . Burning Blue: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-Delicate-Halls-of-Future.pdf

Reflection: I wrote this poem back in August of 1999. I was observing a wonderful young couple dancing together at a nightclub and they were so absorbed by each other that everything else seemed to melt away. Simply observing them was enough to inspire me to write this poem.

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

You

used

.

t

o

.

dance

.

i

n

.

the

mirror,

–

–

right

.

i

n

.

front

.

o

f

.

me,

–

–

topless

.

i

n

.

your

.

b

o

x

e

r

.

shorts,

–

–

showered

.

a

n

d

.

smooth,

–

–

clean

.

a

n

d

.

serene,

–

–

secretly

taunting

.

a

n

d

.

teasing

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

confused

.

a

n

d

.

naive,

–

–

United

States

Marine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

believe

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

e

v

e

r

.

perceive,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

eyes

.

t

h

a

t

.

barely

strayed

.

f

r

o

m

.

my

.

fitness

magazine,

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

the

evening

.

y

o

u

.

came

.

t

o

.

release

.

m

y

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

fantasy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wrestling

.

m

y

.

resistance

to

.

t

h

e

.

barracks

floor,

–

–

wanting

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

h

a

n

.

I

.

ever

.

k

n

e

w

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ ecstasy

screaming

.

.

d

e

e

p

.

.

inside

.

o

f

.

me,

–

–

almost

.

n

o

t

.

believing

.

i

t

.

was

.

t

r

u

l

y

.

happening . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

m

a

n

y

.

times

.

h

a

d

.

I

.

quietly

spied

.

y

o

u

r

.

physique,

–

–

drawing

myself

.

n

e

a

r

.

only

.

i

n

.

dreams,

.

.

s

o

.

.

you

.

c

o

u

l

d

.

feel

.

m

y

.

exploring

fingers

.

b

r

u

s

h

.

against

.

y

o

u

r

.

rose

.

t

i

p

.

nipples . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

fingers

.

b

r

u

s

h

e

d

.

against

.

y

o

u

r

.

rose

.

t

i

p

.

nipples . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Two

heartbeats

.

galloped

ablaze

.

a

s

.

whispers

ricocheted

.

o

f

f

.

of

neglected

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Midnight

danced

. 

u

p

o

n

.

the

blinds,

.

.

a

s

.

.

our

private

.

a

i

r

l

i

n

e

.

continued

.

t

o

.

climb

.

throughout

.

t

h

e

.

night,

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

reaching

.

t

h

e

.

first

.

hint

.

o

f

.

daylight,

–

–

when

.

s

h

e

.

rolled

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

spiral

.

.

.

d

i

v

e

.

.

.

 ~ she

rolled

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

spiral

.

.

.

d

i

v

e

.

.

.

spinning

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

the

.

d

a

w

n

.

skies

.

beginning

.

t

o

.

rise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

never

again

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

eyes

.

m

e

e

t

.

eyes,

.

.

o

r

.

.

reveal

what

.

w

a

s

.

felt

inside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

sometimes,

.

I

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

think

.

o

f

.

you,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

desire

.

t

h

a

t

.

raged

throughout

.

t

h

a

t

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

forbidden

night

.

s

w

e

p

t

.

upon

.

t

h

e

.

forgotten

pages

.

o

f

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wonder

whether

.

t

h

e

.

one

you’re

.

w

i

t

h

.

tonight,

.

.

h

a

s

.

.

discovered

more

.

t

h

a

n

.

just

romantic

candlelight,

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

a

forest

.

f

i

r

e

.

burns

inside,

–

–

every

.

t

i

m

e

.

midnight

dances

.

u

p

o

n

.

the

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ every

.

t

i

m

e

.

midnight

dances

.

u

p

o

n

.

the

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

recall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

re-ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

re-energize

.

t

h

a

t

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

n

i

g

h

t

.

forever

.

l

e

f

t

.

behind.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 1999 in reflection of being passionately “drawn” to someone with the initials G.L. during an early, uncertain stage of romance back in my Marine Corps days. It felt exhilarating, ecstatic, and sometimes even devastating while surfing the highs, and lows, and highs for moments at a time during that early period of my life.

Reflection: I wrote this poem back in July of 1999 in reflection of the burning addictions that consumed so many that surrounded me back then.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book “Burning . . . Burning Blue:” https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nothing-Pristine.pdf