The

artist

.

i

n

.

the

sky

–

–

paints

a

–

–

passing,

–

–

pleasure

–

–

paradise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

artist

.

i

n

.

the

sky

–

–

tells

.

m

e

.

today

.

w

i

l

l

.

smile

.

s

o

.

wide

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

be

.

s

o

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

artist

.

i

n

.

the

sky

–

–

makes

even

.

t

h

e

.

cold

.

a

n

d

.

contrite

–

–

seem

warm

.

a

n

d

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

artist

.

i

n

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

artist

.

i

n

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

resides

solely

.

i

n

.

my

mind.

Reflection: This is a simple reflection-themed poem.

I

loved

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anywhere . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

loved

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anywhere . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

anything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

highs

.

o

f

.

even

.

t

h

e

.

darkest,

.

d

e

e

p

e

s

t

.

dismal

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

highs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

highs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

highs

.

o

f

.

even

.

t

h

e

.

darkest,

.

d

e

e

p

e

s

t

.

dismal

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

those

smiling

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sighs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

superficial

sunshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sighs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sighs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sighs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

superficial

sunshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

night,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

night,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

even

during

–

–

those

times

–

–

when

I

waited

.

o

n

.

stand-by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

f

o

r

.

those

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

f

o

r

.

those

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

climb

.

f

o

r

.

the

lies,

–

–

–

that

smile,

–

–

behind

–

–

blinding

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

smile

–

–

behind

–

–

blinding

aisles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

design

–

–

a

life

–

–

full

.

o

f

.

wintertime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

design

–

–

a

life

–

–

full

.

o

f

.

wintertime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

slides,

.

a

n

d

.

slips,

.

a

n

d

.

slides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

slides,

.

a

n

d

.

slips,

.

a

n

d

.

slides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

still

likes

.

t

o

.

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

still

likes

.

t

o

.

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

still

likes

.

t

o

.

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

still

likes

.

t

o

.

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

highs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

into

.

t

h

e

.

sighs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

superficial

sunshine.

Reflection: This is a personal struggle-themed poem where the affected party has an addiction problem which he/she cannot seem to overcome. Part of the problem is that he/she focuses more on the “fun” and “excitement” of the more appetizing moments of the initial experience instead of the stress, anxiety, pain, and damage it causes after those initial, appetizing moments fade. I started thinking about how a love of drugs or addictions could be similar to love in a relationship and wrote the poem starting out with this idea in mind. I wrote this poem by listening to “Medicine” by Gus Dapperton which I played repeatedly in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. And it worked well. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

Every

new,

–

–

romantic

dream

–

–

becomes

–

–

a

rhapsody

.

o

n

.

repeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

rhapsody

.

o

n

.

repeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

you’re

playing

.

f

o

r

.

possibilities . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ playing

.

f

o

r

.

possibilities . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ playing

.

f

o

r

.

possibilities . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ playing

.

f

o

r

.

possibilities . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

a

rhapsody

.

o

n

.

repeat.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem where the contemplator continually seeks opportunities and possibilities but never seems to be satisfied – leading to a rhapsody on repeat. This tiny poem came into being as I was walking home from a bar one night when the line “always playing for possibilities” came to mind, and really resonated with me. So, I modified it slightly and it really worked as a short poem.

We

stared

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

starshine

.

o

f

.

a

.

secret

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

created

together

.

b

y

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

We

created

.

i

t

.

together,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

savored

.

t

h

e

.

starshine

.

o

f

.

that

.

secret

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

times

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

all

.

t

h

e

.

times

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

times

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes,

.

teasing

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

v

e

r

–

–

–

romantic

rhyme

.

a

n

d

.

candlelight

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

romantic

rhyme

.

a

n

d

.

candlelight

wine,

.

served

.

i

n

.

high,

.

midnight

style,

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

starshine

.

o

f

.

a

.

secret

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

starshine

.

o

f

.

a

.

secret

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

times

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

all

.

t

h

e

.

times

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

created

together . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

created

together . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

created

together . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

days

.

o

f

.

delight,

.

once

kind

.

a

n

d

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

days

.

o

f

.

delight,

.

once

kind

.

a

n

d

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

w

–

–

–

dimming

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

we

.

journey

.

through

.

our

.

n

e

w

.

lives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ as

.

w

e

.

journey

.

through

.

our

.

n

e

w

.

lives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

otherwise.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem where a previous couple from an old romance run into each other again years later. For a moment they relive the cherished moments they shared together. This poem was inspired by the ending of “La La Land” where actress Emma Stone looks at Ryan Gosling playing the piano who both now have separate new lives (especially her with a husband and child) – they share a secret smile for the times gone by that her husband/child know nothing about.  It was a great moment in the movie.

A

glance

–

–

became

–

–

a

dance

.

a

n

d

.

then

–

–

a

chance

.

a

t

.

romance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

–

–

a

chance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

–

–

a

chance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

–

–

a

chance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

t

–

–

–

romance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it

happened

.

s

o

.

sudden,

.

a

n

d

.

so

fast . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

.

i

t

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

last . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

could

.

n

o

t

.

last . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

moment

passed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

moment

passed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

moment

passed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

moment

passed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

only

.

t

h

e

.

haunting

strands

.

o

f

.

endearing

echoes

.

i

n

.

hopeful

hands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

haunting

strands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

haunting

strands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

haunting

strands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

a

glance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

a

dance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

of

a

chance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

could

.

n

o

t

.

last.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2023. I was looking to write a poem that went well with the haunting gem of a song (“Ramona” by Beck). I came across a Facebook profile of a wonderful person I met years ago who was with his fiancé at the time. I looked at his photos and saw what a wonderful married and family life they had created together over the years. I then thought about how sad it would have been had the key, starting moments had never happened and wrote this poem from that perspective which went along very well with the Beck song. Come to think of it, even a more recent friend has started down the same wonderful path with his fiancé and I might have been subconsciously thinking about that when writing this as well. Inspiration can come from pretty much everywhere when you write. If you listen to the Beck song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

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.

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

–

–

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.

°☆

☆°

°☆

.

.

.

.

.

.

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.

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.