I

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

moved

you

.

t

o

.

the

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

moved

you

.

t

o

.

the

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

rapture

.

o

f

.

that

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

.

t

h

e

.

rapture

.

o

f

.

that

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

wants,

–

–

words,

.

a

n

d

.

whispers

brewed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

wants,

–

–

words,

.

a

n

d

.

whispers

brewed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

rapture

.

o

f

.

that

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

movements

smooth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

new

.

i

n

.

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

new

.

w

a

s

.

in

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

new

.

w

a

s

.

in

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

new

.

w

a

s

.

in

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

I

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

I

merged

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

moved

you

.

t

o

.

the

moon.

Reflection: 

This is a romance-themed poem where the contemplator fondly looks back on a special, romantic experience. I wrote most of this poem by listening to “My One and Only Love” by James Sanborn which I played repeatedly in the background 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.

I

.

w

a

s

.

one,

.

a

n

d

.

became

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

became

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

the

warmth

.

a

n

d

.

colors

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

others

–

–

I

explored

.

a

n

d

.

loved

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

all

.

t

h

e

.

others

–

–

I

explored

.

a

n

d

.

loved

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

poured

upon

.

t

h

e

–

future

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

poured

upon

–

t

h

e

–

future

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

poured

upon

–

t

h

e

–

future

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

poured

upon

–

t

h

e

–

future

shores . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

I

aspired

.

t

o

.

become

.

a

n

d

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

.

w

a

s

.

one,

.

a

n

d

.

became

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

became

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

I

absorbed

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all

.

o

f

.

the

warmth

.

a

n

d

.

colors . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

absorbed

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

absorbed

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

absorbed

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all

–

–

o

f

–

–

the

warmth

.

a

n

d

.

colors . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

others

–

–

I

explored

.

a

n

d

–

loved

before.

Reflection: This is a reflection-themed poem where the contemplator looks back on and appreciates all those who influenced and contributed to the person he or she has become today. I wrote this poem by listening to “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer which I played repeatedly in the background 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.

I

achieved

–

–

my

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

achieved

–

–

your

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it’s

not

nearly

–

a

s

–

sweet

–

a

s

–

initially

seemed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

not

nearly

–

a

s

–

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

not

nearly

–

a

s

–

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

not

nearly

–

a

s

–

sweet

–

a

s

–

initially

seemed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

am

here . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

are

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

accum

ulating

time

–

a

n

d

–

distance

between . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time

–

a

n

d

–

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

distance

–

a

n

d

–

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

were

all

–

–

the

rewards

–

w

e

–

would

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

–

o

f

–

that

romance,

–

a

n

d

–

rapture,

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time

–

a

n

d

–

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

distance

–

a

n

d

–

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dimming

–

t

h

e

–

days

–

–

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

days

–

–

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

–

o

f

–

that

romance,

–

a

n

d

–

rapture,

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

–

w

e

–

pursued

–

–

those

dreams

–

i

n

–

our

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

not

knowing

–

–

how

much

–

w

e

–

might

lose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

knowing

–

–

how

much

–

w

e

–

might

lose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

regret

sings

–

–

relent

lessly,

–

–

the

most

–

–

haunting

tunes

–

o

f

–

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Regret

sings

–

–

relent

lessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Regret

sings

–

–

relent

lessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Regret

sings

–

–

relent

lessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

most

–

–

haunting

tunes

–

o

f

–

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it’s

not

achieve

ment

–

o

f

–

the

goal

–

–

that

fills

–

–

the

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

not

achieve

ment

–

o

f

–

the

goal . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

not

achieve

ment

–

o

f

–

the

goal . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It’s

not

achieve

ment

–

o

f

–

the

goal . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

fills

–

–

the

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

who

–

i

s

–

with

you

–

–

when

–

y

o

u

–

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

who

–

i

s

–

with

you

–

–

where

–

y

o

u

–

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

who

–

i

s

–

with

you

–

–

a

t

–

–

the

end

–

o

f

–

that

road.

Reflection: This poem was largely inspired by the ending of “La La Land” where actress Emma Stone looks at Ryan Gosling playing the piano who both have separate new lives (especially her with a husband and child) and shares a secret smile with him for the times gone by that her husband/child know nothing about. It was a great moment in the movie.

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.