Diary of a Poet
Dear Reader,
The following ms has been taken from what was written in the past fourteen months. This was a return
to writing after an eleven year silence. The silence was not complete, but the fire that had raged
within for a decade and a half was invisible for that time, it not non-existent. When LuckyPress.com
released Veracious Verse they thought it might be better if i was not a dead poet
, so i got online
and joined Versatility
. Each week a brilliant newsletter was in the mail
, with some assignment to
write. After work, i would sit and read the letter
, write a poem and go
to the room
, where
dozens of poets gathered to share and encourage. Though the group has long been defunct, i cannot yet
express what a help it was in bringing me back to the art i first loved! Such poems as Muse,
Happiness, Practice Makes Perfect and others would never have come through without the inspiration of
the other writers and the well researched newsletter! Your comments on the following verse, pro and
con, would be greatly appreciated!
I do hope you find some lines that touch your heart, or sing to your soul, as you read this!
#1001 , #1002 , #1003 , #1004 , #1005 , #1006
#1007 , #1008 , #1009 , #1010 , #1011 , #1012
#1013 , #1014 , #1015 , #1016 , #1017 , #1018
#1019 , #1020 , #1021 , #1022 , #1023 , #1024
#1025 , #1026 , #1027 , #1028 , #1029 , #1030
#1031 , #1032 , #1033 , #1034 , #1035 , #1036
#1037
#1001
A Poet?
Thousands of hours
with pens of all sorts
reams of pages
only worthy to burn
After trying all
ignorant resorts
the failed efforts
could not damage the yearn
No stern advises
nor arrogant guides
could steer the art
from its natural course
Neither great escapes
nor chemical hides
could stop the verse
from fulfilling its source
Once a great
poet
with grandiose fame
and an ego that could
not turn the key
Now just a wick
for eternity's flame
daring hopes of
an instrument to be
Top
T o C
#1002
Mind Matter?
Mental~
physical~
coin sides
Top
T o C
#1003
Knowledge's Core
Experience lived~
more than a library read~
the basis of know
Top
T o C
#1004
MUSE
Having been forced
by the politesse
of association
to cogitate
remote scents
of hand-picked
history's
scholastic scufflings
with the pseudo twin
of inspire
I find myself
midst the sea
of mental
rumination
sorting through
the once true
fragments
of stories
that keep
the log
of when
came the verse
and its ire
In this era
where superstition
seems home
to religion
and the fanciful need
for a number
of gods
dwindles
revealing freedom
people
once hoaxed
dared to dream
Muse
and its view
are changed
more
than a smidgen
setting quills
free
of a god
that gives
and
swindles
verses
that fragrant
or hint
at emotions'
redeem
Mnemosyne's
camera takes
moving pictures
that when viewed
from the hind
seem amazingly
like the way
ego and sane
would vote
in a future
campaign
The Muse
would
appear
tantamount
to life
's fixtures
even
the cause
of a
decade's
precasting
a stage
mic
so the ears
of a heart
could hear
the taste
of champagne
Top
T o C
#1005
Sherry Darling
Although she is
as busy as a bee
she will always
make time for another
Then once you are standing
on her doorstep
she treats you just like
you were her brother
If she finds the need
to make a request
its fulfillment is met
with pure delight
Her soft and warm
display of gratitude
it is as if her child
has taken flight
Though there is claimed
a grandmother status
nothing but youth
glints freely in her eye
Heartfelt rejoicing
of the act of life
within her manner
demands that you try
But neither try
to enjoy her presence
not the trying
to repay her kind leads
Yet she pulls forth
from your depth of being
that stagnant urge
to enact all kind deeds
Though i am sure
she has had her moments
it is obvious
they will never show
And every time
i am forced to leave her
it is with the hope
there again to go
Top
T o C
#1006
Dirt
Moving small parts
of the Earth
to placate
the desires of men
If only dirt
could tell the story
of all that's
happened and been
Tell of the trials
of Neanderthal
of villages
and tribes and chiefs
Give us the rumors
of battles of yore
rumors of warriors
and victors and thiefs
Would we then
worry over such
as substanceless
as lack or loss?
Would we still cover
all of our deeds
with the finite
of mortal gloss?
Top
T o C
#1007
The Spirit World
What a delicate subject
to be assigned
and achieve without
tossing of pearls
Much Higher than
the Gates and Bushes
mostly unthought-of
by Dukes and Earls
Hinted of in the first
chapter of Genesis
yet incomprehensible
to nostril-breathed man
This Invisible
world of Spirit
above the senses
and beyond their span
In thousands of years
of recorded dream
a couple times several
have achieved Its light
Though mostly obliterated
by sensual priests
who still think It to be
taken by power or might
God or Tao
or Mind or Spirit
Moses or Tzu
or Baker or Joel
It all sums up
a fire out of control
starting from the Eternal
Omnipresent coal
Judge not by appearance
the impossible act
or leaving the familiar
miscalled as our own
It doesn't much matter
which way you push
sooner or later
you find you have grown
Top
T o C
#1008
Practice Makes Perfect
persistent practice
ports perfection
this the theory
that they throw
possibly preference
peals protection
think thou thoughts
then thriving though
situations sonnets
sift surrender
while once weary
went with write
scholastic semblance
setting splendor
what was one's
woe when white
Top
T o C
#1009
Faith
Faith is a bird
dropping from a branch
or a monkey
on the swing
Blind faith
or a faith without knowing
is an awful
lonely thing...
Top
T o C
#1010
Every Day
Every day, brings a little mystery
every face, adds a touch of style
Every act, goes down in history
every friend, leaves us with a smile
Every place, echoes delivery
every hope, goes into the pile
Every time, in continuity
every thought, is right there on file
Every day, brings a little mystery
every face, adds a touch of style
Every act, goes down in history
every friend, leaves us with a smile
Every touch, is just like amnesty
every kiss, a treaty we have signed
Every laugh, close to divinity
every vow, the way we're defined
Every day, brings a little mystery
every face, adds a touch of style
Every act, goes down in history
every friend, leaves us with a smile
Top
T o C
#1011
The I of You
The I of you
dyes onto screen
into the I of me
Your try of do
lies in its sheen
imbue the hope of see
The cry of you
dies with each scene
renew the cry of me
My dye of do
plies in your sheen
review our hopes of be
Top
T o C
#1012
Too Busy To Plan
Thought of adding another
poet friend or two
but today was three hours
before i was through
Reading the thoughts and whims
of this one and that
with a quick break
for supper to keep me fat
Just twelve hours
between leaving and return
career toils which keep
love labors in burn
Oh, those quick moments
with the woman in life
blaze with delight
guess that's why she's my wife
There was time this past
weekend for holiday
flying north like the wind
in a limited GTI way
With the Maine coast
out the window and Comfort Inn
even a moment's crab hunting
'twixt visits fit in
Then there's the blues band
rather the two of us try
then the registries, modesties
and grandchildren high
And we cannot forget
a quick ride on the bike
while holding figurative
fingers in chores' dyke
Then the books to be printed
and crafts be designed
while the lesser of dreams
are silently resigned
But what would life be
without being involved
...at least free time planning
has been resolved... :)
Top
T o C
#1013
Happiness
Cotton candy clouds
and lollipop flowers
White chocolate castles
with marshmallow towers
Children may dream
of even happier things
Innocently playing
when recess bell rings
But we have our duties
and our clouds are not pink
As some of life's hassles
push us right to the brink
But are duties and hassles
at base truly the cause
Or does our own constitution
have no happiness clause
If our child blames the weather
or some playmate for its rue
We patiently explain
it's all in the choices they
do
So where went those castles
and lollipop fields
Are they just too damn dainty
for a grown-up life's wields?
If the definition was waking
each day would start blissed
Or maybe just breathing
and part of the list
Our own dictionary
steals half of our joys
And makes such an effort
of life's many toys
So happiness is
what happiness does
In the moment becoming
neither tomorrow nor was
Top
T o C
#1014
Feelings
What is at the root
of feelings
emotions are
what come to mind
And at the root
of emotions?
allowing them
to logic blind
Experience
appears to say
denial gushes
forth as tears
The ignorance
and ego mix
that seems blunted
with passing years
Let us not
forget fantasy
which nulls the splendor
of now's here
Would it be correct
to mention
faithlessness
as root to most fear
Surely factiphobic
living
makes angst of merely
ebb and tide
And what of wounds
self inflicted
the theft of gifts
that we call pride
Ah, the gain
and loss conundrum
whether it be
heart, mind or soul
Are these feelings
our life fluent
or are they just
what makes us hole?
Without the hole
inside of us
what would there be
that needs fulfill?
Maybe emotions
are the fuel
that keep us climbing
up life's hill
Top
T o C
#1015
Merry Christmas, Lover Girl
Thinking back to another world
where only occasionally we met
There were traces of what's unfurled
which i do hope i'll never forget
Sparkles of cheer bright in your eyes
and the warmth and joy enacted in smile
Awkward meetings with quick good-byes
not even seeing the love clues compile
Hindsight reveals the feeling there
and the rock solid love now come to be
The music was silenced by bare
heart singing, I love the way that you love me
When your Romeo ate that lead
leaving you hopelessly sad and alone
Heart cruelly acting as dead
picturing skies that would never be flown
Unlikely cupid's arrow shot
into the settle my love entertained
Pasted with brave love that was not
the sparkle and smiles there were strained
Chance meeting on the street in the cold
filled your eyes with that fire of delight
Maybe that moment birthed my bold
your refusal to touch me with your night
Then that
night with its likely less
when words from a bottle tore into soul
The try for comfort turned to bless
and a coffee
into first step of whole
Two weeks later our life began
as love softened the corners we had grown
That magic path without a plan
that every pair of true lovers have flown
Music now is all i hear
and those words are the only words i see
My heart and soul ever so clear
singing, I love the way that you love me!
I feel so close with you at my side
yet no less with many miles in between
You overshadow every pride
turning even my shortcomings clean
That once sparkle cannot compare
to the thrill each night i meet at the door
Life is so humbled by your fair
and so fluent within reach of your sure
Even at work at start of day
in a once greasy t-shirt that is white
Your love's presence has found its way
to be with me in feeling and in sight
With that music filling my ears
do i begin with the toils that must be
The sound of all others' harsh clears
to my song, I love the way that you love me!
In the warmth of home you have made
and the attention to every detail
Debt of heart cannot be repaid
yet you act as if owing without fail
You are there to share forever
should that be the length of time that i need
Hindrance shown in shades of never
when alone at the keyboard i must bleed
Always you quiver to my touch
always ready with eager to begin
Then busy with errands and such
when duty of sole will not let you in
Ever under your loving care
so that my labors of all can be free
The ever-present closeness there
now singing, I love the way that you love me!
Even now you could be waiting
so patient just a room or two away
I'll find you anticipating
the start of our very first Christmas day
With that music perfectly clear
just the way it was always meant to be
The spirit in love without fear
singing, I love the way that you love me!
Top
T o C
#1016
Imagine
Imagine a mortal father
in an infinite spiritual realm
Imagine a mental conception
that Omniscience would not overwhelm
Imagine a material Heaven
or some Spiritual fires of Hell
Imagine that sight is misleading
and All has always been well
Top
T o C
#1017
Little Linda Mae
Kisses in glances
and whispers in touch
Smiles just like dances
and words that can clutch
She now inspires
flaming verse in me
Words sing like choirs
and long to be free
Love is a fountain
i bathe in its flow
Desire is a mountain
its peak all aglow
Top
T o C
#1018
Life
Juxtaposition~
events taking place in a dream~
faux reality
Top
T o C
#1019
The Beautiful Beckets
Do you know of any two
such dedicated people
now lost within the fame
of their own creation?
Can you begin to imagine
such an endeavor
providing such haven
without any obligation?
Could you spend hours
of your time in others' pursuits
thus setting your own priceless
and precious moments aside?
Would you shoulder the need
of some strangers' evolution
knowing that all you end up with
is your own sense of pride?
I think this once i could speak
for fifty score of people
in saying Thank you two
for a job extremely well done
For i know beyond a doubt
how this site is fulfilling
and personally i think
it should be rated #1
(in memory of thoughtcafe.co.uk)
Top
T o C
#1020
Things of Love
I wake up
in the middle of the night
i sit and read
and think of you
I walk along
mind's memories' road
reexperiencing
the things of love you do
How could someone
as unfortunate as i
find an angel
as wonderful as you?
Be blessed with days
of grateful bliss
experiencing
things of love you do
Top
T o C
#1021
I See Love
I see love beaming
when you stand openhanded
granddaughter running
toward you arms flung wide, screaming
Meme! Meme! Meme!
love emanating and reflecting
from jubilation's eye
I see love gleaming
while you sort laundry
as i pinch your cheek
quickly passing, mumbling
I have to check the mail
echoing your moaned, sweet sarcasm
with heart that does not lie
I see love teeming
as you prepare our dinner
with my less than helpful
of hugs and squeezes, whispered
I love you, Mrs. Beal
touch disproving your irritation
unblemished acts of sigh
I see love dreaming
wiggling its way closer
when i get back in bed
mid way through the night, miming
We have to be touching.
lying together in that stillness
How your warmth explains why!
Happy Birthday, Love of my life!
Top
T o C
#1022
Revealing Me
The Me of me you cannot see
It receives thought and lets it free
It sometimes rhymes when one with Muse
And it changes so seems confuse
Not so much change but better view
So what becomes is not so new
Childish whimpers turned grown-up scream
Those echoed 'mares made horrid dream
Then hints of Truth once bared were burned
Lies were gobbled then on with yearned
So toward the end, desolate roads
The map was scrapped as were the modes
Then part of Me was seen to rise
If just a glint in hungry eyes
The hopes of wish were crucified
The pipe-mares damned or certified
Wings abandoned and off afoot
Brushing of Hell, its vicious soot
There at its gate the fatal sign
If i return all blame is mine!
There with my pains aflame behind
First realized that i was blind
With best cane front the plod began
To try and find a me the man
For victory or disaster
'Er artist be or poetaster
Now on the way, answers unclear
But either or, it's without fear
Top
T o C
#1023
No More Apologies
Okay no more apologies
though untouched the way i feel
And now as for diversities
not many if any real
I know quite extremist sounding
have been there but not like this
Before for sake of expounding
there were thoughts i cannot miss
Your love like a rock i'm finding
gently held this precious while
And words not meant for reminding
friendship sure a silent smile?
Top
T o C
#1024
Thinking of Rita
India and Pakistan
about to get it on
Two Spirit fearing countries
in a battle of brawn
Allah isn't listening
and Vishnu could care less
There's no God on either side
this mutiny to bless
The Creator of the universe
has a thousand names
And does not concern Itself
with mortal army games
Crusades have always told us
that carnage has no yield
There may be demons at the front
but there's no God on the field
Nuclear statistics
do not look good on page
Oh, what will be the outcome
in this dispute of rage?
Where families gather closely
with love resting on their sleeve
Wondering if salvation
might rest when they leave
The Creator of the universe
has a thousand names
And does not concern Itself
with mortal army games
Crusades have always told us
that carnage has no yield
There may be demons on the front
but there's no God on the field
Maybe some remember
once praying for Japan
Then praying for destruction
when they changed their plan
Sunday churches overflowed
praying, God, stop the war!
After we dropped two bombs
what were Thank you
prayers for?
The Creator of the universe
has a thousand names
But does not concern Itself
with mortal army games
Crusades have always told us
the fate is failure sealed
Demons are lies in the teaching
God isn't a sword to wield
Top
T o C
#1025
Every Now And Now
Curls of smoke~
long silent string~
power far~
Quakes of earth~
volcano noise~
beside steel~
(Written after reading The Coal Train
,
by Morgan Goldwin, posted at Thoughtcafe.co.uk)
Top
T o C
#1026
Ocean In A Drop
If you're throbbin' for a bobbin'
baby, i am your man
if you're itchin' for a switchin'
i'll do the best i can
If you're talkin' heels and stockin's
you can dance on my chest
of you'd surrender now for tender
my massage is the best
But i don't need your body
baby i know how you feel
Sometimes a glance across
the kitchen's even more real
We make love doin' dishes
or watchin' T. V.
Just my name on your voice
is like gettin' off for me
Every second we're together's
like the ocean in a drop
I'll take whatever's coming
as long as you don't stop
If you're grubbin' for a rubbin'
don't gotta do that alone
If you're just tickin' for a lickin'
you're my ice cream cone
If you're jumpin' for a pumpin'
i can push by the pound
if you're sidin' for a ridin'
i'm a stallion you've found
But i don't need your body
baby i know how you feel
Sometimes a glance across
the kitchen's even more real
We make love doin' dishes
or watchin' T. V.
Just my name on your voice
is like gettin' off for me
Every second we're together's
like the ocean in a drop
I'll take whatever's comin'
as long as you don't stop
If tradition's your condition
i'm a missionary man
if you're hopin' for a ropin'
i'm a cowboy with a plan
If you're singin' for a shwingin'
i'm your Tarzan on a vine
if you envision kinky prison
you know i'll cross that line
But i don't need your body
baby i know how you feel
Sometimes a glance across
the kitchen's even more real
We make love doin' dishes
or watchin' T. V.
Just my name on your voice
is like gettin' off for me
Every second we're together's
like the ocean in a drop
I'll take whatever's coming
as long as you don't stop
I'll take whatever's coming
as long as you don't stop
Don't stop, Baby!
Top
T o C
#1027
Orthodoxy
If the story says
they lost the garden
by eating forbidden fruit
it would seem we might ponder
upon it a while
But seems have a way
of begging pardon
while the cares of life
recruit
as religion serves the same
apple
buffet style
Top
T o C
#1028
On Stage
Leaving behind the mysteries
and enjoying the gifts of Today
Letting all hope of the morrow go
for the morrow will find its own way
Resting in the simplest of things
while knowing that they do not count
Finding the valleys less shadowy
by not pedestaling the mount
Reason and logic jesters still play
amusing if not taken to heart
Just sittin' here watching dreamscape
satisfied to be playing my part
Top
T o C
#1029
Too Busy
Always too busy
to see the writing on the wall
a miserable man
Top
T o C
#1030
Labor of Hope
I feel Love flow through me
i see Love flow through you
knowing Joy is our essence
Love inspiring what we do
Today is just a continuance
of Love unplanted that did grow
Hope is the labor of our longing
a deeper Love Today to know
Happy Birthday! :)
Top
T o C
#1031
When Hell's Freeze Is Over
The yellow of scroll
which turned to page
now to luminous screen
awaits the quill
which turned to pen
now plastic keys in sheen
The black hole
which feeds the sage
still passes words to prey
when all is still
even hope and yen
no white or black or gray
Top
T o C
#1032
The Inner Realm
deeper down where no smile or frown
has ever touched the vines of fire
there are no words in static herds
to fuel the emotional pyre
if i could hark whispers in the dark
i am quite sure the dreams would then real
forgetting the taste of all youthful waste
would i return to this world of feel?
Top
T o C
#1033
Picture of bridge at Dow Gardens
Stone and water set the circle
beneath autumn's painted trees
A triumphant arc above the ebb
of a mountain's weeping sprees
An architect on a large squared page
with his compass and colored lead
The eyes and ears of wandering souls
whom he never met has fed
The hieroglyphic sun will be sitting
casting its gladness upon all who call
As it dawns each spring with ice flows
and sets with the first freeze each fall
It records the echo of every footstep
and remembers each tear of the hills
Lives the hunger of every shared longing
and each whispered romance at its sills
Top
T o C
#1034
Adolescent Blues
Ooooh i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Noooo i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Oooh it seems i used to know
but the memory's gone it's sad
I say i don't know what i need
but i need it, need it, ooh, sooo bad
Butterflies in my stomach
my nerves are standin' on end
Too many places i could go
too many which ways to bend
Ooooh i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Nooo i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Seems i knew once in a dream
of a nightmare i had
But now i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Butterflies in my stomach
my nerves are standin' on end
Too many place i could go
too many which ways to bend
Ooooh i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Nooo i don't know what i need
but i need it so bad
Oh it seems i used to know
but the memory's gone it's sad
I say i don't know what i need
but i need it
Oooooh but i need it
oooooooooooooooooohhhhhh
ssssoooooooooo
baaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!
Top
T o C
#1035
The Show Is Over
The 3D glasses of disillusionment
give dimension to the appearance
The molehill's mountain of lie
snatched like some Christmas clearance
Depicted pictures of insanity's plea
jury the jesters' court of hindsight
While paparazzi pictures
conspire with the blind might
Of a generation cyber-self absorbed
technologic'ly elevated
Video reality
officially elated
And the faux cinema stays loaded
while we await the happy ending
Knowing the chains that keep us
blinded by our pretending
Top
T o C
#1036
Ode To Our Cruise
I wake up late it's Thursday
the Sun is about to rise
Valentine's hindsight shadow
places Love's gleam in my eyes
There are three others awake
we stand by the lifts in line
With Promenade promises
of Java for feeling fine
The ship rocks in the trade winds
fog dances on distant swells
As deck eleven is incensed
with beautiful breakfast smells
All of the shops will be open
the pools, hut tubs and each bar
Burgers, fries and shakes to serve
at yesteryear's dining car
Should we take in a movie
or bask in Summer Sun's glow
Suppose it does not matter
because next cruise we will know
Not a gangway for walking
obligation's bounty blank
I must admit i wondered
if bad rhyme would risk a plank
Barely a bill left to lose
the wheel continues to spin
Tables of cards and dice and chips
and odds that increase with gin
Dinner companions poolside
that couple met on the Isle
The chambermaid's bubbly
waitress' contagious smile
Reminiscing that grateful
i felt each return from shore
Every time they moved my room
they left it on the same floor
Regrets here so infrequent
can barely notice the void
Just karaoke seldom
and no listing of Pink Floyd
A brilliant day for ocean
and future friends i must meet
Could a stage and an audience
make a day like this complete?
Top
T o C
#1037
Two Puerto Rican Sisters
The Philadelphia snowfall
having cancelled flights in San Juan
Left eight hours of line standing
and no pillow to rest upon
Midway through tomorrow's flight list
dragging luggage of a week's cruise
Tourism's desk full of strangers
found a comfortable place to snooze
A taxi ride and a bellhop
deposited us in our room
There placed without family or friend
no obvious part to assume
Bebo's Cafe was room service
though we chose to stroll for the dine
There finding the seats were all full
this time there was sitting in line
Smalltalk revealed a companion
at least 'til her table was called
Returning moments from exit
by invite our wait was dissolved
Silvia became our escort
to a corner table for four
An introduction to Emma
the aloneness sunk into yore
They told of decades of living
that had led to Jersey and back
Recommending fried bananas
the options for which had no lack
Toasting with El Presidante
we exchanged addresses and phone
Parting with warm hugs and kisses
our friendship so quickly had grown
The mishap now seen as a blessing
a date set for next year to meet
Unforeseen island adventure
echoing with memories sweet!
Top
T o C
Would love to hear your thoughts on this verse!
Email the Poet