Wise by Mistake

Had I thought for just a moment,
I would not have been so bold,
reckless, thoughtless, childish -
all truth for comfort sold.

Had I more than fleeting moments,
seen beyond that rosy haze,
I would have reconsidered -
not gotten lost inside the maze.

Had I not become complacent,
yes, not reverted back to form,
then I would not be dwelling
on the dangers of the storm.

Alas, these sharpened glasses
only work to see the past,
my wisdom is but fleeting,
but mistakes - they seem to last.

Unrestful Night

You grieve
for every perceived
slight and aggravation
you ever gave.
You shed
unwelcome tears
for well done kindness.
You cringe
while on the fringe
of too-much-remembering,
of rights done wrong.
You forgive
all those who dig
your shallow grave.
Too kind to live.
For all you save
past deeds remain
right there to haunt you.
I know the feeling,
nothing you do
will close your eyes,
but it’s time to sleep.

Writer's Block

If I weren't so tired,
I would write a poem.
Something to tickle
and tease the intellect.
If I weren't so very
bloody and annoyingly
tired beyond belief,
I would write a novel.
I'd write 200 and 22.
Well, since this is
the kind of day you get,
when the week
has rendered you weak,
I guess all I can do
is tap on these keys
and hope something brilliant
comes out of the blues.

Promise

When all that I've known
flows freely,
I walk on the cobblestones
towards another rebirth.
I wink at the rainbow,
stare straight into the sun.
Where one journey has ended,
another is begun.

Short Good Night Poem XI

Mingled scents come from the courtyard;
buns burning, leaves growing.
Silence plays a weary tune,
and in the blue before darkness
we share our dreams with the sun.

They Say the End Is Near

They’re courting disaster,
creating their own end,
looking for apocalyptic
signs and portents in the sand.
They’re begging for challenge,
wanting nothing more
than something to fight –
anything will do.
The bleeding of the heavens,
the sufferings of man,
they try to conjure panic
just to feel the pain
of something real.

Letting Go

A poem about saying goodbye to someone who's in the hospital.

I sit here watching memories
play a movie in my mind,
knowing they’ll be all I have,
all that’s left behind
after today.

There are so many moments that
I have shared with only you;
secret smiles and silent laughs
just between us two -
our private jokes.

Who’s going to laugh with me now,
and get what I try to say?
I’m being selfish, I know;
wanting you to stay
when you’re hurting.

24 hours of your time,
that’s what I gave to myself,
storing away each second
on a closet shelf
deep in my mind.

Listen to me now, I’m rambling.
Sorry for being a pain.
Just wanted to say thank you
for keeping me sane
through all the years.

The doctors are here now, it’s time,
no more hours left to buy.
It’s all right to go now friend.
Godspeed and goodbye,
I love you.

Tell Me

Catch me when I fall?
Will you heed the call?
Forever falling, fading out.
The light is shadow dancing.
What's it all about?

Crossroads

Going out of my mind -
it tickles, it burns
this promise of future.
Stiff like a board
each morning I wake.
The threats of tomorrow
bearing down on
my young-too-old shoulders,
leave me feeling guilty
of crimes to be proclaimed
by a jury ready for hanging.
Me or them?
Nothing tells nothing,
I read signs and portents
like the Sunday news,
but the censor and sensor
can't seem to agree.
Crow call, cuckoo call -
which way and which
direction my dear?
My head spins a compass
and the magnetic pull
of destiny and chance
tug a war with my soul.
Yet I can't live in fear.
Will not stay here.
If not up, then at least
I'll move on.
If not victory, then at least
I'll throw down.
And it will be
a merry-go-round.

20/20

Achy, breaky, disillusioned.
Disappointment and confusion.
In the night when all pretend
burns up and fades in ashen end,
I sit and watch my glory days
laughing for what hoping pays.
This is how the world's corrupt -
I should know the lesson well.
Still I tried just one more go,
failed to flow, and went through hell.
But after all, I'll try once more,
no one but me is keeping score.

Mistaken

Throw me in a bucket,
I will sink or swim.
Feed me to the lions,
I'll make food of you.
Try to misinterpret -
I shall lead astray.
Think I'm just a puppet?
You'll have to think again.

Guilty Till Proven Innocent

When dreams have retired,
I lie waiting in guilt.
Though I never committed
the crimes of the accused.

But I am still here when the judgment falls,
patiently waiting for that one final moment
before your sword does its work.

You’ll have until tomorrow
to see who I’ve always been.
Till it’s all but too late,
your mercy I await.

When dreams have retired,
I wait in the arms of night
to once more be embraced
by you, as the friend I have been.

Justitia’s eyes bring me some quiet comfort,
for as she is blind you too should see
behind the masks I’m wearing.

So I wait, though already sentenced,
for it’s true that something must give.
We’ll see what’s first to abandon us -
your ignorance, or my heart.

Black Truths and White Lies

You can say that you love me.
My answer is a sigh.
You can say that you need me
and I will do what I can,
for a while.
But please don’t ask,
control yourself.
Don’t go looking for answers
you never wanted to hear.
Honesty a virtue?
Don’t be absurd.
Everything can be forgiven,
but do you think this is a dream?
Honest liars,
that my friend,
that’s what they’re always wanting.
Euphemism,
beautiful thoughts,
while the soul get locked up inside
to protect the helpless wardens.

Short Good Night Poem X

Would you close your eyes
and feel the stars
sing serenades above your window?
Would you lean into
whatever comfort
is around you; the ground, the bed?
Would you let me take you
out on adventures
that do not wear and tear your heart?
Would you welcome
the end of day
had it ever the most splendid start?
We need night to redefine morning.
In the lightest slumber there is rest.
For you let your spritit
come that much closer to peace
once you lay your head down
and sleep.

Short Good Night Poem IX

Lazily gazing down
the moon with her crown
laughs joyfully and free
while she's playing with the sea.
Sighing deep in slumber
the birds don't mind the thunder
just beyond the shore
they dream of myth and lore.
Buried deep in summer grass
lies a gleaming pearl of glass.
Go to sleep and you will find
that beauty deep within your mind.

Short Good Night Poem IIX

The hour is late and waning yet,
the future looks blurry -nothing is set.
The day has passed in its willful way,
the sun grows uncertain, the shadows stay.
Take comfort in knowing you tried to do good,
things will fall how they should.
Just trust in the light, you can sleep safe and tight
there is nothing to do here tonight.

Short Good Night Poem VII

It's okay to be small,
you'll grow up in a while.
It's all right to be scared,
but you don't have to worry.
I will be here, when shadows close.
I will be here, even if you don't see me.
I will be here, so you can sleep tight.
Nothing will hurt you tonight.

Short Good Night Poem VI

Simmer down little one,
the heat is fleeting.
Take your bow,
like the sun
as it shimmers
into night.

Let the puffs
of angels breaths
cool your sweaty brow.
Simmer down and go to sleep,
like the crimson heavens.

Short Good Night Poem V

Flickering lights of softness,
flushed roses in a bed of down.
Troubles forgotten,
left behind.
Now we go to sleep.

Short Good Night Poem IV

Snuggle deep beneath the cover,
feel the warmth surrounding you.
Soon you will go safe in slumber
to meet fellow journeyers
and have the merriest adventures.
Feel the salt of weary sleep,
like drops of ocean you may keep,
singing lullabies of joy
and whispering of peace.