Shaan Sood lives in Oakland California with two dogs. In his free time he enjoys reading and writing, as well as talking with his friends. He explores many different types of writing, including prose and poetry. We Should Have Let Go: Behind our blue skies A photograph faded from touch Its incandescent glow of before Hidden Oh, forgotten Holding grains of sand That were filled with the words Said through murky water We should have held tighter We should have let go A flower pressed in the cover of a book That came from the beds that used to grow And now it’s broken and browned and frayed We should have held tighter We should have let go Museum exhibits of lives Indelible thoughts, words Perforations in our minds We should have held tighter We should have let go Bagged up and locked Our past made of gold Slipping from us We should have held tighter We should have let go Staring lackadaisically At what was falling in our thoughts Wishing, watching, waiting. We should have held tighter We should have let go We should have held tighter We should have let go. Lies From the Sky: Did you know That once, I had wings? They had long feathers That spanned through Miles and miles Of sunlight and blue sky. And then my wings turned black. Their feathers shined Gold like the sun it touched But clouds exist, my friend. I used to fly But only rarely, Because I did not understand That my wings, one day Would turn black. But I thought that eventually, the sun was supposed to shine through clouds. Perhaps that’s the first lie I was ever told by the sky. Wings aren’t all golden. They can get caught In fallen breaths. They can be captured In cut off words And they can lose their golden feathers. Dust storms and snowfalls are made of broken golden feathers that can never make it onto wings. I used to fly Now I sit Writing a song To my wings Because Once…Sunlight turned me gold. Silver Paths Diverged Prismatic sculptures
Of unendurable light And broken syllables Is it lost on you That our forgotten words Are made up of sharply edged triangles Yearning to tumble down a ceaseless mountain And we’ll all be falling and whispering unknown songs And I’ll be on the edge of the precipice, sharpening my pencil Waiting to write into the rigid stone the songs that we never heard Our silver paths diverged And we're locked into paper Yelling lonely poetry to the stars And then we all fell I gaze indirectly..alone, With an assassin’s smile Weakening, staring And when does the light finally collapse into the solitude of the night
0 Comments
DEATH OF A HOUSE It is an indeterminate hour and the dark is the surface of water about to be broken. In some corner of the world a dove moves uncertainly towards crumbs, its perch a rope of wire in pounded concrete. Poor pulverised world where millions greet the day with joy as they would have done when teeth rotted and limbs burned. And others hurry to silence as they would have rushed to wells. The eye gathers light sufficient to see a hand moving, pale, fish-like. A sleeve of sleep trails, fades into a nether world knitting itself closed. A last thought escapes almost full, a muffled beat, an elegy for a house falling in on the peace of its having stood too long, whose history was books and ambition, a music too tuneful to outlive discord. To whose trees no rooks return; where, in an outhouse, the best and oldest furniture is becoming one with plaster-damp air and walls whose children’s scribbles are indecipherable. The Cave of Mithras is not more desolate. But here, sealed from all but the crack of spring through curtains, the clock constructs day around itself. Leave the news in its box, rain in its clouds; stretch slowly, carefully, like long-mislaid elastic, aware that your limbs are almost beyond your bidding In the morning, not nervous like a young colt, but sluggish as if dragging the earth back a millisecond on its axis. For now, balance and a brilliance from outside that is forever unfamiliar at first glimpse, in the blink it takes to assimilate the miraculous. To work then, far from where cars purr and growl at intersections, to that garden where the sun must fight to be admitted. And later, numb from sifting clay, the walls already releasing day’s brief heat, you close around a fragment of blue tile, from nowhere, belonging nowhere – not even to itself. And it descends again, always more need than desire, the urge to tell a story whose truth is a chip in the fingers: will it never end? What are you moving across, if not the topmost layer of a skin of myths, set, then troubled like grass in a sudden wind? Under the tap, blue is blue on white, fine as a river traced on an atlas, a desert stream disappearing. It fits no design, is simply itself, clay fired and cooled, no different from those million shells you came across after a high-tide storm; that city, glittering and brittle, houses that outlast. You are moving through them now for a moment, by that undiscovered sea. A moment is enough. Give the tile back to its earth and bone, hide it where it will cut no other finger. HYDRANGEA |
BOBBY Z is an avid writer and Blogger, also has video’s, audio’s a podcast and has Authored the Book Tales Of The Junkyard Dog. A rather abrupt and unusual Collection of Poems providing insightful and comical commentary on life, the Convergence of the past and the present, and the trails and tribulations of Relationships---BLOG https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com |
FALSE PROPHETS
False Prophets, since the beginning of time.
One hand in your pocket, while attempting to control your mind.
Never doubt them, they’re cunning and very clever.
Once they get their hooks into you, you’re lost to them forever.
They enter your life, with visions of grandeur.
Then pick your pockets, leaving you smelling like manure.
Thru-out mankind, always able to adapt.
Once caught in the act, they always swear it was a bum rap.
Kings and Queens and me and you, have fallen prey to their advice.
Always resolving themselves of blame, declaring life’s a roll of the dice.
Promising the world, but only interested in bleeding you dry.
So good at disguise, many welcome them and never question why.
Once they’re in they never leave, until they relieve you of your senses.
Impossible to keep them out, neither gates or even fences.
Similar to a snake charmer, they’ll lull you off to sleep.
Once awaken, all is lost only left with grief.
Many of us have known one, and many of us we have been.
Could be the next door neighbor, or even your next of kin.
Impossible to detect them, till they take all your worth.
False Prophets till the end of time, shall forever roam the earth.
One hand in your pocket, while attempting to control your mind.
Never doubt them, they’re cunning and very clever.
Once they get their hooks into you, you’re lost to them forever.
They enter your life, with visions of grandeur.
Then pick your pockets, leaving you smelling like manure.
Thru-out mankind, always able to adapt.
Once caught in the act, they always swear it was a bum rap.
Kings and Queens and me and you, have fallen prey to their advice.
Always resolving themselves of blame, declaring life’s a roll of the dice.
Promising the world, but only interested in bleeding you dry.
So good at disguise, many welcome them and never question why.
Once they’re in they never leave, until they relieve you of your senses.
Impossible to keep them out, neither gates or even fences.
Similar to a snake charmer, they’ll lull you off to sleep.
Once awaken, all is lost only left with grief.
Many of us have known one, and many of us we have been.
Could be the next door neighbor, or even your next of kin.
Impossible to detect them, till they take all your worth.
False Prophets till the end of time, shall forever roam the earth.
WHO WE ARE
Far,Far, Far away
There was a time.
When you were older.
Than you are today.
A time so long ago.
It hides from you.
Yet faint memories.
Haunt you thru the day.
Remembering when you might have been.
A soldier marching on Rome.
Or possibly a Ancient Mariner.
Anxious to return home.
Working on the Pyramids.
Or making pots of earthen clay.
Were we here once before.
And have we ever passed this way.
How many times have you felt.
That you may have been someone else.
At another time another place.
It was you yet not yourself.
Ancient thoughts and forbidden times.
Arouse you deep inside.
A product of the ages.
Can't remember how many times you died.
There was a time.
When you were older.
Than you are today.
A time so long ago.
It hides from you.
Yet faint memories.
Haunt you thru the day.
Remembering when you might have been.
A soldier marching on Rome.
Or possibly a Ancient Mariner.
Anxious to return home.
Working on the Pyramids.
Or making pots of earthen clay.
Were we here once before.
And have we ever passed this way.
How many times have you felt.
That you may have been someone else.
At another time another place.
It was you yet not yourself.
Ancient thoughts and forbidden times.
Arouse you deep inside.
A product of the ages.
Can't remember how many times you died.
Who Are We #2
The time has come.
The time has gone.
Dreams of yesterday’s.
Fade away thru the years.
What could have been.
If not for what has occurred.
Given a chance.
Would we have succeeded.
Going thru life dreaming.
Was it easier being what we have been.
Instead of being.
What we could have been.
To be what we could have been.
Instead of being what we should have been.
Did we try to be what we were meant to be.
Or did we just become what we did not want to be.
Mentor’s and Surrogate’s along the way.
Wanting us to be what they have been.
Attempting to prevent us from becoming.
What we wanted to be.
To be what we wanted to be.
Meant not being what we were meant to be.
Preventing us from becoming what we should have been.
Becoming someone who became someone we were not meant to be.
So to be what we want to be.
Meant not becoming what we were meant to be.
Or what others wanted us to be.
Then who are we.
Sit and wonder what.
It would have been.
To be someone else.
Instead of being what we have been.
The time has gone.
Dreams of yesterday’s.
Fade away thru the years.
What could have been.
If not for what has occurred.
Given a chance.
Would we have succeeded.
Going thru life dreaming.
Was it easier being what we have been.
Instead of being.
What we could have been.
To be what we could have been.
Instead of being what we should have been.
Did we try to be what we were meant to be.
Or did we just become what we did not want to be.
Mentor’s and Surrogate’s along the way.
Wanting us to be what they have been.
Attempting to prevent us from becoming.
What we wanted to be.
To be what we wanted to be.
Meant not being what we were meant to be.
Preventing us from becoming what we should have been.
Becoming someone who became someone we were not meant to be.
So to be what we want to be.
Meant not becoming what we were meant to be.
Or what others wanted us to be.
Then who are we.
Sit and wonder what.
It would have been.
To be someone else.
Instead of being what we have been.
If Walls Could Talk
If walls could talk, what would they say,
with all that was said,
forever stored away.
Think about what was said, concealed from sight,
yet never to be heard,
might reveal anger, pain or delight.
Words said in anger, yet others said with regrets,
others said with love,
the walls never forget.
If they could talk, what would they want to be told,
words said alone,
should always remain unknown.
The walls are talking, yet never to be revealed,
secrets only you can hear,
shall forever remain sealed.
with all that was said,
forever stored away.
Think about what was said, concealed from sight,
yet never to be heard,
might reveal anger, pain or delight.
Words said in anger, yet others said with regrets,
others said with love,
the walls never forget.
If they could talk, what would they want to be told,
words said alone,
should always remain unknown.
The walls are talking, yet never to be revealed,
secrets only you can hear,
shall forever remain sealed.
CHAPTER 9 (FRIDAY NITE @ THE BUCKET OF BLOOD BAR)
ITS NOW 12AM and as usual in walks The Silver Fox, also known
as Alfonso Scalfani. As usual he is dressed to the nine, without a
Silver hair out of place. The Fox or Al as he is sometime known, is
very particular about his hair. He has on a Black Suit, with a black
shirt and a white tie, with pointy black shoes, that could kill
Cock A Roaches in a corner, a pinky ring and a full head of silver
hair. He goes to the barber once a week, and only let's Luigi touch
his hair. Apparently Luigi comes from the town in Sicily, that the
Foxes family came from in Sicily. He also likes to get a shave, first
the hot towel on his face, then the shaving cream, and then the
straight razor. Luigi is the only one that can get a straight razor
that close to his throat. He use to have jet black hair, but it
started turning grey at a very early age.
The Silver Fox is a Made man, and made his Bones many year ago.
he whacked someone that was going to blow the whistle on some top
mob Good Fellows. He made it look like a street robbery that went
bad. The higher up big boys were very impressed with him, and he
immediately became their go to guy.
The Fox has many victim's, in one pocket he has a cigarette
lighter that resembles a gun, and in the other pocket he has a gun
the size of the cigarette lighter. When once asked why such a small
gun, he responds that it's easy to conceal and that once the gun is
put behind someone's ear, it makes no difference about the size of
the gun, the victim is going down. It also does not make much noise.
It should work, because he has 12 successful hits to his credit.
Slippery Eddie makes sure that Silver Fox has his usual seat
at the end of the bar next to the telephone booth, so he can see
who and what is happening around him. Slippery Eddie serves him his
favorite drink, a bottle of Rolling Rock Beer, with no glass, and
a shot of Old Grand Dad. The Fox throws up a Ten and tells Eddie to
keep the change.
The Fox tells Slippery Eddie to come closer, and quietly reminds
him that he is suppose to meet the Fox downtown, Wednesday night.
the Fox has a very lucrative Loan Shark business, and uses Slippery
Eddie whenever he has customers that become problem payers(stiffs).
Eddie is very good with his hands, and has been working with the Fox
for a couple of years. Eddie pick's up a lot of extra cash this way.
The Fox has a small candy store downtown, that he uses as a front,
and the back room, has much blood on the floor. In the front there
is a large counter, with candy, Italian cigars, a rack behind the
counter with cigarette's and a large cooler with Italian ice's. The
store is run by the Fox's brother, who has some brain damage. The
Fox is very protective of his brother, because of a promise he made
To his mother years ago, just before she died.
The Fox got his start, by becoming a Number's Runner when he
quit school at 17 years old. He worked for Tony The Gent, who also
was the local Loan Shark. The Fox was only 24 years old when Tony
The Gent got wacked, so he took over the business. The Fox had
already made his Bones, so the higher up's had no problem with him
taking over the business. Also he was on the list to become a Made
man.
Besides being a loan shark, the Fox also has a crew of three
(3) of the biggest nastiest Mother Fucker's that ever lived. One
of their most lucrative money makers is robbing high stake illegal
card games. They do one or two a week, and they also are good at
stealing high end cars. They have someone that ships them overseas,
or have them cut up for parts. They must always keep busy, because
they all have to pay the Vig, every week. The Fox hand picked the
three of them, and they all are aware that they have to kick Up
every week.
Slippery Eddie asks the Fox what he is up to tonight, and he
tells Eddie that he is headed downtown to the Blue Flamingo bar,
for a going away party for one of his Dearest Friends. His friends
name is Vinny The Bull, and he is headed to the Can (prison) for
three years for Atrocious Assault and Battery. He apparently caught
some Spook in bed with his girlfriend. The party is a typical one
for those either just going in or just coming out. And is used as
a means to raise money for the family while they are serving time,
or to get them started once they get out.
And as usual the Feds will have a truck parked nearby, taking
pictures of everyone entering or leaving. And as usual everyone will
be Mooning the Feds truck. The Fox tells Eddie that he has an
envelope with $1000.00 for Vinny.
It is now about 12:30 am, and the Fox is just sitting in his
Corner silently observing all the various activities that are taking
Place. Stash's banker broker games, $50 dollar 8 ball games, and
$20 dollar shuffle board games. He comes in only once a week and
May stay no more than a hour, nurse his beer and enjoy the action.
All of a sudden a fight breaks out right next to the Silver
Fox. Two friends have had too much to drink, and have started to
Beat each other up. Big Stash gets up from his Banker Broker game,
Cold cocks one, who hits the floor, and Slippery Eddie now has a
Black Jack and whacks the other one. Big Stash grabs both of them
And throws them out the door. There is a unwritten law at the
Bucket Of Blood Bar, if you are thrown out, you don't come back in
Until next week, and you keep your mouth shut or you may get a
Beating that you will never forget. As Big Stash returns to his seat
The Silver Fox stands up and claps, and says good job boys.
The two empty seats next to the Silver Fox, are quickly filled
By two low level Wise Guys, who do not realize at first that the
Silver Fox is sitting next to them. Once they realize it, they start
Kissing the Fox's ass, and offering to buy him a drink. Of course
The Fox decline's but instructs them to buy the bar instead, which
They do. Slippery Eddie whacks them for $25.00 and pockets an
Additional $5.00. They see what is going on, but do not say a word.
The Fox nods his approval, and winks at slippery Eddie.
It is now 12:50AM and the Fox Calls over Slippery Eddie, and
Gives him a hug, and tells him he is on his way downtown, and not
To forget to meet him Wednesday. The show of respect that The Silver
Fox gives to Slippery Eddie, does not go un-noticed by the rest of
'
The bar.
The two wanna-bee's that were sitting next to the Fox, call
Slippery Eddie over, and ask him what is his connection with the
Silver Fox. Slippery Eddie very cautiously answers with the
following. We went to different schools together. The wanna-bees
slowly turn looking very puzzled at each other, slowly finish their
drinks, each throw a five on the bar, and very quietly walk out the
door. Slippery Eddie quickly pockets the two fives, and the seats
are immediately filled.
Slippery Eddie works the bar like he has on a pair of Roller
Skates. He is on his second tip jar, which is a gallon jug, and the
Clips in his pocket, has been emptied twice. He's been at it since
4pm, and shows no means of slowing down. The bar is almost three
Deep, the cash register has been emptied three times, into the
Safe below the bar so it looks like another profitable Friday nite
For the owner Joey D.
Many at the bar have various jobs that keep them busy most of
The week, either driving a truck, working long hours on the Rail-
Road, or overtime at the many local Factories. They may only come
In on a Friday to cash their checks, and come back later to be with
Their friends. Most leave with a half a bag on, and when they get
Home, may want to get laid, but either fall asleep, or can't get it
Up, or get cut off by their wife. Wake up Saturday afternoon, and
Back to the bar, get drunk again, go back home and fall asleep, and
Sunday morning, everyone goes to church like nothing has happened,
And Monday morning back to work again.
The juke box has been going non-stop, and everyone is now
singing In The Still Of The Night. But it doesn't take much, that when
the music stops, the shit hits the fan, and a fight starts. Such is
Friday Nite At The Bucket of Blood Bar.
as Alfonso Scalfani. As usual he is dressed to the nine, without a
Silver hair out of place. The Fox or Al as he is sometime known, is
very particular about his hair. He has on a Black Suit, with a black
shirt and a white tie, with pointy black shoes, that could kill
Cock A Roaches in a corner, a pinky ring and a full head of silver
hair. He goes to the barber once a week, and only let's Luigi touch
his hair. Apparently Luigi comes from the town in Sicily, that the
Foxes family came from in Sicily. He also likes to get a shave, first
the hot towel on his face, then the shaving cream, and then the
straight razor. Luigi is the only one that can get a straight razor
that close to his throat. He use to have jet black hair, but it
started turning grey at a very early age.
The Silver Fox is a Made man, and made his Bones many year ago.
he whacked someone that was going to blow the whistle on some top
mob Good Fellows. He made it look like a street robbery that went
bad. The higher up big boys were very impressed with him, and he
immediately became their go to guy.
The Fox has many victim's, in one pocket he has a cigarette
lighter that resembles a gun, and in the other pocket he has a gun
the size of the cigarette lighter. When once asked why such a small
gun, he responds that it's easy to conceal and that once the gun is
put behind someone's ear, it makes no difference about the size of
the gun, the victim is going down. It also does not make much noise.
It should work, because he has 12 successful hits to his credit.
Slippery Eddie makes sure that Silver Fox has his usual seat
at the end of the bar next to the telephone booth, so he can see
who and what is happening around him. Slippery Eddie serves him his
favorite drink, a bottle of Rolling Rock Beer, with no glass, and
a shot of Old Grand Dad. The Fox throws up a Ten and tells Eddie to
keep the change.
The Fox tells Slippery Eddie to come closer, and quietly reminds
him that he is suppose to meet the Fox downtown, Wednesday night.
the Fox has a very lucrative Loan Shark business, and uses Slippery
Eddie whenever he has customers that become problem payers(stiffs).
Eddie is very good with his hands, and has been working with the Fox
for a couple of years. Eddie pick's up a lot of extra cash this way.
The Fox has a small candy store downtown, that he uses as a front,
and the back room, has much blood on the floor. In the front there
is a large counter, with candy, Italian cigars, a rack behind the
counter with cigarette's and a large cooler with Italian ice's. The
store is run by the Fox's brother, who has some brain damage. The
Fox is very protective of his brother, because of a promise he made
To his mother years ago, just before she died.
The Fox got his start, by becoming a Number's Runner when he
quit school at 17 years old. He worked for Tony The Gent, who also
was the local Loan Shark. The Fox was only 24 years old when Tony
The Gent got wacked, so he took over the business. The Fox had
already made his Bones, so the higher up's had no problem with him
taking over the business. Also he was on the list to become a Made
man.
Besides being a loan shark, the Fox also has a crew of three
(3) of the biggest nastiest Mother Fucker's that ever lived. One
of their most lucrative money makers is robbing high stake illegal
card games. They do one or two a week, and they also are good at
stealing high end cars. They have someone that ships them overseas,
or have them cut up for parts. They must always keep busy, because
they all have to pay the Vig, every week. The Fox hand picked the
three of them, and they all are aware that they have to kick Up
every week.
Slippery Eddie asks the Fox what he is up to tonight, and he
tells Eddie that he is headed downtown to the Blue Flamingo bar,
for a going away party for one of his Dearest Friends. His friends
name is Vinny The Bull, and he is headed to the Can (prison) for
three years for Atrocious Assault and Battery. He apparently caught
some Spook in bed with his girlfriend. The party is a typical one
for those either just going in or just coming out. And is used as
a means to raise money for the family while they are serving time,
or to get them started once they get out.
And as usual the Feds will have a truck parked nearby, taking
pictures of everyone entering or leaving. And as usual everyone will
be Mooning the Feds truck. The Fox tells Eddie that he has an
envelope with $1000.00 for Vinny.
It is now about 12:30 am, and the Fox is just sitting in his
Corner silently observing all the various activities that are taking
Place. Stash's banker broker games, $50 dollar 8 ball games, and
$20 dollar shuffle board games. He comes in only once a week and
May stay no more than a hour, nurse his beer and enjoy the action.
All of a sudden a fight breaks out right next to the Silver
Fox. Two friends have had too much to drink, and have started to
Beat each other up. Big Stash gets up from his Banker Broker game,
Cold cocks one, who hits the floor, and Slippery Eddie now has a
Black Jack and whacks the other one. Big Stash grabs both of them
And throws them out the door. There is a unwritten law at the
Bucket Of Blood Bar, if you are thrown out, you don't come back in
Until next week, and you keep your mouth shut or you may get a
Beating that you will never forget. As Big Stash returns to his seat
The Silver Fox stands up and claps, and says good job boys.
The two empty seats next to the Silver Fox, are quickly filled
By two low level Wise Guys, who do not realize at first that the
Silver Fox is sitting next to them. Once they realize it, they start
Kissing the Fox's ass, and offering to buy him a drink. Of course
The Fox decline's but instructs them to buy the bar instead, which
They do. Slippery Eddie whacks them for $25.00 and pockets an
Additional $5.00. They see what is going on, but do not say a word.
The Fox nods his approval, and winks at slippery Eddie.
It is now 12:50AM and the Fox Calls over Slippery Eddie, and
Gives him a hug, and tells him he is on his way downtown, and not
To forget to meet him Wednesday. The show of respect that The Silver
Fox gives to Slippery Eddie, does not go un-noticed by the rest of
'
The bar.
The two wanna-bee's that were sitting next to the Fox, call
Slippery Eddie over, and ask him what is his connection with the
Silver Fox. Slippery Eddie very cautiously answers with the
following. We went to different schools together. The wanna-bees
slowly turn looking very puzzled at each other, slowly finish their
drinks, each throw a five on the bar, and very quietly walk out the
door. Slippery Eddie quickly pockets the two fives, and the seats
are immediately filled.
Slippery Eddie works the bar like he has on a pair of Roller
Skates. He is on his second tip jar, which is a gallon jug, and the
Clips in his pocket, has been emptied twice. He's been at it since
4pm, and shows no means of slowing down. The bar is almost three
Deep, the cash register has been emptied three times, into the
Safe below the bar so it looks like another profitable Friday nite
For the owner Joey D.
Many at the bar have various jobs that keep them busy most of
The week, either driving a truck, working long hours on the Rail-
Road, or overtime at the many local Factories. They may only come
In on a Friday to cash their checks, and come back later to be with
Their friends. Most leave with a half a bag on, and when they get
Home, may want to get laid, but either fall asleep, or can't get it
Up, or get cut off by their wife. Wake up Saturday afternoon, and
Back to the bar, get drunk again, go back home and fall asleep, and
Sunday morning, everyone goes to church like nothing has happened,
And Monday morning back to work again.
The juke box has been going non-stop, and everyone is now
singing In The Still Of The Night. But it doesn't take much, that when
the music stops, the shit hits the fan, and a fight starts. Such is
Friday Nite At The Bucket of Blood Bar.
ANCIENT TIMES--ANCIENT PLACES
Ancient Times--Ancient Places.
Crawling thru time--Searching for answers.
How did we get here.--Where have we been.
Were we all here once before--Did we end and then again begin.
How many times--Have we passed this way.
Walking thru our ashes--Searching for a past.
Lost cities--Monuments lost in time.
Is there a hidden message--were they ever meant to last.
The Pyramids, Mayan Temples--The Great Wall of China.
The Bible, Koran and many others--Is there only one true Messiah.
Many civilizations--Have risen and fallen.
Was it by desire--Or was it another calling.
Clues of the times--Lay buried away forever.
To not be ever seen--Forever, never.
Lost in time--Ancient Times,Ancient Places
Are we all a product--Of far away Distant Outer Spaces.
Crawling thru time--Searching for answers.
How did we get here.--Where have we been.
Were we all here once before--Did we end and then again begin.
How many times--Have we passed this way.
Walking thru our ashes--Searching for a past.
Lost cities--Monuments lost in time.
Is there a hidden message--were they ever meant to last.
The Pyramids, Mayan Temples--The Great Wall of China.
The Bible, Koran and many others--Is there only one true Messiah.
Many civilizations--Have risen and fallen.
Was it by desire--Or was it another calling.
Clues of the times--Lay buried away forever.
To not be ever seen--Forever, never.
Lost in time--Ancient Times,Ancient Places
Are we all a product--Of far away Distant Outer Spaces.
Stolen Memories
Stolen memories,
that disappear from sight,
gone forever,
memories that have now expired.
Faded memories,
gone without a trace,
to late to remember,
no longer to regret.
Memories that once haunted you,
never again to be feared,
memories of joy,
never again to be revealed.
Memories once golden,
now lay tarnished & dull,
never again to be expressed,
never again to be revived.
Memories so precious,
yet to soon to forget,
leaves us wondering,
why were they ever allowed to exist.
Memories so many,
memories so few,
memories shall always remain.
memories shall always reveal.
that disappear from sight,
gone forever,
memories that have now expired.
Faded memories,
gone without a trace,
to late to remember,
no longer to regret.
Memories that once haunted you,
never again to be feared,
memories of joy,
never again to be revealed.
Memories once golden,
now lay tarnished & dull,
never again to be expressed,
never again to be revived.
Memories so precious,
yet to soon to forget,
leaves us wondering,
why were they ever allowed to exist.
Memories so many,
memories so few,
memories shall always remain.
memories shall always reveal.
Memories/Tomorrows
Visions of yesterdays,
colliding with tomorrows,
to forever be lost,
condemning the future to constant sorrow.
Diluted by future tomorrows,
never again to be recast,
to redeem the past,
the journey must forever last.
Memories of days gone by,
locked away deep inside,
to be viewed only,
as a outgoing, incoming tide.
Revelations of the past,
quietly evaporates with time,
slowly savor them,
as a bottle of aged wine.
What was once,
so easily erased,
lost in time forever,
unable to ever to be traced.
Similar to the past,
tomorrows are its rivals,
never again,
to experience a revival.
Cherish the memories,
after tomorrows forever gone,
difficult to be reclaimed,
new ones once again begin at dawn.
colliding with tomorrows,
to forever be lost,
condemning the future to constant sorrow.
Diluted by future tomorrows,
never again to be recast,
to redeem the past,
the journey must forever last.
Memories of days gone by,
locked away deep inside,
to be viewed only,
as a outgoing, incoming tide.
Revelations of the past,
quietly evaporates with time,
slowly savor them,
as a bottle of aged wine.
What was once,
so easily erased,
lost in time forever,
unable to ever to be traced.
Similar to the past,
tomorrows are its rivals,
never again,
to experience a revival.
Cherish the memories,
after tomorrows forever gone,
difficult to be reclaimed,
new ones once again begin at dawn.
WHEN WILL IT END
WHEN WILL IT END..HOW DID IT EVER BEGIN.
THE CONSTRANT BURNING,,AND THE CRYING WITHIN.
WHEN WILL IT END..HOW DID THEY SLOWLY APPEAR.
THE FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS..THE NIGHTMARES OF FEAR.
WHEN WILL IT END..SO GOOD AT DISGUISE.
TOO OFTEN THEY RULE YOU..THOUGH YOU NEVER REALIZE.
WHEN WILL IT END..HOW CAN WE CONVINCE THEM TO LEAVE.
THE DEPRESSION THAT FESTERS..CAUSES YOU TO GRIEVE.
WHEN WILL IT END..THEY LEAVE AND ALWAYS RETURN.
CONTROLLING YOUR MIND..ATTEMPTING TO PUT YOUR ASHES IN A URN.
WHEN WILL IT END..THEY’RE CUNNING AND CLEVER.
THOSE DEMON’S INSIDE..SHALL HAUNT YOU FOREVER.
THE CONSTRANT BURNING,,AND THE CRYING WITHIN.
WHEN WILL IT END..HOW DID THEY SLOWLY APPEAR.
THE FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS..THE NIGHTMARES OF FEAR.
WHEN WILL IT END..SO GOOD AT DISGUISE.
TOO OFTEN THEY RULE YOU..THOUGH YOU NEVER REALIZE.
WHEN WILL IT END..HOW CAN WE CONVINCE THEM TO LEAVE.
THE DEPRESSION THAT FESTERS..CAUSES YOU TO GRIEVE.
WHEN WILL IT END..THEY LEAVE AND ALWAYS RETURN.
CONTROLLING YOUR MIND..ATTEMPTING TO PUT YOUR ASHES IN A URN.
WHEN WILL IT END..THEY’RE CUNNING AND CLEVER.
THOSE DEMON’S INSIDE..SHALL HAUNT YOU FOREVER.
SOMEONE ELSE
Why must it be, whenever i attempt to be,
someone else,
i always become me.
Who am i, i'll never know,
lost in time,
a long time ago.
All alone, with no where to go,
once was wise,
now old and slow.
Confined to the memories, of what should have been,
no time for regrets,
the lights are getting dim.
There was a time, when all was fun and games,
but that was long ago,
i'll never be the same.
Devoted all the years, to keep all safe and strong,
now its my turn,
and everyone has gone home.
Tried to live life, the best i could,
no one to guide me,
just a babe in the woods.
No one there to tell me, to do or not to what i did,
i just did it,
and took it on the chin.
Someday, maybe i'll be free.
and finally have a chance,
to return to whoever is me.
someone else,
i always become me.
Who am i, i'll never know,
lost in time,
a long time ago.
All alone, with no where to go,
once was wise,
now old and slow.
Confined to the memories, of what should have been,
no time for regrets,
the lights are getting dim.
There was a time, when all was fun and games,
but that was long ago,
i'll never be the same.
Devoted all the years, to keep all safe and strong,
now its my turn,
and everyone has gone home.
Tried to live life, the best i could,
no one to guide me,
just a babe in the woods.
No one there to tell me, to do or not to what i did,
i just did it,
and took it on the chin.
Someday, maybe i'll be free.
and finally have a chance,
to return to whoever is me.
Keith Burkholder has been published in Creative Juices, Sol Magazine, Trellis Magazine, Foliate Oak Literary Journal, New Delta Review, Poetry Quarterly, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Birmingham Arts Journal. He has a bachelor's degree in statistics with a minor in mathematics from SUNY at Buffalo (UB).
People love control
Look at the list here,
The church,
The military,
Law enforcement,
Pro sports,
Waving the flag,
National anthems,
Control all over the place,
You are forced to think this way,
Now, mind you, here is something
people don't like,
Good and decent people,
They don't seem to attract a large crowd,
Bad people do,
Bad people are controlling and love to wave flags,
Look at the Confederate flag as an example,
Try think about what I have said here,
Keep an open mind,
Believe what you want,
Be good and stay safe,
And again, carpe diem.
The church,
The military,
Law enforcement,
Pro sports,
Waving the flag,
National anthems,
Control all over the place,
You are forced to think this way,
Now, mind you, here is something
people don't like,
Good and decent people,
They don't seem to attract a large crowd,
Bad people do,
Bad people are controlling and love to wave flags,
Look at the Confederate flag as an example,
Try think about what I have said here,
Keep an open mind,
Believe what you want,
Be good and stay safe,
And again, carpe diem.
Imaginary beings
I have never seen God or Jesus,
This is how I would classify them,
Beings need to be seen,
They need to be tangible,
God and Jesus are supposed to be perfect,
Nothing on Earth has changed,
They are figments of one's imagination,
People love fantasies,
It makes a person feel good,
I live on planet Earth,
The world is not a good place,
There is goodness, but not a lot,
I have no idea why people believe in God and Jesus,
But again, this is a free world,
Believe what you want,
I choose not to,
Try to be good,
Be safe,
And may tomorrow be a better day as time carries forward.
This is how I would classify them,
Beings need to be seen,
They need to be tangible,
God and Jesus are supposed to be perfect,
Nothing on Earth has changed,
They are figments of one's imagination,
People love fantasies,
It makes a person feel good,
I live on planet Earth,
The world is not a good place,
There is goodness, but not a lot,
I have no idea why people believe in God and Jesus,
But again, this is a free world,
Believe what you want,
I choose not to,
Try to be good,
Be safe,
And may tomorrow be a better day as time carries forward.
Believing in evolution makes life a lot more understandable
I know there are religious people out there,
I am not one of them,
Evolution makes sense to me,
Look at how humans behave,
They are warlike, barbaric, devious and ignorant,
This does not include everyone, but a good percentage,
Wars happen a lot,
Too much,
Imagine if God really cared about us,
Same with his sidekick, Jesus,
Would life be different?
I expect greater happenings from perfect beings,
Humans are not perfect,
Far from it,
Yet, billions and now trillions are spent on the military to protect us,
Human conflict happens more than natural disasters,
Evolution is the main reason we are what we are,
God and Jesus are fictional characters,
Let me put it this way, there is a greater chance of being abducted by aliens
from other worlds than you or I seeing Jesus or God in our lives,
Again, this is a free world,
Believe in what you want,
Personally, science fiction is great, but alas, it is fiction,
So is religion, Jesus and God,
We need protection,
This is where the military and law enforcement come in,
No God or Jesus to help them out,
Why believe in God or Jesus?
Take care and be safe,
And again, carpe diem.
I am not one of them,
Evolution makes sense to me,
Look at how humans behave,
They are warlike, barbaric, devious and ignorant,
This does not include everyone, but a good percentage,
Wars happen a lot,
Too much,
Imagine if God really cared about us,
Same with his sidekick, Jesus,
Would life be different?
I expect greater happenings from perfect beings,
Humans are not perfect,
Far from it,
Yet, billions and now trillions are spent on the military to protect us,
Human conflict happens more than natural disasters,
Evolution is the main reason we are what we are,
God and Jesus are fictional characters,
Let me put it this way, there is a greater chance of being abducted by aliens
from other worlds than you or I seeing Jesus or God in our lives,
Again, this is a free world,
Believe in what you want,
Personally, science fiction is great, but alas, it is fiction,
So is religion, Jesus and God,
We need protection,
This is where the military and law enforcement come in,
No God or Jesus to help them out,
Why believe in God or Jesus?
Take care and be safe,
And again, carpe diem.
Rules, rules and more rules
Think about this logically,
People are really messed up out there,
Crime,
Killings,
Bullying,
Bashing,
More destruction,
Wars,
Vandalism,
Sexism,
Racism,
Classism,
The list is endless,
Yet, more rules are made,
People don't follow them,
Year after year more people exist,
Apparently having children is great,
That in itself is highly overrated,
People love problems,
Lots and lots of them,
Then the government steps in and makes more rules,
You give a person latitude and freedom and all hell breaks loose,
Please, think about it before you have children,
The world is messed up,
Too messed up,
You can believe what you want,
It is a free world,
Take care for now,
Be good and safe,
And again, carpe diem.
People are really messed up out there,
Crime,
Killings,
Bullying,
Bashing,
More destruction,
Wars,
Vandalism,
Sexism,
Racism,
Classism,
The list is endless,
Yet, more rules are made,
People don't follow them,
Year after year more people exist,
Apparently having children is great,
That in itself is highly overrated,
People love problems,
Lots and lots of them,
Then the government steps in and makes more rules,
You give a person latitude and freedom and all hell breaks loose,
Please, think about it before you have children,
The world is messed up,
Too messed up,
You can believe what you want,
It is a free world,
Take care for now,
Be good and safe,
And again, carpe diem.
You are a born again Christian, who cares, people need affordable healthcare?
You hear this a lot,
So and so has found Jesus,
They are born again Christians,
You know something, who cares?
There are a lot of religious people out there,
Too many,
I don't push atheism on people,
I don't expect them to push their beliefs on me,
God is not a reality,
Like Jesus, they are two fantasies,
Children believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny,
As they get older, they realize they are myths,
Being good is what is important here,
There is a major pandemic the world is facing,
How come God and Jesus are not around curing things?
Then you get the flag wavers,
Or the true patriotic types,
Yet, COVID-19 still exists,
Let's face it, humans love to kill one another,
Some psycho probably invented this virus,
Like AIDS, it is deadly no matter how you look at it,
AIDS has wonderful medications,
Like many illnesses out there, no cure,
Health care should be affordable to anyone,
If there are no cures, make health coverage affordable all around the world,
People live and die,
It is insane to charge people obscene amounts of money for healthcare,
Totally inhuman, none of us asks to be born,
Believe what you want here,
There is no exact answer to this,
Take care for now and be safe,
And may a vaccine occur for COVID-19 from here on out.
So and so has found Jesus,
They are born again Christians,
You know something, who cares?
There are a lot of religious people out there,
Too many,
I don't push atheism on people,
I don't expect them to push their beliefs on me,
God is not a reality,
Like Jesus, they are two fantasies,
Children believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny,
As they get older, they realize they are myths,
Being good is what is important here,
There is a major pandemic the world is facing,
How come God and Jesus are not around curing things?
Then you get the flag wavers,
Or the true patriotic types,
Yet, COVID-19 still exists,
Let's face it, humans love to kill one another,
Some psycho probably invented this virus,
Like AIDS, it is deadly no matter how you look at it,
AIDS has wonderful medications,
Like many illnesses out there, no cure,
Health care should be affordable to anyone,
If there are no cures, make health coverage affordable all around the world,
People live and die,
It is insane to charge people obscene amounts of money for healthcare,
Totally inhuman, none of us asks to be born,
Believe what you want here,
There is no exact answer to this,
Take care for now and be safe,
And may a vaccine occur for COVID-19 from here on out.
Evolution is my reality
Look at how humans behave,
Skyrocketing divorce rate,
Constant tensions,
Wars,
More destruction,
Bullying,
Cliques,
Backstabbing,
Classism,
Racism,
Sexism,
Homophobia,
More segregation,
The list is endless,
Yet, billions believe in God and Jesus,
Are you kidding me?
I might as well continue believing in Santa Claus,
Or event the Easter Bunny,
Again, it is a free world, believe what you want,
Science is the answer here,
Always has been, always will be,
Take care for now and be safe,
This is all you can do,
Be good,
And may COVID-19 disappear or be cured,
For now and many times over, carpe diem.
Skyrocketing divorce rate,
Constant tensions,
Wars,
More destruction,
Bullying,
Cliques,
Backstabbing,
Classism,
Racism,
Sexism,
Homophobia,
More segregation,
The list is endless,
Yet, billions believe in God and Jesus,
Are you kidding me?
I might as well continue believing in Santa Claus,
Or event the Easter Bunny,
Again, it is a free world, believe what you want,
Science is the answer here,
Always has been, always will be,
Take care for now and be safe,
This is all you can do,
Be good,
And may COVID-19 disappear or be cured,
For now and many times over, carpe diem.
Anybody can be religious
There are too many religious nuts out there,
Too many,
God is not a reality,
Neither is Jesus,
Yet, billions believe in them,
As far as research goes,
Why hasn't God or Jesus helped out?
There still needs to be a vaccine against COVID-19,
Does God or Jesus realize how many people have died because of this virus?
That's right, they don't,
Yet, the religious nuts keep praying to God and Jesus,
Religion will always be fake and phony,
This is just the way it is,
Again, science needs to come in and take over,
Like all the other ailments in the world,
Again, believe what you want here,
Atheism is great,
You can look back and realize religion is not helpful at all,
Take care for now,
Be good and safe,
And again, many times over, carpe diem.
Too many,
God is not a reality,
Neither is Jesus,
Yet, billions believe in them,
As far as research goes,
Why hasn't God or Jesus helped out?
There still needs to be a vaccine against COVID-19,
Does God or Jesus realize how many people have died because of this virus?
That's right, they don't,
Yet, the religious nuts keep praying to God and Jesus,
Religion will always be fake and phony,
This is just the way it is,
Again, science needs to come in and take over,
Like all the other ailments in the world,
Again, believe what you want here,
Atheism is great,
You can look back and realize religion is not helpful at all,
Take care for now,
Be good and safe,
And again, many times over, carpe diem.
There is no equality in the world
If you look at humanity,
There is no equality,
A pro football player should not make more than a nurse,
But that person does,
Nurses save lives and do things doctors don't do,
Yet, pro football players make millions of dollars,
The world is a weird place,
Look at COVID-19,
The rich and famous survive it when they get it,
Yet, a nurse who is in action try to help someone, dies,
It is strange beyond belief, but this happens,
I can go on and on about this,
Yet, this is reality,
Try to stay safe and healthy,
Stay out of trouble,
May COVID-19 disappear,
And again, many times over, carpe diem
There is no equality,
A pro football player should not make more than a nurse,
But that person does,
Nurses save lives and do things doctors don't do,
Yet, pro football players make millions of dollars,
The world is a weird place,
Look at COVID-19,
The rich and famous survive it when they get it,
Yet, a nurse who is in action try to help someone, dies,
It is strange beyond belief, but this happens,
I can go on and on about this,
Yet, this is reality,
Try to stay safe and healthy,
Stay out of trouble,
May COVID-19 disappear,
And again, many times over, carpe diem
Life
We are alive,
For a limited time,
The planet continues to revolve around the sun,
Life is a strange predicament,
It has many different components,
Choose the one you feel is right for your well-being,
Life happens in strange ways,
We are well accomplished in certain areas,
And not so accomplished in other areas,
Let life lead you to the path of happiness,
Happiness is really all we have,
For tomorrow is a new day,
A new day to create or do whatever you like,
Life is made of choices as well,
Choose the best choice for your well-being as well,
This is life,
It is a part of who we are,
Never underestimate this power,
For this is a power that makes us who we are,
Let time take over and let it make you feel compelled to accomplish anything you want in life,
Seize this with open arms.
For a limited time,
The planet continues to revolve around the sun,
Life is a strange predicament,
It has many different components,
Choose the one you feel is right for your well-being,
Life happens in strange ways,
We are well accomplished in certain areas,
And not so accomplished in other areas,
Let life lead you to the path of happiness,
Happiness is really all we have,
For tomorrow is a new day,
A new day to create or do whatever you like,
Life is made of choices as well,
Choose the best choice for your well-being as well,
This is life,
It is a part of who we are,
Never underestimate this power,
For this is a power that makes us who we are,
Let time take over and let it make you feel compelled to accomplish anything you want in life,
Seize this with open arms.
I am not a big fan of the military or law enforcement
I am not bashing either organization,
I am just not a fan of either,
Too much money is spent on these organizations,
Nowadays, there is no such thing as a good person,
People are the causes for such great spending,
Now $2.5 trillion dollars is spent on the military alone,
This is in the United States of America,
Let's face it, you really can't change people,
People are the way they are,
Natural disasters occur,
But most of the spending is based on human behavior,
Humans love conflict and trouble,
Good people are far and few in this world,
There are people out there who don't know what good is,
I can go on and on here,
I will never be a big fan of the military or law enforcement,
But they are needed greatly,
Think about what I have said,
Keep an open mind,
And may tomorrow be better as the future lingers on.
I am just not a fan of either,
Too much money is spent on these organizations,
Nowadays, there is no such thing as a good person,
People are the causes for such great spending,
Now $2.5 trillion dollars is spent on the military alone,
This is in the United States of America,
Let's face it, you really can't change people,
People are the way they are,
Natural disasters occur,
But most of the spending is based on human behavior,
Humans love conflict and trouble,
Good people are far and few in this world,
There are people out there who don't know what good is,
I can go on and on here,
I will never be a big fan of the military or law enforcement,
But they are needed greatly,
Think about what I have said,
Keep an open mind,
And may tomorrow be better as the future lingers on.
Categories
All
ALAN FORD
ALEXIS GARCIA
ANOUCHEKA GANGABISSOON
ARIANNA SEBO
AYAFA TEKENA
BOBBY Z
C. BARRY BUCKNER
DOUGLAS J. LANZO
DR. DOUGLAS YOUNG
ELEANORE LEE
FREDERICK POLLACK
GTIMOTHY GORDON
JAMIE FIORE HIGGINS
JOHN J. BRUGALETTA
JOHN VALENTINE
JONATHAN WIKE
KEITH BURKHOLDER
LOIS GREENE STONE
MARY KIPPS
MICHAEL H. BROWNSTEIN
MORGAN DRISCOLL
NDABA SIBANDA
RENEE DRUMMOND-BROWN
RENZO DEL CASTILLO
RICHARD T. RAUCH
ROB LOWE
SAMUEL PRESTRIDGE
SAUL HUGGINS
SHAAN SOOD
SHAHEER PULIKKAL
STEVIE VOSS
TED MC CARTHY
THULISILE NGOMANE
VISHNU B. UNNITHAN