losing liberty

unbelievable to think
that we may in fact
lose our right to free speech
and it seems so unrealistic
to think this way some would
say it's plain crazy a recent
Washington Post poll
showed a majority of
Americans would be willing to
give up some freedom
to help combat terrorism
this really scares me...

that's what we pay
intelligence services for
so we don't have to give up our
freedoms and when looking to
who created this terrorism
how can we look any further than
our own government
the CIA, the FBI
the funny man cries
and says that America
got sucker punched
we all know that our government
has been beating on other countries for decades
terror like this was bound to happen

the media wants us to feel united
how can we unite with
the liars that hold office...

mind numbing ignorance

from thinker or poet

to cult member or freak

to potential sexual deviant

all in the course of two weeks

how can one even imagine

it’s mind numbing

what has he done

deserving all those crazy thoughts

none of the talk is positive

as soon as he is gone

shot down to the ground

for no good reason or bad

trying now to expect and prepare

for that which is unexpected

to say the least

he is probably the only member

of the cult you say he is a part of

ignorance is helpful only to

distort reality and sabotage

smiles turning to self-doubt

mind numbing

as the minutes turn around

and weeks gone by…

raining people

the day after

it rained people

in NY

the country is paralyzed

not a plane in the sky

any plans to go anywhere

scrapped

nation in waiting

one press conference

after another

after another just told us nothing

plenty of opinions

but none of us know

something suspect

everything suspect

never forget the loss of life

never forget the value of life

ask plenty of questions

do not give in to fear…

real eyes

the hair on these arms

standing on end

must be touching

something electric

getting shocked

not just going through

some motions

accomplishing anything more

than what is before eyes

realize locked in a stare…

like birds

at some point

in the direction

might get you somewhere

are you going to remember

to call when you get home

run around the bases

the argument will begin right here

the song he sings like birds

who don’t care if they are

out of tune into the truth

without expectations

finding so much

crushing memories of mistakes

made them forgotten

now is beautiful

and not going anywhere soon…

well after

he knows it is well after midnight

and the scent is still in the air

not that time really plays any part

when rising sun shines

well after sunset and he is well

after a visit closes his eyes

and travels back in his mind

where did all this come from

the scent in the air nowhere

and everywhere all at once

questions still remain

unanswered well after writing

he might actually sleep stop

conscious thought for a brief

spell it anyway you can make it up

want to turn a page or chapter

and his book will soon arrive

well after the day he knew he would find

it might appear to be complex

and all he sees simple smiles superior

to the background workplace…

half as much as he should

he doesn’t move the pen

half as much as he used to

as he should and wishes he could

and maybe there really can be too much thought

all at once getting the mind

and pen all clogged up

needing the verbal Drano to clear

creativity’s pipe not moving

with the same speed

only days ago

felt as though nothing could

halt his hand keep him from

baring it all to the world

no love for the dreamers

painter of thoughts

with lines and curves and dots

original thinker thinking

he will be alone if he doesn’t

start swimming upstream

in the mainstream world

material possessions he has a few things too

still tries to keep it simple

some might never see

possible solitude lingers

desolation haunts like

a relative that has passed

and comes back for a visit…

plug along

it’s amazing

the shit we all have to deal with

on the daily basis

and we all have to

just plug along

as usual as if all is well

after all these years

still spelling words wrong

still writing and don’t care

days sometimes run together

like the colors on a painting

left out in the rain

everything seems less real

when compared to sitting

watching the rising sun…

world's judging eyes

all sorts spinning

in the mind rewind try to find

solution to the problem

world is judgmental

why do so many unimportant things

rule the mind

he doesn’t remember what anyone

was wearing it probably cost a lot

and looked great but he saw eyes

and the smile could’ve lit the room

all of sudden he wasn’t enough

unless he fit into the mold

waiting in the shadows until

guard let down or not

let down but not the guard

on the judgmental eyes of the world…

compromised

feels as though

may have compromised

who he was a bit

doesn’t understand

the sacrifice aspect

when it comes

to a couple of people

getting to know each other…

what it is worth

how will he know

when he can’t handle the pressure

to be who he isn’t

who was it they thought they saw

or was it something

not polished enough

to shine now he needs to change

to shine he questions everything

just asking and wondering

what it is worth…

an unfair game of talk

under the sunset sky

he should be looking forward

to something

after a long day at work

should be welcomed home

made to feel loved

not verbally beat down

because he doesn’t fit into some mold

mother does not know best

under the sunset sky he still

sees the smile that makes him

stand in the fire

each day becomes one that

will not destroy him

and that alone makes him stronger…

sunset with Robert

sunset with Robert

makes all the days turmoil

seem insignificant

learning to battle like Bob

he battled the mind until

the body couldn’t fight any longer

peaceful release took his breath

so many saddened none destroyed

gave us all his strength

to battle any adversary

sunset has never looked so beautiful

sitting in front of the stone

grass trimmed and flowers

enjoying the dying days of summer

wondering what he is supposed to be

his advice would be to work harder

at being who we are and battle not to fail

or fall asleep on the lawn

in front of the name written on the stone

one he shares convinced the final handshake

was one to give him strength to face

any and all adversity and this too will pass

soon whether positive or negative

these sunset conversations with Robert

allow him to stop and see positive shine
even when he doesn’t feel good enough…

walk down the street

he is hundreds of miles away

only mind I feel truly

connected with right now

close since birth

he is at a different

elevation altogether

wish only somehow

to walk down the street

and end up on his porch

still seeing the same moon

no matter how much

distance between…

brown paper thought

brown paper bag

brought his own lunch

opened eyes

caught in a stare

the job doesn’t allow

him to be bored

might still get caught in a stare

rising sun happens

to shine his way

staying strong despite

all the weaknesses

worth every moment spent

when the rising sun

warms the spot he stands in

the light then becomes

that of the full moon overhead

under clear black blanket he stares up

brown paper thought

kept in a bag like lunch…

behind it all

slipping backwards with thought

no one can understand

he doesn’t think like the rest

still untrusted by the immediate smiles

to the face but skeptical

when he is not around

the corner listening

to every word slipping backwards

into a world separate from for years

thinking that none of this matters

had he looked any different

not regretting the presentation

doesn’t have to try

being different is just what he is

lucky for the open minded

else he would be a hermit

if he only spun sideways

out of the repetitive thought

swirl still surviving any onslaught

even when dreaded

somehow the situation

revealed to be a positive vibration

after all…