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…

makes the moment real

knowing he should sleep

keeps him awake with

thoughts of rising sun

reaching a point where

comfort warms and

everyday is a new portrait

peaceful company

random reasons to stay

well after an early riser

should sleep with half as much

on his mind until rising sun

even on the cloudiest days

who knew this is why

he became so secluded

preparing for the rising sun

knowing he should sleep

looks to the mind as if it could guide

when it can only connect

a couple of people when they are apart

who knew it would feel so calm

in a world filled with uncertainty

a couple of people found that spot

which makes each moment real…

he is awake

challenging but somehow

easier than ever

just being who he is

always been willing to sit

quiet making sure the silence

is never uncomfortable

facing the Atlantic ocean

in the sand summoning

any mermaid that will sit

by his side waking now

before dream life takes over

he knows he is awake

he also knows it’s all a dream

challenging and at the same time

calming coming in from the cold

time seems to disappear

as sun is rising higher…

sun smile

it’s the smile that won’t

leave well after

he does watching at the door

one last look to the smile

it’s got to last all night

the work day passes fast

knowing soon sunrise

then midday through the clouds

thick it seems it would be gray

all day and then the smile is back

and even the room

is filled with sun…

nothing special

from where he sits

cloud spins and spits

the high points

summits and the lows

his limits that will be broken

when tossed through glass then

rehash the future again

doesn’t make sense

count to ten…

he sits on the porch

an off balance dance to get

a little closer no exaggeration

it’s been years since any of these

thoughts raged through his mind

knocking him into the off balance

dance and if no shrubs were around

he may have fallen standing on one foot

leaning hoping he’s not pushed

off into the ocean again

the high seas are no place

for a thinker he alone would

be the human island of introspection

tripping over thoughts

of rising sun other side of town

while he trims the greens in the sink

sitting street side little higher up

than the others up on the second floor

tossing words over the edge

like pennies in a well

for no reason superstition

is that whoever owns the well

will be rich someday…

dizziness approaches

all thoughts begin to circle

and dizziness approaches

with an awkward

speed aimed at the sky

and as some say

with no particular point

still moving in the right direction

or so he will tell

with the thought on the light

at the end of the tunnel

behind which he sits with pen

in hand over the thoughts

or he will take them

anyway everyone’s got them

not everyone notices

and that’s where he comes into

the picture proves

he has been that close

to that natural mystic

beauty all could see

eyes open full with ideas

where to go

what to do…

thoughts on brother

this high point will be maintained

pictures of memories will soon be framed

thoughts should never be contained

some of them cannot be named

on a list of what he meant to say

anyway mind won’t mind a harmless dent today

under the stars feel powerless won’t pray

far from the point where he meant to stay

this paper is brown unlike the other

white like the clouds pushed around by mother

nature and her plans tomorrow rain will cover

his head and all the thoughts of his brother…

empty cup overflowing

everyday is a surprise

these days it’s as if

he has finally done something right

not sure what that might be

but he finally feels

that positive vibration

he’s been hearing about

for years now

everyday is something new

and it might not be coincidence

things might actually have reasons

attached to them

unknown now but reasons just the same

the half empty glass left

to evaporate in the room

where he has put his loneliness

and now the cup

like the Tao is an empty one

overflowing and the thoughts

cannot be contained…

usually the pessimist

a good portion of what

he has been seeing daily

suddenly disappears

how long now will

he battle his self confidence

until the fight is finished

same struggle to keep positive thoughts

half the sky is dark

as evening approaches

that empty feeling is not around

usually covers everything he sees

he is usually the pessimist

but a sudden rush of optimism

slaps him in the face

the right direction and keep on walking

theory is completely in control

as he relinquishes his tight grip

on that loneliest thought

new thoughts fill what could have

been considered a void

as he dreams at night

he can’t remember them

and this is also a sudden change

from the terror

night time sometimes brings

he is usually the pessimist

the one doubting

the success of whatever

endeavor he embarks upon…

nothing concluded 103

nothing concluded

again as if

he never left

standing and staring

right into eyes

deep enough to drown

deep enough to get lost in

nothing concluded

progressive movement

toward something special

no one knows where the path

might lead standing facing

each other what do two see

nothing concluded

because they both keep going...

playing free taxi

walking out of the bank

almost 100 degrees

second day in a row

man calls me over

asks a favor

a ride down the road about a mile

never even thought about

picking up a hitch hiker

looking into this man’s eyes

made me decide to trust

him in the 100 degrees to give

him a free taxi ride

he listened to the music playing

told me where he needed to go

thanked me and called me a godsend

didn’t even notice the 100 degrees anymore…

far fetched dreams

it’s one of those

far fetched dreams

that can only be true

in the mind for now

and then we will see what

transpires as the day

goes onward

and upward towards

a peak or valley

it really doesn’t matter

of fact presented in a round

about the way down to where

we all learned what’s right

and what’s wrong with this picture

frame cracked when dropped…

without the thought

fans on both sides

become walls blowing

to the center

where he sits

staring skyward

legs ache a bit

resting after running

moving trying to get out

of the thought

heading out in the right direction

don’t even know that for sure

hoping to catch a break

this time is not enough

doesn’t matter how long

it really is standing in the rain

but the sun is shining brighter

until the rain evaporates

before it touches down

below feet running

walking whatever it takes

to get to the other side

without the thought…

falling for words

up late again

and he might not even

know you yet

and he doesn’t let that

stop him as the wrong

way driver more often than not

this time won’t play a fool

falling for words

or listening to herds

in the background

say what they must

keeping the topic alive

no need he is up late

with a great thought on the mind

sculpture in the real people museum

of everyday life doesn’t recognize

all of them or any sometimes

this walk through

he will make no mistakes…