OPEN MIC ARCHIVE

March, 2008

FRIENDS OF THE POET
 
guess i don't expect to write without   incident
but those guys stole my bicycle!
whats the price of a guy's bike these days anyways?
their bastards!
i don't know how to play this   game
i don't know the rule of thumb
i thought that when i became a poet
i'd make more   friends
-yesk

THE MAGIC OF SPRING

by Myra Clarkson

A sense of hope comes with the Spring

the air is warm; sweet songbirds sing

The earth turns green and flowers bloom

new life emerges from Nature's womb

The balmy breeze gives my soul a thrill

and melts the memory of Winter's chill

I hear Creation clearly say

"Rejoice, be glad; it's a beautiful day"

It seems my strength has been renewed

my dark thoughts change to a cheery mood

My woes and cares to the wind I fling

as I succumb to the magic of Spring

-0-

Birds

Duy Bui

Birds are the artists of the sky,

Crooning a different tune, from

Corners to corners, from roofs

To roofs over New York City’s

Narrow alleys, crowded avenues

And hushed piers of the East and West

Rivers.

They sing so much like a blues musician

With his Saxophone blowing into the sullen

Wind a tune of the night, upon

The sarcastic environment a song

Of courageous love, and into the

Wintry souls a natural prayer.

Sometimes I listen to their echoing

Calls in the pubescent morning,

and caliginous evening. Though too often,

I fail to see the perennial beauty they

Paint with their Shadows upon the yellow

Sand, when heavy footprints ambulate and roll.

-0-

THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST SOCK

by Thomas E. Sobon

I lost a sock. Where did it go?

Looked all around and I don't know

It's mighty strange. In fact it's queer

How could a sock just disappear?

I know I put two in the wash.

I even watched them as they'd slosh

When all the cycling was done

Two socks went in. But out came one

I searched the drum not once but twice

Each time I searched it was no dice

I was puzzled and confused

How could my sock have been abused?

I searched some more. And I was mad

Where was the blasted sock I had?

I scratched my head. I even prayed

Where art thou sock? My nerves were frayed

The sock I lost and cannot find

Is driving me out of my mind

It disappeared! Did it dissolve?

This mystery Sherlock couldn't solve

-0-

Your Valentine

Written by R. Garcia for Daniella.

As Valentines are for lovers,

the depth of my heart for you is golden,

for no exaggeration,

nor candy,

can be arranged in this heart of delights.

I love you,

therefore I celebrate with my soul,
that which you have given me.

We have stumbled,

as all lovers transcend the tribulations.

We have fallen,

but arose to a beautiful day.

My Valentine for you is a poem,

written from my heart,

from the soul,

that we may never part,

in a world that consistently parts.

My box of delights,

Is the commitment of love,

that I cherish,

that cannot be substituted by a gift.

The taste of sugar,

Is my soul bathing in the light,

of this wondrous love.

If things could say,

what it is we all want to hear,

I would silence,

this which I adore above all else.

Your genuine love,

whose honesty cannot be challenged,

by objects of desire.

-0-

IS THIS LOVE
MIRIA DAVIS

The pain inside,

so unbearable

The tears I cry,

so heavy.

You, not talking,

such sadness.

You, ignoring me,

such insecurity.

You, not seeing me,

helplessness.

You, not answering,

despair.

Where are you?

Come for me!

I need you!

Embrace me!

No more without you.

Hope.

I’ll fight for you.

Love

-0-

The Law of Love
By: SANELE MAKAULA aka BABYSAM

Love me without fear

Trust me without doubt

Kiss me without hesitation

But handle me with tenderness

For i havea very fragile heart

So don't break it to pieces

For this world's riches

Don't compare to the love that i feel for you inside

Honour me for what i am

Cherish me for what i have

Correct me when i am wrong

And if ever you see me doown

Rise up and make me strong

And please remind me not to frown

But to smile and sing a special song

after baraka's preface to a twenty-volume suicide note

Harold John L. Fiesta

Nights walk with feet of rocks
For those who stare back
At death's disbelieving eye.

I do not fear
That the world shall forget me,
Only the famous sometimes do.

I only fear the loss of my memories

It is with this thought
That hurls me into action
To open memory's cluttered dresser
And pack a few favorite
For the coming trip.

The journey is swift and necessary,
And you must not fear that end:

A sleek passage
Which is devoid
Of bumps and potholes

A path so straight and clear,
Unlike life's curvy and stormy roads

But once you have set your mind on it
Fail not to remember ---

There is no going back.

-0-

The Lyrics of a Shoe
By Ray Lewis

Roses are Red and Violets are blue Of all that you are, can I start with your shoe?

Damn...that shoe! So strong and steady So supportive and silent..did I say SILENT?

Feels strange to get touched by something so simple

I sware it felt like that Damn shoe could talk Calling me, urging me to simply take a look

If I wasn’t mistaken, that fine little thang winked at me At least I got a chance to touch it, handle it for a moment

Hard to concentrate with that thang staring at me and me at it

Damn… that shoe conjures up images of walking..soo sassy, Dancing..soo sexy, Stomping off..soo angry and my my my

Flirting…Damn that shoe sure knows how to FLIRT!!! What impresses me is the weight that shoe carries

The home, the job, the kids, the bills..amazing it can still stand!

Wish I was the last thing you slip on before leaving home, like that shoe

How I envy that Damn shoe, The sole that protects you from harm,

The frame that fits you so perfectly, The heel that calls attention to those pretty legs

The straps that hold your ankles ever so close, Even imagined it on tiptoes reaching up for an embrace

Sure hate to see that shoe leave! But maybe, even for a moment I could be that Damn shoe?

-0-

This Tired Hand by Justin C. Gelinas

Don`t let go,

Just hold on.

Please grab tight,

If you don`t you`ll be gone.

Your slipping away,

I hear from you less.

Your far from my view,

Now my life is a mess.

I`m reaching out with my hand,

For one more chance.

As I look to the sky,

Hoping for one last glance.

I can`t believe that I`m here,

Why did I stay!

I should be at your side.

On this very day.

From the first time we met,

You had my back.

Now I sit at home,

While your under attack.

You were there for me,

When I needed a friend.

If I needed help,

your hand you would lend.

Why did you go!

It makes me so mad!!!

Wasn't I a good friend to you?

Did I make you feel bad?

I prey every night,

That you are okay.

I`m still reaching for you nick,

I hope you`ll be back to hold on someday. . .

This poem was written about and is dedicated to my best friend N. H. You were always there. for me.

-0-

Living my life day by day
Everything caught up and I got a price to pay
I go sleepless for days thinking about it all
One second I'm up the next I just fall
I keep on climbing till I reach back up
Looking at my life and all I've messed up
These pains I get feels like I've been shot
My heart is like a target and they made the middle of the dot
But even through that I still don't fall
I keep my strength and get through it all
Sitting here just saying I feel like dying
But for now I'm just going through my life test
Don't think ima pass n go on
I feel that I've don't to much wrong
I try to fix it but stuff catches up
I know I've messed up
Like I've said before it's just all a game
One step forward is two steps back
But the problem is, that first step is what i lack...........
-Brian Escobar
sorry that i do not have a title for my poem

-0-

My Father Broke My Leg

G David Schwartz

My father broke my leg

I’m sure he didn’t mean to

He just went rolling back

Then picked up a little stream to

And I was lying behind him

Watching television

When he came crashing in on

Me and my good leg

And I nearly had to beg

Please dear father roll the other way

I’m missing the end of Lassie, that’s all I have to say

-0-

SHE WANTED TO BE WHOLE.
CTerren

She wanted to feel whole again
Not feel the pain
Along her ribs
Or hear the fibs

Or downright lies
Or have the blackened eyes
Or broken teeth.
She wanted to have done with grief

Not fear the turning
Of the door or burning
Sensation in her groin.

She wanted love like others had
Not sex turned bad
Or feel abused
Or sexually used

But tenderness like mother knew
Not the black and blue
Or moody punches
Or random kicks because of hunches

He thought his mind contrived
Those sickly thoughts of one deprived
Of normal sense and being.
She wanted to feel whole inside
But never felt it and so she died.

-0-

I MAY SEE GOD
by Louie Lawent
(author of "The Louie/God Interviews (What The Big Fella Really Thinks About Man And The Universe)"

I don't see God in a cypress
- his beard as a mountain slope
I don't see God in continental drift
- in Mother Nature's braindead clock of consciousness
but I may see Him as its winder
I may see God in the intricacies of my incomprehension
I don't see God in the computer simulation of our sun's inaugural journey
I may sense His handiwork, but the Divinity of motion stops me short
I may see God in the big bang singularity
... I may see me as his anthropic principle witness of
the ungodly improbabilities of the galaxies' formation
I may see God in entropy's precision
... I may see physics' proofs as God done better than unevolved theology
I don't see God in the eyes of a descendant of interstellar dust,
the predecessor of the monkey
but I see God in the genius of a formula to put monkey in my face
I don't see God in biblical passages that crucify Father Time
that contain missing narrative links
where multiplication is the product of fertilized mirages
... I would only see laws of physics in an extraterrestrial being
but I would see God in any supernatural ghost
I may see God as the reality of His hypothetical
I may feel God as a tap on my shoulder
as an abrupt scratch on my cheek
as a voice that yanks me from the tail end of a dream
I may see God as one of assorted failures
as a God without omniscience
as a God who sometimes throws it and sees what sticks
I don't see God in prophecies that require Armageddon as route to Rapture
I may see God as reward for man's moral progression
I may see God in my doubts

-0-

CHANGE

By: Clayton Moore

I spent my whole life in my room,

Never daring to try the new.

Where has that gotten me?

Now I sit here in this chair,

Crying over what I once had

But now lost.

If everything can change in the blink of an eye,

Is life not just one big staring contest?

The world around us is changing,

It changes while we sleep,

It changes while we wait.

The world is changing

And that’s the truth.

We can fight it,

We can try to stop it,

But we will never learn to accept it.

And that will never change.

-0-

ATHARVAN
By Jameel Heath

Playing atop this mound of clay
Gazing across at the ages I must slay
Following clouds that drift on west
Stumbling west to find my day
In the Sun, chosen one
Picked up the fire now time to run
Aside for the younger son, apperently his time has come Red moon rising in the east Whilst on dead fruits I feast The next red moon will ride the western gate Marks two years before we meet our fate And the flood pours down to wipe the slate When the age of involution ends And evolution lies in wait.

-0-

When I dream

By: Marshawn Woods

When I dream, I dream alone.
In my dreams I'm with you.
My dreams are bright, when dreaming about our future together.
Do you dream about me too???
My mind often wanders and doubts become nightmares,
I ain't scared cause its nature that makes us human.
In your dreams, I hope you see a good man.
A cool friend, who in truth you can stand the rain with.
Be in cars, buses, planes and trains with.
Me, the one you wouldn't mind staying with.
To put it plain as this:
I haven't felt this real about dreams in a while.
Had to call you up to tell you how I feel.
Cause' many nights I dream alone.
Dreaming that you were here.

-0-

DREAMS THAT HAUNT THE NIGHTS

Jessica Rouleau 3-6-08

She woke up with a cool sweat in her palms
To the kitchen, a drink her nerves to calm.
As she stares out into the dark abyss,
She thinks of times past that she now does miss.
Times when they used to walk along the beach,
Times that were as sweet as a summer peach.

Now all that she has left to think at night,
Is what she reads in letters... of the fights.
He is not at home, and she needs him so,
Seeing he's safe, is all she needs to know.
But since his country has called him away,
All shes got left to do is hope and pray.
Pray that he will remember her smile, her touch
Then perhaps these nightmares won't happen as much.

-0-

MY ELYSIAN FIELDS

Alyssa Blackford

Petals fall from Tulip's eyes,

casting winter upon my soul.

Whispers whirl within weeping dreams

for that fatal, final toll.

Ice chills life's beauty.

Without love wonder's provide,

heaps of ashes replace the heart

where yearning for the lost reside.

Bring my Elysian Fields

and sow this battered heart.

To surpass eternal tragedy,

avoid the craters of the dark.

-0-

love abides
Marla DiGiacomo

little moments of bliss

stored cell x cell inside

awakens a new reality

and to it love abides

with quickening desire

it burns all red fire…

the light of love divine

-0-

Untitled
Sergey Merkuliev

A simple melody of time

As if from pieces is arranged

Music is seeping out through cracks

Not wetting feet is flowing out

To past’s basements stepping down

You are becoming higher & higher

As if from the sky-scraper’s roof

A looking kid sees

-0-

The rivers edge
MGgt1

Taking a walk on the rivers edge

Sunshine bright and not too much said

Of course, I am alone

A breeze wrestles the leaves

It is fall and then some fall.

Darn that I fall too

the water bubbles

Some Hawk above for the hunt

some bugs speak

And I am lucky for a song bird or two.

A longing for peace

As I walk along

the river flows

photography not straight

I now conjure images

in the blissful warmth

of our sun's light.

Little am I understood

foot stoops in our mind

and the river continues

too flow over my self pity

Fall colors erupt

measuring my life

And I soak my feet

on the rivers edge

May I smell that you cared

that you took from me

something I never had to give

Rich in your fulfilling body.

-0-

The Day We Met

by: Deanna Doehler

The day we met, I saw something in your eyes.

It was almost as if we had met before.

There was no hesitation or lack for words

And I knew right then, It word turn into more.

You looked at me, and I looked at you,

and we both felt something down deep.

I could tell right away that I was in love

And one day your heart would be mine to keep.

We spent many a night in the dark corners of a booth

Lusting for each other every chance we could.

Our love was forbidden for years to come.

But we were destined to be together, I knew we would

As time went by, and our feelings grew strong,

we had a need to be together.

You promised me that you would make things right,

So that we could be in love forever.

More time passed and you kept your word,

And everything felt so right.

We announced our love to everyone we met,

I never had love that felt so right.

Years have passed and here we are now,

Our problems were too much for me to handle.

You live there and I live here,

Our time burnt out, like the flame of a candle.

You were always so loving and good to me,

And I know I did not treat you right.

I decided to leave you for a quieter life,

as I disappeared from your life into the night.

Not long after I left, you met someone,

You called her ‘just a friend”

I never understood what you saw in her.

and I knew because of her, it would lead to our end.

Now here I sit, pining for the love I once had,

with the man of my dreams in my heart.

But too much has happened,

and I think we both know it has come our time to part.

You hurt me with lies and you betrayed my trust.

And my heart has been broken… you know.

So if I really do love you, and you really love me

Then you know as I do, we must let each other go.

You will be in my heart, forever that’s true.

Because if I ever loved anyone, Anyone was you.

Dena

The One

with silky strands and flowing colors
i weave a lavish life.
the souls i weave with my thread
flow in and out of time.
i introduce you to your love
and take away the pain.
i weave a life full of grief
and anguish in a soul
but all i know is what you see
through your mortal eyes
for i'm the one who wakes the sun
and weaves the sands of time.

Jacklynn D Hall

-0-

Habit hunting
Naveed iqbal

Habits that features the sense of being..
Loyal to the hands of nature…all friends… Are the seeds of trees and oxygen… Are the future having past in heart… Are the bouquets of roses in senseless desert Why don’t you show on map of world This colorful scheme of seasons..
Open, liberal and passionate ..
Think before to destroy,
At least a destruction measurement..
But remember..
Destroying these habits could be a social art An art for what ..a society for what..

-0-

TO MY BROTHER,WITH LOVE
cerah raelin

THERE IS A NEPHEW OF OLD UNCLE SAM,

WHO'S FIGHTING IN A WAR IN IRAQ.

HE IS GIVING HIS BEST AND SOMETIMES HIS LIFE,

TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE AND END HIS STRIFE.

SO LET'S GET TOGETHER AND NOT LET HIM DOWN,

FOR HE'S JUST A LAD FROM OUR PART OF TOWN.

HE MAY BE YOUR BROTHER,YOUR SON,OR YOUR DAD,

BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE,HE'S AN AMERICAN LAD.

NO MATTER WHAT BRANCH OF THE SERVICE HE'S IN,

YOU CAN BET YOUR SHIRT HE'S IN THERE TO WIN.

SO LET'S GET TOGETHER AND NOT LET HIM DOWN,

FOR HE'S JUST A LAD FROM OUR PART OF TOWN.

HE HAS SHOWN THE ENEMY HE'S NOT THERE TO PLAY,

HE MEANS BUSINESS AND INTENDS TO STAY.

LET US PRAY THAT THE PEACE IS SOON TO BE WON,

AND STACK THE WEAPONS, THE KNIFE AND THE GUN.

SO LET'S GET TOGETHER AND NOT LET HIM DOWN,

FOR HE'S JUST A LAD FROM OUR PART OF TOWN

RISE!
TLCourtney

Diversion is their key
Less freedom for you and me
New World Order is on the RISE
Mind control, taser us, hypnotize
A Sovereign Nation cannot exist
Unless our people stand to resist
The fleecing of our fathers’ land
And illegal wars on foreign sand

Rise!
Our born rights dissipate
Corporate media regulates
Brittney Spears, she’s our bait
MARTIAL LAW…Anticipate
Bread lines control population rate
White Dick and Bush masturbate
While deciding four millions’ fate
Bilderberg, they know the date
And who’s the next they’ll assassinate
RON PAUL
The People’s Candidate!

RISE!
Patriots get your troops in gear
Never mind the election year
It’s our cause- raise your arms
Protect our nation- save our farms
The Elitists want extermination
Of the middle class population
To control Mother Earth’s resources-
OIL and WATER via military forces

Rise!
Russian Troops- they are here
Camouflaged by UN gear
The Illuminati will give the sign
The blind sheep tow the line
The borders fall and Liberty weeps
A Fascist world—democracy sleeps
Eyes wide open- it’s all laid out
One currency – the devil, no doubt
Revelations confirms it all
The Land of the Free will soon fall.

Rise!
Find your cause, stand your ground
Hunger, disease, despair around
The Beast soon offers his sign
Granting placement in the line
Of false truths, bread and wine
Resist the opportunity to feed
As Satan certainly laid the seed
The Freemasons’ occult with the deed
Of leveling Earth with their greed
STOP WATCHING CORPORATE NEWS AND READ!

Rise!
Break free from the lies
Of the wicked wise
See with your own eyes
Witness truths they despise
Deaths- their blood money buys
The corporate guys
Rockefellers and ties
Murdoch- devil in disguise
Media mogul Monopoly size
Misleading masses
Freedom Dies!

Rise!

-0-

First Love
Jeremiah Cromie

The only sense I feel is pain

I cannot place it for it is a cloud that surrounds my body

Will this pain I feel haunt me for life or will I walk with a limp that makes me strive for nothing less than perfect

When in the pursuit of something that does not exist in the world but the world itself you must love

Time does no care, time does not wait, nor does it count the seconds

Time cannot be wasted for it is free

This pain I feel takes time

The only thing I can truly count on

-0-

Lone Tree

by Frank Shepich

Millions of people pass, every year
This lone tree;

               Yet words, with voice, never spoken
                                Eyes glaring
                                           But I will dare;

               I will speak, only, with silent words
                    Cherishing private pleasures
                                       As others before me;

               Who am I to speak for someone?
                    Their pleasure may differ
                                         From mine;

               Let them discover
                       Like I
                 For I feel selfish today.

-0-

I FELL
by Corey Silver

I know not life

I live in pain

I run from love

I drown, i fall

The pain endures like an eternal oil

Stick on me, become me, beat me, kill me

Hurt me once

Cant see

All a blur

The embrace of a spirit, a soul, a life

So mysterious its beauty untamed

I lived

A touch

A smell

A glance

A smile

Take me to the beginning not the end

I fell, i fell off the side

As a man, a boy, a child

I fell, i fell

-0-

Life gives us lemons,

size and tartness, life’s fruit vary,

some used for lemonade,

some so sweet, the result a square,

Remaining… fruit bestowed once squares of past consumed

New Lemons arrive

Crates of fruit set before us,

Staring into yellow shapes with pain filled eyes,

all in close proximity to minds disposal,

yellow wisps whirling down,

mechanical sound a gracious melody,

echos in the deep sink of life,

weight is lifted through the sweet, soothing sound

Surely this is the answer

Disposal,

Yellow fading, site less menacing

mind begins to calm,

mouths corners angle toward the heavens

Surely this is the answer

A knock at life’s door,

a gift of despair,

yellow as far as the soul can see,

Acceptance resisted to no avail,

despair now in the hands,

looked upon with utter defeat,

shoulders slouch,

shallow breath ,

eyes close upon swelling pools

New eyes open

Glancing down into yellow filled hands,

mouths slight angle returns,

walking as yellow dilemma is peeled,

permafrost garden of the past before us,

earth is broken,

seeds fall between anxious fingers,

eyes wide with content,

sun above,

watching harvest grow into squares of future,

Life gives us lemons.

Mary Ellen Poirer

-0-

Measuring

by Ruth Walters

The man with white hair was very funny

as he asked the sales girl to measure his tummy.

I could see the look of sexual pleasure

as he held up his hands so she could measure.

I measured him up as she measured his waist

and he flushed a little and his eyes did water

as he realised she was the age of his daughter.

Then I took his hand as we left the shop

with him still looking a little lost

and we popped into a tailors shop

for alas ‘twas his last resort, poor sod.

The tailor there was very respectful

but made short shrift with the measuring tape

but I’ll never forget the look on his face

as the girl in Selfridges measured his waist.

-0-

I’ve been waiting

For my coming back

Since I met you

Marina Vitagliano

-0-

I Walk Alone
Riven G. Silver

I walk alone

destination unknown

seeking knowledge, enlightenment, wisdom

I walk alone

not to music and song

but the tune of my thoughts and perceptions

I walk alone

wondering, seeking, searching

for someone to walk beside me

-0-

DIMINUTIVE
Connie Carter

The world is so big

I could fit in a zip bag

And scatter to sea

-0-

white crescent falls
torn from the edge by
insistent teeth

BAD HABIT
Dan Horwood

-0-

To Lynelle/Changes allowed:
Mark Ledl

I think about you from time to time

without any reason without any rhyme.

I think about the path you took

and sometimes beg to take one last look.

Its hard to see why you do things, unusual as they are,

but around every corner you seem to raise the bar.

You make it through things unheard of by others

and defy all the things that were taught by our mothers.

I really do wish the best for you but I do not see it in the stars

but I'm sure you will make it.

I promised my love and professed it to you

its not something that I usually do.

I just want to say that I hope you are fine

and want you to know that I think about you from time to time.

Whatever life hands you and which way you choose

you will make it as sure as the sunshine.

I thank you for the smiles and thoughts and feelings

that you have given me for a lifetime.

-0-

so much more

time is shifting

time is counting

the days you have

the days you lived

like all other eyes

watching you sleep

the moon tells a story

of your life slept away

what a weary life

no more sleeping

no more counting

there is only the push

the run home

can't you run any faster

~Bane~

-0-

Danger from a Safe Distance
Alexandra O'Mallory

You did not break my heart

You reached in with your fist

Shattered my chest cavity

And wrapped your slender fingers around my beating organ

You wrenched my heart from my chest attached and throbbing

Beating, bleeding and begging

And you crushed it in your hand

With your angelic smile playing around your lips

I shot you between the eyes while you slept that night

Never hurt what you do not plan to kill my love

-0-

The Monarch's Touch

By Tamara Beryl Latham,

Her scepter raised in majesty, she dares

to rule this sacred, jeweled, Kingdom though

dark eyes of Kings before her, and her heirs,

gaze down on her from portraits. Does she know

or even care what they may think? You see

she rides a horse as well as any man,

then dons her crown and welcomes Dukes to tea,

while scrutinizing every battle plan.

Elizabeth! This gown of dignity

that flows, the river Thames reflects her grace,

her confidence. Behind doors privately,

she smiles back at the chamber mirror's face,

then states in perfect English, as she should,

"Elizabeth the Second, you done good."

-0-

The Song of Selves
Austyn Njoku

Listen to my lore
And be made new
With rich and every hue;
I come to you -
With heart and whole
To wed harmony to your soul!

Our world seems nice and gay
When we keep caution
Right in the way –
But my words are wonders
With wisdoms you lose
When you choose to be
Not free like the poet – me!

And I come to you
With heart and whole
To wed to your soul
The wit and genie of Osundare, Okinba
The wisdom of Whitman and Emerson!

Listen to me then
And new be made
With the song of ourselves!

-0-

Heart Upon My Sleeve

Wretched casing failed to shield

Donned upon my sleeve, my heart disintegrates

Sweet adoration blisters my soul

Distorted perceptions pierce with dismay.

Fallacies linger in the air that I breathe

For this masquerade is all that is genuine

In came a tornado and uprooted my dreams

Consuming my character as I reminisce of you.

Transparent and torn-- I will never surrender

Gaze into my eyes and taste the truth

The undeniable fire and passion between us

Inhale my air and let me breathe for you.

I hunger for you--validate my spirit

For I will hoist the white flag against my will

Throw in the towel; yet love you still

And remain crumbled in a ball, shattered inside.

By: Sarah Elizabeth Felger

-0-

LONELY HEART
Victor   E C Crump

The weary face

Lined by years of care

For another

Long since passed away.

The raincoat, the handbag.

Across the table dull eyes look into mine.

I try to strip the away the years

To find the   essence of her youth.

But it’s not there…...

I have the advantage, she has none.

What hopes she has

And yet there is no hope for her.

Just dreams.

She reads rejection in men’s eyes,

Every   time.

-0-
SOUL

You should not hide your eyes

They speak the voice of the soul, verbal words, they cannot hold.
What if you had no sight from birth?

Close your eyelids, the touch, the smell, The taste of the mist in the air

They are your eyes too, why would I place?

Obstructions in the way off

The Cool Bridge
To my soul

-0-

ONE LAST BREATH

Sarah Felger

One last breath…the time has arrived

My future whispered “the end is near”

Hateful dread, selfish betrayal

Why did you succumb?

For it was you--the reason, why we perished

You were the cause of immeasurable misery

Once our safe haven, now our hell

We have fatally endured the wrath of your blood.

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray that Jason does not beat

Or find the knife in the drawer,

The sledge hammer…before the dawn.

As I prepare my ultimate thought

I think of all that I’ve been taught.

I pray to God to watch over us,

While we attempt to sleep with him amidst us.

Numb to the world-- high as a kite

Desperation has spoken, can you hear my plea?

Never had any friends; never fit in

Lonely soul with nothing to lose.

Dig us a hole, thank you very much

Shame on you for not heeding my advice.

So much to live for, so much love to give

Horrifically, I swallow and kiss my son goodbye.

Damn you to hell; I told you so.

Toxic presence manipulated once again.

As I prepare for my final breathe,

I exhale deeply and prepare for a fight.

The night’s blackness wears such a mask

Normalcy disappears with the shut of an eye.

Be sure to keep one eye open, in the midst of the night.

Arm yourself carefully, and intelligently I pray.

And you won’t fall victim to what I fell for today.

-0-

Old Pens... Again
A. Sean Gellatly

Old pens of history
Dusty friends
Some carry shadows of days long gone
Never to be repeated
Yet the ink has not retreated

These old pens, my friends
Carrying times forgotten
Memories as well untrodden
Time of now, then, perhaps again
Shades and colours
Some fade, some grow brighter
Some are just the same
Yet not to be repeated

These inks have not retreated
To no celebration treated
Just waiting timeless
For the next moment gathered
Dusty friends
Again...

Go check out the AHA Archives for more poetry. If you would like to send in your poem to Open Mic.