APRIL ENCORE OF OPEN MIC

Updated April 30, 2000

A poem so hard to start,
my eyes water as I write,
my mind, filled with emotions,
I thought I was going to lose you,
I thought the princess was out of my life,
I would fall into depression,
then my mind gets out of hand,
I know you would cry,
I wouldn't want that to happen,
What would it take for you to know,
that I care for you so much,
and will never play games with your heart,
I wish you could understand,
I will always be here to comfort you,
I will always be here to dry your tears,
provide a hug, be a ear if you want to talk,
sing when you ask or,
hold you when you need someone to hold,
I can still remember you falling asleep on my lap,
just looking at you brought tears to my eyes,
a princess falling asleep on me,
running my fingers through your hair,
I stared for the longest time,
not knowing when this chance will come around again,
When I tell you tell you you've been the perfect girlfriend,
this is what I mean,
You've taught me how to care,
your to special to let go,
what else can I say,
Not seeing you hurts,
I will cry, but they will dry,
I feel close enough to tell you anything,
Allowing myself to open up so early could have been fatal,
but it was worth it,
kissing you was worth the wait,
holding was worth it,
but most of all
loving was worth it 
Tyee House

~!~

There Will Never Be Enough
-Lindsay Day

There will never be enough
to express how
we can say...

There will never be enough
Words to say
"Thank you" and 
"We appreciate you"
To tell you...

There will never be enough
hard times and 
pompous jerks
To laugh about 
Before we say...

There will never be enough
paper...
memories...
or rhyming words.

There will never be enough
For us just to say...


We will miss you!

~!~

I thought to compose a melody of Mother.
A lyric, haunting melancholy stills the air.
Did ever one so closely touch the clouds?

Amber, cloves, and linen crisp,
Warm water spills the fountain,
And did she slightly turn and bare to frown?

The French Horn mellow, and Strings repeat,
and Clarinet blend soprano.
I choose quarter to lilt and low remember.

But e're a music still so sweet,
None sweeter - sadder - Mother.
bhhflh

~!~

New Moon
Melissa Morrison

a nondescript winter
ends months of
looming
stark black crows
that signal their posse
to the dormant
desolate persimmon

the old friend longs a clean breath
of harvested
golden sunlight
and the blossoming
of orange wildflowers
left-over from
ancient summers
of lazy talk
and easy song
~!~

Sacrifice on a Cloudy Afternoon
Barry Phillips


All in attendance stared
in awe at her
nakedness as she lay
poised upon the altar
to be sacrificed for
the Tribal good. Thoughts raced
through her brain
at eighty miles a hour
"Did I take the
dog in, did I close
all of the windows?
The forecast today is rain."

~!~

On the internet I roam
Looking for a happy poem.
Is everyone's life so bad
that everything they write is sad?

Well buckup, look around, 
there is happiness to be found.
Try just one time
to write, a happy rhyme.
Darryl.Steiskal

~!~

trans-

sifting through the south end of the yard
there is no hope of finding what is lost here
please stand up and brush yourself off
we'll be starting a new career

transact
transcribe
transmit
transpire

what you are looking for is not here,
it's a perfectly natural fact

there really is no secret...
nor is there an end 

the immanent source supporting us
is that we can transcend

tom rose 

~!~

Here it is, 6 in the morning, same as any other day - the news is on, the cat is walking over us, everything else is as still as can be
We've got our own personal private time for now, we are still and warm even as the cold morning wind slices in the windows off the Bay
Our bodies are bruised, our souls are battered, and our hearts are heavy - I know that by 8 AM I will be back to work in the lab where I have 6 computers And most of the the time they do what I want the to do, but I will also have 4 students waiting for me, 3 cannot see and 1 cannot move and 
I cannot change change a thing about that, and I know that by 7 AM you will be stepping off the Richmond train and ready for another day of stepping
Though the misery of West Contra Costa County and you will have 5 home visits, 5 sad situations; some you can help but others will fall apart and 
There is nothing you can do about that - I watch you sleep, listen to you breathe and pat you on the bottom, 3 times on the left, 3 times to the right, 
The cat climbs across your chest and a murmur of pleasure escapes your lips - I hope that you are having happy dreams, at least, but I know that you 
Will awaken to deadbeats and the grandchildren whose parents don't give a damn about them one way or the other 
And we know what we will be coming home to and what we have to deal with - The grabbing hands keep rewaching out and the money 
Just won't stretch any farther - there is not much more that sorrow being spoken here unless someone is saying “I want” and the only thing keeping me 
From putting skates on everyone’s asses and kicking them down the road is your love and tender mercy, but they are running out of time while I am 
Running out of patience, and neither love nor tender mercy will be enough to help them when patience is finally all gone and now 
The party is over downstairs, the weed and speed have worn off and now it's just like the song by Fats Domino, “Monday, now that’s a mess…
They are screaming at each other now, and the children are in the middle - I cannot ignore a crying child; if I did, I would have to be some kind of animal
Something about that just rips the heart out of my chest - you want to see the worst of the worst, that's the way to bring it on - we will get the little one 
And bring him up with us; he feels safer here than downstairs and if they come into our place, I can deal with them my way, but I know it won't happen
All dad knows is how to run away when I come walking and mom is just mean, loud and mean after all these years spent fighting mental health

Stevie Moquin

~!~

STORIES LEFT INCOMPLETE
DESPERADO  {James E. Gardner}

As I look upon my life,
So few words am I able to speak.
Volumes of memories lie dusty,
Not a soul cares to read.
Just stories I read to myself,
Constant reminders of times I can't change.
Wishing they different exist,
Open wounds that would never heal.
Though very few may shine through,
Rays of happiness keeps me going on.
Something so tiny and fragile,
Seemed to wipe the dust away.
Holding on to my every word,
These stories now passed on.
Her eyes loving every moment,
One volume after the other.
Leaving only the current story,
Left for her to finish.
Like our mother's and father's,
For us to tell for years on end.
~!~

Innocent souls, burn through agony
Must they suffer our world's tragedy?
Black-hearted collect the bottles
People dying for rolemodels

It's unprevailing...
To light up and let burn
What's not to be lit, can I swear now?
It's unbelievable...
To light up and let burn
See it burn like water, can I swear now?

What is the price they have to pay?
Just to stop and get away
They hurt and scream and Fall
For no damn reason at all

It's unrevealing...
To light up and let burn
What's not to be lit, can I swear now?
It's unbelievable...
To light up and let burn
See it burn like water, can I swear now?

They sit on their knees and pray
Pray to him every day
Not understanding why.. they have such insincere lives..

Claire Schuurman

~!~

LAMBCHOPS
Barry Phillips


"Follow me, follow me, "baawed the Black Sheep known as
Judius Goat, "follow me and we will sail away in my boat"
He revealed his magnificent vision to the multitude of sheep
and made vast promises he swore by heaven he would keep

"Follow me and we will eat the fat of the land
we'll lie on the beach and we'll wallow in sand
but first you must follow me in through this gate"
Excited, his followers barely could wait

Their Great Leader, he would better their lots, but
The Black Sheep had betrayed them and they are now
all LAMBCHOPS
~!~

My name is hieronymous, poet, prophet and sage.
You are my audience, and this is my stage.
I verse on all topics, I don't have a druther.
You pick the first one, then I'll pick another.
My skills are legendary, the best ever seen.
I'll tell you my secret (that's right, "Je devine!").
Don't misapprehend me, that just means "I guess!",
which means that you really don't have to confess.
I can show you magic that will touch your heart.
If you agree, well then, hey that's a start!
The form of my payment requires you two things:
Follow the meter, then listen, it sings.
You must pay attention to glean any worth.
You must pay respect to all others on Earth.
If you are interested, continue to read,
for in every word I have planted a seed.
Now focus on this as the other shoe drops ...
I you want REAL good poetry, give me my props.

hieronymous

~!~

Who I am
Russ Ghanekar

I am empty
I am nothing
a rotting corpse
nothing but an vacant shell.
I am an unfilled hallow
a black hole
that sucks whoever
into a black nothingness
a destructive void
of Death,
Yes he is my friend
he laughs and gives me Power
for I serve his purpose
and fill his coffers.
Who am I
but a seething void
of emotion, empty
of everything
a haunted skeleton
filled with sadness
and insanity.
Nothing,
everything
I touch is destroyed.
My hand is painted
with the blood of a thousand
faces
all screaming in terror,
horror as He approaches on his Horse
the Four Horsemen
alas I know them well.
Who am I
violence and bloodshed
the antithesis of peace
bringing doom wherever I walk
and any Angel who crosses my path
I fail, I curse.
Who am I
I am haunted
tortured by all those who 
have died in my name
by my cause
Black Knights corrupt
and corrupting.
Who am I 
I one of the Immortals
haunted by the specter
of his hand,
I am War
the destroyer of mankind.
~!~

WOLF
Jennifer

A lonely traveler he seems to be,
the voice is soft but fear the bite,
he is the light through which I wish to see.

The coat of white is the only key,
the brightest light in the black of night,
without him what ever would I be.

To kill, to breed...his destiny,
why ever would we try to fight,
he is the light through which I wish to see.

With love there comes a fee,
to kill we loose our virgin sight,
without him what ever would I be.

With the wolf I am forever free,
who gives us our God-like might.
The wolf is light through which I wish to see.
Without the wolf what ever would I be.

~!~
The Crisp Winter
Dylan S.

The Crisp Winter can burn the air with its icy breath,
The Crisp winter can drive the snow from it's rest in the artic, 
The Crisp Winter can force the grassy wastelands to give way to the frozen wind,
The Crisp Winter can glaze the rivers and ponds with it's lifeless touch,
The Crisp Winter will never redeem but be driven back by the coming warmth of The Blazing Summer

~!~

Wherefore Art Thou Come?
Quentin Clingerman

From whence the coldness of thy breath
Chill winds of northern Spring
Wouldst know the Winter's death
And promise of sweet Summer's ring! 
~!~

“Perfect”
Jonathan Walton

“I’ll meet you there,” she said
“You know I’ll be waiting,” I replied.
and we said our long goodbye
I let out a deep sigh, and my heart smiled
I haven’t seen my love in so long
and today - tonight nothing could go wrong
It is now 10:00 and you’ll be here at 12:30
and I have plenty of time to make everything just right
to plan the perfect day, and the perfect night
So I grab a pen and pad to make a list 
of all the special things I would need
to make this series of moments complete
First, are the flowers - yes roses all over
for her, only the deepest shade of red will do
with the longest stem and fullest bloom
is worthy to be smelled by you
Second, is something she doesn’t know
I have planned a special place for us to go
I have two tickets for an exclusive performance
of Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet
out of all of his famous works this is your favorite
Next , are those crucial reservations
to the most prestigious seaside restaurant
with a magnificent view of the bluest ocean
And last but surely not the least, 
only when the sun is falling down to the sea
I will unveil the symbol of my undying love
a three carat diamond, supported by a platinum band
not even this is worthy to graze your delicate hand
and as I look into your eyes - there on one knee
I will ask the love of my life to marry me

~!~

EYES OF A CHILD
Rahsheen R. Taborn

When one looks into the eyes of a child one sees the window of ones soul

No one can understand why these things happen, but it just does, but once you get a good look into that window you can not stare away.

You feel paralyze with wonder, and helpless with fear, but once you take a look into the eyes of a child you feel emotional as you stare.

~!~

You do not need to ask
For I will you what and why.
I love your toes on those beautiful feet.
In the thighs and caves, I find great delight.
Your breasts and belly ravish me always,
And you yoni pleasures me till the morning light.
Your fingers, gentle with your touch.
Your hands and arms wrapped around me, I love so much.
Your back and shoulders, smooth and lovely.
Your neck is to be kissed for it has the job of holding your head.
Your chin and cheeks,
Your nose and lips,
Your ears and hair are all I love for they make your face,
Lacking only your eyes, dark and light, mysterious and bright.
They show me how you feel inside.
Your mind for its wonder and grandeur.
And most of all, I love your
HEART
For you gave it to me with all your love inside.
Now you know what and why.

Timothy Holt

~!~

Calypso
by Mark Kreighbaum

Evening bleeds into day
and I am becalmed here again
with duty, who wears a patient
face.

I long for Ogygia.
I long for the lady of the winds.
I long for your strong coffee and 
millennium eyes and lightning
touch.

But the ocean divides us.
When a sailor makes sail,
the current commands.
My charts were all marked
with an ancient shore.

You should not have made that
ship and I should not have
sailed.
Where was the honor in returning?

The day dies into dusk
and I have answered Penelope's
need.
But I wish forever
for a certain wind.

~!~

Right Around the Corner
Brittany Kidd

Right around the corner, 
that's where it was.
Right in the honey flowing stream. 
But, its coming back now,
I'm sure that its true.
Its just like a wonderful dream.

I know it was here.
I'm so sure I saw it,
in the flowers out in the sun.
Or did I see it in the white fluffy clouds,
passing one by one.

It was just here,
falling from the sky,
in each little raindrop tear.

If you don't believe me.
See for yourself.
But, I tell you, spring was just here.

~!~

SOULMATE
Siobhan Skelton

contorted, i am
practicing chastity
abstaining from pride 
cause my soul's met it's mate
hardline justice 
proves me now
stripped of shield 
protected now....
only by you.
~!~

A LOVE THAT FELL FROM ABOVE


THE ROLLING WAVES,OH MIGHTY THEY SPLASH
EAGERLY RUNNING TO TELL OF THE PAST
AN EVOLUTIONAL LOVE STORY OF CREATURES GREAT&SMALL,OF CREATURES WHO OVER TIME HAVE MADE THE BEST LOVE OF ALL.IT MIGHT FEEL STRANGE AND SOMETIMES ODD,AT ONE POINT THESE CREATURES WHERE CONSIDERED GODS.TO OUR SURPRISE TIME TOOK IT'S TOLL AND TRAPPED A FEW CREATURES IN A PERILLESS HOLE.AFTER YEARS OF MOCKERY &UTTER DISGRACE,AFISH NAMED PISCES BEGAN TO SURFACE.SHE CALLED ON HER GOOD FRIEND CANCER THE CRAB & TOLD HIM HER PLAN,ULTIMATELY THEY WOULD WALK HAND IN HAND.AND TO THIS DAY IF YOU LOOK IN THE SKY YOU CAN STILL SEE THE TWINKLE IN BOTH OF THE LOVERS EYES.ALTHOUGH MILES APART,THEY SHARE THE SAME MIND,HE HAS THE KEY TO HER HEART,IT'S JUST HER HE MUST FIND.THOUGHTS OF THE ZODIACS HAVE INFLUENCED ALL CREATURES THAT THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN,STILL WE GET LOST IN SEARCH OF HOME.
SO FOR QUESTIONS ON LIFE,FINANCES OR LOVE,JUST ASK AND I'LL ANSWER FROM THE STARS ABOVE


LOVE,
CANCER..

~!~

You
Dedicated to Cory
by: Audrey Thompson - Tynes

I was thinking about you today for a long time, which is not at all unusual.
And my thoughts ran deep as they often do when i think of you.
And the thought occurred to me again...
'I wonder if you could ever actually even begin to fathom 
just how lucky I consider myself to be with not just someone like you,
but YOU,
the person whom I've grown to know and appreciate.
And the more I know of you, even more do I fall in love with you.
And every day I learn something new about you, something that I like.
It just makes me want to be around to see 
just what it is that you will reveal next.
~!~

my but and don't
nzmanja


sometime when i'm in lonely
i need friends to cheer me up...
but. sometime i don't

sometime when i'm in blue
i need someone to ease the pain..
but... sometime i don't

sometime when i'm down
i need someone to pull me up
but sometime i don't

sometime when i can't look in front
i need someone to guide me up
but sometime i don't

sometime when i'm gay
i need someone to share it with me...
but sometime i don't

sometime when my heart full of love
i need someone to love me back
but sometimes i don't

sometime when i need you to be with me
i need you to be by my side
and there is no but to it..
no don't to it
because..you are my but and don't
~!~

i stand there
house silverware
sheltered girl
who hasn't bloomed
trying to jump
on a moving train
who gets bored with me too soon
i can tell by his eyes
i can tell cus he's not looking at me 
when i'm looking at him
i don't add up
i'm a bad grade on his assignment
but i'm use to the word fail
unmotivated i give up
i say have a nice day
don't trip on your way 
back to your world
and i'm back to mine
feel even better
i can quit the math problems
x can equal i could give a f!ck
so i decided to leave the answer blank
no goodbyes or just hello's 
just white space
and a unhooked telephone

mariam popal 

~!~

This World of Frost
By David Warren

In this world, this world of frost, 
I find ever people who would sooner carry far a burden great
Than to feed a starving man. 
Ever there is a blemish in things once good and pure, 
And ever I see that hate breeds like flies. 
Anger is a gift oft misused. In some there is a light, 
And yet this is mostly dark. 
Perverted babes weep and cry out, but raptors lie in wait.
Who amongst the host can save us, for we sit in a world of frost?

~!~

HisseS
Jennifer Susan Whitenight

The cold blue screen hisses at me
Like a twisted evil snake
Painfully it reminds me 
Of a picture 
that should have long been 
Instead alone I am
Left with the harsh reality
of my pain
~!~

Emma
Kayla Whitman

You look at me with tear-filled eyes
You try to smile them away
Your heart is breaking
I can see it 
Lying there on the floor.
Emma life can be so brutal
You were the fist to know.
Emma, life has stolen your innocence away.
You tell me nothing's the matter
But, I can see it in your eyes.
I pick up your heart to give it back,
But you tell me a bunch of lies.
Emma, I want to help you.
You say you don't need help.
Emma I want to love you,
But you turn and walk away.

~!~

Twice We Part
Chris Bloyd

Once; we've met
Twice; we've parted
Thrice; We've seen at journeys end (beginning?)
or was it to begin?
who can tell the circles 
our live may take us in.
To know this is to see
the pattern for you and me.
We will meet again...
both the better
but both having grown
matured from the unseen events
and the golden moments missed.
The sorrow will be
monumental, you can see,
But the only thing I can say is Adieu...Adieu
Fore goodbye is and end
And again I will see you.

~!~

NEPTUNE
Knowledge Ma'lik Seretse-Khama

See. . .most people smile, but she illuminates.
Her soul glows like a firefly in the darkest of nights.
Just steps from perfection. . .
The collective essence of all which is of greatness.
I bow at her feet, blinded by the light
of unconditional love & divine respect.

I have seen Neptune & Pluto marvel at her splendor.
The moon emits calm, relaxing shine when she is near.
When I look at her, all nine planets seem minimal
Like grains of sand on a seashore
of emotional enchantment.

She has celestial qualities,
unlike any woman on earth.
I look into her eyes until everything else seems surreal.
And until my yearning for her transcends
the farthest of galaxies.

She is. . .My perfect woman.

~!~

Mind, Body & Soul
Susan

Open your mind wide and set your sights high,
the path is most likely new.
Forget the rest, come take my sweet test,
maybe, we can rejuvenate you.

Open your heart,
mind, body and soul
together I know it will do.
Empty love leads
To empty lust
Which is why I am so free, for you.

Together we will come
then at last we will leave,
Embarking upon a journey new.
Fighting for our love
yet retaining our lust
And again I will be there with you.

~!~

Come Back
Jessie Ann Naerebout

I made you cry,
now i wanna die,
i have no one to love,
who cares about some stupid dove,
it don't mean a thing,
unless you have something,
you begin to hate me,
and i begin to see,
i want to float away,
unless you stay,
come back, 
or i will be in a body sack!!!

~!~

CONTROL FREAK
Ashley 

Why do you try to control me?
Can you just not let me be?
Let me fall
Or let me stand
Believe me when I fall
I'll land
You push me so far
You push me so hard
I'm afraid to turn over 
The next card
You make me hate
You make me cry
Sometimes you make me
Want to die. 
~!~

The 21st Century Report
Victor Ramos.

Jews
the persecuted, persecute.
Gush Emunim
built new settlements again.
Palestinians
ignored in the bloody mess.
Shi'ites
displaced from Iraq.
Kurds
have to suffer once again.
US
tramples on people's rights.
UN
applauds the yankee shows.
The World 
cheers actions on TV.
Poets
locked in shitty madhouses.
That's all for today!

~!~

'Tenderly' 
Anita Nahal


Feel me, tenderly
I promise I'll be yours, completely
Don't pull, push, hurt
In the morning my body bruised
May forget who you are. 

~!~

FORTUNE
SUNDARI RAJKUMAR

Like a sudden stroke of cool breeze,
it comes to me, though rarely;
Like the rare sight of a rainbow,
it colours my life, though scarcely;
Like the unexpected gust of wind,
it passes through me, though hastily;
Like the lightning in the sky,
it enlightens my life, though concisely;
Like the mirage of oasis in a desert,
my fortune appears at the far end;
though only fictional, in reality.

~!~

“The Love We Share”
By: Justin Miller

Our love is like the ocean,
It won’t run dry.
But like the desert,
Will our love die?
The weather changes-
Like the hands of time,
But my love is fading 
With the change of mind.
There’s no heart to break.
No love to share.
For our love is,
No longer there.

~!~

I stand before you with my arms open
Waiting...praying...hoping
That you will notice
I stand before you and scream 
My pain overrides me
And you don't notice.
How can you with your face toward hers
Away from mine
I could make you so happy
But you won't let me
HEAR ME ONCE!
Listen to me
Can't you hear my pain?
Kasha Ashworth

~!~

If Ever
Dedicated to the memory of Mr Phillip Lawrence.
Stuart Jones

If ever time
Had ceased to be
And nobody
Knew why,
And if ever
There was nowhere
to belong.
If ever
There was nothing,
Just a darkness
In the sky,
And if no-one knew
Where everything
Had gone

If nothing
ever mattered.
There was no-one
To care for,
And if no-one knew
That everyone
Had cried.
Would it really
Make a difference?
For the future
Would be now,
And everyone would know
Mankind had died.
~!~

Look at me
Cel Carter 

I need you to look at me,
and show me that what you feel is love,
your eyes are a mystery,
that I'm gonna discover what they hide.

When I look inside them,
they trap me, excite me , kill me,
but they kill me in a good way,
with no suffer and no pain.

I love you more than anything,
but I want to know what you feel,
I desire to hear the words,
the ones that just you can say.

I need your lips close to mine,
turning me into somebody I've never been,
I see you smiling at me,
Although I want to give you more than that.

I don't want this to end before it starts,
but we gotta do something,
cause we both know,
almost doesn't count

~!~

Twisted love and agony
become a persons life
back and forth
from love to hate
and back to love again.
An endless ring 
around my head
spins and makes me dizzy.
torment is the aftermath,
confusion makes me sick
life is precious 
so those who are blinded
to those with eyes
it's a tragedy
which needs to end A.S.A.P.

 Marc Speroni 

~!~

Failure Is Never Final 
By Steven E. Thompson

When first you strive the pain is real,
Once you find life has bit your heel,
A voice within you starts to cry,
“Is it time to quit and say goodbye”,

You start again on life’s crusade,
To achieve, to strive, just to have it fade,
From your knees you start to view,
What was a shell of the former you.

You start to wince when others may say,
“I love winning I won another time today”.

Failure is not where you are,
For there is no place so bizarre.
Instead it’s a figment in your head,
Waiting for the winning thread, 
To weave its loom of promise there,
To help your failure return to its lair,

So smile and start to turn the leaf,
Of all the hopes and new beliefs,
To make the failure stand anew,
His life restored – and his future too.

~!~

A FRIEND
Jasmine Stafford

A friend is there for you all the time
In more ways than one
You two will be together like two beautiful chimes.
A friendship should last forever and ever
And shouldn't end for anything 
Should you say goodbye...no, never.
I've never had a friend like you
And I probably never will
I want to tell you what I feel is true
If you would just sit still.
I don't have anything else to say
My words are breaking down
I'm going to go outside and play
And turn my frown the other way.
What I'm feeling is very true
If I could work up the courage to tell you.

~!~

THE LEGACY
dolores jean yerger

Garbage emptied into the sea, killing life for you and me.
What's left for "Them" to see?
Land raped for economy. "OH but, its only a tree!
Fewer safe havens for children to play, litter strewn cities
keep people away!
Breath deep! "OH, what's that smell? Can we inhale?
Are we in HELL?
Will this planet sustain such strife? We were once so full of life.
We must start now, by sweat of our brow. Please someone,
tell us how?
"OH", my people, take a stand, toll the bells across the land,
If we don't we've truly earned the Brand of
........THE LEGACY........
~!~

Lonely sadness
Amy Ocean

Do you think I like being torn,
Who are you to judge me.
Look at yourself all dark and tangled,
Your life's shattered and you think that's better!
Being sane for your right to live. 
That is what I want to live. You base your life on madness.
Your pretending is not okay. Who said you had to do this,
it's not right.
I don't want to loose you to the dark, 
I'm sad. 
Who said you could not fight it. 
I love you as a friend, when did you stop thinking I cared.

~!~

Metalove
Mary Adams 

Do you suppose when the wind blows it knows I listen for my name?
Do my wishes get carried away on some mystical wave of color and light?
Does my desire spread through the clouds of molecular chaos finding it's 
way to a place it can thrive?
Can my love travel through walls through mountains and through prisons
built of insecurity, jealously and selfishness?
Can my heart be free to embrace what it eats?
~!~

Black is the night
Silver are the stars
Yellow are the eyes
of the watcher
of the world
Lynn Bugg

~!~

YOU DIDN'T THINK
Thelma Ragland

It was your choice
to get in the car,
after you took a trip
to the local bar.

You just knew
what you wanted to do.
Yet, our lives
you affected too.

Not even sorry
did you ever say.
You just left 
our precious one
for us to bury today.

Next time,
stop and think
before you get
behind the wheel.
Cause this business
is a very big deal...

~!~

I shoot my gun
And they tell me to silence it
Because it hurts their ears

I fire my mouth
And they try to suppress it
Because it brings them fear

The fiery discharge
An expression of emotion
That blows them away
Like a lyrical explosion

And they hide in their bomb shelters
Of ignorance of oppression
Because they know nothing of my intentions
Insight disguised as aggression

calypsochaos

~!~

My Kryptonite
Clayton Snyder

I'm no longer the superman I thought i was,
I'm having a hard enough time just growing up,
I'm no longer made of steel,
all this hatred and pain is so real,
i'm no longer faster then that speeding bullet,
my confidence was so great,
until you gone and stole it,
I can no longer leap tall buildings,
all these angered ends need new beginnings,
I'm no bird, I'm no plane,
the superman in me died today,
as hard as it is to say,
i think your the one at blame...

~!~

Silent Isolation
kari l. crawford-woodruff

Crouched
Infant-like shivering
in a corner.

The Silent Isolation
rings through my soul.

"Help me!"
My eyes cry out.
Is anyone there?

You used to be.
Turn 
Walk out
Sorry 
was enough for you.

My soul
Assassinated.
My heart
Crucified.

Left me
Shivering
Alone
Again...
I should have known.

~!~

SCARED
"Chloe"

I'm scared of so many things.
I'm scared of being alone, of the darkness in my mind.
Of what people will say, of what they whisper.
I'm frightened of what I feel, of the things I see.
Of losing everything I've ever known.
I'm worried about what I might do to myself,
How I'm going to handle the situation.
I'm scared what'll happen when you turn your back,
That maybe they'll jump up from behind.
I'm afraid of the constant blackness,
Afraid that as soon as you leave, I will cease to exist,
I'm frightened because nobody cares
And I cannot get through this alone.
I'm scared that I will spend the rest of my life as i am now.
Scared and alone.

~!~

Self-Inflicted
Keilah Sanchez 

Your world seems so dark
And every smile tastes bitter
Nothing seems brighter
Than giving up
You spend your days 
Turning yourself into weeps
Forgetting it was indeed yourself
who sealed the windows
Closed the drapes
Locked the door
Not allowing a speck of light 
To shine through
Blocked your mind from 
Mem'ries of bliss
Rejected joy
And blamed the world
Forcing yourself to forget
There's more to life
Than simply pain
~!~

"The Invisible Soul In The Mirror"
W.B.Justin Leake 

Lost with in me I look in the mirror and don't understand what it is that I see.
I see a face that changes every day, it just fades away day by day. Yea its hard to comprehend, when you don't understand why you cant even be your own friend. The image I project is so unreal compared to how i really feel. Everyone probably gets that way sometimes, but isnt it kinda strange I'm like that every day? Ahh f^ck I just don't know what to say..?? Ahh f^ck I just don't know what to say. So stupid , I cant even see things that are even right in front of me. I've fucked up every thing that was ever good. I would hurt some one to make my self fell better anytime could. I'm tired of doing stupid shit like that. I really wana change but to me it would seem to strange. Sometimes I look to the sky and wonder if I even have a heart and if i do what does it pump cause I always feel like a chump. It always feels like I am a stranger to myself, walking along the yellow lines of the street with the street lights turned on glowing white and orange with rain pouring on my head all alone in the cold I stand looking into my thoughts to find out what this life is truly about. Maybe one day I will come out of the rain and stop filling my heart with anger and pain, one day the sky will turn blue and I will look in the mirror and say I know you 

~!~

THE FINAL CHAPTER
L. NACOL CHARLES

--THE STENCH OF YOU...IS UNMISTAKABLE--COMMITTED TO MY MEMORY...AND ALL TO FAMILIAR TO ME
--SIX I WAS THEN....--SWEET AND LOVING, INNOCENT AND TRUSTING
--YOU NOTICED...WHAT WAS IT INSIDE OF YOU THAT 
WOULD MAKE YOU NOTICE?
--A THIEF IN MY EYES, YOU SHALL FOREVER BE...--YOU STOLE THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT THAT I COULD EVER
OFFER...MY INNOCENCE, MY VIRGINITY
--YOU HAD THE NERVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR ME....--SO NOW, HELL HATH NO FURY.....
--WITH ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE--HATE YOU, NO, SOMETHING THAT I CAN NOT DO
--MY FATHER IN HEAVEN IS YOUR JUDGE...AND UNLIKE YOU,
I HAVE NO CASE TO PROVE
--THOSE HORRID MEMORIES HAVE CLOUDED MY MIND...AND
TEARS HAVE DRIED ON MY FACE
--I HOPE THAT YOU ASKED FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS, SO
THAT HELL WILL NOT BE YOUR FINAL RESTING PLACE
--I FORGIVE YOU...WITH THAT I CAN MOVE ON
--NO MORE CLOUDS, NO MORE TEARS, NO MORE YEARS TO GIVE--NOT TO YOU
--I SURVIVED, I AM HERE--AND MY SPIRIT NOW KNOWS NO FEAR
--THE ONLY THINGS THAT I WISH TO FIND...
--ARE THE ONES THAT WILL BESTOW UPON ME..TRUE LOVE,
TRUE HAPPINESS, AND TRUE PEACE OF MIND
--NOW, AGAIN....--MY LIFE WILL BEGIN
--WITH YOU OUT OF MY MIND, I CAN NOW CLOSE THIS
CHAPTER...
--THE END

~!~
Question it?
Rosie 

If life was a golden rose
What colour would the petals be?
If the sky was pinkish green
What colour would the grass be?
If I were thin who would the fat ones be?
If we were all dogs who would be the cats?
If noon was in the twilight zone
When would bedtime be?

~!~

Soon another birthday will arrive,
Indicating another year I have survived.
Commemorated with candles and cake.
Although, the cherished one, time has baked. 

Constructed by my son 30 years ago,
Its presence makes my heart glow.
Red clay, one candle, and trimmed in blue, 
his wonderful way of saying, I love you. 

Prudently, I unpack this old treasure, 
uncovering beauty that has no measure. 
Just three inches wide and one inch high 
yielding 50 feet of happy remising sighs. 

A compact gift formed by childish hands 
signifying more then anyone understands.
At the conclusion of the day, I pack it away
Preserving it, God willing, for next birthday
 Katherine V. Harris
Copyright4/20/2001

~!~

~*Mustang*~
-Melinda Seeley

At the beginning of the race
No one knows just what they face
They can't start too late
Or they will be irate
If they only knew
Their car wasn't true 
They wouldn't waste gas 
On something with no class
As the checkered flag raised
Everyone seemed dazed 
While looking down the track
The Mustang was about to lay some smack
Holding back the fears 
And thinking about shifting gears 
The Mustang flew
And its popularity grew
~!~

Eyes see a light
Raymond Navarro

Emerging from the darkness
There radiates a light
Thousand times that of the sun
It stands alone in this dismal place
I see the source of the light
A beautiful woman.....


I reached out my hand and she grasps it
The feeling of pain leaving
I feel the freedom of love entering
The shackles of lonely life broken
Bonds of love formed
I was saved by a sweet angel
My true love!

~!~

A dream
 Sam

I have a dream and so do you
Do you want to make it true?
It depends on you
This is what I hear people say every single day
It is very easy to think of one just like counting one and two
But it is very difficult to make it true
I dont care what they say,
What I care of is being next to you
Yes. you. no matter what I do 
I will love you
~!~

GOOD BYE MY LOVE!!
Star Renee

I HAD A LOVE FOR AN OLDER MAN,
HE LOVED ME TOO OR SO HE SAID,
BUT THEN ONE DAY HE DISAPPEARED.

HE WENT TO HEAVEN,
HE LIVES WITH GOD,
HE SLEEPS BY HEAVEN'S ONLY LIGHT.

WITH THE LORD AS HIS SHEPHERD,
HE BROUGHT ME HOME,
HE KEPT ME SAFE,
AND KEPT ME WARM.

BUT IN THE END,
IT ALL WENT DOWN.
THAT LOVE WE SHARED,
WAS STRIPPED AWAY.

HE DIED RIGHT HERE, 
IN THESE ARMS OF LOVE.
AND FELL DEEP,
DEEP INTO THE HANDS OF THE LORD AND HIS VIRGIN.

SO GOODBYE FOR NOW,
SWEET LOVE OF MINE.
I'LL CRAWL HOME TOO,
SOON TO FIND,
YOUR ARMS AWAITING,
MY ARRIVAL TO THE SHEPHERDS HOME.

GOODBYE MY LOVE, 
I'LL JOIN THEE SOON.
BUT UNTIL THAT DAY,
I SHALL STAND ALONE.
~!~
A PERSPECTIVE OF REALITY
Anita Shrimali 

Her love for him is like a bed of roses.
It’s attractive and looks like a dream.
When she wakes up, she is hurt.
The thorns
The pain of reality
Sometimes severe, sometimes tolerable.
She wants to love him.
She’s scared to love him.
She needs to be loved.
Her love for him is like a bed of roses.
Their time spent together is each rose bloomed.
Tears, smiles, emotions shared.
Grow together to create a phenomenon.
She wants to love him.
She’s scared to love him.
She needs to be loved.
Her love for him is a bed of roses.
In which they will soon lie together.

~!~

The day my heart died
i became cold
not thinking of others hearts
but life's grip finally
hit me 
you can't be cold for life
because frost bite hurts for years
bringing my heart back won't be easy 
bridges of the past 
must be rebuilt and step upon
for my heart too be resurrected
from hell so i can be at peace daily
my soul is with me 
now heaven isn't fair from here.
Neil lewis

~!~

This man is lonely,
he never sees the light of day,
he never sees the dark of night,
he doesn't have any friends,
he doesn't have any rights,
he can't talk to a person,
he can't talk to an animal,
he is very lonesome.
Zhonggy

~!~

LOST
mimi antonie

lost in the world don't know where
don't know how i'm gonna get there.

don't know where i'm going 
don't know what i'm showing.

i can't cry.
i can't die.

i can't.
i can't.

~!~

You wear the mask of happiness,
Of love, and caring.
But deep, deep down inside i know the truth.
that your heart is made of cold stone.
You could care less of what wounds you leave in others,
Just that your mask, your pretty little mask
Remains Perfect
Adanac

~!~

Voices|
Afrika Abney

sharp, prophetic voices
in the thin walls
shouting and screaming
to be free
suffering from pain
of being left alone
in the cement of the thin walls
try to reach out
for my hands
as they call out my name
powerful
AFRIKA
save me, save me
from being imprisoned
left alone
in the dark

~!~

MY STAIN
Lanchesther

I'm so sick of this game
So sick of this pain
So sick of being lame
Sometimes is so easy
To hide
My ugly inside
And if you need me
Please be with me
Because I'll carry this inside
Till I'm not alive
I can't explain
I'm so lame
I'm so sick of this pain
I'm so sick of this game
You're the only one
Who can clean my stain
My stain

~!~

TRUE CONFESSIONS TO YOU!
-Saurabh N Turakhia.

You manage to rule the empire of my emotions,
You dominate the contents of my creations,
My imagination survives because of you,
You are my vision, my only view!

You are the monopolist in my mind’s market,
There are few damsels like you, I bet,
Still fresh is the memory when we first met,
T’is only when you are away, my eyes get wet!
You are the sole feather to this poet’s hat,
You manage to entangle me in your love’s net!

If I would be a patriot, the nation would be you,
If I would be a poet, the poem would be for you,
If I would be a winner, the trophy would be you,
Your tears shall I wipe, my joys would be always for you!

More do I believe in love than fear from betrayal,
For the play of your love, I would do many a rehearsal!
These are not words mere,
It’s the song of love you ought to hear,
To me, you shall always be dear,
Your memories, our relationship shall I cherish and endear!

The merry moments that we shared,
The few times, wherein for me you cared,
Some debacles that I dared,
Some hopes that I had,
Are all too close to my heart to be forgotten,
If I would be SACHIN TENDULKAR, you would be my ton!

Till the time, my lips long for tea,
Always in you, my bride shall I see,
Reality is rigid, disappoints,
But romance shall rain, my heart suggests!

My every smile is wrapped in your happiness.
You are my inspiration, I confess,
This love may turn larger, never shall it turn less,
Our legendary love shall be hot news for every press!

True it is, I am the creator,
But you always inspire, make my creations better,
The pen belongs to me, but my poems belong to you,
Through some verses, I admire you,
Hence when people praise my poems, the credit goes to you!

If I am WILLIAM WORDSWORTH,
Then you are my daffodil,
I always encage you in my memories, I know your worth!
The best of my creations emerge because of you,
My verses versatile, are because of you!

Till my last breath, shall I continue to love you,
My pen shall always write for you,
This is a writer’s declaration, a lover’s confession,
That you are my obsession,
My love is always, forever only for you!

~!~

AND YOU THOUGHT AHAPOETRY HAD NO ADS: 
These requests appeared in my mail box and I pass them along to you without liability and with no guarantees. 

I am putting together a poetry anthology entitled "Beyond Florescent
Skies". I invite you to submit poetry via email to me for
consideration. The target publish date is August 2001. I am looking
for any kind of poetry on any topic. Don't be afraid to send me your
best and most experimental work. Please visit the web page
http://www.geocities.com/montag451/skies.html for submission details. I'm looking forward to reading your poetry.
Chris

I don't really have a poem, but i can tell you that i am in a band, and i am desperate for poems to make into songs. My band would give full credit for the lyrics to the author, and even make a tape for the author, so please! I am desperate, you can e-mail me at tofog_fan17@hotmail.com.
Jackie