Let Freedom Ring the Neck of the Abusers

When did the world become a platform for
societal deterioration? When did we stop
the moral train of obligation and allow
the passengers of depraved, self indulgent
misfits to board?

Stand up and be counted in the
land that lacks accountability. Never fear
action for your actions. Reap the rewards,
sell your soul, worry not about
retribution.

Day after day, we prove our shrinking
intelligence and manipulate the benefits
fought for with selfless sacrifice, and
use our narcissistic disregard for
all things given.

Congratulations to those who succeed
on the blood of those who knew
it was a privilege and not a right
Stand, be counted but don't hide,
as a coward.

I Do. I Don't. I Can't. I Won't

Slammed by Mary Walkden and Paula Blois

Two words , so small
they bind, I gag
choked out in passing
spoken once, silenced forever

Ague I was
I had to be
perhaps fevered, faint
my sole explanation, I fear.

Said for bliss, of wedded miss
soul ownership fought for dowry
longing stripped from the heart
year after year

A bed of roses is this?
no petals, but pricks and thorns
have I sown, stabbing my heart
with no regard

Wilting, aged, garden of evil
Ivy's overgrown, masking truth
covered in facts of lies.
Trapped in vines of soured grapes

Bitter whine they make, these grapes of wrath
will I stay the course on life-sentence path?
Beat me, cheat me, I will not break
for sake of two small words

I'll live in spite, kiss you goodnight
seething ,plotting, wondering "why"
"I do" I don't , I can't, I won't
We wake , we take, our life , is fake

Fairytale life? Not as your wife
To this challenge you know I will rise
One thing still is true, those two words 'I do'
are a risk I won't again take.

Scotch and Bingo

Funny thing, some may say

you sit , watching, intent on

figuring the stories

of all faces around you, wondering

what brought them here?

Faded, skin of leather worn

years of harsh living without

benefit of shelter from the

horrors, visible to those

who take the time to notice

Images of hell, seen in the eyes

of Marge. She plays thirty cards

every week, one for each year

served as a widow to the Marine Corps

Ole Marv, a regular player

suffers the hell of nights.

Listen closely and you can

hear the screams muffled

by a pillow.

Chairs dragging on worn tiles

fidgeting bodies move about

aimless as teen with his

assault weapon placed without

respect, upon his shaking hands

Callers yelling, often repeating

the numeric ball as those

who come to escape , waiting for their

number to come up.

Earl sits at the corner, best

stool in the post. Motioning

to the keep, two fingers, maybe four

enjoying the heat , the burn

as the scotch glides over his mind.

While My Child Sleeps

Written by: the heart of AmandaLyn

.

I watch lovingly as my child sleeps

Wrapped in blankets warm, secure

Roof and shoes, bellies full.

Reality the calm disturbs

In dangerous and different world

Another son makes sacrifice

Soul or limb or still-young life

His mother waits in pride and fear

As my child sleeps.

Around this bed, in wispy realm

The souls of those who daily chore

To stand a watch, to lead patrol

To guard the weak, protect, defend

To stay the course until the end

As their children slept.

And what of those once there, now home

The horrors, torments they have known

Still borne by them, in dreams relived

For us endured, courageous fear

Now tossed aside, unheard, uncared

Still they cannot sleep.

Our nature true is eye for eye

Each baby born must some day die

But learned minds their cross to bear

To fight the fight not just for might

To earn the right, Before in

Ivory tower sleep.

Forgive me please, I beg of you

My words won’t salve tormented soul

Or broken hearts those mothers know

No peace of mind can I provide

Just deep respect and thankful prayer

I wish you peace and restful sleep

To you a promise I will make

This blanket comfort we will not take

For granted, he will know its source.

And if, dear God, he heads a call

That issues I hope from honest ivory hall

We both will trod in footsteps deep

Where slippers paced, where boots have trod

My head held high, in secret cry

As he, in fearful courage fights.

But until then, with blanket clutched

I’ll stand the watch, you have my back

As my child sleeps.

To All Who Served

Today and everyday, my heartfelt “Thank You” for all you gave, for all you braved and for the unquestioning pride which you served with.

You served with pride , reserved resolution

Full of courageous fear

Freedom you sought for faceless humanity

Some by force of a draft

Shipped out at night to land of unknown

Wearing prententious mask of bravado

Force of arms to kill, maim or scar

Creating memories you’d wish to forget

Often not questioning the voice of command

Some came home with medal awards

Others shipped back in a box

Limbs left behind as a token of hell

For a conflict not yours

Mission complete

Our business is done

Return to your life, as if

Come home to strange land

Deal with your haunting ghosts

We’ll give you a check

Send you off on your way

How do you come home and pick up the pieces

When life is no longer the same

Your blackboard of life won’t erase from your mind

Years have gone by in months at a time

“Who am I now” asked of self

Family and Friends know not of your fright

For they have not looked through your eyes

The Soul is but a Passing Tide

I remember that day
held the child close,
not just a hug
a part of me
I remember that day

Funny thing, the sun

up every morning

down at eve

ever try to hug the sun

I did, that day in may

those things held tight

don't let go,

you can ride your bike

no worries child you'll get it soon

there you go, you got it now

first days are much the same

school house strange

yet warm soft rooms

a hint of some strange smell in child

oh Lord don't let those days divide

as said before oft true and tried

the soul is but a passing tide

yet as we mourn that day divide

old sun rises sure as love's soft smile

down it goes in ever more

to find that child

hugged by the sun

Lost in Profound

Uncertain of shadows cast by my soul, I follow,

listening for the call
crawling through complicated obscurity ,

message unclear,lost in profound cause.

Incomplete mission, in search of equivocal ending
Conflicted oppression colliding with reawakenings of lives lived past
Constant uncertain purpose, checking for prints left by burdened shod
Turning back for part of the path, signs of direction unseen
Quick to change direction back to future, wondering always

if the questions cloud the answers sought