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

Without a Shadow of Doubt

Collaborated by : AmandaLyn and Paula


All aboard, find a seat
Watch and learn
He won’t be beat
Expert in the craft of pity
With tales of woe, downtrod and gritty
that feed a paranoia profound
with vanity he's surly found
Search for intentions, interpreted wrong
he sits, sulking, with face so long
Scraps of dignity, shards of pride
in desperation, cast aside
looking for validity
Yes, please do
pity me

I'll Call Tomorrow

Casual friends , schoolyard mates
Almost related beyond the heart
Years and miles separate memories
Of laughter shared, yesterday
You come to mind often
I tell myself, “I should give Bill a call”
Tomorrow, perhaps I’ll find time
An article, you’ve done well
Military career, a wife, a child
Happiness spread across your face
Christmas cards sent, short notes penned
“How’ve you been? Where have you lived?”
Not enough of these catch up calls or notes
Telling myself, I’ll call tomorrow
A month of tomorrows turn into years
Today , I phone , ready to hear
What has taken place in your life
How’s your career, your kids, your wife?
“ I’m sorry to tell you, Bill’s passed away
He went in his sleep just yesterday”
How did this happen, too young and fit
I should have called that long ago tomorrow
I should have made time,
Before the sorrow
Forgive me friend, I know it don’t count
I thought of you often
I’d call ,

tomorrow

We The People

Sinful indulgence at the cost

of we the people

Blind to your ability to bait

and switch with each cast

of the rod, fishing for votes

Speaches filled with humor

and promises left unfulfilled

will we the people never learn

spinning the bottle to elect

bringing forth the same outcome

Denial is a pretty blanket in

which to hide ignorance

We the people can no longer

blame bureaucrats for our dismay

when we put the welcome mat out

when we hide in black holes of self pity

Dreamlike Musings

Look at me while whispering promise of anticipated felicity
I’m trancelike, wrapped in the ecstasy of your mind, should I attempt escape
Like gentle moans, off pursed lips of lust
Dreamlike musings of vacant touch, reaching my sheath, begging for satisfaction of
Tongued eloquence.
Wanting need, heard in rhapsodic oration
I’ll await your linguistic chariot, to carry me where my lordly realm has ventured
Longing for jaunted journey , feeling your gentle ,torturous evil ways
Come quick , yet slow
Satisfy my thirst
Anoint me in your hunger

When is it time exact for death to role its loving eyes

Written by : Elwood Jake

when is it time exact

for death to role it's loving eyes

to children young and old

who simply do as God fortold

why fear that which is

a passage blessedto soft requite

where time is no aged clock

but simple love in arms sweet hold

Instead as time was sweetness pudding

Written by : Elwood Jake

there was sweet time
once when softness ruled
lives were not as absinth's bite
nor full of lusts dark despite



instead as time was sweetness pudding
children ran in soft remission
no cancer strike or heathen's blow
but that soft and simple thought
my love please hold me
warm and true

The Master's Hand

Written by: AmandaLyn











The door creaked open, a gentle groan, sent a bell tingling.
It was a step back, opening a memory, a journey through time.
Hardwood, dust, oil and wax, scents of ages past, did their part,
Lifted spirits from cracks and crannies, set them free to roam
In one corner, in the back, he sat
Guitar on his knee


Strings gently humming.

Quarter-sawn oak, beveled lead glass, polished brass clasps
A woodcarvers canvas, chiseled roses and vines entwined
His inspiration? Love? Pride? It showed with each cut
A masterpiece true, Crowned with a finial fine
He sits gently strumming
A song on his lips
A serenade so befitting

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you A masterpiece, canvassed lady with mystic smile She danced in the room, waltzed past mildewed books Chipped tea sets and treadle machines long forgotten, Ancient love’s labors Now cold and lonely

Works of art.

References, I need to see references

Written by Elwood Jake


references, i need to see references

would my soul do sir?
your soul, what do references have to do with such trifle
it is my heart sir
for the heart and the mind
they do live in the same place you know.

references, i need to see references

here, i have this small medalion
would that do sir indeed
the color purple is not
just a book i have heard
it said

references, i need to see references

would my soul do sir?
it would if i could hold it and fold it
as paper is said to do

references, i need to see references

i sir am told that folded souls
can make the need for those
that ask for such things as you do
sweet substitue for such as you require

referneces, i need to see references

oh lord i stand before you now
without but such
that made you me
i ask in simple, slight, pious tone
my references dear lord?


i left them on a field with friends
that did not wish to see me leave
but as you said so was it done
my soul my mind my heart
they stand before you now
such references that you ask
as i said you took me quick
so they dear lord lay sodden wet
on field that holds my comrades hearts

references, i need to see references

Ancient Paths Well Trod

Written by Elwood Jake

old man fiddle

dark brown,she sings soft hymns

as he plays deft tune

from the heart of

ancient paths well trod

music of what not wants

fills the road well travelled

it speaks to us of life

and death, flower pots'n kitchen tables

filled with warm soft sprinkle love

you know, that kind oft saught,

seldom found

old man fiddle

dark brown, she sings soft hymns

as he plays deft tune

I looked for you Today

I looked for you today
Forgetting,
you went away

Not far from thought,
nor from the heart
but gone from sight

I still recall
your final night
I said goodbye

Then sat and cried

Remembering now

You have died

Beside your Bedside

Beside your Bedside

I sat beside your bedside

wondering what to do

watching, waiting, hoping

for bittersweet peace

Beside your bedside

Final moments,

wrapped in sad despair

wanting an end for your

pain, not you

Beside your bedside

one final time, wanting to see you,

one last time

but you've gone

Beside your bedside

I sit, listening

to ear piercing

silence, once filled with your

gentle snore.

Beside your bedside

I hold your hand

wish you a safe journey

and raise a glass of beer

Beggar's Glimpse at Hope

Beggars wait at open portal
steal a meager glimpse of hope
apprehensive grasp

Princess Pretense glances with
blind eye, refusing sight
Seamstress Sally, chuckles, knowing
fools errand awaits

A cup of blindman's beggars chance
to fill the bed of knitted hope
awaiting life that passes by
as beggars they deny the light

Yet simple as the tin cup's chance
to hold the light in hope
not wait but fight
the beggar's might
as strong as life
sits strength beside
each beggar's cup
nor futile wish
as seamstress sewing

Not Weary Heart Nor Lifeless Use

Written by Elwood Jake
as a gift, to me

peace, descendant of passion

creature of the night

sits in despondent dark

flight's patho'er treeless

limbless frightenend plight

of weary heart such lifeless use

I look at her such blithe delight

why fly despondent in darkness sight

blind, not sure of righteous plight

this sad and lonely creature slight

oblique in troth of saddened

crueher of weary lifeless use

what to do for descendant passion

question asked in passion's stew

why should she sit in saddened hue

no colors bounding in her heart

no, oh damned and wretched thought

to rescue rides the crimson knight

I shall hold her hard and true

give her light and life's sweet chew

to gamble not in longer fret

this winsome darling charm that flew

o're useless limbless frightenend plight

not weary heart nor lifeless use