I Guess I Should Be Thankful

I had met an intellectual

he said I was wrong

but he never really wondered

the reason I had for my song

He went about finding my faults

it seems that's what intellectuals do

and I suppose the reason

is to prove they're so much better than you

Well he was so insecure

with all the crap that he knew

he began to nit-pic

and the list of course grew

I said go ahead speak your peace

point out all of my gaffes

make a fool of yourself

while my friends and I laugh

He then moved away

his tail was tucked under

but I'm sure he'll be back

to point out my blunders

So thankful I am

for all the help that they give

for with a good hearty laugh

is the best way one should live

Who Was The Real Criminal

Love

how useless

you find it

it leaves

Now you tell me

it was infatuation

you played with my heart

left it in pieces

How many others were there

no-one else need ever be cautious of you

never again

as I was your last

Emulation

Try to emulate others

no, not on your life

the conflict that builds

brings nothing but strife

Why would I wish to be someone else

is there something wrong with being myself

why go to the trouble of being another

would that not be lying to the world around me

Integrity step aside

no place here for you

the truth is now hidden

under my shoe

The mirror then tells a new story

one of a person I barely recognize

I have to question just who he is

and whether I can trust him for the truth

Is it not truth that builds trust

while lies break it down

those who once smiled as friends

step back now with frowns

The ruination of self

that's what comes with the copy

again I say, be a snowflake

don't be afraid to be different

It's a Sad Life for those Who are Perfect

How sad

knowing so many words

yet when they're put together

the man with no heart

has no understanding of them

I've noticed from time to time

people who pride themselves

on their great level of education

who have never learned to read for understanding

they prefer to nit-pic their way through life

finding fault in just about everything

that surrounds them

no matter what it is

if the structure

is other than what they think it ought to be

life itself

as we know it

must be reset

returned to start

and the rest of us will begin to receive

a reeducation

anyway

he misses out on so much of life

the dance of his spirit

to the song in his heart

without heart

there is no song

no dance

and no joy

life passes him by

how can the learned

carry so much ignorance

how can they not see

their own failings

these folks must needs

cast the beam out of their own eyes

before …...........

well you know the rest of the story

Who Do I Read

I was asked the question

“who do I read”

well, there's nobody special

that's not what I need

am I here to seek pointers

no, not at all

the way that I write

it's not been my call

I simply write down

the words that I'm given

then share them with others

you know, the folks who be livin'

so correct if you must

that's if it makes you feel better

punctuation and spelling

right down to the letter

but I won't be changin'

anytime soon

so I hope you don't mind

I'll keep singin' my tune

The Cup is Empty

many today

have begun to squirm

acting as

the lowly worm

as their secrets

begin to unfold

as finally at last

the truth is told

into the ground

hiding their faces

no longer visiting

their common places

ashamed of themselves

for what they have done

by pretending their actions

affect only one

their selfishness

has finally caught up

and what they are left with

is an empty cup

Change

should I change me

to become thee

hell no I say

why can't you see

no two are the same

in life, this game

and if you want that to be

your understanding is lame

we must remain snowflakes

different each one

without that variety

we eliminate fun

so don't worry about style

let me be who I am

I'm not looking for change

only to become one more sham

becoming another

putting me on the shelf

all it would take

is to lie to myself

but that's not what I want

that's one thing I won't do

I must live with myself

before I please you

Bridges

I once was rude

but then I learned

I got nowhere

with bridges burned

retracing steps

could not be done

the points I made

had reached no one

my intent was right

to help another

but I'd forgotten

each man my brother

to show respect

with all my words

not slay a spirit

as if with swords

to rebuild a bridge

to regain a trust

one thing I've learned

respect is a must

Philadelphia Fallen

The weak fall

their spirits quenched

words as swords impale their hearts

they roast over smoldering coals

left behind by the unkind

Devoured by their discouragement

they are chewed up and spit out

by a world that simply

just doesn't care

My search for Philadelphia

has found it's populous

has moved away

the cities of brotherly love

have vanished

Painters and Poets

There's a problem that painters

and poets both have

living life full of feelings

requiring they have a strong salve

for their critics abound

claiming that they know all

providing discouragement

and causing a spirit to fall

these painters and poets

they bring us their art

there's no one way to see it

though an open mind is a start

we must learn to observe

finding what's there for us

instead of going off half cocked

and causing a fuss

a critique is opinion

we're all entitled to one

but to critique to be mean

ruins everyone's fun

The Five Stages of Getting Ready for Work

If I could just have my say

and live my whole life my way

you'd find me filling out my day

with a greater amount of fun and play

But society says that I must work

I look at them, begin to smirk

then realize if I want the perk

I must work or go berserk

I tell the mirror

I don't want to go

my anger builds

begins to show

I make the deal

for this one day

I'm so depressed

I cannot play

I've given up

I accept my fate

I'll go to work

but I'll be late

Whose Truth

It has been said

truth should be shouted

from the tops of the mountains

Truth defined

a fact

or belief

accepted as true

What kind of definition is that

using truth to define truth

to me it is saying

truth is as we see it

So whose truth should that be

my truth

your truth

what truth should be shouted from the mountains

Truth that brings about battles

between neighbors

destroying civility

Truth that sends countries to war

leaving death and dismemberment

in its wake

Cannot our truth be told

civilly

respectfully

without words

that become infused with intolerance

of others and their beliefs

It's been a long time

the words are still the same

Can't we all just get along!

Or at least try

You Cannot Evangelize While You Antagonize

One speaks only religion

the other constantly cries fake

the argument rages on

c'mon, give us a break

Try and learn to respect

each others belief

giving the rest of us

a little relief

We're tired of hearing

“have you found a new church”

leave me alone

if I want one I'll search

We're also tired of

“God doesn't exist”

the truth of the matter

these statements both leave folks pissed

Yes this argument goes on

much too long, to excess

I'm tellin' ya folks

it's causing way too much stress

Chill out for awhile

let each other live

by the beliefs that they have

is that too much to give

Two Sides of Extremism

One zealot over shares his faith

another argues the lack of belief

what I can't seem to understand

is why they won't take a break

and give the world a little relief

A Little Light can Pave the Way

When light reaches not

the spirit of man

he cannot see to survive.

Without that spark

to break his depression

he feels he's barely alive.

But what is the light

where is the hope

how can one manage

how can one cope?

Where is his help

to stand for today

as folks without hearts

merely pass by his way.

Care not that he's troubled

on the verge of collapse

he sees the end of his world

to hold on he can't clasp.

If he is to have hope

and be able to fight

his way could be opened

If we could just be his light  

Trust Me, it Works

Alone in this crowded room

really not a bad thing today

the music in my ears

so lovely, so melodious

it begs me to remain secluded

right here, with it being my hold on sanity

away from a world that holds so little of the same

Not a care

Not a worry

How wonderful it can be

yes, to leave reality behind

even if it's just for moment or two

deep within a stress free groove

Yeah, I said groove

No, the groove still exists

and really

we need to spend more time there

How peaceful life can seem

the escape, it's so fulfilling, so satisfying

True happiness

a real inner joy can be found here so easily

Ain't music great!

I want to shout

“TRY IT SOMETIME”

It's good medicine for the soul

and truly lifts your spirit

You might even end up suggesting it to another as well

Find your groove and pass on the peace my friend

hopefully it can catch on

Love, a word misused

“I love you”

     “Are you sure it's not lust”

“Well aren't they the same”

     “Oh no, love's based on trust.”

     “Love is forever

     while lust fades away

     are you in for the long haul

     or just for today”

     “If all you are wanting

     is to snuggle for now,

     you may as well leave

     so don't have a cow”

     “If it's true that you love me

     please tell me again

     but don't use those words

     to get a sexual friend”

what are ya gonna do

The internet

is such a great tool

except for the fact

there are too many fools

they have no respect

for man nor beast

and the funny thing is

they deserve it the least

so how do you handle them

what do you say

just ignore all their ignorance

don't be suckered into their play

show respect for yourself

don't let your skin be so thin

most of all, don't lower yourself

to the gutter they're in

A Moment as the Universe or A True Moment of Zen

This morning, eyes closed sitting in my favorite chair

it seems as I was truly alone for a brief moment

total quiet, total comfort

I thought why has bringing a foot stool close crossed my mind

it could in no way increase the peace I was feeling

Then I went blank

not a thought in my mind

For this instant

I seemed to disappear completely

I was existing to simply be part of the whole

I was the universe

I now question whether I had reached a true moment of zen

In an instant I knew that I must share this moment

and in that thought

the moment ceased to exist

I was back in the world of the limited

That emptiness was filled with a peace I have never experienced before

I hope to take this trip again soon

Hold on to the Heart You Were Born With

Infants

born with hearts for all

the children

use them to play ball

Bigoted parents

begin the fall

as they teach their kids

to erect a wall

The hate they teach

then brings a squall

the size of which

is never small

The storm then rages

for mans great shortfall

the result of which

forms his worst pitfall

We once had hearts

as I recall

that's right, together

we once played ball

But now it seems

as we've grown tall

the lessons of bigots

have brought our downfall

Broken Crayons

Crayons that are broken

still color just fine

injecting their beauty

within the drawn lines

of the book they were given

on the day of their birth

proof beyond measure

that the autistic have worth

yes they may seem quite different

but a problem it's not

so please all we ask

is you give them a shot

Dust

The moment missed

asleep at the wheel

the day now passed

I'm not sure how I feel

It's tomorrow already

yesterday's lost

keeping my eyes closed

came with a cost

Each day comes but once

when gone can't come back

traveling on the winds of time

leaving dust behind in its track

A dusty life

makes it hard to breathe

but to watch eyes wide open

lets you ride the breeze

Life is for living

celebrating each day

not for closing the eyes

and losing your way