John Lawless Poet Verse

Really

REALLY

I ------JGL-------------- do solemnly swear
to tell you of all that I see and I hear,
invite you inside that dark space in my mind
allow you ten minutes to see what you find.

The errors of learning, childhood mistakes,
the stumbles, the falls, the failed “buckboard brakes”.
The cold teaching penguins, the hollowed out priests
the making of bread with - and without – yeast.

Fumbling of footballs and endless first dates
running for freedom through open church gates,
searching for meaning in life – or in death
discovering reasons – rekindling breath.

Disrobing a man - standing naked – and free
discarding the concepts that kept me – from me,
confronting the demons, denying the brutes
by feeding the bastards their own lying truths.

Standing atop bold towers of steel
alive in a breeze that makes everything real,
holding a love that awakened my passions
cradled inside a life that she fashioned.

Holding small hands, jellied and sweet
dancing with them perched atop my big feet,
Frisbee and soccer played in cold rains,
drying their tears in failure and gains.

Losing a step, no – the grandkids are quicker
or maybe my gut is a little bit thicker,
holding one hand as one left for battle
remembering both when they held baby rattle.

Embracing a soldier, a mother, my baby
filled with the questions of “if, when, and maybe”
Watching a brother and sister rejoice
at announcement that soon there will be a new voice

to carry the heart, the soul, and the wit
of a name, and a family, and what goes with it.

John G. Lawless
9/3/2014

For Skat A  Keep It Real poetry contest

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Tammy Reams May 1, 2015 at 7:22 AM Congrats on your win John. Beautiful write! John Lawless May 2, 2015 at 7:17 AM Thanks Tammy.

Mark Ackerson April 30, 2015 at 10:05 PM A most enjoyable read, John. Thanks and congrats! John Lawless May 2, 2015 at 7:17 AM Thanks Mark, for reading and commenting on the poem. Glad you enjoyed it.

Poet Destroyer A April 30, 2015 at 9:13 PM John, Congrats.................... Luv ~Linda~ John Lawless May 2, 2015 at 7:16 AM Thank you Linda, for reading and commenting.

Skat A April 30, 2015 at 8:45 PM Sweet, sweet, sweet, you had me at.. I JGL--- Do solemnly swear... LOL..I super love it... :) Congratulations in MY keeping it real contest. ~SKAT~ John Lawless May 2, 2015 at 7:16 AM Thanks SKAT, this was a very intriguing contest as it opened the door to many interpretations. Thanks for taking the time to administer the contest.

Regina Mcintosh September 3, 2014 at 9:35 AM This is exceptional. I love it. Your poetry inspires me. Thank you. Love and prayers, Gina John Lawless September 3, 2014 at 3:27 PM Thank you Regina, for your kind words. I think it is every poets hope that something he or she writes will inspire someone.

Eileen Manassian September 3, 2014 at 9:11 AM I LOVED THIS! Oh...the flow! It just danced along. It was almost hard for me to concentrate on the words when I so wanted to hear the beat! Honestly, this isn't flattery. This is an amazing poem and you have written it with such finesse. This...This is a life well lived! :) John Lawless September 3, 2014 at 3:29 PM Well, just to let you know that if this is flattery....it will get you everywhere. Appreciate your generous praise.