They shoot, stab, and run,
some are caught and then released
showing no remorse.
They choose life this way
always taking from others.
A huge price awaits.
Live long enough
and we end up alone
No matter our fortune
no matter our throne
Life will have sway
as our journey unwinds
One breath at a time
— our voices unrhymed
(Augustinian Seminary: July, 2025)
Years spent running across a rolling powder keg
of dreams..
feeling in my being, I am someone
I can do anything
like the first time I saw E.T.
Guard the streets til dawn,
find lost puppies, rescue babies..
help raise them too.
Crossed rivers of snow and ice
just to keep up wi' you.
After all, so easy the lives we live.
A thousand times a thousand,
until that one life, so special in time
we're forced to give.
Hold on I beg, hold true..
can't escape the setting sun
nor the forever you were taught to follow..
tho' must forgive the stars at dawn.
Where all fate linked to yours is hallow'd
in both birth month and mom.
My eyes soon to fail, all's gone blurry
now.
Though still see a streak in the sky
where your colors reign..
Run, run now and swiftly..
somewhere there's a life,
waiting for you to discover.
So much easier this way, don't you see?
don't wait for me.
BEING IN AFIB HEART BEATING OUT OF CONTROLL IN SPITE TERRORISTS THREATS I AM IN MY FAITH MY MEDICATION WILL KICK IN SOON THREATS YOU'RE DED WHAT A BLESSING FROM GOD
She dips her brush in beauty and paints with tears of joy
She recites a loving novel with a wish and a sigh
She lights a single candle gazing through the night
Awaiting her loving hero to arrive in morning light....
Luminescent, Serendipitous, Melliflous in her Whimsical roll
She plucks a delicate flower and places it at the door....
Time slowly yearning pushing a moment through
Unfurling a banner of love upon the morning blue....
Yesterday I thought of going to the gym
for a minute considered going for a swim
then I remembered I had better things to do
convinced I could come up with a thing or two
Today I was thinking again of going to the gym
but soon gave up on that reckless silly whim
instead stayed home to bake a chocolate cake
planned our supper and thawed a ribeye steak
Tomorrow I'll likely consider going to the gym
but save myself the trouble and just pretend I'm slim
afterall life's too short to waste it breaking in a sweat
while cocktail glasses await to be filled with somethin' wet
AP: 1st place 2025
"Love is the only gold." Alfred, Lord Tennyson
With a small boxed jewel in hand, he stands before the Duke’s grand gate.
Gold is that imposing entrance so beautifully ornate.
A shadow of fear keeps flickering across the young man’s mind
though Lady Beth had vowed that for him alone she’d wait.
His friends all mutter Lady Beth won't be inclined
to let her life with her lowly lover’s life be intertwined.
Will his lady accept his betrothal ring? Oh, what shall be his fate?
Victory seemed so close
An accomplishment to boast
We once dreamed against our woes
Now we raise a final toast
To all of our friends lost
Fighting for what we already won
However we paid the worst cost
Losing the war that was already done
We once left the kingdom
By tossing our supply of tea
Now we search for freedom
By removing liberty
We once headed west
We tried to expand
Now we find it a hopeless quest
For we have taken all the land
We have lied
And we have wailed
We have tried
And we have failed
If that is what we’re apart of
If that is what it takes
If Lady Liberty falls upon the dove
Then oblivion awaits
When the trees have come to wither
And all the clouds have rolled away
When a moment lasts for what seems like an decade and all the bells have tolled for thee I shall rise above the silent plauteo with a dream locked inside and release it in love and beauty I gaze into your eyes
with wings of an eagle my strength shall
percivere to lift you to the lege high atop the lake of fear
With drowning recollections a reflection of the passed yearning and fighting to forget a day when a death wish was cast
As I Forge through the deep I reach out for your hand as we both lead from the ledge
taking flight to the promise land
Though you went far,
Far from where I can imagine,
Far from my heart,
Far from my community,
Not expecting you at any moment,
My love still awaits.
I know where you went is far,
Far beyond imagination
Far from near,
Where the lord suggested,
Where the lord hearts,
But my love still awaits.
Am sincere to your heart,
Because I know that you still know me,
And that6s why I will keep my love for you.
At any time, at any moment.
I know I will meet you again,
And with that my love still waits.
I am still waiting
I will still wait for you,
I will wait for the day,
I will kick the bucket,
An I will come and join you.
And I will show you my kindness and trustworthy
My love still awaits.
Where Death Awaits
Matadors
(like ballerinas)
pivot by
snorting bulls
who are charging the red cape
to where death awaits.
Poetry
secured in beauty …
carved high in a tree
Branches
spread and offer cover
of your history
Winter
comes and bares the promise
Spring will shade anew
Seasons
in the bark awaiting
— progeny to view
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
with glorified bodies
there we joyously tread
along streets of gold
basking under unclouded
celestial firmament.
midst jubilant countenance
there we are zealously excited
to plunge into rivulet like transparent glass
of crystal water, absolutely refreshing.
along vibrant spirit of revealed faith
there we are savouring succulent fruits
from tree of life that bears twelve kinds of fruits
with therapeutic leaves for divine welfare…
gratefully triumphant
there we are secured around fortress of gems
with pearly gates exuding flawless wealth
upon foundations garnished by precious jewels.
possessing radiant eternal life
there we are worshipping midst endless songs of praise
the omnipotent Almighty God
constantly shining with Alpha and Omega* glow.
*Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
January 29, 2024
3rd place, "YOUR CHOICE I" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 4/6/2025
The past is long gone,
Even yesterday is no more.
People came and left things done,
Now have left you, your eyes sore.
But, wipe those teary eyes,
Let go of your burdens and weights.
Look outside, look up to the skies,
Smile now, my dear, the day awaits.
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