Best Barnes Poems
There were so many books at Barnes and Noble’s
That I wanted to buy but I wasn’t able
Up at the counter with my chin in my hand
I said to the sales clerk… I have another plan
At my low bank balance I did curse
As I put my wallet back in my purse
I pulled out my phone and I began to type
Amazon.com, open morning and night
I entered the ISBN number
Of the books I had found
And quickly my frown
Was upside down
For there on my phone
Was each book I was seeking
At a lower price
And with free shipping
I clicked and I scrolled filling my cart
With Barnes and Nobel’s heavy on my heart
There is much to be said for a book held in hand
And my first choice is a bookstore to find what I can
But as money is the king of the land
I must cut costs wherever I can
Thanks Barnes and Noble’s, mortar and stone,
But I must go with the prices found on my phone
"Poets are Us"
The blood dripped
off each piranha's
sharpened fang
acquiescing
compliant
with tragic complacency
keep it neat and clean
within the margins
no detours
stick like Teflon
to the poetic rules
virtuous and unsoiled
aa bb cc dd
pristine are us
sanctimonious sugared pus
we live for
accolades are us
Dorothy reads
Poets are us.
Smiles wryly,
laughs
(LadyLabyrinth / 2022)
"Happiness"/ Goldfrapp
https://youtu.be/mnHlGONToIc
"The downward slippery slope...."
(Anonymous)
"Un Coeur Simple", Gustave Flaubert, 1877
https://interlinearbooks.com/blog/our-sixth-interlinear-translation-un-coeur-simple-by-gustave-flaubert/
https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/simple-heart-un-coeur-simple-gustave-flaubert-1877
e-book
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1253/1253-h/1253-h.htm
"Flaubert's Parrot", Julian Barnes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaubert%27s_Parrot
https://www.supersummary.com/flauberts-parrot/summary
e-book
https://pdf.allbookshub.com/general/flaubert-parrot.pdf
STARBUCKS AND COOKIE
I sit in Barnes and Noble
Looking at the figure-display over the snack bar
Oh how out-of-place in time they look
Twain
Shaw
Hardy
Dickinson
Hemingway
Have read them all
Out of time
The artist has caught them from middle-to-old age
Twain the Mississippi observer
older than the river
that flame-gray hair
nose-slipping specs
cigar
Shaw the same snowy mass
but older than creation
he contemplates the infinite
Hardy stirs a cup of tea
has just exclaimed
“Wha! Pshaw!
Jude isn’t as sad as that.”
Emily?
Emily sits for an artist
she has a sweater tied round her neck-
those drooping slender shoulders
always protected
but from what no one knows
Hemingway
what’s to say?
he be da man
smokes his pipe
thinking about the slaughter of ‘brave bulls’
“Good fight!” says Ernie
assigning some sort of ludicrous intelligence
There are several more
But I’ll leave them in their mothballs
The question arises
at least in my mind arises
Given their various outlook
would they earn a high place in today’s world?
I doubt it
None of them play guitar or saxophone
The drummer they moved to had an unbelievable
subtleness
I imagine they could get through a work
without need for a dripping drooling bedroom scene
And then why watch anyone use the lavatory?
They obviously didn’t know how to burn film
didn’t need to burn time
Call it imagination
Call it intelligence
Call it sanity!
I have a child;
I have some children;
And though I didn't
Didn't co create them;
Always be there when they cry;
My children have beautiful eyes;
I choose to honor;
You to should honor;
No, not the negative behavior;
Just continually LOVE them;
Always be there when they ASK WHY;
My children have beautiful eyes;
My child,
My children
they have beautiful eyes;
My child
My children
Come from our Father God
He loans them to us;
So adults all around let's get it right;
Embrace and hold them
As adults let us all raise them
teach them to love
look into, look into their eyes
teach them not to hate
when it's all said and done
and we are gone
Do you want to answer to God
And say you've done your best
When your best not good enough
Allow yourself to trust in Christ
Always be there when they cry;
My children have beautiful eyes;
teach them to love
look into, look into their eyes
teach them not to hate
look past their eyes
Which are the gateway to their souls;
Love them
Believe them
Be more than a friend to them
Hold them, mold them
Tell them you love them
Forgive always... for every little wrong they did
when it's all said and done
and we are gone
Do you want to answer to God
And say you've done your best
When your best not good enough
Allow yourself to trust in Christ
Always be there when they cry;
My children have beautiful eyes;
5/22/19
A dedication to students..
~Steven David*Taevyn Watson*Breckinridge Parra*
Jaden Stabler*
Tiaharraylnn Cole*Christian Wood*Jaden Sorensen*
Colton Turek*
Andrew Moffit*Joe Williams*Ronnie Cross*Amber Barnes*
Phoebe Klimek*
Luis Novelo*~
Dear Meth, this is my letter to you and to inform the world, how I thought you were my boy, I thought that I was your girl I trusted you, your face I would seek you had me up for day's sometimes for weeks.
I thought I could lean on you if my life depend but as we can see all things must come to an end, I'm glad to say that we have fallen apart but I wish I never know you from the start.
Just that one hit smoke filled my lung's oh boy, then I was sprung, crystal, crank or speed you were like my medicine you was all I need, as the urge grew the more money I blew all of my dreams were gone now because I listening to you.
It's a shame how you contribute to my pain, you unleashed the wild beast in me that could not be tamed, I could no longer see who was the real me, I just could not believe it, you stole my identity, I remember you did me so cold and now I'm starting to look kind of old.
My future is ruin look at my face, my teeth are rotting full of decay, I'm hungry and body is aching, there is no telling how much now I'm weighing. You have the name of a girl but your strength is ten men put together, yeah you were large and in charge I thought it would last forever, but my God is even better!
You played with my mind the whole entire time, so here's to our relationship, boy was I so wrong, I’m cutting all ties; I'm saying goodbye so long.
P.S So many things you put me through I'm glad that I found out the real you.
? Written by Precious Barnes
My friend John Barnes is as special as can be.
When it comes to friends God sure blessed me.
There are some things we lose, while others we win.
Some games we play lead us into sin.
I’ve have been lucky enough without any doubt.
I have a friend who always helps me out.
He drove across the state to find me on the roam.
Said, “get into the car I’m taking you home.”
He never once asked for a thing or questioned me.
I reckon that’s how a good friend should be.
We worked together off and on, our entire life.
I’m on number eight, John’s with the same wife.
John and Lisa have most certainly had their fights.
In the end they always do what is right.
Work it out, stay together, never giving up.
Realizing they already have a full cup.
They have raised all their kids, which should include me.
I reckon that’s how a parent should be.
John’s not really my dad but he is my brother.
He’s a friend to the end like no other.
A perfect example of what a friend should be.
That’s what John Barnes has always been for me.
From the start of the game to the end of the show,
John’s been the friend who has never let go.
He has stood by my side through thick and thin.
I’m very proud to be a friend to him.
Through the love of my friend I was able to see.
This is exactly what a friend should be.
You guys know that twinkle that you see in a star.
When it comes to life that’s what good friends are.
John Barn's is my best friend. Him and I met in the Oilfields outside
of Bakersfield where he still resides. We worked together on many
different jobs together over the years operating heavy equipment. I
reckon I was about 20 years old when I first met John and Lisa, his
wife. I haven't had 8 wives but I have 3 had wives and 5 significant
others during the time we have all known each other. I'm very lucky,
as well as, very proud to have had them in my life. We may not be
blood but we are family. Several times in my life they have opened
their home and helped me. Never asking for a thing or questioning my
behavior. Of course, them I would never disrespect. Not even in my worst
days. In fact, I never was a disrespectful or rude person. I just had bad
habits. I wrote this in honor of them but it is how I feel about all of my
friends. You guys all shine in my eyes. God Bless, mj
I really would like to just vanish and disappear
Run far away, to an abandoned village or a deserted town or a forest in the middle of nowhere
Take me to a place hidden away from the eyes of tomorrow
A place without stress, grief, and sorrow
Where I can have a thoughtless mind
It needs to be a quiet and exotic place where nobody can find
Forgetting and yet remembering,
That’s right losing myself but at the same time discovering more
White sand beaches where the ocean fades from the shore
As I count the stars that will guide from above
In the endless light blue sky there are millions of white doves
I need time to find myself and so I can better know me
A place where I can be relaxed and happy
Now I’m overwhelmed by silence, with my thoughts must I contend?
Just trying to avoid the loneliness to descend
So come on join me my friend or just leave me be today
I need some place to get away and to get ready for the next day
I think escapism is very important, certainly in my life. I love nothing more than escaping into the world of a film or a novel. To be involved in creating that for other people is a privilege.
Ben Barnes
We spend more time developing means of escaping our troubles than we do solving the troubles we're trying to escape from.
David Lloyd
THE LONGING
To be innocent is to be entirely unknown, even to oneself.
- Djuna Barnes
I am free at last to be silent, to lap
In the quiet of your promise of promise
Like the pear tree in the garden which feels
But does not ask, why such beauty here?
On rainy monsoon days locked in
Wanting to explore the sea and the galaxy,
The tree beseechingly asking the rain,
That I may not be gauged from your gaze,
To be by one companion remembered,
Name scratched out on the asylum walls.
As I was cancelling out ideals
I saw in the forest the tumult of life.
The remorse of a nymph once a virgin,
The stars were there, but of accidental origin.
from IN MEMORY OF HER
I awoke this morning to a delightful surprise!
My librarian called to say that I'd won First Prize,
For a poem I entered in her poetry contest for 2015.
I'm striving to remain humble but I thought it so keen.
'Twas for the poem, "Drivin' Along A Country Road",
And I'm very grateful for the honor she bestowed.
A gift card from Barnes and Noble was my 'major award',
Worth fifty bucks that I gave to my grand kids as a reward.
To select good books to read was one of my subtle aims,
To exercise their brains in lieu of their thumbs playing video games!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) 2015 All Rights Reserved
Embers were glowing in the furnace
Poet scratched his dumb ass in harness
He fought with his charming muse
The enchantress Penélope Cruz
And invited Tom Cruise at the Barnes
Good morning sunshine! I do wake
I speak with drowsiness slurring words
Stimulated by the daybreak and prominent hues
I talk! You listen! For heavens sake!
Some days I see the skies, beauteous be the blues
Dancing in my head and the wind it breaks
The breeze on my mind , it meditates
Hypnotically the sun takes my breath away
And the dance ! we waltz the sway
Dawning on me with clear visions in my head
I see the images of the roots of my rose
And the love that I feel sometimes, I do suppose
I ponder through life always wondering
Wandering eyes on my iridescent face
Depressed thoughts suppressed , I see no trace
I sit by my window pane - brightness fills my soul
I see the light - loving you is better this way
Waking up lifted by your beauty , I still see
That your beauteous mind certainly inspires me
I paint the pictures significantly in my brain
Still meditating with the trickle of the rain
The roses they bloom - infatuating thee
The buds and their delicate velvety petals in view
While you listen to every word - they capture my love with you
I stand tall - My mind is traveling thoughts real clear
And the dance we sway ! embraced - I love you, dear.
My book "Beauteous be Poesy" is available on line - Googles. Amazon . com and Barnes and Noble. if you visit the sight please leave me a rating, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, also my BLOG of another book plus, various poetry is Http://poetrycurio.blogspot.com Merry Christmas!
Look out!
Here she comes again
From South to North -
A quiet storm
On stage, on April 21st
At Barnes & Noble,
Union Square, New York City
330 East, 18th Street
4th Floor
6-7 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Held spellbound
In honor of National Poetry Month.
*
Entry for Kelly Deschler's "A Storm Is Brewing" poetry contest
6-1-16
Resting there, beneath the sod,
Lie two young, bosom friends.
They shared the joys and toils of life,
From childhood, down in Texas,
To this grassy knoll where their story ends.
Now, the mysteries of life and youth
Are hard to understand.
Especially in times like these,
When winds of restlessness and change
Are blowing wild across the land.
Both, Tom McQueen and Billy Barnes
Were fine, but reckless boys.
Bill had a fiery temper,
While Tom just lived for teasing--
Jests and jokes were his favorite toys.
Though friends, they often mixed it up,
In their rough and tumble way.
Billy's boiling point was low,
And Tom, who only spoke in fun,
Always knew which words to say.
Their tussles never lasted long,
Though sometimes they were rough.
They thrived on scrapes and bruises,
But no grudge could come between them;
They were made of tough, forgiving stuff.
They joined us on the cattle drive
When both were seventeen.
They pulled their weight from dawn to dark,
And I never heard them once complain.
No braver lads I've ever seen.
--continued...
The drovers' hearts were beating fast
When our grueling drive was done.
They'd had their fill of dust and beans,
And the only thing they wanted now,
Was a long, hot bath, and some cow town fun.
They loaded up the holding pens
With bawling, longhorn beef,
Then spurred their horses into town,
To seek out recreation--
And give their lonely hearts relief.
Dark moods and headaches followed
A long and lusty night.
The cattle town was lifeless--
Billy Barnes was taut and mean,
And the Kansas sun was blazing bright.
The boys ducked into the general store
Out of the noon-day sun.
There, Billy saw his heart's desire--
Beneath the glass of the counter,
Lay a blued steel, Colt, handgun.
Against young Tom's wise counsel,
Billy laid his money down.
With the heavy Colt tucked beneath his belt,
And feeling nearly ten feet tall,
He stepped out on the streets of town.
That evening found the bosom friends
In a dimly lit saloon,
Where the cost of rot-gut whisky,
And painted good-time gals
Left them busted much too soon.
Out in the steaming, summer night,
On the cattle town's boardwalk,
Billy's mood was dark and somber--
While Tom McQueen, as usual,
Was full of fun and nonsense talk.
--continued...
Epitaph is a collection of dark short stories, unsettling poetry, and hopeless musings.
It is available for Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Epitaph-ebook/dp/B00CCFQ9XS/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
Or Barnes and Nobel NOOK. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/epitaph-kyle-halberg/1115920109?ean=2940016540689
Here are a few reviews to wet your apetite.
1) "Epitaph is a dark, quick read about the absurdity of the finite human condition.
If Kafka and Palahniuk had a brief affair, this would be their lovechild."
2) "Coventional Society Has Been Condemned. The author presents a well written, detailed condemnation of conventional American/Christian dogma. The author's anger is palpable. Thought provoking to say the least..."
3) "I was startled by the boldness of Epitaph. The author did with this something a lot of people are unwilling to do: be completely and insanely honest. In a strange and satisfying mix of poems, fiction, and philosophy, it explores what it means to exist, and if it is even fair to say that we do. Hearing that, you may be surprised to also hear that this collection contains some of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright hilarious things I have ever read.
That being said, I hesitate to recommend this to most people, because the evident and strangling despair of the author will upset them. If you are happy, skipping from day to day without a care in the world (in other words, if you are boring and thoughtless), DO NOT READ THIS! If you want to peer into the mind of a madman, and become mad for a short time yourself, Epitaph is the place to go."