Best Nubs Poems
I never missed you
nestled high upon my chest
lovely soft round pillows
full haughty globes.
Admired. Yes,
even by me.
Prideful I was,
blessed among women.
Even when you were gone
it was no tragedy . . .not then.
I never missed you in all these
years, twenty six and more
to be exact.
Not through nights with spouse
or after with that one lover
who never noticed or, if he did
I couldn’t tell.
I never missed you in all these years
well, maybe just the sensitive
erotic brown nubs that stood erect
like attentive soldiers when it was cold
or when I was hot.
And I’ve been hot,
so I’m told.
I never missed you in all these years.
No regrets for cut of scalpel
no second thoughts
for flayed flesh
until now.
Until Him.
I never missed you in all these years,
but I miss you now.
The sorrow of your loss
has come home to roost
but tears have no magic
to heal my scarred disfigured chest.
Love has many faces; takes many wildly varied forms
A shape-shifter of the heart she leads us a merry dance,
Giggling girlishly from behind a golden mask...
One moment she is a capricious imp,
Pinching the end of your nose and making your heart flutter
The next moment she is a kindly old woman,
Offering you a fresh baked cookie with a tender smile
And dropping a gentle pat on the top of your head
But then, perhaps on pre-menstrual days, comes Medusa
All spitting snakes and flaming eyes,
Casting your heart into a fiery chasm of beautiful despair...
A brief and muted hell where you hang suspended,
Gossamer manacles wound tight about wrists and ankles
Tormented by the hissing demons of jealousy and doubt –
It is in this brimstone bear den that I find myself now,
Beads of sweat dribbling down the nubs of my aching spine –
Discontent warring with wistful desire in the cerulean wells of my eyes
And all because of you...
Avenging angel you are my dear, paragon of beauty and light,
With your innocent smile and unblemished soul –
How you put my corrupted heart to shame...
How you make me cringe, and doubt the worth of my affection
You know, it is your love that has sent me here to this place of heated torment
Your love and the fear and doubt that it stirs inside my shameful soul
You see, I am starting to love you so much – too much
The power and force of it terrifies me, as it drowns me in silken waves
It puts me in such a vulnerable position, digs me a deep dark hole,
A grave in which I will lay down to die if my faith should prove unfounded
If the sneering demons of my jealousy speak the wicked truth;
That you will one day see sense, and reject me with a sorry smile,
Realising that I am sunk too low for your lofty heart to ever reach...
That the tarnish on my soul is just too black to be wiped away
And that you are better off without me, on your unsullied perch,
So far away and close to the sky where your fellow angels live –
Bathing you in divine love and light
The kind I could never give
I was born in the year 2423,
gestated in an artificial womb successfully
I drank the nutri-milk
from the dangling nubs on the synthetic tendril teat
I ate the petri-flesh
from the germ-free, sterile laboratory grown meat
My mother and father was the State,
my sister and brother was the corporate Company
I was trained in the art of industrial security,
because it’s a dangerous world
in the year 2443
I don’t have a name, but I got a number
I have a sure aim at anyone who wanders
onto Company property —
a crime punishable by death,
executed by me
I am the judge and the jury
It’s a very dangerous world, you see,
in the year 2453
Got sent on secret mission to the Wasteland,
where the mutated live underground,
beneath the irradiated sand
Went searching for #050279X
She stole a proprietary cure
for anyone stricken with the malware virus,
electronically transmitted by virtual sex
Had my cover blown, now they’re hunting me
It’s an uber dangerous world indeed,
as I fight for my survival
in the year 2463
I got cut off from Mother for the first time,
by a massive surge in solar neutrino energy
It’s strange living without direction,
no automated voice to help guide me
My internal logic neural circuits
suggests a disturbing probability
That I was sent on a ghost mission,
(with no chance of success theoretically,)
to die in the field with honor, most nobly
I am self-aware now,
in the year 2473
The tenth year of living dangerously
has become very familiar to me ...
as I drift through the Wasteland
living mind-control free
After forty years of active service,
I understand now that I had become obsolete
An expendable Company soldier,
born a slave of the State in 2423
Got freed when I got older,
by a quirk in celestial mechanics unpredictability
And now I understand with brilliant luminosity —
living free is the best danger there can ever be
You locked yourself inside a hole
And you threw away the
Key
You got so lost in the bottle that you
Forgot just how to breathe
You're waiting for some saving grace
So you can fight off all your
Demons
But someday you'll have to save yourself
Before you drink yourself to
Death
You're the jailbird from next door
Who can't remember how
To fly
You're haunted by the monsters that destroyed
You as a child
Now your world is black with shadows
It's darker than a moonless sky
You howl at the stars and pray for the steady
Warmth of daylight
What you couldn't see was there were
Angels all around you
Waiting in the background till they could
See you with sober
Eyes
They would have taken you with open
Arms
They would have bandaged all your wounds
But to risk your unaffected pride?
That's unthinkable
To you
The truth is, you've become a vulture
You eat the heart out of
The good
You spit joy out like it's sour juice
And exchange happiness
For booze
And once again, you're on the edge
Ready to jump right off the
Cliff
Oh, jailbird, what will happen when there's no one
Left to break your fall?
And whatever happened to the boy I used
To know?
The one I believed was worth saving, whom
I thought could be saved?
You strayed from your cage for quite awhile
It looked like you had a chance
It turns out, you could barely stay afloat, so you just
Chose to drown
While you were knee-deep in quick sand, you
Could have gotten out by
Now
So you're packing up your bags, and
It's no doubt you'll have
To go
Even the luckiest black cats have had
To fight for their nine lives
You're down to the nubs of your nail-bitten soul
And the stakes are higher than ever
The next time you get up on top
Of that ledge
I hope it's because you've found the wings
So you can fly
A single tear swerved the curve of cheek
dragging mascara behind like sorrow lingers
and heavy breath exhales
as if they cost too much
she scrawls out words with
ferocity and intent
weaving their magic to strangle his hold
to lift the weight…
to run while charging
and dive while flying away.
My lonely writer
I do not know you
beside that I am you
on the other side of hurting walls
where your pen moves fast to relieve,
mine mirrors the intensity and speed
Yet we do not see
the kindred hearts peripherally
tasked to bask in yesterday’s misery
The run/chase mode is a game
played by both sexes equally
We want that which confounds,
as bitter taste and painful rejection
are morphine to love amputees
as we flail out bandaged nubs,
gauze flapping, to the site of
careless silouettes dispersing.
....and now your writing baby
occasionally swiping a curl from your eyes
gulping wine that was for sipping, not sedating
encapsulating emotions between stanzas
capturing the empathy of those
who long to purge the feel
of unwanted
I make my elixir bourbon
much like you, to dim the blue
but my veteran ache demands 100 proof…
still I’m writing of lovers lost.
uncaring women in fading photos
only visible in the untwinkle in my eye.
Are the lonely souls tripped up
in sad bastard heart strings
doomed to only love the unaffected?
The obsession with making
the passion spread to an unexpressive other half
is what drives us mad
eventually calousing the affection quotient…
until we all thrive on blissful days passed by
and swearing all ahead are lost.
ghosts who chase the living dead
longing to splash in their shallow puddles.
It was quite an adventure. I never had sailed.
Appearances looked like the last trip had failed.
“That rickety old thing? Ya’ sure it will float?”
Nodding my friend said, “Don’t call it a boat.”
We sat in the back as his Dad came up top.
He was dressed like a pirate. I felt my jaw drop.
Wielding a sword, his clothes were so cool.
He was twisting and jabbing as if in a duel.
“What’s going on?” I asked with concern.
My buddy said, “Watch, pay attention and learn.
He thinks he’s the Captain, that this is his ship.
Listen-up, or it could be a very long trip.”
My eyes were wide open as he tucked in his sword.
This might be a journey I could not afford.
“Arrrr…, fresh blood,” he said pointing at me.
“Are ye brave enough, boy, to sail the high sea?”
I cautiously nodded responding, “Yes sir!”
He then threw me a coat, why I’m not sure.
He leaped towards the cabin taking hold of the wheel.
His eye-patch and peg-leg looked pretty darn real.
“Shiver me timbers and spindle me toes.
Nubs to the wind, which way dar she blows?
You’ll swab up them decks and dust off them planks.
Ahoy ye scoundrels now scrub out ‘dem tanks.”
“Clean out the gallows and hoist up that mast,
I feel a storm brewing, It’s coming in fast.
We seek buried treasure, medallions and pearls,
cast off this island and straighten them curls.
Avast ye mates, ye stench of the earth,
we’ll fight to the death whatever it’s worth.
Keep an eye out for crocs. Be ready to shoot.
Be wary of pirates, they be after our loot.”
Crashing through waves like butter through steel,
the seduction of danger was casting appeal.
When this incredible journey was finally done,
I said, “Thanks for the ride in your boat, it was fun.”
Suddenly the veins in his eyes turned to red.
My friend shook his head exclaiming, “You’re dead.”
He wielded his sword like a Samurai Knight.
I said, “Captain, I don’t think you heard me just right.
If you thought I said boat, you misunderstood.
I said … thanks for the coat, it fit me real good.”
He then patted my head, put his weapon away.
My friend said, “Nice save, you can live one more day.”
5/16/17
The brain comparable to a sponge
No longer under, like a sub
Thanks to the flood
Rising up above
The top layer of mud
Like bath bubbles in a tub
Near and far from bugs and grubs
Among the trees and shrubs
As well as any bears or cubs
My toes got stubbed
From bumping into nubs
Pulled into the pub
While carrying a dub
Opposite side of the wooden club
Coughing out my lungs
Beyond numb
Off so much liquor and drugs
Oh well, if they want to nudge and judge
I'm not going to budge
Or hold a grudge
Just going to shrug, snub and shun
While I continue to trudge
Through it all including toxic sludge
Those that want to call me dumb
And look at me like a dud
Get viewed as if their dung and scum
From here to kingdom come
Phlegm flung
Out of the lungs
As tools were swung
Below the moon and sun
Wherever we worked and dug
Making sure things were level and plumb
Items were slung
Over a shoulder then hung
Took a plunge
On a planet revolving around funds
Had my fair share of fun
But never said I was done
Like none
Because I am the one
They tried to lunge
Then got broken thumbs
And quickly attempted to run
But I easily was able to overcome
Stepping all over them like a piece of gum
For free, you will not get another pun
Some live by the gun
Using hollow points or slugs
And others are completely spun
Regardless of if their life journey had just begun
My Cuz and any other related blood
I got you, it's all love
Many a times I clung
On the lowest and highest rungs
Unwilling to succumb
Just marching to the beat of my own drum
By: Dalton Ogletree
Recess Bell
Where'd it go
That twice a day relief
Leaving behind blackboard's chalk-lines
To immerse in the blacktop chalk-lines
That place where hop scotch
Poison line
River ball
Target ball
Quickly made chalk nubs
Made innocent everyone's fun
Made sad classroom returns
That ringing in our ears
Announcing freedom time
Now but a morning and afternoon
Workplace coffee break
Signaled by silent bells
Company rules
Good for morale
Where'd it go
The real breaks of our youth
That escape from control-seeking minds
Racing across playgrounds
Making sweat that was real
Laughter that was infectious
Exhaustion no amount of
Head-time on the desk
Could relieve
Chalkboards out
Monitor screens in
Grownup hours made endless
Stress related focus
9 to 5 at the desk
7 to 10 at home-office sanctum
Homework
The evolved institution
Resulting in maybe...
Possibly getting...
A gold pen?
A gold watch?
A golden parachute?
Maybe?
Recognition
Reward
Life's profit margin
Remaining ever questionable
I've dug my nails down into the ground
Broke them down to the tiniest of nubs,
Digging in the lowliest mines of the African continent just to find the hardest diamonds,
The sharpest crystals just to build a wall to shield myself away from you.
Hands rough to the core from manual labor now, because of you.
In my high tower once thought to be impenetrable, I lay face down, eyes shut tight to block out the outside world I once loved because it's reminders whither me away to nothingness if I stare too long.
Then with a battering ram you crush it.
My Berlin Wall has fallen.
The graffiti-filled walls that once spelled out our names tumble back to earth.
I'm left there flat on my butt forced to look around and evaluate my surroundings,
Taking it all in.
Why won't you look at me?
All the trouble and turmoil you dare to put me through to get your way like no one else in the world exists,
Yet you can't look at me.
Stare at me in my eyes, breathe me in, feel my heat, taste my soul,
Know who I am.
I already know you though.
So no need to come any closer.
Images haunt me everyday because of you.
I know you.
You destroyed my home and sanctuary.
What more do you want from me?
Third times a charm maybe?
Maybe next time the fall will kill me.
A few broken bones for now, those will heal, but if you want to kill me why wait?
I'll hand you the knife.
All you have to do is ask.
So don't run & hide.
Next time you see me,
Don't look away.
I'll be waiting for that day.
Endure
Stoic saguaros,
Capture the sunset
Reach for the stars
Shelter creatures near and far
Tell them they are safe here
Regally stand tall and absorb summer rains
Gather rainbows and share the pot of gold
Nourish nubs of life on your massive trunk
For they ensure survival of your bloodline
Hold yourself proudly my desert king
Relish your strength and heritage
Spread your fertile seeds
Kiss the clouds
Always, always,
Endure
HUMANITY
Humanity, do we believe in you? Can we find the divine
Underneath the newborn flesh? The coat of many colors -
Mankind manifested by God’s breath, begins so sweet.
Ailing from the sin of disobedience, an array of nails - rusted
Nubs on hands and feet. Christ transposed it all. The
Innocent lamb - his humanity pleading, teardrops bleeding,
Tethered to His love for all - helpless & hopeless humanity.
Yes, i believe! In humanity’s salvation - the rainbow’s haloed grace.
11/14/2017
Contest: Humanity Acrostic/John Hamilton
On Spring, the apple trees
Enveloped by bright green leaves
In a month, turn into white flowers
Attract the yellow-black bees
The small pink flower-nubs
Change in tinny green beads
The fruits bit by bit grew up
Turn into lime green, dark green
And finally, in the red apples.
In a few weeks, the green leaves
Transform in yellow, then carroty
Wait for the wind take down
To cover the lawn in brown
The branches once again
Expect the burden of snow.
The seasons give to the apple trees
The distinctive attractions
Amend new views, refresh feelings
The lovely and beautiful ladies
Impress men’s mind
Defined by men’s eyes.
For: Samantha
The beautiful young red head
moves in mysterious ways
as she pulled her lava orange stick of wax
from her box of crayons
She is not a girl
actually more of a woman
Yet something in her eyes
is where the secret lies
In the Hawaiian sunset her hair twists and turns
rips and burns
like rivers of burning lava
trust me when I say
"The Past is Today"
Part of Pele is in her
The red head sharpens her crayon
smiling to herself
"I used to have a box of crayons
like that when I was little," says the teacher next to her
His face is strained and stressed,
A perfect contrast to the girl
"I used to get upset when my crayons
wore down to nubs," says the teacher.
The girl with the lava hair smiles,
"You still do," she says softly.
The teacher looks at her,
his eyes far away.
Years later the teacher stops his car,
on a rural road, next to an old lady walking,
The old lady's formerly red hair replaced,
by Pele's grayish silver ash.
The teacher rolls down his window,
The old lady smiling through missing teeth.
"Do you need a ride?"
The Teacher asks the old lady.
The old lady looks down the open road.
She shakes her head.
The teacher smiles with tears in his eyes,
And a feeling that will not go away,
remembering the past today.
The feeling of weightless falling overcomes you,
A strong drug overdose your trying to pull through,
Down a deep roughcut well,
Glowing light at the bottom lies hell,
You press your fingers and toes on the sides,
Grinding them to nubs as your body still slides,
The pain and terror are unbearable,
You realize dying like this is terrible
you say I'm an angel with clipped wings,
here to save you.
when I'm really an angel with broken wings,
here for you to save me.
you say my wings are clipped,
but they're really broken.
you say you need my help,
but it is really me who needs help.
I can't lose you...
I need you...
they broke my wings completely off,
before they were hanging by a strand, still able to be healed...
but now they're gone...
the evil ones took my wings and ran...
and the nubs that are left are scarring over...
making me less if an angel and more human by the second...
I need you to get my wings back...
I need you to sew them back on and remove the scar tissue...
I need you...
I need your help...
so when I get my wings back,
I can help you.
I can help save you...
I can help.