The world now is overflowing with filters,
fast five stars, and a multitude of clickbait.
Society has become an abstract definition,
devoid of any type of civilized boundaries.
I want the honesty of naked conversation
and the ability to discover truth for myself.
We have a license to be phony.
Go on I dare you, take off that mask.
Mugwump mentality is an easy out,
opinions that flex with every audience.
How to research with contaminated tools,
the sixty four thousand dollar question.
It’s getting so bleak sadness is hot,
how can I relate when I honestly don’t.
Pushed aside because I’m not drowning.
Yes, I do have an air of confidence.
We have a license to be phony.
Go on I dare you, take off that mask.
I won’t play the victim when I’m not,
nor wave a flag I don’t fully understand.
Authenticity is the only brand for me,
whether I am the black sheep or hyped
by that brand new trick up my sleeve.
All the make up will come off in the wash.
We have a license to get phony.
Go on I dare you, take off that mask.
Categories:
episode, emotions, humanity, introspection,
Form: Free verse
I was lost after a night out and
couldn't unlock the screen for directions
you walked to the pub you can't be far just
ease yourself over this railing and
slide down the wall so you can take a
short cut through the car park
cursing all the while but
I know the tube station's nearby
and it must still be open
pushing the On button over and over
swiping this way and that
screaming with rage at this useless device
####ing this and ####ing that
now this isn't the way to the station
and I hear her voice coming through:
- is that you, why did you call me?
are you in trouble?
still the screen is black
- yes I'm just a little lost
- you sound very scared, in fact
it doesn't sound like you at all
Categories:
episode, fear, i miss you,
Form: Free verse
“Don’t go there – steer away from it!” he said.
“You’ll turn your gaze away (that’s if you’re wise).
The black hole on the screen you’ve got your eyes on,
which seems appealing, floating in the murk,
confers no blessing. Love is just a curse.
Enticing, yes – but when push comes to shove,
the only day you’re free is when you’re dead.”
The bridge fell silent. Starship Enterprise
was stalled outside the thing’s event horizon.
The science officer asked, “Captain Kirk,
why are you singularity-averse?”
“Unlike yourself, Spock, I have been in love.”
Categories:
episode, love,
Form: Rhyme
Beyond a job
there is a career
there is satisfaction
there is growth
there is excitement
there are endless tomorrows
there is a purpose
there is education
there is joy
there is fulfillment
there are welcome surprises
there is a reward
there is competition
there is pride
there is achievement
there are stacks of benefits.
Not thinking beyond ‘A job’,
you feel sad or stuck yet?
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, work,
Form: List
Constantly trying the best you can
to be the rock and stand without one.
You know they need you but left sad,
who’s there if you are the one hurting?
It makes you want to cry and yell back,
but you recognize they can’t control it.
It’s harder than it seems, you think:
‘Maybe I’m the one who needs therapy.’
Viciously taking out their lows on you,
because you’re the one within reach.
Taking cheap shots you’re their target
even if you care about them the most.
With each mood swing they lash out
only to apologize for it five minutes later.
Emotional whiplash leaves a mark
you start to second guess your sanity.
It’s harder than it seems, you think:
‘Maybe I’m the one who needs therapy.’
I hate to say this but it’s the truth,
you can’t be of service and risk yourself.
Crying and feeling anxious aren’t normal,
an empty cup will become a domino.
What made you a pillar will start to fall,
the strong can be victims in this crisis too.
It’s harder than it steems, you think:
‘Maybe I’m the one who needs therapy.’
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, mental health,
Form: Other
The feeling of a target on your back
and a thousand tongues waiting to scoff.
That’s how you feel being a square
surrounded by a family of rectangles.
You’ve got to be courageous to stand out,
you’re already locked in your reflection.
Ever been the only one in the room?
It feels like every eye is on you.
The longer you sit those nerves stand up,
feeling simultaneously alien and awkward.
Minutes multiply your heartbeat spirals,
you want to run out but that’s too loud.
Is it even worth it?
Hidden tears begin to tease mascara
blinking back weepy warning bells:
This fatal audience will see you fail.
Ever been the only one in the room?
It feels like every eye is on you.
Breathing through it is all you can do.
Have courage, smile, and just be you.
We’ve all been self conscious, it’s okay.
Hold you’re head up straight and tall
Let them see you as the star you are,
shine on in the dark be the spotlight.
Ever been the only one in the room?
It feels like every eye is on you.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings,
Form: Other
Hegemonic, flippy-floppy, swip-swoppy,
filled to the brim with utter hypocrisy.
It’s okay for your team but not the other,
loaded dice cheating your way to the top.
Should have known at 17 what happens
when you choose to think for yourself.
I was once more engaged, until I saw
things for the game of dodgeball they are.
Keyboarders will join an online duel
but don’t see their own communities.
How about backing a stranger up while
giving a block to a friend of ten years
without even trying to talk it out.
Your priorities are stacked against you.
Those morals only exist on your profile.
Trust me, I know you’re not the only one.
I was once more engaged, until I saw
things for the game of dodgeball they are.
Stay out of the firing range. Be discrete.
Only wave a flag you can explain,
anything else? Sit back, get educated.
But that’s not hot, that’s not on trend.
Until etiquette makes sense?
I’ll follow MY OWN agenda.
I was once more engaged, until I saw
things for the game of dodgeball they are.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, humanity,
Form: Other
Do we have to look the same
to support each other?
Do we need a hive of ‘groupthink ‘
to support each other?
Do we have to weather a storm
to support each other?
Do we need to be moving far away
to support each other?
Do we have to already be dead
to support each other?
I have thought about this often,
I’m at a cliff’s edge with a white towel.
Do I have to hit the icy water,
nose dive with nothing more to offer?
Does everything have to end up over?
I have given everything I had.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, sad,
Form: Free verse
Set the standard don’t follow the leader.
That’s what I was taught as a little girl,
work hard and you can do anything.
This is the land of opportunity,
there is no limit chase a skyscraper!!!
Everyone can obtain the American dream.
No wonder the ‘It’ word is now ‘Mediocre’,
we’re dogging those who have made it.
Those red, white, and blue colored eyes
have faded into a jaded palette;
Left without sparkle or ambition
right at the struggle they give up and quit.
The bar has lowered and no one cares,
yet they want to throw stones and axes.
Don’t expect to prosper from the game
renegade geniuses are going to change.
No wonder the ‘It’ word is now ‘Mediocre’,
we’re dogging those who have made it.
Love bombs to the unknown mastermind
who found a cure for every form of cancer;
Pulitzer Prize to the one who took humans
interplanetary, until they saw their initials.
If you can’t help than get out of the way,
set the standard don’t follow the sheeple.
No wonder the ‘It’ word is now ‘Mediocre’,
we’re dogging those who have made it.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, humanity, introspection,
Form: Other
Ruined by puddles of porch rain
before you had a chance to bring it,
much less break it in;
The robotic reply of ‘Order canceled.
Your item is out of stock. Refunded.’
throws you into a total panic;
As far away as it seems,
there was a world before Amazon;
A girls day of enraptured perusing,
labels brand boxes and Big Brown bags;
A flurry of stores flowing with specialities
speak to patrons who pause then pay them;
Pulling apart plastic to try that purchase,
nothing feels quite like retail therapy;
Pivot from store to store bargain hunting,
in the end you always leave with something;
As far away as it seems,
there was a world before Amazon;
At the mall you don’t need patience,
just indulge instant gratification;
No need for a new notification;
Online is simple, until it isn’t.
If we were forced to let computers go?
We’d still keep spinning and shopping.
As far away as it seems,
there was a world before Amazon.
Categories:
episode, computer, emotions, humanity, introspection,
Form: Other
When you need to yell?
Nothing else will really calm you.
Your flash flood can’t be held.
Those words that are tar on your throat
linger on a self inflicted ball gag;
You just won’t walk out of silence;
Man, I absolutely love an uncivilized
scream in my car;
Wandering through the house with keys
you’ve become frozen in place;
Tearing up a piece of paper everyday
you take out rage on something tangible;
It helps but only just to the side of relief.
Really what you want is to punch a wall
or shatter a vase all over the floor;
Still all you need is a full tank of gas;
Man, I absolutely love an uncivilized
scream in my car;
With just one touch on the accelerator
everything is finally able to be freed;
The death grip on that steering wheel
is all you need to finally set yourself free;
Don’t ever ignore your anger,
just go explore a brand new back road.
Man, I absolutely love an uncivilized
scream in my car.
Categories:
episode, anger, emotions, feelings,
Form: Other
I’ll be honest, I like living here.
Maybe it’s being born in the DMV;
Maybe it’s my grandfather,
who did 20 years in the military;
It could be my deep love of freedom,
knowing it’s okay to say ‘I’m pissed.’
It could be that l can speak openly
without fear of being killed for it;
It’s in my blood, I love it here.
Maybe Mad City’s in my DNA;
Maybe it’s my strong roots,
spread throughout the streets of D.C.
It could be that this is my home
and nothing else needs to be said;
From coast to coast I could wander,
but I’ll always find my way back;
There’s room to better this country,
true; but there’s nowhere I’d rather be;
Draped all over in red white and blue
I’ll be honest, I’m nothing if not patriotic;
I love living here.
Categories:
episode, america, emotions, feelings,
Form: Free verse
I’m no longer available
to be your back up plan,
I’m not here to be your white noise;
I’m not here for you to ignore
nor am I EVER a second choice;
I’m no longer your symphony,
the piece you don’t know the words to;
I’m not here to fix what’s broken;
I’m not here to come to your rescue;
You’ve got to save yourself;
I’m no longer your ego stroke,
wearing that running clown make up;
I’m not going to sit and wait
I’m not going to be here when it suits you;
I like my downtime remember? I’m a writer.
To those who just want my company
and nothing more? There are no words-
only the invisible ink on blank pages.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, friendship,
Form: Free verse
I’m all about being free
to make decisions for my body;
I may not partake or need it currently,
but I get to choose what’s right for me;
Yes on four and yes on three;
I’m not going to say it gently
to conform to ANY part of society;
I may not be the one to instigate loudly,
but I can become a wildfire when need be;
Yes on four and yes on three;
I’m baffled by all the dialog lately,
to say you know best offends me greatly;
I may belong to a different ideology
but we must be free to disagree;
Yes on four and yes on three.
Categories:
episode, emotions, freedom, political,
Form: Monorhyme
You walk in hoping for solace or a smile,
instead you’re ostracized by iconoclasts.
Oh what irony!
Becoming what you profess to be against,
don’t you see what a joke that is?
Now we’re overrun with hypocrites.
Safe spaces aren’t so free,
they’re not open to all who enter;
Copying a cadence shouting their beliefs,
rhetoric gets you in the ‘In’ crowd.
Somewhere art’s been left to flounder,
shy behind all their shallow noise.
No desire to speak,
that’s been tried before.
Can’t open up when the response
is so utterly phony.
Safe spaces aren’t so free,
they’re not open to all who enter;
You’re not backed up when you’re gone.
Don’t think you’re exempt from their rules.
Only truly welcome with a cave-ate,
be a catalyst for their agenda.
God forbid you hold your own opinion
perhaps it’s better to remain exposed.
Safe spaces aren’t so free,
they’re not open to all who enter.
Categories:
episode, emotions, feelings, inspirational, introspection,
Form: Other
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