I often struggle to make peace
with nagging relapses that,
like endless tides, come
then I need to chase away.
Intrusive rekindlings of loss,
of wanting to resurrect the past,
each time needing to go through the motions
of convincing myself it's pointless.
Confined, trapped, buckled in,
I ride this live rollercoaster
that leaves me feeling disillusioned,
frustration having a bitter rancid taste.
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Every year we go through the motions,
Festivities celebrations and retail promotions,
Without much thought we spend so much money,
Shop after shop not much time we must hurry,
Get into debt with payday loans and our savings,
The gifts that we buy make up for all the years failings,
Now money is tight I'm a single man trying,
Can't afford much and I watch what I'm buying,
My son understands the amount he will get,
He's old enough now that he won't get upset,
Christmas with Cheryl was magic and fun,
A real special moment spent with my loved one,
Now the morning of Christmas has not got that thrill,
We had each year prior ,
what's gone we can't fill.
orifice at fontanel a whirring disc of light
the region around our third eye glistens
toroidal heart radiates glow of our Self
whilst enlivened spine with bliss beats aligns
wholeness of presence unified thus just is
alive and aflame in the effervescence of God
as rapture refrains continue to so renew
we remain transfixed in time dissolved silence
through the sublime mists we hear a faint call
there are as yet earthy tasks to be performed
we go through the motions in nonchalant vibrance
bilocating between noumena and phenomena
Heads or tails, either which ways,
options will present themselves
and we’ll go through the motions,
vibrant and blissful.
We go through the motions, doing as tasked ~
God bestows His grace, without being asked
attention fixated
in bliss magnetism
we tend to neglect
diktats of destiny
it’s not laziness
but a shift in focus
wherein nonchalance
renews soul’s vibrancy
boundaries blur
space and time dissolve
we sometimes resurface
to see what’s going on
life is but a play
yet if so called upon to act
we do go through the motions
playing the game with zeal
we are asked to prepare
for a meeting of importance
whose outcome may alter our future
we go through the motions
with vigour but in nonchalance
for we’re but actors playing our role
as both the dreamer and the dreamed
what is played out in linear time
has already been impulsed
in the ethereal domain
there then thus
is nothing to do
much less worry
enjoy!
31-May-2023
Put the coffee on
clear your head
make some breakfast
get out of bed
walk to the kitchen
begin the day
just get moving
and you will be on your way
go through the motions
as the time slowly passes
do the dishes
clean your glasses
go down the hall
wash your face
brush your teeth
go at your own pace
go through the day
and just remember
where there is a will
theres a way
Peter and I are together and we’re in a grove.
Time is our treasure, precious and dwindling.
I watch for signs of the future unfolding,
like a twitch that might be the first sign of a stroke.
Answers will come - slowly - or they’ll parachute in from nowhere.
We spend a lot of time together but most of it is spent studying.
We both have silences that shouldn’t be penetrated.
I have so many questions, but I keep them at a safe distance,
so I don’t feel the need to interact with them.
All I know is we’re alive, and we still have to dance.
It's not always fun, operating in the face of uncertainty
but what else can we do - except go through the motions?
“When exactly did the world lose its collective mind?” I asked, reading the news on my iPad.
Peter looked up from the book he was highlighting with a phosphorescent pink pen.
“They’ve found toxic metals in CHOCOLATES. Everywhere.” I announced, like that Poe bird.
“I guess we’re canceling chocolate then,” he said, sarcastically, “we’ll adapt.”
“Yeah, you bet.” I said with genuine irony.
you've sailed away
and left me behind
still much like the sun
i go through the motions
regular as clockwork
inside i wait
AP: 2nd place 2022
I'm scratching at the walls
I'm trying to break through.
There's a wall I won't scale
And a gate I won't pass.
I'm loosing my mind
I can't catch my breath.
Go through the motions
Don't let others know
I'm suffocating.
Clawing until my fingers are raw
There's always something else to do
Somewhere else to be
But I don't get to be me
I'm trapped by the judgments I pass
And those passed on me
I waste my time trying to pick at the lock
And when someone tries to open the door
It gets blocked.
There's only one way out
And I'm trying to force it.
Trying to break down the door
Is it unlocked?
It isn't
But isn't it comfortable to be trapped
Do nothing more than is expected
Even if I got out isn't there just another room?
What will be the next thing to trap me?
If you're trapped you don't have to make any choices.
You don't have to worry about what others think.
I'm trapped and it's my own doing.
I trap myself with thoughts of I'm not good enough
Thoughts of what if someone is better than me?
I'm trapped
And I hold the key.
Many times we cry without tears
The fears we attach to our subconscious mind
We become blind to our destiny
Yet we discover that silence only makes it louder
Crying without tears is a common practice in the 21st century
Having tears empties the soul
Having no tears paralyses the soul and
Makes us numb in the face of many circumstances
Crying without tears will often
Allow you to go through the motions
This stream of passivity
Will cause you to be blind to your destiny
Crying without tears is a common practice in the 21st century
Having tears empties the soul
Having no tears paralyses the soul and
Makes us numb in the face of many circumstances
Let’s break free
Mark Frank
Copyright 2022
You never kiss me like you used to do,
Or say you want me so I know it’s true.
And even though we still might get it on,
There’s no denying, babe, the thrill is gone.
These days the pattern’s gotten too routine.
There’s no excitement when we’re on the scene.
Can’t say exactly how things got this way,
Just know the dance we do is no ballet.
Our lovin’s nothin’ but a fire drill;
Go through the motions, but without the thrill.
Instead of heat, we end up with a chill.
Our lovin’s nothin’ but a fire drill.
But babe, let’s say we give it one more try.
Let’s reach on back to when our souls could fly.
We did it then and we could do it now.
Just lay it down and let me show you how.
So, no more looking for the fast way out.
Let’s take our time; that’s what it’s all about.
Let love’s fierce sweetness fan the flames until
We’ve made it more than just a fire drill.
We became blind to His love for us
Failing to honor Him in our worship
His choices now offend us
And our offerings now offend Him
Our hearts refuse to take Him in
So, we go through the motions
For the appearance of respectability
We are hypocrites
Asking Him for His blessing
While dishonoring His name
We have turned back from following Him
Our speech becomes ever more sinful
Showing partiality in His instructions
Showing lack of influence by the Spirit
We are disillusioned
Accusing Him of injustice
Because the wicked are prospering
While our own service to Him is unprofitable
So, we withhold from Him
And become more self-assertive
Dealing treacherously with each other
We are lacking spiritual kinship
Yet, it's because of His justice
We still have space to repent
To return to Him and regain His blessing
To avoid the curse and coming judgment
He will send Elijah before that Day
To break the stalemate
I go through the motions of living.
As I project how life should be.
At the right times, I am giving.
Then in fear, I retreat back to me.
I know to say the right thing,
when conversation comes my way.
I can chit chat about anything.
I have rehearsed what words to say.
I walk among the shadows,
those that reside with me here.
I talk about my many woes.
but they will not lend an ear.
Darkness fills the night,
I barely notice the end of the day.
I look around, needing no light.
I go room to room, knowing the way.
Silence surrounds me,
I recognize its familiar sound.
Sometimes louder than it should be.
Its echo follows me around.
Keeping busy, the hours quickly go by.
Then evening turns to night.
The day has ended, time to sleep, or try.
I stay awake, longing for dawn's first light.
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