We sat through sixth-grade classes, we sat at lunch side by side, Laughing through the hallways, taking life in stride. Then came the quiet day you had to say goodbye, And years went rushing past as time was flying by.
Now high school's finally here, the halls are huge and new, And nothing feels as bright as being back with you. Two freshmen starting over, right where we left off, With every inside joke and every shared-in laugh.
You’ve always been the sweetest, a anchor in the storm, And now a brand-new chapter is starting to take form. With a baby on the way, a little light to guide, I know you'll be amazing with that sweet heart inside.
Just yesterday you handed me a gift I’ll keep in mind, My very first real phone, the best I’d ever find. It’s got a couple scuffs, a little beaten and worn, But to me it is a treasure from the day that it was born.
I’ve never had one of my own to text or scroll or call, And having it from you makes it the greatest thing of all. Through every shift and change, no matter where we roam, Having a friend like Avery always feels like coming home.
When six-seven shows—
on pages or when counting—
school children erupt
'six-seven' its 'six-seven'
feigning, pumping, hands juggling.
It's an inside joke
meaningless but magical
teachers lose the room—
order slipping through their hands
dropping every dangling ball.
Nothing to decode,
no truth, no cause to decry—
just the spark of fun
a chant for troupe belonging
rebellion wrapped in giggles.
I walk in,
and the air shifts
like it knows me.
Like it’s been waiting.
Not a stage.
Not a show.
Just a room full of sound
and people who get it.
I’ve played songs here
with shaky hands and a full heart,
met strangers who became
inside-joke kind of friends.
Someone’s tuning up,
someone’s laughing too loud,
and there I am
dancing in the middle of it all
for no reason but joy.
No one’s watching.
Or maybe they are
but here, no one cares if you’re weird,
off-key,
off-beat,
or totally lost in it.
Reeltime isn’t perfect.
It’s better.
It’s honest.
We mess up.
We hype each other anyway.
We show up with songs,
and leave with stories.
There’s something raw about it
how real it feels
to be surrounded by music and people
who don’t expect you to be anything
but yourself.
So yeah, I play here.
But it’s not just about the music.
It’s the being here.
It’s the everything.
Say it when she makes a mistake,
say it when she’s stunning;
Say it with an inside joke,
say it when she’s crying;
Say it when she’s in your arms,
say it with your eyes;
Say it when you have no words,
and more when she won’t stop talking;
Don’t say it just for Hallmark,
say it with a special night;
Any time you feel it,
say it just because.
Humor, in different dimensions and forms,
An innate trait that conforms to odd norms,
In high daily dosage recommended
To fix a funny bone, pun intended.
The one that cracks you up when you are down,
The one that makes you chuckle when you frown,
The one that cheers you up when hell breaks loose,
And weaves a silver lining through your blues.
One dirty joke upon awkward excuse,
One grandpa’s joke that grandma deemed stale news,
One dopey joke and you pee in your pants,
One inside joke that no one understands.
Whatever shades it comes, novel or trite,
Good old humor at all times serves us right.
April 13, 2022
huh,
not sure
I follow...
or that one, wait,
what?
Questions arise as I walk with them -
finding contradictions of formality and intimacy,
darkness and light, the tangible and ethereal -
where a sunset meets moon rising, black meets white.
Chill of evening leaps from the canvas
sending shivers through bone and thoughts.
Strange, how the long-faced couple steps
from winter’s ominous night, eyes upon them,
not disturbing the sleeping forest of naked trees,
searching for home or the inside joke of clowns and jesters.
Their soulful glow, one light with arms entwined, penetrates my heart,
shaping the beauty and mystery of Rousseau’s masterpiece.*
*Carnival Evening by Henri Rousseau
today is just another day
to look back, to cringe
to remember light and dark times
to hear the cries of the forsaken
to see the whispers of the desperate
to know the chill of winters bite
to feel the sun's death give us life
to touch another's heart, selflessly
to reach out into the chaotic uncertain
to fumble the perfect plan
to catch the inside joke so clever
to be vulnerable, ready for what's next
without RESERVATIONS....assumptions....guile.......
today is just another day..... live it
My friends tried to make me stop,
I yelled that I was fine.
I turned around and looked at the ten thousand foot drop...
Looked at my hands, in which yours would so perfectly entwine...
They could, but they never will...
Because the one chance I was given all messed up.
My life went up, then straight downhill...
Whenevever someone said “do you like him?” I said “Yup”
And all the happiness from my life is gone...
Only a lame inside joke remains...
~*~ Quietly watching and waiting all the while laughing ~*~
Kirsten
Kirsten has really pretty eyes,
She's loving, caring, and she never lies.
She helps me whenever I'm lonely or sad,
She doesn't like when boy's are bad.
Cuz she's a nice person and loves Jesus,
And anyone would help her if she ever sneezes.
Her best friend's name is Kath,
My love for her is taking a wrath.
Whenever she's awake, the sun will rise.
She's really cute, and has many natural highs :) (inside joke)
She's really smart in so many ways,
With her in your life, you'll have brighter days.
So give her a chance in your
miserable lives.
Cuz you'll love and miss her whenever
she dies.
But her smiles will never die, but live
forever.
Giving her up will make your
Heart Sever.
-Josh T.
A poet who can not fully express my creativity
unless under the pressures of stress or misery.
Hey, I might as well post huh Carolyn? (Inside Joke Folks)
I can't sleep a wink
I don't know what to do anymore
I can't eat
What did I let you go for?
I felt alive in your hand
I wanted us to last long
I can not stop thinking of you
I relate you to every song
Music used to be all I had
It used to be all I knew
I used to sit in my room for hours
And then I had met you
I miss you with what is left
And what is left isn't much
But what is left of me
Longs for that soft touch
I had everything set up
I was going to ask you to be mine
I was a jerk one night
I was full of the devil's wine
Now I feel I have nothing left
The one thing I had I let go
You were all I cared for
I wanted us to grow
Now all I have is memories
With you I couldn't help but smile
I remember our every inside joke
You were all I wanted, but it lasted a short while
I run off every girl I like
I can't let down my walls
I was just starting to let you in
Now I am lost in empty halls
I still keep a picture of you close
It is the last thing I keep dear
With it alone I could survive
With everything but, I'd live in fear
Everything was perfect to me
I thought we were doing okay
I got sad and upset
And I let you go that day
when i run my fingertips up your arms to your shoulders
and draw your head down to mine
when my heart quickens at your bare back as you cross the room
when I kiss you, just a little bit to tease you on
when your eyes sparkle with an inside joke
when your dressed up and hold up two ties: which one?
when you hold me close
just the way you can
strong arms around me strong heart beats to match mine
how I love you
oh you'll never know
I thought I had forgotten
I'm just refusing to remember
Sometimes I'll still think of you
By accident, of course
It breaks my heart that you're not with me
Or...that I'm not with you
And I tried my very best
But it never was enough
It never could be enough
It never will be
And I'm stuck between worlds
I don't know which to choose
I'm here now
I've finally made it a place like home
I smile, & it's real
I'm happy
...
But it's not with you
As much pain I've let go of
As content as I may seem
I'm still torn when I think of you
You're one of few
I can't stand to live without
Because I love you
Like you wouldn't believe
I wish that I could hold you
And joke like we used to joke
I miss when we would laugh
At things only we would understand
And how there was constantly an inside joke
between the two of us
We annoyed the rest, but it didn't matter
As long as the smile was on your face
You were my best friend
And you stole my heart
There are no words to explain
how much I miss you
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