Your smile was one of innocence before you looked away.
Was that a bit of fear in your eyes as you looked away?
For a month you served me breakfast every morning,
but tawny eyes never meet mine again; they turn away.
Cinnamon blush painted your cheeks as if by artist's brush.
I saw your hands tremble before you quickly moved away.
What I would give to see you smile as you did the first time.
No price too dear, for it hurts my heart when you sidle away.
The sun shines when I see you. Is there something I could do
that would sway you to talk with me instead of stepping away?
I'm not one to offer a sweet cliche' that's used too often.
I'm afraid you'd just bow your head and keep walking away.
I don't know your name but I heard someone call you, Brooke.
If you would once more look at me, I couldn't be pried away.
I'll show respect for your demeanor by avoiding your eyes.
Forgive me if I make you feel uncomfortable. I will stay away.
Look at me, then look away.
Don't let your eyes linger, or stay.
If you look, please don't see,
the sadness that lives within me.
Don't see the pain, shadowed in my eyes.
The hurt that I've tried to disguise.
Don't count the lines, new to my face.
The ones so deeply etched in place.
They tell a story, told before,
betrayal, sorrow, and so much more.
A sad story, but not unique.
So personal, please don't critique.
So, if you happen to look my way,
Look quickly, then look away.
For, I don't want you to see,
the empty person, I've come to be.
When I look away
How is it that I still see
Your very face
that was just in front of me
Etched into my brain
Damn into my soul
Your love haunts me
forever my heart you hold
Words we speak but do not hear
All those times we dare to share
As your warmth turns bitter cold
we part but I won't let you go
Dreams bewitch my troubled nights
My soulless body yearns for flight
To wrap you in my wings so tight
melt away in our mortal might
If love is false it's pain is real
Tortured souls love kills
I cling to you for life to live
all I am as all I give
When you look away
How is it that you still see
My very face
that was just in front of thee
Flesh and bone won't deny
Urges of life to survive
But add love and the spirit ignites
look away, look away, at love's first sight
I catch a stranger’s eye
and realize he is no stranger
I quickly look away
Not ready to remember another lifetime
Why does the waiter look away?
Every time I want to pay.
I never like to make a fuss,
Or ever, ever swear or cuss.
Up goes my hand to beckon her,
or maybe him, if you prefer,
but I might as well scream and shout
as the waiter always moves about.
I look a fool as I pen the air,
in an attempt to draw a stare.
So, tell me what I have to do?
A simple question I put to you?
The waiter will expect a tip,
But I might as well give the slip,
If I’m completely overlooked,
In this restaurant I should not have booked!
LOOK AWAY
I see the children hurting;
I feel their pains aborting;
I just ignore them;
And when the time comes
As danger surrounds them
I just turn my head
NO acknowledgement
I just turn my head, my back as I just
I just look away
I see these bullying;
I see those scars and bruising;
Feels as though there’re continually losing;
I close mine eyes, (ignoring)
I just close my mind
And as I look away
I’m ashamed of me this day
I pray…..
And when the time comes
As danger surrounds them
I just turn my head
NO acknowledgements
I just turn my head, my back as I just
I just look away
11/21/18
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.©2018
Way down deep in the heart of the south,
there's a lady who whispers through the trees.
A melancholy song on the lips of her mouth,
but she looks away from the sight that she sees.
Old memories decay in the humid days and nights,
weathered monuments standing in ancient cemeteries.
Her shame is covered in moss and blight,
but her grace and beauty she ever carries.
She has survived war and horrific storms
and she may be looked down upon.
But you still smell jasmine in the air when it's warm
and feel her presence when the wind is gone.
She can be heard on a long summer evening,
her song a sad sound of a broken heart grieving.
10/29/18
Dare you look away, my love?
Could my gaze cause you pain?
Your haunting voice enraptures me,
so how can I stay sane?
I drink deeply of the sight,
your face, so warm, so fair.
And how I wish to kiss you,
run my fingers through your hair.
You may say in your sweet song,
that you know me not so well.
Perhaps, but one need not but glance,
to fall beneath your spell.
And for my heart, alone, I ought,
to bring you flowers fair.
And for my heart, alone, I ought,
to ignore my halt and scare.
So much, always, to consider.
So much to weigh in turn.
The ever-question: how much can I,
ply your heart to burn?
You will feel my gaze, I fear,
for your voice is my heart's bread.
Wordless, ever, we might be,
though so much might be said.
Written early Easter morning
1 April 2018
The New Year’s Day is just another day.
It does not mark the beginning or the end
of the Earth’s rotations – but don’t dismay!
On any given day you may transcend!
In any moment you may turn about.
Resolute, don’t deny if there’s defect,
apply the free will with which you’re endowed,
don’t wait for 2018 to correct!
Perhaps you think that one day is enough –
in some cases, perhaps even too much –
to take a hard look inward and rebuff
those habits which you’ve come to enjoy so much.
And you've three hundred, and sixty-four days
in which you need not contemplate your ways!
Happy New Year!
Look away
Transmission overload;
Can’t seem to figure out my mind.
I’m feeling home alone in time,
Too late to find a bride.
I have slept a thousand years;
No princesses kiss to change my heart and wake me up.
I have shed a thousand tears;
I filled the room with my philosophical water-ducts.
I swam like a duck into the sky,
Living for all that is ahead.
Communication; translate lies to truth,
Misinterpret every word I have said.
Here, take my dictionary.
It’s all made up with empathy.
I wrote love on every page,
To say the word I never get to say.
I took another look at all the mistakes I have made,
But they are carved in stone. No memory I can erase.
Pick up another love, I’ll never write your name into my book.
You will be a forgotten one; or you will be the only one…trust.
Open heart did for me;
I let me feelings float away.
I write it down for you to see
And then I make sure you always look away.
You want an honest man;
The truth would tear your hope apart.
Inside my life,
There is only space for one heart.
Fill our heart with endless wonder.
(C)2017 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
People look away
it is easier to find fault in me
than to hold him accountable.
His position wins for him respect
despite his actions of disrespect.
He is assumed to be:
blameless, holy, good;
compassionate, caring, together;
but he is also human.
In his humanity is the capacity
to do harm, to hurt others.
And he has hurt me.
I do not blame him
though he is responsible.
I offer forgiveness instead,
because that's who I am.
Look Away
Look away out there to sea
Look away just across the street.
Look away at the sun that shines
Look away at the light that gives life.
Now look and tell me what you see
Could it be sadness or joy/
Could you see the water that will be rain
Under the clouds, That you look away far away.
Look away to those that love and those that hate.
Make a smile and the other a frown.
But don't look away they might be friends.
I
would
rather lie
still and accept
eventual death than
try to squirm my way out
of a hammock while
someone is
watching
me
Breath by each deep breath
I stand before you, my Lord...
unworthy of You.
How powerful are the actions of our heart?
Our tongue forms the words that tear others apart.
Deeper into the darkness of hate,
head down, behind locked gate.
Feet shuffle not lifting up,
hands dirty with empty cup.
Truth shines on the sorrows of past,
how long will the coldness last?
I look away…
3D animations look so real,
pull me in; tell me what’s the deal?
Let me guide another’s life,
I got the answers, cut like a knife.
Eyes hazed over hiding the truth,
great big smile at the kissing booth!
The darkness shines brightest at this time of day,
I thought I had the answers; hear what I say?
I look away…
I retreat to the solitude of my own little world,
hiding and sulking in a life unfurled.
Deep beneath the layers like blankets in winter,
hiding the hand with finger and splinter.
Don’t reach out if your not going to stay,
don’t even look just turn and walk away.
I wont raise my face or even show my eyes,
I’m tired of smiling into the face of lies…
I look away…
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