Quicksand has not been on my mind
for decades, neither have brass knuckles
a pillow by any other name is a bureaucrat’s sword
pensive, dormant even in elevator shaft #11
o, frustration, o the itch to do it all now
O, ambivalence, o, vacillation
O, marination, o intimation, O cruise vacation
O litigation, o fraternization, o Hi o
(Did I win the prize? I hope so. Do you think
I can possibly be writing for pleasure?)
O, Portia, where art thou now?
He knew it was poisonous,
but it was all too much.
To him it was a coping mechanism.
It got him through the day.
All the things he expected
that did not turn out
the way he expected them to
tormented his sober mind.
The mind needed some sort
of a distraction, something to
put the pressure off.
Poisonous it may be,
it took the pressure off.
All the missed chances,
all the chances that were not taken,
all the losses in that moment
they did not matter.
He once cared how he looked,
but no more. If it wasn’t for it,
he would have even jumped
on to a highway, not caring what happens.
He knew it was poisonous,
but it was all too much.
The pain was too deep.
A bad seed provided him with life.
My God He lifts me up. Jesus has embraced me suffered for me such. I will exalt
O’ Lord my God provides all
All my needs
Oh! Lord my God I cry out to thee Always
8/8/22
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. 2022©
Poem to my dad:
You gave.
And provided.
There sure was love in the home.
Yes, and honesty.
Your values you taught me, will linger on.
Thank you.
52 years of knowing you.
Been an incredible journey.
I will miss your humor.
Along with your astute insight.
How will I go on?
Very carefully.
I'm grateful for you being my dad.
I surely mean that.
I will "keep my wits about me!"
Like you always told me.
No, this isn't the end.
Your soul has journeyed on, is all.
I love you!
Can't wait to join you in Heaven one day.
Sunshine tulips lined up in fancy row.
Lilac smiled, expecting a big show.
Orange-tainment provided by marigold.
My colorful garden never gets old.
Dainty lacey dark green carrot tops laughed.
Radishes caught tomorrow’s aftermath.
Purple petunias prance along the side.
Queen Anne ’s lace is renegade, better hide!
Yellow summer squash soon joins pretty fray.
Pumpkins wait for a far off autumn day
Garden magic complete by butterflies
Wasp and bees too most of them not so shy.
Roses are happy with show of the day.
Plethora of colors, lovely sense of play.
Written 4-24-2019
Contest: Urban Sonnet
Sponsor: Emile Pinet
How many fools who know my name
And what I do will dare
Walk with me and talk to me
As if, for me, they really care?
None, I used to think
Would be stupid enough to try
To put up with the fool who often
Turned his victim's blood to clothing dye.
And even when you approached me
I thought you friendship was a lie
A ploy to torture the psychopath
Who doesn't care when people die.
Surely, you weren't naïve enough
To think I deserved a second chance.
Baby boy, I've killed so many,
Even with death, I'd kissed and danced.
But you were, innocent little insect,
And even if you say you hate
Me, how many heroes would give a murderer
The chance to change for great?
And the hopeful way you talk about me—
It makes the boxes — and me — go insane
Because I believe, somehow I think,
I can make up for all the pain.
Those who surrender to God’s guidance
Will never find themselves in a position
For which the good Lord above
Has not made provision
In perplexity, we have a sure Counselor
For bereavement, loneliness or sorrow
We have a sympathetic Friend
In today and tomorrow.
We need never feel alone
For He’s given us angels as companions
The Comforter abides with us
To defeat Satan’s cruel temptations
Whatever the difficulties under which we labor
That weighs down soul and body
God in His humanity
Has provided the perfect remedy.
With outstretched hand
In pitying tenderness to human suffering
Touched with the feeling of our infirmities
His strength He is offering
He asks we lay our troubles
At His feet in true surrender
For God has provided help
In His love that’s so tender.
Do not study your emotions
Or give way to your feelings
For the enemy will use them
To entertain doubt and wrong actions
Simply look away from self
Rest in Christ’s love and care
Surrender each burden
That He’ll willingly bear.
Copyright © Maureen LeFanue 2007-2012
Those who surrender to God’s guidance
Will never find themselves in a position
For which the good Lord above
Has not made provision
In perplexity, we have a sure Counselor
For bereavement, loneliness or sorrow
We have a sympathetic Friend
In today and tomorrow
We need never feel alone
For He’s given us angels as companions
The Comforter abides with us
To defeat Satan’s cruel temptations
Whatever the difficulties under which we labor
That weigh down soul and body
God in His humanity
Has provided the perfect remedy
With outstretched hand
In pitying tenderness to human suffering
Touched with the feeling of our infirmities
His strength, He is offering
He asks we lay our troubles
At His feet in true surrender
For God has provided help
In His love that’s so tender
Do not study your emotions
Or give way to your feelings
For the enemy will use them
To entertain doubt and wrong actions
Simply look away from self
Rest in Christ’s love and care
Surrender each burden
That He’ll willingly bear.
Copyright © Maureen LeFanue 2007-2012
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