At this very moment I realize how much I love you, how amazing you truly are,
That you don't want to just say what you mean,
That you bleed what you believe,
That your heart can't even reach that deep what you feel,
You try so hard to show the real,
This piece of my heart that never leaves,
Because I honor your heart and what you believe,
You stayed even when I thought you were gone,
You never left my soul lost, and I would forever fight for your heart,
I never needed to explain, but I always wanted to say,
Thank you... as the tears roll down my face,
For saying everything that I couldn't and knowing my soul,
Matching up in ways I didn't even know,
being easygoing has its advantages
but a framing of how life is processed
helps establish rules of conduct
when relationships are in the making
clarify expectations
say what you mean
and mean what you say.
clarity of ideas
well expressed thoughts
precision of words
understanding what works
and what doesn’t ~
life not a crap shoot
improve the odds
take charge
be in the driver’s seat
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Me and the wall
Like an imaginary friend when we were a child.
My thoughts bounce off the wall and then get filed.
Mrs. Beasley, Shilo, and Winnie the Pooh.
No matter what you said, they believed it was true.
My wall let's me figure it out with me and God.
And it's funny, but I never end up feeling odd.
And as I sit here amidst all the reflections.
Somewhere inside I'm ok with the recollections.
Having thoughts that no one else interrupts.
Allows time and space where nothing corrupts.
And in the process of sorting through the muck.
Insight and common sense prevails with any luck.
Introverts and extroverts and everything between.
Hopefully, you mean what you say, when you say what you mean.
Cause when this world get's it's way and in your head.
Sometimes, come what may, it's their thoughts instead.
So, hello old friend, it's you and me till the end.
We've travelled many avenues and around the bend.
Somehow I'm ok with the way things turned out.
Reflective perspective has removed most of the doubt.
Present Unwrapped
Plan for tomorrow
live for today
the moment redeeming
future caches
Say what you mean
do what you say
the circle enclosing
— truth on display
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
Palace Rules
No worse enemy
than an ex-friend
No better friend
— than an enemy turned
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
Empty Promises
Caring not much
for what I haven’t seen
Deaf to those voices
still trapped in between
Caring not much
for what I haven’t been
Each promise stays empty
— not kept from within
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
White Buffalo
Can you …
Know
without thinking
Win
without beating
See
without judging
Cry
without pain
Speak
without stricture
Come
without staying
Wish
without hoping
Share
without claim
Hear
without language
Curse
without malice
Hunt
without preying
Rule
without reign
Fly
without plumage
Dance
without music
Love
without taking
Die
— without shame
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
Always say what you mean to say
exactly how you mean to say it;
That’s tattooed so deep in my DNA,
I promise I’ll never get it covered up;
When did sucker become popular?
The game will not change in neutral;
I’ll sit with you in Candyland,
but at the end of the day it’s not real.
A mind virus left doped up on sugar,
I’ve said it before they’re addicted;
Follow the poisoned, warriors by proxy;
Someone will speak while you stay silent;
Frozen you’re pinned under their thumb,
tell me now who is truly ignorant?
The weak will fall prey to hunters
a fortress will crumble if left unattended;
I’ll sit with you in Candyland,
but at the end of the day it’s not real.
Clarity of mind demands you fight,
just one voice can end a gag order;
Charisma is an automatic weapon,
not everyone knows how to wield it;
Can’t feed us if your hands are sticky;
Rebels see but don’t buy sour gummies;
I’ll sit with you in Candyland,
but at the end of the day it’s not real.
Cowboys don't know ‘bout pentameter beat
when their crooning to the cattle at night
As long as the rhythm is soft and slow
makes no difference if it's sad or light
Don't make no mind if it goes dum-di-dum
or if instead the rhythm is di-dum-di
Cows sure don't care what some snooty dude thinks
is the proper way to write poetry
The herd doesn't know the meaning of words
no use in fancying up what you say
To mean what you say and say what you mean
that has always been the true cowboy's way
There's no need for some expensive degree
just to lull all them cows to sleep at night
‘Cause humming a tune with no words at all
can keep them calm until the morning's light
So don't be afraid to write them a song
with whatever rhythm or rhyme you choose
It's okay if others don't understand
as long as the tune means something to you
Smile at the world,
Laugh at yourself.
Cry all alone,
Grin like an Elf.
Yawn when you're tired,
Frown when you're sad.
Giggle when you're happy,
Growl when you're mad.
Hum in the morning,
Scream in the night.
Whisper in the dark,
Sing in the light.
Jog for your health,
Dance just for fun.
Walk around the pool,
Bow to the sun.
Shake a friend's hand,
Big hugs for free.
Kiss Grandma's cheek,
Don't tread on me!
Brush twice a day,
Wash behind your ears,
Shampoo your hair,
Avoid soapy tears.
Say what you mean,
Mean what you say.
Die with your honor,
Live your own way.
UNSPOKEN WORDS
Actions will always speak the words you don't want to say. They also reveal every move planned in the game that you play.
Don't let words try to prove that love is real. Action show me it's just more pain that won't heal.
Don't say I'm deserving and worthy of love. When your actions just make me feel not good enough.
Don't use words of desire and deep affection. Your actions are saying I should prepare for rejection.
Don't keep telling me you want to be with me, when your actions are screaming you want to be free.
Don't tell me you love me and make me cry. Your actions show me your words are a lie.
Say what you mean and mean what you say. When your actions don't match it's a dead giveaway.
To save drama and heartbreak, tell the truth right away. Actions will always speak louder than words you don't say.
She opened her cantankerous mouth and out came the truth
There was nothing not honest about my clever Aunt Ruth
The whats-its and fruts-its were scared of her though.
Especially terrified that she was way off in the know.
She would not hesitate to give her opinions on zebras and milk.
Her ideas were her own, and they did not come out smooth as silk.
She was a big believer in herself, no matter what the whats-its said.
Fruts-its were terrified of her; she had somehow stunned one of them dead.
I said Great Aunt Ruth, why do you always say what you mean?
Why ever would you ask such a silly thing, my nephew, kidney bean?
I mean, what if you offend people, marching your mouth off that way?
It’s me I have to please she told me. I need to be happy at the end of day.
So I followed her around and watched the other relatives look pleased.
They loved it that she confused others. Some cried, bawled, hid, and sneezed.
You either love her or hate her, but she always lives her own fabulous truth!
You have to love someone as self-confident and loud as your lovely Aunt Ruth!
If I had to write a song
To say what you mean to me
Could I really put in words
All the beauty that I see
You're my always and forever
You're the sun that lights my sky
And when I go to sleep
You fill my dreams at night
You are the melody
When I hear my favorite tune
You're the twinkle in my eyes
You're the one that hung the moon
But words cannot explain
All the things in you I see
Nor can they truly tell you
That you're everything to me
You're the reason that I live
So when my life is gone
The love I have for you
Will live forever in this song
Just Us
You say what you mean.
And for some reason,
I can't wait to hear what you have to say ...
It seems to come from a part of you
That everyone else is missing.
Much love ??
Less is more, so they say
I am not sure what they mean by the way
Just say what you mean and mean what you say
Then your words will find a way
I just write to make myself happy
Then if someone else finds it snappy
It was worth the thought I invested
That somehow makes my words poetic
As my poetry is my distinction
I never mind if I have the wrong diction
Less is more but more is better
But who says so, well I never!
Just write me a letter
With just three words
And as long as they are all yours
They will be the best I have ever read or heard
So just keep writing
As it's not so absurd
Even if they say
I ?*** ?xx
Then I will truly believe you
DAMO x
I’ve really missed you
I know I’m not around much
Things are just so busy
And I know,
Lately I’ve only used you as a crutch.
A lot has happened since you’ve left
Heartbreak, suffering, and much more pain.
And all for what? Just personal gain.
He’s gone from my life,
And you’re all I’ve got that’s keeping me here.
All this internal, yet external strife.
You’ll leave me like him, is all I fear...
My Platonic Love
Is just my way
Of getting through these long drawn days.
But it’s not the same
And I’m the one
Must take the blame
I need your careful hug
And a smile to brighten my day,
Lift the fog,
And get rid of the haze.
I call your name
With not a reply
But what did I expect?
When I yelled to the sky.
A tear, I feel
Falls down my face
My lips seal,
I won’t leave a trace.
I won’t say what you mean to me
Won’t let you have that key,
Once he gives it back to me.
My love, I fear
Will soon be gone
I dare you, slam the door
Just move on
But still,
My Platonic Love
Is who I need
When fear is all I see before me.
You never mind
Sign your name in blood, or just give up.
What it is you think you need, will never be enough.
Think for yourself or get some help;
Throw away all of your wealth.
Iron all your clothes; screw it up.
Fashion is not enough to be just.
Say that you care; brush your hair.
Give no help when they need you to be there.
Stay locked inside; go out and hide,
From all the love you never mind.
If it’s enough, then give it up;
Love is just a ball of miss-trust.
Kick it out; hold it close.
Never believe, it’s time to go.
Hold it in; let it out.
Thoughts are never completely in the here and now.
Act on instinct; become extinct.
Pick yourself up or let go and sink.
Open door’s to other worlds.
Close your eyes to all before.
Never say what you mean;
Never say what is not clean.
Life is a dream; reality is only ever fantasy.
Pick a lock to their heart; open up and leave yourself starved.
Carve your names into a tree…
Are you exactly what you wanted to be?
(C)2017 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
You say what you mean, and
For some reason,
I cant wait to hear what you have to say ...
It seems to come from a part of you
that everyone else is missing.
Paul E. Lake
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