The Funhouse Mirror's Truth
The air was sweet with cotton candy, bright and pink,
a whirlwind of laughter before I could even think.
My little brother's eyes were wide with pure delight,
My twin sister's hand was wrapped so very tight.
My mother's gentle smile, my father's hand in line,
all in a world I could no longer call mine.
We rode the elephant, a slow and gentle sway,
through the carnival chaos, on that summer's day.
But past the spinning lights and painted stalls,
I saw him watching, a face behind the walls.
A jagged grin, a tear of painted blue,
his eyes locked on me, no matter what we'd do.
I tugged my mother's sleeve, "Look there!" I tried to say,
But she just smiled and looked another way.
My brother's cheer, my sister's joyful cries,
sounded so distant, beneath the painted skies.
We won a prize, a stuffed bear, fat and round.
but I felt no joy, no solace could be found.
Because in the reflection of the funhouse glass,
I saw him standing, a shadowy, silent mass.
And in that moment, all the fun fell out of me,
A private terror only I could see.
You standing there looking so innocent
and sexy, biting your lip
Smiling so guile-y and your hair
Cascading around your face
Over your shoulders and styled by JBF
You standing a bit awkwardly your legs
falling from my flannel shirt
And smooth as hell, your feet up on the balls
as if in high heels
Flexing in anticipation and a devilish grin
With a "What me?" delectation
It's not a skirt it's my flannel shirt
And you with your post coital giggle
A splash of bawdy and a hint of naughty
and looking muy caliente
With my eyes I take you in as you take
my breath away
Quazi Johirul Islam
SCAFFOLD DISAPPEARED
Scaffold disappeared, and it was a different morning
Sunlight has never threatened me ever like that
I can imagine how terrible winter is awaiting
while the sun is not a good friend.
Wind drops without an obstacle, cold and hard
I can easily see him standing a little future away
In an empty sand field wounded and bloody.
Written: August 29, 2023
Voice Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Eve Roper
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The train whistles its song, ready to depart,
Embarking on a trip, with hope in every heart,
Passengers gather at the bustling station,
Anticipation rises, a pulsating sensation.
Beautiful ladies with elegance and grace,
Children with excitement on their faces,
Flowers in bloom, brilliant and bold hues,
Gifting a mother or lover grants eternal dews.
Sitting and standing, a crowd in motion,
Each with a purpose, a unique devotion,
Some engaged in the paper or conversing,
Others don't want the sights to be closing.
The sights are growing outside the window.
A swift panorama, ripe with tales innuendo.
Mountains and valleys, rivers and streams,
Nature's beauty, is like a painter's dreams.
The train chugs along, its rhythmic beat,
Carrying dreams, hopes, and memories sweet,
The station fades away, a blur in the distance,
Leaving behind chaos, noise, and coexistence.
Something about her heart, beating;
Something in her soul, intriguing;
The God in her, in her is God;
I standing a firm foundation
Hallelujah
Something in her smile Jesus;
Her voice so wonderful Jesus;
She walks with head held high;
Praising the All Mighty
Something about her faith;
Doesn’t dissipate;
She often late, To the glory of the Father she concentrates;
she's standing high praising in a firm HALLELUJAH
Something in her smile Jesus;
Her voice so wonderful Jesus;
She walks with head held high;
Praising the All Mighty
she's standing high praising in a firm HALLELUJAH
Something about her heart, beating;
Something in her soul, intriguing;
The God in her, in her is God;
she's standing high praising in a firm HALLELUJAH
I standing a firm foundation
Hallelujah
6/21/23
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.2023?
Here I am standing a sinner man
And I dare you to love me
Tou and I reached out for the right
Excited for the daily worships
and I dare you to love me
Holding hands in prayer
Trying to get our whispers in.
Through the winds last the rains
We should praise of Jesus
Hallelujah Glory come together in open heart
For the love of the Lord that fills us up
Got Spirit here I am a sinful man
I so my would repent
And now I'm free from my sin mistress
Come here my dear I am now blessed
and I
I dare you to love me
I've confessed that I am now blessed
And I dare you to love me
3/16/22
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.2022
…on an Amtrak train.
Business-class from DC to Trenton.
It's the work rush.
There is a white man.
Dark eyes.
Gray temples…
Southern.
Loud.
Acting important. Unimportant.
Let's call him John.
...5 rows behind him something I see something standing.
A flicker?
He's been on his cell phone since he boarded.
He's talking loud, in a rush, fear in the undercurrent of this voice.
An unnoticed waver…as if he's in his home office.
Knowing but without knowing …
His eyes roam. Nervous.
It's toxic and spreading…
Everyone else on the train “seems”…
Unbothered.
Unscathed.
Unnoticed.
Everyone sees but does not!
You can feel the tension…it!
It is sharp like a razor.
Everyone is secretly annoyed. Scared?
There standing a shadow even in the light! A figure?
...white eyeless sockets, staring.
The shadowy thing begins moving, gliding…
To him!
Around him…
People are avoiding it,
something,
unknown,
unseen!
Without understanding. Blind!
He writes down a number.
…stands up and looks around frantically. Moving…
People pass...
Him. It.
Into twilight BOUND!
The memory black and white
#4 taps an unlit sign 100 feet away
Slow galloping horses trail one another
Enveloped by a wooden fence that died twice
Now that the tornado is gone the damage fizzles'
Onlookers faded grimaces match their garments
Lucky thing top hats were created
Those same clothes that don't smile, giggle
An equestrian event models a movie unreleased
But the actual Barn is a scene of its own
Standing a gawking 1000 ft tall from 950 ft under
This unusual place sets a setting on repeat
Probably where my grandmother's dream wedding
would be hosted
Suspenders snap to the chests of law abiding government
aides
As time passes the crowd of onlookers assemble inside the
biggest home for horses I've ever seen
Color erupts in every inch of sight imaginable and hands
are held by whoever sits closest.
Alone I'm standing; a tall poplar tree
With many of my kind alongside me
All standing here in solidarity
Together as one when we need to be.
There are times when we need to be alone
To enjoy the deep bliss of solitude
For any wrongdoings we must atone
Pay your debts to others; peace is assured.
Be like that tall tree as you live your life
By helping others to nurture and grow
And protect all the young from earthly strife
From within your heart you can make it so.
So stand tall and proud majestically
Being part of the forest when needs be.
Written on 17th September 2020.
Floral beauty
When the sun
is standing a
flower blooms ...
And she appears
so sweetly, that
no one can
prevent her
to be petted and
apply her a little kiss ...
When the sun
will lie down,
she closes herself
in full and
withdraws from my sight ...
How can I
forget her ...! ?
PS. Interactive translation of the poem BEAUTÉ FLEURAL
by Alkas ... FROM poet CAROE ....
Chasing The American Dream Part 2
When one is young and restless, seeking success and satisfaction for the future..
Some have burning drive to transverse land and oceans to achieve their hearts' desires ..
From Bolehland to the United States of America, air travel is not a small matter....
One needs to up to 21hours of flying time, before one steps foot on the land yonder...
Some 40years ago, a classmate that I don't really knew, braved the unknown.....
Emboldened by the vision of better fortunes in The Land Of The Free that's America...
4decades later, there she is, an American Chinese citizen, originally from Bolehland....
All too obvious, she has conquered her fears and apprehensions and prospered...
The years and hardships she suffered, those are long gone as waters under the bridge...
What matters now is her present standing, a successful American living the American dream...
Far remote from the many turmoils that bubble and threaten the very land she left behind...
Today in Bolehland, racial and religious strife underlines the many differences in the country...
(To be continued)....
Next to you there's a girl
Sitting way too close but with some kind of distance between you
That only I can see
Your half-hearted smile seems aware of
How ironic this scene is
And her hand on her knees where yours should be looks out of place
And what such is the place of a skipped love?
Not knowing that she
Is filling the space of something that never began
Waiting to be revived because the lack of an ending
Requires it to live
Forever in your heart that can't let go
The vision of something it longed for
The memory of what could have been
Before your mind decided
To fill in the blank with a blaze that is
Going to burn out while the flame of true love
Is blinding you with its eternal brightness
The momentary light not standing a chance to
A wildfire
Finding its way to your soul
Encircling your thoughts
Making you stand up, turn your head and
Tell the truth
Looking forward to the holiday of a lifetime,
Destination never before ever undertaken,
A very scary journey for me, I can only imagine being,
As a first time traveler across the world,
From my cold homeland of England,
To flying high, into the brilliant bright blue sky,
Looking out as the fluffy clouds float by,
Bound for sun, sea and glorious sand,
Majorca Island here I come, that’s my plan,
Suitcase is packed, passport at the ready,
At my age, my world never expected,
My whole life through, a dream to come true,
What will I do? My desire! First thing, I’ll do,
Take a very large drink then taste in the view,
Enjoying and fun, or taking the plunge,
Swimming or diving, a boat ride to islands,
Or just sunbathing not burning,
But thinking more drinking, some more eating,
And a lot of entertaining,
Having a wonderful time,
Or just standing a while,
Experiencing the different lifestyle and culture,
Of the Spanish people.
Then very sadly flying back.
Reminiscing for the rest of my life,
And saying “I did that” Wish I was there once again.
So watch out for me! Because here I come.
As i Knew
The butterfly flew
Someone or something is new
On one's eye view
As the shimmering Light
On the darkest night
If you might
Nothing in sight
As even if you are
Sit as Tsar
Twinkling like a star
Waiting By the car
Aren't making someone a fool
Standing a deserted stool
Feeling unrealistic cool
Going to the invisible school
Give a staging call
Never felt a fall
Sitting in an ablaze hall
Never learned to stall
As one from afar carried a flame
I know it sounds lame
Like an unfailing claim
As impersonate time came
An accountable meet
With cold white feet
Eating some murky wheat
On a irregular seat
Learning as Brain go rot
No one can stop
Loving metallurgy a lot
As flower in a lousy pot
Time to end
Like an untrusted friend
As an eyesore letter send
Feeling like newly found trend
I used to live in France, near the Champagne region.
My favorite Notre Dame cathedral is not the one in Paris;
Rather it is Notre Dame de Rheims.
After many battles, Jeanne D'Arc helped the Dauphin Charles
Be crowned the king of France there.
There are many statues in France of Jeanne D'Arc.
Most of them show her riding a horse with sword held high.
I've see that image in many Places in the north.
My favorite statue of her is in Notre Dame de Rheims.
She looks to be standing a vigil in her armor
With her battle flag posted behind her.
I've also been to Place Jeanne D'Arc in the city of Rouen,
Where the British tormented, interrogated, and immolated her.
It didn't look like a sad place, but I felt sad there for her.
I don't know if she really heard angelic voices,
But her story always inspired me--
Probably the only non-Biblical saint that ever did.
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