where the branches go
return to the voices
that bitter inner verse
dressed in birds
I know now those roots
I know now where lovers die
Who knows where the branches go
to song to heart to some cruel universe
where no life turns, no beast pretends
a cage of mothers – a cry of death
Branches sway – Branches night
swing off into a color of sticks or sound
she awaits my bird my tiny wing
from our ancestry of none our null dream
to lie awake to die apart
oh soundless fury pray for me
I've done none, I've none
but the wind to carry me under
carry me away
I see myself far out of reach
on a south seas tropical island beach
piña colada close at hand
playing drums in Bright Eye Band
who knows where the cash all falls
with bills and rent the money's spent
who knows 'xactly where it went
and I picture me behind the wheel
of a sharp new shiny automobile
radio blasting the top is down
cruising to the hot spots all over town
who knows where the funds all go
it don't take long the money's done
who knows where it's gone
who knows where the money goes
it slips through my fingers away it rolls
there's never enough and my pockets have holes
Who knows why the waters never end, flowing deeply into running rivers and streams,
A constant current, unlike fleeting tastes, that fades with overindulgence and loss of their dreams,
Who knows what night conceals beneath its starry cloak?
When does the day surrender to the inky dark?
But words, like echoes, climb within and evoke,
Unforgettable memories, leaving their mark.
Who knows why time, with its relentless hand,
Fixes and sets all things in their rightful place?
Yet love remains a constant in this shifting land,
Seated within the heart, a steadfast embrace.
No
"you" to know or not know~
but the story places the
you-character in play
and that character
seems to know
and not know things~~
I’m not sure who did it
Or what it was that was done
All I know is that I don’t know
I am not sure why I don’t know
As everyone else seems to know
And find my not knowing very amusing
I don’t know why they find it amusing
All I know is that I don’t know
And their knowing doesn’t help
Me with my not knowing
Yet activates the
“How can you not know?”
“everybody knows” retort
No one will tell me
Who did it
Or what it was that was done
I’m beginning to think
They don’t know either
Who knows.
I told my mother I loved him.
She said I was wrong.
I told my father I loved him.
He said I was young.
I did not know if either of those things were true.
But I knew they did not love each other.
Meant to say, "I miss you." No, it won't take long. The longing kept going and going; it's
gone.
Is there a reason I see you in song? The song remains the same except when stations
change.
Instances of tempted moments held in my head, forgot how it felt to roam on our old
homestead.
When thinking, sat sleeping for mere moments just to spend.
Up ahead, inside a booth, perhaps it'll contain you.
The day repeats; this place is the same.
To think that I'll see you again.
I have not before. Perhaps today's different; please
broaden my perspective.
I've been daydreaming of red lips and Cleopatra's eyes.
I plead to the god of romance, let me please spend me this time dreaming of red lips
and Cleopatra's eyes.
I ask for too much; this, yes, I know.
Happy and go-lucky, Independence freed.
Don't let this toll toil and dream of taking from me.
Written on Dec-1-2023
© William Paul-Eric Rodriguez
"You're a failure!"
"You're nothing but a loser!"
"Freak!"
"Crazy!"
Funny how people treat me that way,
When the truth is that they don't know the real me.
It's so easy for them to say,
Hurtful words would never let them sway.
But words won't bring me down,
I'll stand firmly, head's up with my crown.
For all I know that I can still go on,
Someone's cheering me up, my reflection!
They see me as a failure,
I see an experienced person in the mirror.
They think I am a loser,
I see a woman who's getting stronger and braver.
People's words will surely affect my feeling,
But I don't swallow those, I let them shrink.
They can degrade me all they want, it's fine!
As long as there's someone in the mirror who knows who I really am.
What is that? The child asked, pointing at the man.
His mother was horrified, trying to get him to stop.
Child could see what mom could not – a monster man.
With claws and teeth and extra heads to grin and bop.
I am sorry, the mother apologized to the monster man.
Who nodded his head, acting like he was being kind.
In truth, he knew the child was seeing his real self.
A child who knows. What a specimen! A great earthly find!
When we go, we will never know, what we don’t know,
We will never know, that this kiss, was, the last kiss,
We will never know, that this goodbye, was, the last goodbye,
We will never know, who was sorry, or, if we were sorry,
We will never know, what we, or they, meant to say,
We will never know, that those left behind, do know, and will know,
Until they themselves, do go.
Oh ! Love , love! , love!
I call your name three times.
If many people knew your characters
Your enemy" hate" could not rule them for years.
Oh ! Love , love! , love!
I call your name three times.
Yoh! If many white and black folks understood
you well ,racism & tribalism could be finished in the world.
Oh ! Love , love! , love!
I call your name three times.
Yoh! If many lovers could follow your principles
many heartbroken people couldn't kill themselves.
August 14/2023
I have been wondering a bit of late
Am I indeed in fact funny
Or
Am I really actually just a clown
Big shoes to fill
Either way
The joke is on me
If I don't
Or
I can't make them laugh
I wonder if they are right
That it is better if you are bright
Involve in most of the things
Should not get out of sight.
Timidness should be set aside
Also, it is important to get on the ride
Or else nothing is waiting on you outside
Is that right or you just have to live your life?
Maybe, we can foresee it in the behavior of today
But tomorrow is uncertain to base it on what they say
How sure are we about our future
When we are all just striving to have a better one.
FATHER WHO KNOWS OUR PLIGHT
Father of Heaven of morning and night,
Who knows all men, our every plight
Who knows our words before we speak
Those proud in heart, those humble and meek.
Who hears us plainly when we pray
Words uttered in groanings, we cannot say.
Be thou our Savior in the darkest hours
For we live like monuments, perish like flowers.
Sweet Jesus we pray the prayer of faith,
For those hanging between life and the eternal gate.
For those fighting to breathe, enduring great pain,
Whose loved ones that may never see alive again.
Though this prayer is just a moment’s plea
You are Father and Lord of eternity.
We speak life, your Angels intervene,
fighting the darkness and evils unseen.
Father help now our faith and unbelief,
Whether in moments of victor, or tragedy.
For you are Lord, God of morning and night,
God who knows all men, our every plight.
We trust your will be done today,
As we your children humbly pray.
In Jesus’ Name , Amen
Surely sunrise will come tomorrow
Perhaps, who knows, I’ll not be here
If so, I’ll have no troubles to borrow,
I’ll be sleeping soundly without fear
Or, I may be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Written September 11, 2022
Submitted to “Bite Size Poem No 52” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Line Gauthier
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