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James Mclain Poem
there’s always a man
who walks into the room
like he owns the ceiling
and the dust in the corners
and the breath in your lungs.
he talks about strength
the way a drunk talks about love—
loud,
with broken glass in his mouth.
the country splits itself open
arguing at kitchen tables,
in parking lots,
in the thin blue glow of televisions
that never sleep.
flags flap like nervous birds.
everybody’s got a war now—
a war on neighbors,
a war on strangers,
a war on ghosts they swear are real.
overseas
bombs bloom like bad flowers
in deserts that have seen too many empires
come and go
like bad bar tabs.
the men in suits smile,
shake hands polished with sanitizer and ambition.
they speak of security,
of destiny,
of greatness measured in contracts
and applause.
meanwhile,
back home,
rent is late,
tempers are shorter than cigarettes,
and the truth limps down the alley
with a busted lip.
power attracts its own kind—
loyal faces in expensive jackets,
men who nod too quickly,
who laugh a beat too loud
and some women.
the room fills with yes
yes
yes
until it sounds like a swarm.
and somewhere
a waitress wipes down a counter
and says,
“they’re all the same.”
maybe she’s wrong.
maybe she’s right.
history has a long memory
and a short fuse.
in the end
no one conquers everything.
the wars abroad fade into footnotes,
the wars at home scar the children,
and the man who wanted it all
learns that the ceiling
never belonged to him.
it was just
borrowed
like the rest of it.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2026
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James Mclain Poem
I am transgender, a soul untamed,
Seeking solace, my true self proclaimed.
In this journey, I've found my role,
Here's what I need to be made whole.
Acceptance, a beacon to light my way,
Embracing love, where judgment won't sway.
A mirror that reflects my inner grace,
To see myself, unburdened by the chase.
Understanding hearts, compassionate and kind,
A refuge where I can peace of mind find.
Words of affirmation, whispered in the air,
Affirming my existence, showing they care.
A world that dismantles oppressive walls,
Where equality reigns and prejudice falls.
Opportunities to thrive, without constraint,
For my dreams and talents, a fair playing paint.
Connection to a community, strong and tight,
Where unity blossoms, like stars in the night.
Courage to be vulnerable, without fear,
Knowing my truth is valued and held dear.
I am transgender, bold and unafraid,
Demanding respect, in every accolade.
With these elements, a tapestry untold,
I'll embrace my journey, and forever unfold.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2023
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James Mclain Poem
since when did you care about what your parents thought
their trembling hands clutching dusty photo albums,
dreams for you etched in whispers,
like the fine print on a warranty you never read.
smart, they said,
smart enough to untangle the wires,
but never the knots in your chest.
immortal—they wanted you invincible,
a timepiece that slowed down
only for holidays and funerals,
never noticing that your hours burned faster than theirs.
abstinence, they prayed,
as if purity were a shield
against the sharp teeth of the world,1
but science taught you
the chemistry of craving,
the physics of loneliness,
the biology of need.
they wanted you science-oriented,
but you learned to dissect their dreams,
and the heart, you found,
was just another organ
pumping blood
into someone else's expectations.
So since when did you care?
you don't.
you never did.
broke and trying to raise two kid's
before age twenty.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2024
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James Mclain Poem
the keys stick when I type,
the ink smudges on cheap paper,
there’s an old man in the corner
laughing through his dentures at my words.
he knows, I know—
it’s all garbage,
all of it.
writing the same worn-out lines,
spinning circles around rent checks
that will barely clear.
this morning, the phone rang,
and I thought it was hope—
turned out to be another
rejection letter in a different voice.
I’m smoking old cigars
that burn the fingers but not the mind,
drinking coffee cold as winter in a can,
wondering how I ended up here,
writing just to keep the lights on.
and that goldfish,
it’s still there—
belly-up in its bowl,
not even a bubble left
to prove it ever lived.
I haven’t flushed it.
I’ll keep it as a reminder,
that we all float for a while
before sinking.
the landlord knocks again,
the ashtray overflows.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2024
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James Mclain Poem
She doesn't mind the great length
Or the girth of it
Bushes without leaves
Are not green as he kisses it
The woods are not deep
Without trees that are seen
While the path that she walks
He chose in her dream
Stopping she dropped what it was
That he picked
A daffodil that bleeds white sap
If too hard it is picked
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2023
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James Mclain Poem
Her beauty draped, a silhouette divine,
The most beautiful woman, her grace defined.
Eyes like constellations, deep and profound,
Wisdom their gaze, a universe found.
Golden tresses cascade, a waterfall of light,
Soft as whispers, in the moonlit night.
Her skin, a canvas, where stories are told,
A tapestry of warmth, in hues untold.
A symphony of laughter, a melody sweet,
Intellect sparkles, in every thought she greets.
Her words, like poetry, dance in the air,
A reflection of brilliance, beyond compare.
Graceful as a swan, she moves with ease,
A dance of intellect, a gentle breeze.
Her smile, a sunrise, breaking the dawn,
In her presence, a symphony of sound.
The most beautiful woman, a blend so rare,
Physical allure, and intellect, so rare.
In her existence, a masterpiece is spun,
For she is the art, the moon and the sun,
Aunt Shirle Moore .
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2023
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James Mclain Poem
In the depths of the soul, a precious treasure lies,
A beacon of light that never truly dies.
It's the essence of strength, a flame burning bright,
A testament to one's worth, an unwavering might.
Self-respect, a virtue held dear,
A cornerstone of life, crystal clear.
With every step taken, head held high,
The heart whispers a resolute sigh.
No longer defined by others' cruel gaze,
No longer entrapped in society's maze,
For within, a knowing, a sacred flame,
A self-assured spirit, forever untamed.
In the face of adversity, a resilient stance,
A dignified bearing, a confident dance.
Boundaries set, firmly etched in stone,
No compromise on values, one's truest tone.
For self-respect demands a gentle care,
Nurturing the soul, tending with love and flair.
Embracing flaws, accepting imperfection,
Forging a path to authentic reflection.
It's finding solace in one's own embrace,
Celebrating uniqueness, no need to chase
The approval of others, for deep inside,
Lies a treasure trove, a wellspring of pride.
Self-respect is the armor, a shield in strife,
Empowering the spirit to embrace life.
With reverence for self, we learn to believe,
That we're deserving of love, and yes, we can achieve.
So let self-respect be our guiding light,
A beacon that shines through darkest night.
In its gentle embrace, we find our way,
To a life of purpose, each and every day.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2023
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James Mclain Poem
she and he in polished shoes,
his tie she tied like a noose,
sunday's knight,
shining with borrowed grace.
the church bell rings,
like something forgotten it had to say—
they hear it as their anthem.
he's got the Book
tucked under his arm,
pages marked with
sins they swear aren't theirs.
mouth's whisper Solomon's psalms
that their hands have never followed,
but still, they kneel,
all theater and flourish, cheeks flushed.
he sneered at the beggar
on the church steps,
dropping a coin only when
he knew, that someone was watching.
inside, they clasp their hands,
not to pray,
but to shield themselves
from their own insidious reflections.
out they walk,
cleaner than confession,
a god in their own minds,
but the devil's grin
hides behind their lips.
and somewhere,
someone who does believe,
but loves,
sleeps on just fine.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2024
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James Mclain Poem
Gossamer dancer,
Dragonfly whispers on air,
Nature's jewel shines bright.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2023
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James Mclain Poem
You do not have to scatter all your light
Upon the darkened road and walk alone,
Nor leave behind the tenderness of home
To seek a distant, half-imagined sight.
The heart was not designed for endless loss,
Nor meant to burn itself to prove its flame;
It keeps its wonder quietly the same
Through seasons crossed and rivers wandered across.
What waits for you is not beyond your breath,
Nor hidden in some unreachable sky—
It lives within the courage not to die
A little more with every dream’s small death.
You need not trade your laughter for the stars,
Nor sell your peace for crowns of broken gold.
The truest treasures are not bought nor sold,
They bloom where you already are.
So walk, but keep your gentleness in hand.
So hope, but keep your roots within the ground.
What you are seeking may be waiting now
In the soft miracle you understand.
You do not have to give up everything—
Only the fear that says you never can.
Copyright © James Mclain | Year Posted 2026
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