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Zachary Alvstad Poem
Can you remember who you were before the world told you who to be?
reminiscing on elementary, high school, college, was that really me?
they say you live and you learn well I don't necessarily agree...
because until you see the framework of the system you're still a detainee...
we've been manipulated and conditioned to accept bourgeoisie,
it starts with our education, or should i say domestication? sit down, shut up, and agree...
i hate to break it to you, but it doesn't mean you're smart just because you have a degree...
how many of you wanted to work in a cubicle when you were three?
whatever happened to artisanship and being crafty?
I once heard, dont believe anything you hear and only half of what you see
Haven't you ever felt that simply existing is an oddity?
Were specks of dust amidst billions of galaxies
Were something like a tributary of the singularity
Shoutout to Robert Pirsig, I hope this is "quality"
Were destroying our environment in exchange for society,
destroying our forests and source of oxygen like some sort of black friday spree,
starting war in the middle east for oil and the currency,
our debts closing in on 18 trillion, is where were headed really that hard to foresee?
oh and don't forget about our 120 trillion in unfunded liabilites,
This path were on isnt conducive to sustainability,
but seriously, I'm just some kid from Oklahoma, feel free to disagree
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
TITLE:
Xenophobia
Heed the warning
This isn't for the faint of heart
Verbalizing my deepest yearnings
They're bound to be a bit tart...
Because where I'm from is called the Bible Belt
Where folks in queues to catch the garter belt
Where peoples dreams take constant pelts
And kids psyches be full of welts
From parents saying, "the sky's the limit!"
Then they grow up and only hear about limits...
Get real kid, this is how it's always been
You hear that? That's the worlds smallest violin
I swear sometimes I can feel the world spin
Like, if we don't change now... When?
Used to be paralyzed by the illusion of sin
Poked my comfort zone with a safety pin
Don't let 'em steal your heart like the man of tin
I made it out by the hair of my chin
Growing up, my favorite question was "Why?"
23 years later I can't quit asking "Why?"
Why? Why? Why? Whyyyyy?
Sigh... I just can't turn a blind eye
Imitation is suicide, rather die than comply
Curiosity'll make my brain pop, 1,000 p.s.i.
9,000 miles from home lookin' at the same blue sky,
Thinkin', It's crazy how one decision can change your life
Day to day nothing seems to change
Then looking back nothing seems the same
Where did all the time go?
You really do reap what you sew...
***********************************************
Maybe I bite off more than I can chew
I'm just trying to broaden my view
I'm just trying to learn something new
In hope of reaching heights visited by few
Yeah, I definitely bite off more than I can chew
But someday I'll reach heights visited by few
So I'll keep musin' 'til I become the Muse
************************************************
Let me share some thoughts from abroad
I'm currently chillin' in Asia on Cambodian sod
The way the world's been portrayed is 100% facade
The American Dream... Aka the American Fruad
Blindfold your brain, here comes the firing squad
Day by day, I feel my prejudices melt
I can't put a finger on some things I've felt
But I'll always accept the cards I've been dealt
Cause I'm the dealer...
Hit me.
Only brought one bag, traveling light
Do I own things or do they own me?
Less is more, it's black & white
That's old wisdom, Linear B
Who's to say what's wrong or right?
I guess in time we'll see...
Don't know if I'm lookin' for somethin'
Or if I'm runnin' from somethin'
Both, Either way the answer's within
I can't lie I miss home now & then
But Ima keep runnin' until who knows when
Been gone nearly 6 months, quite awhile
What's home? I haven't found it yet
Slidin' thru these countries like socks on the tile
Learning so many lessons from people I've met
Like, Did I really choose my lifestyle?
Or, was it chosen from a finite set?
Single file, line's longer than the Nile
The world's a lot different than on the TV set...
Don't go there, someone might kidnap you
Or kill you, mindset courtesy of the news
Come take a walk in someone else's shoes
And see how the U.S. of A is viewed
I think you might be amused...
The bad guys... Who's who?
Your nationality, did you choose?
Your religion, did you choose?
We all have the same inherent desires
To be loved, understood and cared for
To have food to eat and some attire
a roof over our head, that's all that's at the core
Imagine one lives the exact same life as me
But he was raised without Christianity
He's damned for eternity?
because of our incompetency
to realize & manifest universal equality...?
Other advocates believe their story's infallibly true
Same way you talk about yours 'til your cheeks turn blue
Older generations think we need to get a clue
The irony is, We inherited this world from you
You told us most of what we thought we knew
So don't be mad when we try to start anew
And we challenge everything you said was taboo
Because history seems like never ending déjà vu
Sit back, relax, and forget what you're used to
Because it's our turn to lead the coup
Honing my foresight on when my child will be two
I wanna be someone he'll be able to look up to
I wanna leave a world where he won't just make do
To fit in he won't need a pair of $100 shoes
And instead of war we'll use our words & peruse
You going to wake up or hit snooze?
What's your excuse?
Honestly, what do we have to lose?
***********************************************
Maybe I bite off more than I can chew
I'm just trying to broaden my view
I'm just trying to learn something new
In hope of reaching heights visited by few
Yeah, I definitely bite off more than I can chew
But someday I'll reach heights visited by few
So I'll keep musin' until I become the Muse
************************************************
Times are changing Mom & Dad
Global consciousness shift, this isn't just a fad
Growing up our world was much different than yours
Surf the Internet and check anythings source
We won't sit back and let things take their course
It's simple, you want me to code it in Morse?
. . . _ _ _ . . .
Boy, why's your writing gotta be so coarse?
Uhh... Why do half of marriages end in divorce?
It shouldn't be a chore
Neither side thinks their the source
Did you forget about all those scriptures you endorsed?
All those Sunday morning worships you enforced?
What if time was our currency?
and we fostered self-ésteem?
What if it was as easy to be nice
As it is to be mean?
What if the forest was church?
And the universe was our God?
What if our prayers were meditation?
And no one told you who to laud...
Maybe we aren't content with kneeling to pray
Maybe we want to put our actions into play
Instead of asking "someone" to allay our dismay
Man, These days a lotta things seem like display
Ostentatious piety, I see thru that like an x-ray
Look, I'm just sayin' what y'all are scared to say
Let's stop all the bleeding... Vitamin K
And show love like it's always Valentine's Day...
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
In a sense everything is a seed of it's successor
The universe is change, life is judgement
Those aren't my words, they're a famous author
The rest of these are and what I think he meant
Before you demur let's confer, after you'll concur
All there is is progress or regress, no dormant
Don't be a seed sitting around waiting for water
Be the rain, Kim Peek, no limit to your extent
Self-educate and continually be the successor
We're all geniuses, so much potential in you unspent
Don't defer or deter because you're scared to err
How many times did Edison fail before he got the hint?
Go out and get it, there’s no such thing as de jure
How long did the Beatles play before they got their stint?
Try new things, never know what might be your spur
San Antonio, you’re never too old to reinvent & augment
It takes work though, think your dreams'll just occur?
Slow & steady wins the race, can’t start off at a sprint
Dreams'll? I'm inventing words, I'm a connoisseur
I'm no superhero though, don’t call me Clark Kent
Just a nobody tryin’ to help, I’ll be your chauffeur
Don't want you to wake up at 40 and lament
Don’t want you to wake up at 40 and it be a blur
Seen too many people grow old with resent and contempt
Seen too many people thinkin’ bout places they coulda went
I'm hoping these words are like medicine, antibiotics, a cure
I'm hoping these words help you find intent and content
I'm hoping these words are something like a brochure
for a 5 star resort in euphoria called "A Life Well Spent"
Examine your thoughts, which ones tend to recur?
Are they rooted in ascent or descent? Your consent
They won't relent, which ones would you prefer?
Don’t need a lifeline Regis, think positive & imprint
Some days it’s easy, some days you’ll have to procure
Some days it’s bright, some days there’s solely a glint
Hang tight, please don’t give into everything with an allure
Seen too many people walkin’ round with superficial splints
Work on your inner swag, forget all that haute couture
Victims to big business, you really wanna be a percent?
You’re joggin’ down jaded avenue, takin’ every detour
Joggin’ down my own street, headed straight for the obscure
Posted up at the library, guess I might as well pitch a tent
Readin’ Vonnegut, Huxley, Marquez, Dostoyevsky, Faulkner
Been staring into this pad so long I’m havin’ to squint
Props to you if you’re still readin, just slurrin’ manure
Only a few lines left in this vent, if I’m lucky it’ll leave a dent
Got my fingers crossed you like this, might be premature
These thoughts get heavy, fall out and break the cement
These words like a cock roach, nothing they won’t endure
These words make yuh fall to your knees and repent
Rhymes for days, don’t even gotta change the ends to –urr
Shout-out to Chingy, still listenin’ to Holiday Inn & Right Thurr
If I ever get rich think I’ll go disappear out in Kuala Lumpur
Gettin’ lost in the flow, one more line, I wanna ensure
Remember one thing, you are your life's entrepreneur
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
Problems in the mirror may be further than they appear
Don’t fear when they’re near, they’ll soon disappear
help is here, let me give your mind a steer
I’ma just keep writin’ until it all appears clear
coming to you live from the heart, no veneer here
closing in on 10,000 hours quick, nothing will interfere
I’ll turn these words to a career, this is only the first tier
found what I love, don’t care about 0’s at the cashier
You're wasting your time if you wouldn’t do it as a volunteer
Please don’t call me a poet, call me a word engineer
Haha, I can joke too, not all my poems are severe jeers
Stop while you’re ahead though, bout to shift into next gear
Pay attention, learn more in a poem than an academic year
Spare the sneer, wont quit til I sear all that you adhere
Persevere, attackin’ ya from the front both sides and the rear
Steer clear, don’t need no one’s cheer, you cohere?
Probably bust a drum if I spoke this, cauliflower ear
You don’t have to like me, but I bet you will revere
Change my name to Paul, inform you bout the brigadiers
See what I did there? Re-read those past 2 if it’s unclear
My minds my weapon, unlimited ammo, bandolier
Fully automatic, spraying bullets at everything insincere
Blowing up everything you thought you knew, bombardier
You got tunnel vision, widen your view, belvedere
This flow is delicate, elegant, like a chandelier
This flow leave ya weak in the legs like a baby deer
This flow has many sides and it’s well rounded like a sphere
A pioneer on the frontier, might stop and shed 1 tear
They say a writer never dies, guess this is a souvenir
Catch me down under drinkin' a Bundaberg ginger beer
This poems a joke, obscene, call me Edward Lear
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
How many people a day do you let affect what you decide?
trying to please everyone is a slippery, slippery slide
the irony is, most people are just projecting what they’re trying to hide
no one can like you, unless you are you, I thought that was implied
people talk regardless, so you might as well stay true to what’s inside
listen to your intuition, let it be your guide
we get one life, the worst words are… I wish I would have tried…
some men die at 30 but aren’t buried until they’re 75
chasing the world and letting their convictions subside
I’ll be happy when I buy this, when I get that, all else aside
you wont ever be rich until you have something money can’t buy
Because there’s always something new, materialism is a perpetual ride
So, do what you love and find a way for the money to coincide!
What if I told you this all comes down to one thing... pride
because where there’s ego, self-righteousness usually resides
instead of accepting what we’re given and just taking a dive
let’s create an environment where self awareness and creativity can thrive
the rules were meant to be broken, never feel obliged to abide...
But remember, happiness is a journey, don’t ever expect to arrive
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
Room full of people, how could I be lonely?
these days it's harder than ever to find a true homie,
I'm trying to keep a grip, but I'm losing it slowly,
filling our voids with mediums of instant gratification,
how do you not see the ramifications?
we've been desensitized and overstimulated
our thoughts and subconscious inculcated
by news feeds, timelines, snapchats, and the latest,
pseudo friendships masking this hiatus,
can we talk about something besides other people?
it would be different if it were positive, but it always seems to be fecal,
do you realize the power of your thoughts and words? gossip is lethal,
where's the smart girls at? I'm over all these (drunk) barbies
And, i've had enough of the bars and house parties,,
I just wish there were some more options for a social affair,
Don't get me wrong though, I've had more than my fair share
I've been down that path and it reeks of despair
honestly, does this generation even know how to have fun sober?
You can't talk to a girl without a buzz and you expect things to be kosher?
Look, i know we're young, but I won't settle for mediocre,
Don't run from yourself, it's only harder as we get older,
is anyone else with me? or am I just blowing hot air?
put down your phone, turn off the tv, read a book, that's a dare,
i'm nowhere near perfect, I'm just trying to make ya'll aware,
time is so precious, quit wasting it, take care!
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
Room full of people, how could I be lonely?
These days it's harder than ever to find a true homie
I'm trying to keep a grip but I'm losing it slowly
Filling our voids with mediums of instant gratification
that create unrealistic plateaus of satisfaction
Keep me up, keep me up,
How do you not see the ramifications?
We've been desensitized me overstimulated
Our thoughts and subconscious incubated
By news feeds, timelines, snapchats and the latest
Virtual friendships masking this hiatus
Can we talk about something besides other people?
It'd be different if it were positive, but it always seems to be fecal
Do you realize the power of thoughts and words? Gossip is lethal
Forget words, we've forgot how to feel
Western medicine, we've forgot how to heal
Longer life expectancies, but without any zeal
Living longer just to live longer, what's the appeal?
Why would you ever live a life less than ideal?
Playing' double dutch with reality & surreal
Here we go with another one of my spiels
Let's imagine a day without a word said
Let's imagine a day without thoughts in your head
Let's imagine a day with all expectations shed
Just actions, seems it'd be hard to be misread
Do you see how we make things complicated?
Speak the same language but need it translated
Unrealistic mediums of keeping in touch
Hey, hi, what's up, how are you?
What happened to just chatting over lunch?
Pretty good, Chillin', yeah me too
No such thing as plans, someone might text me
"I'll let you know", we have to keep a plan B
Some of you probably string along three
Day dreaming about the days before technology
When you had to be where you said you'd be, #T.B.T.
I see the followers, yeah you got a bunch
How many you seen in the last few months?
How long can we use instant gratification as a crutch?
Social media, the FOMO illusion, how much is too much?
Dramatized highlight reels of our lives
Look at me, look at me, I'm alive, I've arrived
Perfect little story, just how you contrived
Elephant in the room, the antithesis of live
Let's just upload consciousness to a hard drive
Seen friends waste hours in paradise editing pics
Just to post them in hope of some double clicks
These habits have turned into Tourette's tics
Sucking the essence from the moment, the "present" tick
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
What's next? It's all just one big sham
The egos favorite invention, that & the front cam
I'll apologize now for these next lines ma'am
Some of you girls confused about what's a shirt
Tits & Ass out, actin' surprised by perverts
The spice is gone when everyone's seen what's for dessert
You aren't fooling anyone, it's oh so overt
Oh, can we all agree to quit recording concerts?
Guys, know the difference between flirt & thirst
You're not Drake, your behavior's actually the worst
Court a random girl in person, that'd be a first
It's so much more genuine unrehearsed
Put your phone up be available & alert
I'll bet you'll wish you would've when you're riding in a hearse
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
People come & go, that’s the cycle of life
One minute you know them the next they’re a stranger
Different me’s come & go, that’s the cycle of strife
One minute I know myself, the next I’m a stranger
Lost in limbo, I can’t discern which way to turn
Got 1,000 old me’s on my shelf in different urns
Whippin’ up a new me in my schizophrenic churn
You could say I’m like most things, still to be learned
I don’t think I’ll ever live up to my expectations
It’s just too easy to fall into these temptations
How many of you have felt these frustrations?
One minute I’m a genius, the next I’m an idiot
Every single days a struggle to live deliberate
Maybe I think too much, maybe I need to acquit
Maybe not, I’m just trying to make it all make sense
Where are you, God? I’d love to hear your two cents
I have a lot of questions for you; I’ve been on the fence
Did you create yourself? Where did you commence?
And what’s your thoughts on killing in your defense?
These days, isn’t war in your name just a pretense?
Will we ever understand? Or is it just too immense?
If life was my landlord I can’t say I’d renew my lease
My biggest fear? I’ll decease before finding inner peace
Wish I could go back & hear Socrates & Plato in Greece
Wish I could go back to Galilee and hear Jesus teach
Wish I could go back to 1963 and hear MLK’s speech
Why’s the hardest part practicing what you preach?
If only there were some kind of conscience bleach
Swear I know the right way but still I choose wrong
These inner demons have been at me for oh so long
Maybe I was born in the wrong time, I don’t belong
Lost in trivialities, searching for a way out of the throng
I’m looking to the stars where the Gods sit thru my telescope
I feel small but yet infinite, it helps cope and gives me hope
I like to imagine God’s looking back thru his microscope
thinking: face your woes, they’ll follow you around the globe
and all there is to know is within you, you just have to probe
even the righteous suffer, didn’t you read the book of Job?
and life’s what you make it, a lucid dream, no frontal lobe
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
I saw her and I knew
I knew I was doomed
Her smile, poetry in motion
Her curves, waves in the ocean
Natural, her skin's like canvas
I hope she likes these stanzas
They're all for you
For you & what you do
To me, completely unaware
I'm trying hard not to stare
Imagining you bare
Ohhhh, this isn't fair
Fairy tale, cartoon
I knew I was doomed
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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Zachary Alvstad Poem
Can't decide if there's anything ever worth sayin'
Done a lot in 23 years but feel like I've done nothin'
Opportunity cost, I hear the clock tickin'
Killin' time in Vietnam people watchin'
Seeing the way these ppl live has me thinkin'
Seeing the way these ppl live kills every ounce of conceit
Seeing the way these ppl live my problems take a backseat
I just saw a paraplegic crawling down the street
I've seen countless ppl without shoes on their feet
While back home ppl only worried about their next tweet
"Our" lives are a treat, like someone gave us the cheats
When's the last time you had to worry about a bite to eat?
Can I return this world? I can't find my receipt
Posing a question, what's your most significant feat?
That doesn't involve wearing a uniform or cleats...
Think about it, I'll wait...
Times up, to the point, I'll be succinct & discreet
Try to imagine a day without a dollar spent...
Half the world lives on $2 a day, 200 cents
$60 a month, that's not even a tenth of rent
Ahh... man, our condition is so far from mint
What's the answer, Zack? What's a single soul to do?
Well... not everyone wants to live like me & you
Check the happiness scores, broaden your world view
Read somethin you disagree with, read somethin new
Then read about somethin' you thought you knew
With that said, no one should worry about a bite to chew
40% of our foods wasted, let's donate that in lieu?
If we gave away a few shoes I'll bet everyone could have two
How many outfits you need? I can't seem to construe...
Lost some friends lately, guess that's just peer review
I've changed? Been thru a lot, it's probably true
I like to pretend the universe whispers via déjà vu
Reassurance, I've been here, keep embracing taboo
What's to ensue? This place'll make you go coo-coo
Everyone line up, single file, don't step out of the queue!
Playin' peek-a-boo with the devil, think he runs this Zoo
Teachers make 40k, while actors & athletes amass fortunes
On our knees for these celebrities, sheer distortion
Somethings out of proportion... talk about extortion
Can't even watch TV without hearing some contortion
2015 & headlines still be "racism and abortion"
I don't think Jesus' death was enough for all these sins
The only depressed kid always wearin' a grin
I guess this world just isn’t what I expected…
"Success” is based on dollars spent & "things” collected
While self-awareness & relationships are neglected…
Hmm… I wonder why we all feel disconnected?
Copyright © Zachary Alvstad | Year Posted 2015
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