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Toby James Poem
See these tired eyes
A poor mask for what lies inside
Or, perhaps, a window to my mind
See these eyes searching, searching to find
A palace, a sanctuary, a place to unwind
A bodhi tree to sit behind
With a lover, a pen, a bottle of wine
And an empty book to write lines
These eyes of mine, they are kind
They are tired, they are open, they are wise
But until I meet you, my love, they are blind.
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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Toby James Poem
Mindfulness of mind can drive a man insane
Analysis of thought can only lead to more
The hope that all this mindfulness will not be made in vain
Is sometimes all that keeps me from a rope toward the floor
Quiet questions keep me from the life I wish to lead
This puzzle is a hindrance to anyone involved
Some practice in tranquility is all that I would need
Still, I remain confident this puzzle can be solved
But what is all this mindfulness that I claim to possess?
For all that can be known, I could be telling lies
Provide me with some company and rather than impress
You'll see the tension in my smile and worry in my eye
You'll hear the stumble in my speech and sense the air of doubt
And maybe raise your guard to an unintended threat
This mental maze, it is a task that I could do without
A peaceful hour is a time that I have not discovered yet
Although I must repeat, despite this fair complaint
I maintain hopeful confidence this puzzle can be solved
With nothing short of prayer, that I can learn restraint
Not for me and mine, but those who are involved.
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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Toby James Poem
Take a look at this stride
This speech of mine, this smile
These clothes I wear
This home of mine
Practiced, crafted, all of it
You do it, so why not I?
Is it deception? Does it fool you?
Or maybe honesty, hidden poorly
Perhaps it is honesty in full
And the motivations a lie
Selfish? Vain? I think not.
It is for your benefit, not mine
A subtle assurance
Yes, I'm fine
This deception works
It works well
Well enough to cast your glance aside
But not mine
Mirrors laugh at these efforts
Efforts to mask the decline
The decline of mind
And soul
Take a look at this image
This is me, confident and self assured
Then look away
Quickly
Before this practiced smile slides
My fears are what this deception hides
But I'm fine
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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Toby James Poem
I miss you
Like the planet misses the stars
Like the ground misses the sky
Like the spider misses the fly
Like the drunk misses bars
Like the old man misses cars
Like summer misses rain, such is my subtle pain
Freezing, like winter's breezes
Unpleasant, like certain soft cheeses
Like the boat moored to the dock I am hardened, like a rock
And if only to spend an hour, maybe two
Spinning silly words to you
Then perhaps my heart may twitch
Perhaps those beats will sustain
And for an hour, maybe two,
I can live again.
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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Toby James Poem
These words are spoken with passion
Not these, but those
Words spoken among friends, words of attempted substance
And still, the message is lost
The passion is there, hiding, teasing
Ducking and weaving as a boxer would do
Trying to explain what I'm saying to you
I, am lost
When does the humour run its course?
When do clowns remove their paint?
Do they dare? Do I dare?
A mockery
A pallid attempt at substance
These words, THESE words, are a message
A weak apology
A hope of understanding, a semblance of personal soul
A message wanting to be found
Kept in the dark.
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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Toby James Poem
These two hands of mine, or of yours
Can hold weapons or cradle children
Can heal wounds or break bones
Can write worlds or build bombs
They relax to caress and form fists to punch
These hands, with practice, can do most anything the human mind can dare to think
These hands work, hard, for now and in many places
Whether I sail on boats or sleep beneath bridges
Whether I carry boxes or condemn criminals
They work. Hard.
Kings and queens can keep their castles
Leaders their nations and millionaires their millions
These two hands, humble yet Godlike, will do.
Copyright © Toby James | Year Posted 2015
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