Getting to The Point

This is an exercise that I'm doing for a class on getting to the point in poetry, first here's a poem written in it's original format;

I miss you, I'm not going to lie
I wish you would text or call,
if you don't I will understand.
In case you are waiting for me,
I won't, because I have my pride,
It hurt when you ignored me,
I thought we were friends
I guess I was wrong.


Teachers remarks:

"What the fuck? Get to the point...Who would write some stupid shit like this? First of all whoever it is, is probably lying, you don't say I'm not going to lie unless you are going to lie. And, "I wish you would call but I'll understand if you don't", why not just say don't call cause I don't fucking care! Oh yeah, and if you're waiting for me, forget it, because I have no pride and I'm a big ass baby or I wouldn't be writing this lame ass poem. It hurts when you take it where the sun don't shine, that's exactly what this poem is about, and what's the old saying; "if I need a friend I'll get a dog". Oh yeah, last but not least, the only thing that I was wrong about was giving a fuck in the first place."

Rewrite this crap!
Your teacher...


Ok, so here is revision 1:


Hey mutherfucker, I'd be a lying ass bitch
if I said I cared if you call or text
please don't.
In case you can't understand that
I don't give a shit,
stick it where the sun don't shine.
Friend my ass, please
spare me the bullshit!


Is that more to the point, but still in a nice way? Hope I get a good grade...this teacher is brutal.


Much Love and Peace


Robert
2016

Perfect

Trying to write the perfect line, the perfect rhyme, the perfect paragraph, phrase, or even sometimes just the perfect word is next to impossible if you think about it. If you don't think about it who cares if its perfect, I don't, I just write this shit and figure it out later. I would like to write something sensual that will turn you on, or perhaps something frightening that will scare you, or even something funny that will make you laugh. Oh well, guess not today. Today is just write something day...how about if I write something interesting that turns you on, frightens, and makes you laugh. That would be perfect.

Ok here goes; A naked ghost is hard to see....no, no, that's not it, lets try this; a horny spider ate Miss Muffet..., no, no, that's not it either, damn this is hard, I know you're getting frustrated, I'll hurry up..., no, no, I can't seem to find it, it's too dark, I'll have to try again. Damn it, I can't seem to get it right, lets see, maybe if I try harder..., no that's not working, maybe if the lights were on I could see what I was doing..., there that's better, oh no, what have I gotten myself into? Who are you? Do we know each other? This is frightening, but a little sensual, and actually pretty funny..., how did you get in here anyway? Well, now that you're here maybe you can help me, I'm trying to write something sensual, frightening, and funny, any ideas? Shut the fuck up, who would have ever thought of that? Damn, and I thought I was writing this, when really it was you all along. We better hurry before someone realizes what we're doing here together. What is it that we're doing by the way? Oh yeah, that's right, something sensual, frightening, and funny, hey! stop tickling me and take that bag off your head so I can see your face, or wait maybe leave it on..., that might be the frightening part!

Stupid shit for toady (actually that's today spelled wrong...), but I think her name is Toady. She's teaching me hot yoga, or maybe feeding me cold yogurt, haven't figured that part out yet. Naked, sweaty, and covered with yogurt is pretty sensual, frightening, and funny...if you're into that sort of thing. I better get a towel and wipe this stuff off, it's getting all over my paper while I'm trying to write something perfect. Hold that pose honey, someone's at the door, maybe the UPS guy bringing the parts to fix my car..., maybe he knows what I should write. I think I'll yell at him out the window to leave the stuff on the porch..., damn window's all fogged up from the hot yoga and stuck shut. Oh well, he'll figure it out, in the meantime where was I, that's right I was getting a towel, wow she's been holding that pose for a while, wonder if she's ok? Hey sweetie, you can relax now, sweetie...uh oh, I think she's stuck, her legs are wrapped around her neck and she's twisted like a pretzel standing on her head...the yogurt must have hardened, she looks like a yogurt covered pretzel, hey! I love those, I buy them at the health food store all the time, always wondered how they got the yogurt to harden. Well go figure, what do you know, this is a sight to see, an upside down yogurt covered pretzel with a bag over her head what the hell do I do now? I better call 911, no, no, bad idea, how will I ever explain this one. I know I'll look in the hot yoga manual that I just happened to pick up at the used book store last week, maybe there are instructions for this type of thing, let's see index, hmmm...what to do if a strange naked woman is stuck like an upside down yogurt covered pretzel in your bedroom at 3 in the morning with a bag on her head...nope, don't see that one. But wait a minute, what's this? How to write the perfect stupid ass story while a strange naked woman is stuck like an upside down yogurt covered pretzel in your bedroom at 3 in the morning with a bag on her head, now that's what I was looking for all along!

Are you still with me here, hope I didn't put you to sleep. That's ok if I did, that's what good stories are supposed to do. Anyway the book says that I'm supposed to write until I can't think of any more stupid shit to write about or my fingers fall off whichever comes first. Think I'll stop now, I'll catch you later when I think of something perfect to write about....hmmm, I wonder if she's a vegan?

Much Love and Peace


Robert
2016

 

Afraid To Love

As wind blows leaves on a tree

and the bird nests on the branches
unafraid,
love makes its home within the heart,
free to fly away at any time but choosing to remain.

Do not be afraid to love.

 
I love you.
 

Robert

2016

Its Not Just A Word

There is so much evil in the world yet I choose to write about love
There is so much hate in the world yet I choose to write about love
There is so much injustice in the world yet I choose to write about love
There is so much suffering in the world yet I choose to write about love

Someone has to do it why not me

I ain't no preacher
I ain't no politician
I ain't no soap box crier 
I'm just a father
I'm just a brother
I'm just a son
I'm just scared
I'm just not afraid
To tell the truth
To the world

There is so much love in the world and I choose to write about it

It is my time
These are my words
I was sitting at the table
I saw
I listened
I cried
I held you in my arms
I laid down with you
I am still here
For a reason
And I choose to write about
Love

It's not just a word



Robert
2016

Cockroach

Life as a cockroach can be pretty hard
Everybody trying to smash me but I'm pretty smart
I come out at nighttime to avoid the light
Nobody likes me so I stay out of sight
My skin is thick and I'm pretty fast
I've been around and I'm built to last
With names like you little bastard and son of a bitch
I'm only trying to stay alive, which
If I can give you one piece of advice

When the lights come on, run, and don't think twice...



Robert
2016

Week 42

I don’t have a fucking thing to say tonight.

I’m tired and angry and should go to bed,
but instead I sit here trying to force some fucking words out.
Why?
Who knows, who cares, and what difference does it make?
I don’t see the point in trying to figure it out.
I fucking hurt inside and that’s about it,
nothing fucking new, nothing fucking exciting to talk about,
no words of wisdom, rhyme, or bullshit poetry.
It’s just me typing on this fucking computer like anybody gives a shit.
 

Robert

2016

Bitter Poison (Revision 1)

As the cobra prepares to strike,
stretched to reach the sun,
with hair uncombed,
tee shirt barely clinging to a body
that exercised its rights into the early hours
of the morning, awake, unrelenting
and in union with desire
for the better part of the night.
Reason succumbs, senses tossed
wide open, like from the sharp edge of a sword,
bitter poison runs through pulsing veins.
Tranquility is lost,
searching to find divinity and self control,
to free actions and words from impure thoughts so
difficult to restrain.
The past remains unchanged,
the future shaped by insatiable desire,
unlikely lessons to be taught to one so
full of passions fire.
Thirsty and ravenous,
think, before tearing off what little shred of dignity is left.
Get close,
feel divine love and calmness.
Breathe,
let joy enter and live in peace,
undo the web of confusion,
freed from the bondage of "me".



Robert
2016

Writing Time (Part 1)

I'm not from Texas, I don't live in Nashville, I didn't know Townes or Guy or grow up listening to Hank. I am from the east coast, born in North Carolina, grew up in the DC area listening to the Nighthawks, Root Boy Slim, and getting drunk and singing Motown hits with John and Joey down on the park benches. I eventually graduated to Led Zeppelin, The Who, Hendrix, and all the other great rockers of my generation. I did fall heavily in love with the music of John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan, went through a bluegrass phase, found Townes and Lyle, and eventually came out with a wide taste in music.

What has this got to do with anything you might ask? Well, I'm working to be a songwriter, mostly like the first group mentioned, although my attempts so far have sort of been a combination of all of the above. That's what makes songwriting so unique to the individual, and at times very confusing. We grow up and are influenced by what we see and hear around us. My parents were not musicians and I was not taught anything by them except for my father occasionally singing Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes" in the shower which at the time I thought was actually pretty good for shower singing.

I grew up loving soul and Motown, but being from the south my family had not yet caught up with the times and were not really into the same music lets just say. Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Dean were on the radio if the radio was even on. My sister did have a few records of Elvis and Buddy Holly that I inherited when she went off to college, but I really don't remember music being that big of a deal in our house

As far as the songwriting goes, its up for grabs at the moment. I am trying to learn and soak up as much information as I can while at the same time continuing to write every day and even occasionally perform live when the urge or opportunity arises. I have attended a few writing and poetry workshops and have made some friends in the writing and songwriting fields. These friends along with other friends doing the same thing that I am doing has inspired me to continue with their support and help.

I am not exactly certain why but I do enjoy writing. I also enjoy the time spent with like minded people who are pursuing their passions whatever they may be. Writing has opened my mind to the possibilities of doing many things that I had never imagined doing. For me it has been a life changing experience and I am extremely happy to have you along with me.

More on this later, my writing time is up for today...


Much Love and Peace

Robert
2016


 

Born To Be

The mighty will fall and the weak will run

When the wall of forgiveness comes tumbling down
Humbled they will be when the conquerors arrive
And once surrendered they are lost for eternity
To the will of the heartless
Amnesty is out of the question for to let go is forbidden
And the merciless tyrants will have none of that.
Hold up your heads and quiver no more
Do not turn away or retreat in humiliation
By standing together in our misfortune
However small and meek
We the ones who no longer abide
By the rules set forth to restrict freedoms rights for all
Win back our hearts and lose the shackles
That bind us to self-righteousness
Unite my band of brothers and sisters
Unto the last of you to be blamed ridiculed or defiled
For opposing the injustice of hatred and bigotry
No one carries our torch or lights the way out of mindless shame
Except those who have been disqualified
Cast out or told that we were not allowed
because we think, act, or look different
You know who you are and from where I speak
Of why we must be steadfast and fear not
On this putrid field of disparity
Forever bound by diversity we wear the tarnished badge boldly
Worn to signify to the oppressor of our right to be the individual
That we were born to be

 

Robert

2016

 

Love (Note)

We are not words on a piece of paper,

news on the television,
paint on a canvas,
or photos posted on the internet.
We are flesh and blood,
we live, we breathe,
we do insane things that cause
joy and sorrow.

I love you.

Not for what you do or what you say,

but for who you are,
a perfect creation,
drifting through the universe
at this same moment in time.
We are not here by chance,
we are meant to know,

to learn, and to understand.

I love you.

Because we were born to share

the sounds, the laughter,

the simple pleasures,
and feel the energy

that flows
from one heart to another
when joined together
by love.

 

To be continued (one can only hope) …


 Much Love and Peace

Robert

2016

Cryptic (Part 18)

The story continues as this unlikely pair prepare to meet with Destiny. After meeting Fate it seemed that it would be difficult to understand the meaning of the words that he had presented, but the more that Peace thought about them the clearer they became. Destiny was not a place or a person, but a feeling, a feeling so powerful that it could cause someone to do things that would seem unimaginable to a sane person. Destiny disguises itself well, and comes in many forms, it is always well anticipated but usually comes when unexpected.

 

The mind is a place with many hiding places and Destiny seeks these places to remain silent until just the right moment to appear. Always present, but never noticeable until something triggers its release mechanism, allowing Destiny to appear from the dark recesses into the clear light of day. It is these moments when time seems to stop and everything has purpose and clarity, as if a message has been sent from somewhere explaining everything directly to us. There is no postmark or return address, and the message is not long. Destiny can unfold itself at any time.

 

Some choose to ignore these messages and are blind to them, while others are driven insane with the knowledge that Destiny brings forth. Strange things occur when one makes themselves open and vulnerable, and these are the things that Peace had tried to explain. He had hoped to make the journey of discovery and understanding with Love’s help, but it was becoming obvious that Love may not be what she appeared to be. Love it seems was Peace’s Destiny and had disguised herself well in a form presented each time to him from somewhere in his dreams. What lies ahead for the two of them was something that Destiny had made clear to him, and he was struggling to hide the pain of possibly losing Love once again. His feelings for her had not changed, but Love being elusive had always followed her own Destiny, which may but not always be with Peace.

 

As for Doom, well, we all play with Destiny and sometimes it is best to keep the black dog close at hand, as a constant reminder of the truth…. of our final Destination.

 

To be continued….

 

Robert

2016

 

 

 

Bitter Poison

As reason succumbs, and senses tossed, bitter poison runs through pulsing veins, exchanging tranquility with impure thoughts, so difficult to restrain.
The past, with it's jaded pictures of memories caught, the future, unrelenting, and in union with desire, the present, holds unlikely lessons to be taught, to one so full of passions fire.

Robert
2016


 

Pink and Perfect

Skin                       

Bare                       against mine

Kiss                       

Lips                        pink and perfect

Eyes                      

Seduce                 my heart

Hands                  

Touch                    as we walk

Arms                    

Hold                       tight                      

Long                     

Legs                       take my breath away

Feet                      

Walk                      all over me

Mind

Blown                   when you speak

Love

To                           tell you

 

 

Robert

2016

 

 

 

Hard

 I think about you while I lie here,
I should sleep but my body says no.
My body has taken control over my mind tonight,
it wants you,
and is telling me so.

 
Much Love and Peace


Robert
2016


 

 

 

 

Week 41 (Two Chairs)

I bought two chairs yesterday at the Community Flea Market, a little store in town that sells unusual items and junk. I saw the chairs sitting in the parking lot next to the big empty boat filled with lots of things to entice passersby. They are folding beach chairs made of wood with a piece of striped colored fabric draped from one end to the other that acts as the seat. I am not certain why they caught my eye other than the fact that I am living in a house on the water and that they are beach chairs. They are old and made of wood that desperately needs to be oiled from sitting out in the weather and drying out. The wood appears to be teak but of that I am not certain just yet. They are adjustable and can be placed in various positions from straight up to straight down flat. At first sight I thought that the fabric might be dry rotted and need to be replaced, but upon meeting and talking with Dan the proprietor of the establishment I was reassured that he had sat in them and in his own words “they held my fat ass”. This and the fact that he also said that he would make me a deal on them that I could not refuse made it impossible not to want the chairs even more so than I had previously thought. The chairs had little orange stickers on them with a price of $10 each, which I thought was reasonable and willing to pay, but when Dan said “I’ll give them both to you for $15", I was sold. I thought to myself at that price even if they need new fabric I can get them redone next door at the upholstery shop and still be ahead. So, needless to say Dan rang up the sale as a young man and his wife waited in line to purchase an old metal model car, and a very attractive woman walked by wearing very revealing black yoga pants. Hey, just trying to describe the scene, OK? Anyway, Dan and I discussed my reason for purchasing the chairs, living in the area and how much he loved it, me living in the old house on the water down the road, and my concern with flooding. He mentioned that FEMA had money to raise houses and that I should look into it and mentioned a local contractor who specialized in doing that type of work if that might alleviate my concern.

 

You see, the whole reason or at least one of the reasons that brought me to this little store in this little town is the house on the water. The house belongs to, and was purchased by my sister many years ago as a possible retirement home for her and her husband. Unfortunately, after purchasing the house it was hit by a major hurricane that tore the roof off and flooded the entire first floor. After extensive repairs and much heart ache the repairs were completed only to have another storm hit the house a year and a half later. This storm did not take the roof off, but it did flood and more repairs were required. The house sat vacant for many years and by the time I arrived was in pretty bad disrepair. I won’t go into details here but let’s just say it was unlivable and in need of much TLC.

 

When I first arrived it was June and the middle of summer. The temperature was in the 90’s and I was not sure if the A/C worked and did not attempt to turn it on for the first week or two. Sleeping on the floor on an old mattress that had been there for God only knows how long and had been the home it appeared of a few mice, I slept with the windows open and the ceiling fan turned on high. It was too hot to wear clothes or pajamas to bed and sleeping in the nude helped to stay cool. I found out quickly that although the house faces the water and seemed private, I had not realized that people take their boats out at night and was startled one night by a small laser beam dancing on the bedroom ceiling as I lay there trying to fall sleep. I assume now after being here for a while and meeting my neighbors that I was probably the brunt of a few local jokes. Eventually on went the A/C and down went the window shades at night.

 

Okay, so you say what has this all got to do with buying two chairs? Well, if I hadn’t moved here for whatever reasons, if I hadn’t been riding by this store on this particular day, and if I wasn’t writing this journal on my time spent here, I honestly don’t really know. For some reason when I woke up this morning I felt like writing and I thought the two chairs would make for an interesting topic. So, long story short, I suppose if you feel a need to get away to a place where you wake up in the morning wanting to write a story about two chairs, or anything else that strikes your fancy, I have two comfortable old beach chairs waiting for you.

 

Oh yeah, and you’re welcome to sleep in the nude if you are so inclined, just make certain to close the shades…. it’s not as private as it seems.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert

2016

 

 

 

Unjust

Don't say a word, just feel my strength.

Rise up to meet me,

close your eyes,

my hand placed firmly against your tempest lies.

Don't say a word, resist the temptation to scream.

The truth is tugging at you

to come and take its rightful place.

Heaving,

sighing,

lust filled moment, for what?

Spent,

I reject the desire that burns deep inside.

No hollow cries of deception

can heal pain

belonging to an unjustly discarded soul,

removed

to the bottomless depths of the unloved.



Robert
2016



“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them”

Jack Kerouac

 

Crossing Branches

There is a small tree
that lives inside with
crossing branches that
I must cut to see.
I know you are here,
when I feel the breeze
as it softly blows
away doubt and fears.
I live not wanting
to forget, although
I can’t seem to cut
the many regrets.
The secrets I keep,
I can feel them now
as I lie here sad,
and unable to sleep.
Spirit all around,
with me on this night
guide me where to cut
so I may see light...

 

Robert
2016

Week 40

Made some friends, lost some friends, fell in love, fell out of love, stumbled but didn’t fall, saw what I couldn’t see, laughed, cried, slept, ate, talked, sang, learned, forgot, missed someone, found someone, forgot, forgave, loved, hated, was kind, was thoughtful, cared, didn’t care, did not yell, did not scream, did not get drunk over fucked up feelings, did not get high, got real low, had expectations, was disappointed, felt sad, felt happy, made someone laugh, made someone angry, made someone cry, met a hero, was anxious, felt weird, looked weird, acted weird, wrote a story, wrote a poem, wrote a song, painted a picture, worked, played, relaxed, felt sorrow, felt empathy, smiled through it all, loved though it all, thanked God through it all.

Pretty much a normal week….

 New song title, and maybe the cover artwork of my upcoming book and CD, we'll see.

 

 

 

 

 

Much Love and Peace

 

 

Robert

2016