Distant Storm

I fell out of love by mid-day.

The snow was white and fast.

There was crunching in the footsteps.

All the praise for cold had passed.

I was huddled with my cafe cream.

I was braced at distant storm.

Then I remembered that you weren’t here.

Once again, my heart did warm.

Dennis Mantin

Second Chance Quiet

All is quiet here at mid-day.

Had my fill of sleep and dreams.

The plot was holding true to form.

Not a thing is as it seems.

We all smile for masks and photos…

Except the ones who care no more.

They stand screaming in the shadows.

Outside the corner coffee store.

The poverty is crippling.

The addictions sing and dance.

Me, I’m with my baby.

Keeping quiet, Second Chance.

Dennis Mantin

Contentment

I was breathing in contentment.

Spirits hovered in the mist.

Like a heavy fog just fades away.

In bright light, something missed.

Gall heaped high at breakfast.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

Contentment left with harmony.

I can hear dark thunders roar.

Dennis Mantin

Perpetuity

I thought I would make a difference.

Ah! The follies of youth and ideology.

Now I see my irrelevance.

Powerless perpetuity.

I don’t fight this urge to matter anymore.

I have a new urge.

To experience life with total awareness and zero need to influence anyone.

I will just watch and write.

It has come to this.

Dennis Mantin

The Little Things

I say, “I don’t care bout the little things.” But mostly, it’s what I do.

I try hard not to say too much. Because really, not much of it is true.

Damaged from pain, hard living.  So much is rotten to the core.

If I cared about the little things. Then you’d be knocking at my door.

There’s no hope, no silver linings. There’s no possibility for truths.

I was taught by all those scallywags. Changing costumes in phonebooths.

There are lessons in the darkness. There are rules no one adheres.

We don’t care about the little things. We smile brightly, don’t talk of fears.

Dennis Mantin

How We Roll

The Expectations were on fire.

Virtues had grown thin.

Love was hanging… worn wire.

Either side has needs to win.

The penalties were not known.

The lines drawn in the sand.

Emotions were hot and blown.

And nothing much seemed planned.

You took the gold and money.

I have this heart and soul.

I’m not laughing, but you are funny.

I have the kid: that’s how we roll.

Dennis Mantin

Copy and Paste

I was looking for the answers.

Young Earth had just got old.

In a search for cure of cancers.

No one knew or truth be told.

I was reading at the Google.

Hummed a song that Kanye dealt.

I got drunk and played her bugle.

No one cared bout how I felt.

There are answers. I keep trying.

All this time that I could waste.

At the end, there’s no denying.

It’s all God. No copy-paste.

Dennis Mantin

Under The Radar

Flying low under the radar.

Anonymity is still a thing.

Your obsessions here are going far.

Now, no comfort do they bring.

You were singing in the spotlight.

To much applause and some disdain.

When I was writing in the darkness.

In contemplation of your pain.

I remember how you suffered.

All the horror in that big brain.

Waves that crashed are now outnumbered.

The counting stops or goes insane.

I’m not saying I have the answers.

To finally bring you peace of mind.

Just float back down to earth, old friend.

You’ve done well, leave that behind.

Dennis Mantin

Altruistic Love

We were taught about this love.

From those who never knew.

They had heard the stories of.

From the dreamers and the few.

These survivors of those wars.

Who heard this from above.

To teach in words and metaphors.

To live, lie, and say I love.

I’ve heard them speaking of.

Just not certain or so sure.

I said I don’t believe in love.

So altruistic and so pure.

Dennis Mantin